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 USAID Governance and Accountability for Urban Water Services in El Salvador is an anticipated new $12M Activity that will run from 2024 – 2029. The project is expected to 1) increase citizen knowledge and engagement around water service delivery, 2) support Administración Nacional de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (ANDA) to implement their business plan and 3) improve energy efficiency for water supply services.

Position Description

RTI is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated USAID Governance and Accountability for Urban Water Services in El Salvador Activity. The COP will be responsible for management of the team members, the technical contract performance, as well as the effective, efficient, and timely implementation of all activities. This position will provide overall leadership, management, and technical direction to the Activity, ensuring an integrated approach across components, and will focus on achieving expected results as defined in the contract. This includes, but is not limited to, leading and overseeing all aspects of project strategy development, planning, implementation, review, surveillance, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), and operations. The COP serves as the primary point of contact for USAID for day-to-day implementation and management of the contract and is responsible for facilitating communication and close coordination with all stakeholders of the activity.

The position is expected to be based in San Salvador with the need to travel to provincial areas as part of program implementation.

Position is contingent upon award and funding.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary liaison with USAID/El Salvador with regard to day-to-day implementation, managing overall client relationship and ensuring all contractual technical deliverables and reporting requirements are met and in compliance with contractual requirements and RTI standards.
• Responsible for overall management and vision of the project, including leading planning, oversight, and coordination of all project activities and personnel, providing quality control for delivery of high-quality reports and results to USAID, such as quarterly and annual reports, annual work plans, technical and financial reports.
• Act as the primary point of contact for project stakeholders and counterparts and coordination of project management and planning.
• Guarantee all project deliverables exceed expectations and are managed within budget.
• Ensure integration of all project activities through 1) annual work plan and budgeting; 2) creating/maintaining an effective project management team; 3) overseeing an effective monitoring and evaluation system that applies project learning to all activities.
• Supervises key technical and operational staff.
• Responsible for developing and implementing inclusive and supportive workplace practices to ensure a high level of staff morale and retention.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience with service delivery development and strengthening, preferably in El Salvador and/or countries in the region.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience leading international donor-supported programs of similar size and complexity, preferably in a COP or DCOP role or commensurate to that of a COP.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and an ability to manage projects with remote offices and team members.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse partners.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and sustain professional relationships with high-level stakeholders in national government and donor organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate local civil society considerations, gender inclusiveness, climate risk analysis and knowledge generation into work planning and implementation.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing adaptative management to successfully guide programming.
• Familiarity with climate change adaptation and/or resilience.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in both Spanish and English.