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 Global Agriculture, Water, and Environment division is working to mitigate and address the impacts of climate change and build resilience in impacted communities through policy and governance support, capacity building for local actors, and support for responding to natural and human-caused disasters.
Program Description:
The five-year USAID/Mali Urban WASH activity will provide assistance to SOMAGEP to improve access to drinking water for populations in the towns of Macine, Denne, and the Greater Bamako District. Mali has made modest progress in expanding access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). The Malian Drinking Water Management Company (SOMAGEP) faces several challenges that hinder its ability to provide sustainable access to water and effectively manage the water supply system, particularly in the towns of Macina (Segou Region), Djenne (Mopti Region), and the greater Bamako District. Rapid population growth and urbanization strains the water supply system, and the increasing water demand surpasses the existing capacity, further stressing the already limited resources. Climate change exacerbates the situation, leading to erratic rainfall patterns and reduced water availability. Weak institutional capacity and governance issues within the company hampers effective decision-making, planning, and implementation of projects.
Support will focus on planning, financing, and implementation of infrastructure and related services. Emphasis will be on reliable operations and maintenance arrangements and equity and accessibility of the resulting services in urban and peri-urban areas. The Activity will combine infrastructure support with capacity building in planning, operations, and maintenance to increase the sustainability of services. USAID Mali will also seek to ensure proper tariff setting in all infrastructure work.
Position Description:
RTI is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for the Mali Urban WASH Activity to be based in Bamako. The COP will be responsible for delivering overall Activity management and for leading and guiding technical tasks including service delivery strengthening, institutional and policy reform, and infrastructure and timely Activity deliverables within budget and in compliance with RTI and USAID rules and regulations. The COP will provide Activity strategic direction, planning, and coordination, and will establish strong relations with USAID/Mali as well as all relevant stakeholders including local/international partners, GoM counterparts, and community members. The COP will also work closely with and directly report to the RTI Home Office team and other related specialists.
This position is contingent upon award and funding. 
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Provide overall leadership, strategic guidance, vision, and management for successful implementation of the Activity, while maintaining financial accountability for all tasks.
- Deliver technical leadership and innovation for selected WASH Activity components in urban contexts such as service delivery strengthening, institutional and policy reform, and infrastructure management during the course of Activity implementation.
- Build and maintain strong relationships and lead communication and collaboration with USAID and key sector stakeholders such as ministries and departments, local and international partners and leaders, private sector players, financing entities, local communities, development partners and other USAID projects (including those led by RTI).
- Ensure synergy across technical components of the Activity; ensure good team planning and coordination, deployment of resources and intra-team communication in support of Activity objectives.
- Oversee preparation and delivery of high-quality reports to USAID in coordination with Deputy Chief of Party, including quarterly and annual reports, annual work plans, technical and financial reports.
- Ensure all contractual deliverables and reporting requirements are met and in compliance with contractual requirements and U.S. federal regulations.
- Oversee performance monitoring and evaluation to ensure all Activity targets are met or exceeded – making recommendations for improvement in program implementation through adaptive management approaches.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree with 15 years, a Master’s degree 12 years or, a PhD and 8 years of experience.
- Experience in senior leadership roles, including COP experience.
- Demonstrated coordination experience managing diverse, high-performing teams, and partners on USAID programs.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proven ability to work under pressure, and with multiple concurrent demands.
- Proven ability to manage projects with satellite or remote offices and team members.
- Proficiency in English and French is required.
- Work experience in Mali is highly preferred.
EEO & Pay Equity Statements
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 available here.
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.
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.
#LI-JB1
As a global employer of choice, RTI is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in the workplace and the communities and markets where we serve our mission. We value diversity of thought, culture, background and perspective and welcome applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, creed, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable discrimination laws or RTI policy.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Further information is available here.
Click here. to view the EEOC Know Your Rights Poster.
