Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years’ experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 5,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. RTI's Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG&R) technical unit within the International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. SG&R will leverage RTI's experience designing and delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to respond to climate change, build resilience, and promote economic growth around the world.

SG&R’s Water portfolio has delivered innovative, breakthrough solutions in key development sectors, including water sector governance, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, solid waste management, urbanization, economic livelihood development, community engagement, and institutional capacity building. Our work spans the Africa continent with a growing presence in South Asia.

Project Description

The purpose of the recently awarded USAID Sri Lanka & Maldives Ocean Plastic Reduction Program (Ocean Plastics Reduction) Activity is to minimize ocean plastics pollution in Sri Lanka and the Maldives by reducing reliance on plastic products while improving integrated solid waste management (SWM) practices. The project will provide programming to both Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Position Description

RTI is seeking a Solid Waste Management (SWM) Services Team Leader for the recently awarded USAID Sri Lanka & Maldives Ocean Plastics Reduction Activity. The SWM Services Team Lead will lead activities that professionalize, improve and expand SWM for local, small-scale and private sector service providers, with a focus on reducing plastics available to the environment.

This position will be based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and report to the Deputy Chief of Party – Sri Lanka.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead Objective 2 activities to professionalize, improve and expand SWM in Sri Lanka; oversee Objective 2 activities in the Maldives.
• Develop pilot and other programs to create demand for lower-value waste.
• Lead the design and delivery of SWM technical assistance and capacity building activities that strengthen a variety of local government, private sector and informal organizations.
• Increase efficiency and effectiveness of public fund utilization and access to private funds for SWM, including overseeing activities that
• structure private sector engagement and partnerships to further expand and/or strengthen SWM and plastics recycling services.
• Prepare effective monitoring and management of service delivery performance with appropriate tools and systems and in coordination with relevant government agencies, associations, and stakeholders.
• Ensure gender equality and social inclusion are mainstreamed throughout all SWM and Plastics Recycling activities.
• Support implementation of a learning approach for the program, including identifying operational priorities and best practices/lessons and windows of opportunity to improve or scale as needed.
• Ensure timely achievement of program activities in adherence to annual work plan and budget.
• Provide technical writing support to and review key program deliverables and reports.

  Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's Degree and 8 years of experience, Master's degree and 6 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • At least five years of professional experience supporting technical, operational and financial service delivery strengthening, with a preference for experience supporting local government service delivery in Sri Lanka.
  • Prior work experience in solid waste management, experience supporting informal workers preferred.
  • Familiarity with the Sri Lanka government budget cycle and local government budget development, experience with securing private sector investment and financing preferred.
  • Experience in supervision or management of solid waste including engagement with stakeholders (private and public), infrastructure development, and other related activities is desirable.
  • Prior experience with USAID-funded programs preferred.
  • Proven ability to work under pressure, and with multiple concurrent demands.
  • Fluency in English and Sinhala or Tamil required.