Afar Regional Manager, USAID Climate Resilient WASH Activity - Ethiopia

Job Description

Overview

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 6,000 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 globally, including water sector governance, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, water resources management, community engagement, urban resilience, and institutional capacity building.

Project Description

The purpose of the five-year USAID Climate Resilient (CR) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Activity is to support accelerated access to inclusive and resilient WASH services targeting lowlands areas.

The Activity will be based in Ethiopia and target the lowland areas of Afar, Oromia, Somali, and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR).

The Activity will work to fulfill this purpose through four complementary intermediate results:

1. Professionalize and expand climate-resilient water services;
2. Increase sustainable access to and use of sanitation and hygiene products and services, including for menstrual health and hygiene;
3. Improve gender power dynamics;
4. Strengthen the enabling environment for climate-resilient water and sanitation services.

Position Description

RTI is seeking an Afar Regional Manager for the recently awarded USAID CR WASH Activity in Ethiopia. The Afar Regional Manager will be responsible for leading a cohesive, integrated approach to project implementation in the Afar region of Ethiopia. This position will work closely with the Chief of Party (COP) and RTI home office team to ensure high quality implementation of activities that meet stated goals and reporting requirements.

The position will be based in the Afar region, Ethiopia with frequent travel within the Afar region and occasional travel to Addis Ababa and/or other geographic areas covered by the program. The Afar Regional Manager will report to the COP.

Responsibilities

• Manage site-level implementation of project activities in the designated region, in accordance with approved project workplans, across the multiple technical project components in coordination with the respective Objective teams.
• Ensure gaps and areas for technical support for counterparts are identified and addressed in a timely manner, liaising with the Objective Leads to advise on implementation strategy and any necessary adjustments due to changing local contexts.
• Advise Objective team on an integrated implementation strategy and ensure effective coordination, complementarity, and synergy across program activities.
• Serve as the local point-of-contact for local government counterparts, non-governmental organizations, and other local counterparts to coordinate partnerships and timely activity implementation.
• Serve as point-of-contact for coordination with other USAID implementing partners (IPs) and/or donor programs working in the region.
• Coordinate with monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) team to track progress of activities in the region against project objectives and targets, including assisting in data capture for monthly and quarterly reporting.
• Work with the main office to ensure the safety and daily security of regional team and office.
• Oversee internal and external meetings, including coordination meetings with main office team, regional team, and teams in other target geographies.
• Coordinate with technical staff and other support staff to create and maintain all administrative and technical files for the office, in an orderly manner.
• Support reporting needs for monthly, quarterly, annual reports by providing site-level details of the work performed and progress achieved.
• Supervise and support consultants and local providers administratively, as needed, to ensure efficient implementation of project activities.
• Manage administrative operations and activities, including office management, office inquiries, RTI procedures and policies, and a wide range of support for the project office.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and 8 years of experience, Master’s degree and 6 years of experience, PhD and 1 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience integrating women, youth, and other vulnerable or marginalized groups into development programs preferred.
• Demonstrated effectiveness engaging local government, private sector, and civil society in activities.
• Demonstrated management experience, and the ability to lead a team of diverse technical specialists to accomplish project objectives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

•  Knowledge of local political and environmental dynamics, including specific challenges related to the pastoral and semi-pastoral way of life.
• Ability to develop excellent relations with donor officials, partner organizations, and key local stakeholders.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English; proficiency in one or more regional local languages strongly preferred.
• Ability to travel and work throughout the designated area, which may have difficult terrain/conditions at times. 

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