Chief of Party, Anticipated Food for Progress Opportunity

RTI International is an independent, scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach-one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world's most challenging problems.

We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you.

RTI's Center for International Development implements large-scale, multidisciplinary projects across health, energy, agriculture, water, and education by leveraging RTI's deep cross-Institutional knowledge, proven solutions, and contextual expertise. We achieve global impact by improving lives, driving economic growth, and enhancing stability in fragile and developing geographies.

RTI is seeking Chief of Party (COP) candidates for anticipated 5-year USDA Food for Progress projects in multiple locations. Priority countries for Food for Progress include: Bangladesh, Bolivia, Ecuador, Morocco, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The Food for Progress (FFPr) Program provides for the donation of U.S. agricultural commodities to developing countries and emerging democracies committed to introducing and expanding free enterprise in the agricultural sector. Food for Progress has two high-level strategic objectives: (1) increase agricultural productivity, and (2) expand trade of agricultural products (domestically, regionally, and internationally).

What You Will Do / Responsibilities.

The Chief of Party will serve as primary liaison and representative with the USDA client and will be responsible for overall management, strategic direction, and leadership of Food for Progress (FFPr) Program activities. The COP will be responsible for assuring that all assistance provided under the contract is technically sound and appropriate for the needs to be addressed. This includes leading and overseeing all aspects of program strategy development, planning, implementation, review, surveillance, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), and operations.

This position is contingent upon donor funding.

Your primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Responsible for overall management and vision of the project, including leading planning, oversight, and coordination of all project activities and personnel.
• Serves as the primary liaison between USDA country client and RTI, managing overall client relationship and ensuring all contractual technical deliverables and reporting requirements are met and in compliance with contractual requirements and RTI standards.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for project stakeholders and counterparts regarding overall policy, resource mobilization and allocation, joint initiatives, and coordination of project management and planning.
• Supervises senior technical and operational staff, leading performance planning, development and evaluation processes. Ensures staff development and career progression.
• Responsible for developing and implementing practices to ensure a high level of staff morale and retention.
• Oversees recruiting/mobilization for international and local staff, both long and short term.
• Oversees the project leadership team and conducts regular meetings to ensure overall execution of project vision and efficient and cost-effective achievement of all results.
• Oversees performance MEL to ensure all project targets are met or exceeded, making recommendations for improvement in project implementation.
• Responsible for developing and implementing workplace practices to ensure a high level of staff morale and retention.
• Ensure that systems are in place and deployed to track expenditures (including labor) and monitor same against the Program work plan and budget, according to both company policy and client standards/regulations

• Bachelor's Degree and 15 years of experience, Master's degree and 12 years of experience, PhD and 8 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8+ years of management and leadership experience, managing large USG donor-funded projects of similar size ($20+ million or more) in developing countries.
• Prior experience as a Chief of Party leading USG-funded programs in developing countries; USDA donor experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience working in Food for Progress (FFPr) priority countries: including Bangladesh, Bolivia, Ecuador, Morocco, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
• Technical knowledge and experience implementing programs focused on agricultural productivity and/or trade of agricultural products.
• Experience working with the US private sector and in emerging markets.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and sustain professional relationships with host country government counterparts and a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, private sector businesses, associates, and civil society organizations.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and an ability to manage projects with remote offices and team members.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing adaptative management to successfully guide programming.
• English fluency; Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Other country specific languages such as Spanish, dependent on project locations.
• Qualified local national candidates are encouraged to apply.
• #LI-EP1

For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is availablehere.

RTI accepts applications to our job openings from candidates with criminal histories or conviction records in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

For Applicants in Massachusetts Only:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States. RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.