Deputy Chief of Party, Rwanda at RTI – RTI International: (Deadline ongoing)
JOB DESCRIPTION
Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years’ experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. RTI’s Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG&R) technical unit within the International Development Group (IDG) 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. Within SG&R, the Global Food Security and Agriculture team is working to strengthen agricultural markets, engage youth and women as critical leaders of the on- and off-farm workforce, and tackle the dual burden of malnutrition around the globe.
Project Description
The purpose of the recently-awarded $17.4M Feed the Future Rwanda Employment and Entrepreneurship (E&E) Activity is to address the problem of insufficient employment opportunities and limited entrepreneurial success for Rwandans. E&E will facilitate capacity development for Rwandans – particularly women, youth, and persons with disabilities – in key technical and soft skills required to participate in a modern workforce and will catalyze new entry and growth of inclusive enterprises. The program is based in Rwanda.
Position Description
The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) serves as the secondary/alternate point of contact with the USAID/Rwanda Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and supports the Chief of Party (COP) in the successful management of all administrative and programmatic functions and interventions in line with the Activity’s statement of work and approved annual work plans. In the absence of the COP, the DCOP serves as the Activity representative, liaising directly with USAID/ Rwanda, Government of Rwanda (GOR) Ministries and Agencies, other donors and respective implementing partners and the local international private sector.
The DCOP will also serve as the IR 2 Lead, driving the Activity’s private sector growth strategy, and will report to the COP.
Primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
- Leads the design and implementation of the E&E Activity’s private sector growth strategy, including the design and implementation of activities to increase access to resources required to grow revenue and employment. Integrates innovative and flexible digital systems where appropriate.
- Identifies and builds relationships with private sector actors including private sector associations, anchor firms, FSPs, BDS providers.
- At the macro level, identifies constraints to business growth and job creation and works with stakeholders to mitigate them.
- At the micro level, provides ongoing technical direction for private sector partnership activities, ensuring partners are matched with requisite business services (e.g., commercial financing, business planning, legal advising, technical capacity development, market development, linkages to finance) based on their needs and that activities facilitate inclusive growth.
- Guides technical design and implementation of the project’s grants fund. Oversees engagement managers and ensures partners receive effective, demand-driven business services while also monitoring grantee technical performance. Coordinates closely with the Finance and Administration Manager and Grants Manager on financial oversight of grants and subcontracts.
- Serves as Acting COP during any absence of the COP.
- Coordinates with the Workforce Development Manager to integrate activities, specifically to strengthen job placement and retention mechanisms between skilled workers and the private sector.
- Coordinates with the Social Inclusion Manager to improve enforcement of anti-discrimination regulations and improve awareness of the business case for inclusion.
- Ensures effective coordination and synergies between macro-level and micro-level activities.
- Supports the COP to manage technical personnel and subcontractors.
- Supports COP in management of relationships with USAID, government counterparts, the private sector, civil society, and other Activity partners.
- Leads the Activity’s technical planning and reporting, such as annual work planning. Ensure timely submission of project deliverables as outlined in the contract and annual work plans.
- Coordinates with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager to track and report on programmatic achievements and amplify lessons learned and success stories as required for project deliverable reporting.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree (or Master’s) in a relevant field that complements the focus of the Scope of Work for the Activity (such as finance, agricultural economics, agribusiness and/or business development, or another related field).
- At least 5 years of continuous advancement in managing diverse teams and operational functions.
- At least 12 years (or 10 with Master’s) of experience working in related fields in Rwanda.
- Rwandan citizenship, with knowledge of Kinyarwanda as well as in-depth knowledge of the local operating environment in Rwanda.
- Demonstrated experience using the market systems development approach in agricultural development projects.
- Demonstrated ability to be collaborative across projects, flexible, and creative.
- Demonstrated leadership skills, including building and managing relationships with government stakeholders, private sector stakeholders, and entrepreneurs.
- Knowledge and experience implementing USAID policies and procedures preferred.
- Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and written, to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the Activity.
- Proficiency in English is required.
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