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.
Position Description:
RTI is currently accepting applications for Sr. Project Management Specialists to support the following divisions:
- Agriculture, Water, and the Environment (1 position for the agriculture and/or water portfolio)
- Energy (1 position)
These positions will work closely with other project management team members and provide home office operational support to active projects in the field. The position is expected to support 1-2 projects 80% of the time, proposals 10%, and other tasks as required, 10%.
This position will start remote and will be expected to be based in Washington, DC or the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (RTI headquarters). Telecommuting will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The position will be expected to travel internationally up to 30% of the time when COVID restrictions are lifted. Travel assignments could range 2 weeks – 3 months. Candidates must be authorized to work in the US without sponsorship.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
General Project Management:
- Support all phases of project implementation, from project start-up to close out with a focus on operational and financial tasks.
- Proactively identify operational, financial, security, reputational or other project risks and closely working with the Project Manager to mitigate those risks; escalating concerns to senior management for resolution as required.
- Lead and manage start-up and closeout processes as needed.
- Liaise and coordinate support services from RTI business partners and regional offices.
Administrative:
- Ensure accurate and compliant record keeping; monitor and lead any corrective actions required to ensure project documentation, deliverables and data are maintained consistently in accordance with policies and standards.
- Develop and maintain project management schedules, work plans, and other general project management resources and tools.
- Prepare travel and consultant approval requests, information for contract modification requests, and other items for client submission.
- Track completed/approved deliverables, especially those required for USAID’s Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC) and RTI managed websites.
Financial:
- Establish and maintain financial tracking tools and budgets.
- Review monthly project expenditures for contractual and cost accounting compliance.
- Design and implement strategies to identify risk and address financial performance concerns.
- Monitor and analyze cost performance vis-à-vis expected revenue targets.
- Ensure timely submission of internal and external financial reports, including billing invoices.
Human Resources and Procurement:
- Support the recruitment and onboarding of project staff and consultants.
- Lead or support various elements of procurement processes including vendor identification, contracting and invoice payment.
- Monitor vendor performance and compliance in accordance with project, RTI, and client processes, standards, and requirements.
Management:
- Manage and support Project Associates through a direct or matrixed reporting line.
Business Development:
- Support business development activities. Possible assignments include supporting capture, serving as a Proposal Coordinator, reviewing budgets, conducting tech/budget crosswalks, interviewing candidates, and writing relevant sections.
Other:
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- #LICT1
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree and 5 years of experience, Master’s degree and 3 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated experience in project administration. USAID or other international donor program management experience preferred.
- Outstanding critical thinking skills and proven ability to identify issues and opportunities, provide solutions, and build consensus among multiple stakeholders.
- Proven ability to interact effectively with team members, partners, corporate clients, and donors.
- Experience with rapidly starting new teams and coordinating multiple and competing priorities across multiple time zones.
- Experience in direct or indirect field/site management of teams preferred.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Proven excellent interpersonal and communication (oral and written) skills.
- Skilled in budgeting and financial analysis; strong Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills. Knowledge of SharePoint and Salesforce a plus.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines under pressure, being a self-starter who works both independently and as a collaborative team player.
- Demonstrated experience in contributing to a proposal process to secure external funding.
- Experience working, volunteering, or traveling in developing countries.
- Proficiency in French preferred.
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.
Additional Information
- Maximum Salary: $92,000
- Minimum Salary: $75,000
