RTI International

Overview

Organization Summary 

RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our staff of nearly 6,000 works in more than 75 countries—tackling hundreds of projects each year to address complex social and scientific challenges on behalf of governments, businesses, foundations, universities, and other clients and partners. Through independent research and science-based programs, we are making positive impacts on people and communities around the world. Our diverse team embraces challenges in an inclusive atmosphere that values work-life balance and creates global opportunities for career development. If you’re looking for a dynamic workplace culture, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities to grow, join our team and discover the RTI Difference. 

Division Summary 

IDG’s International Education Division supports education development around the world by strengthening education policy, management and practice in order to achieve measurable improvement in teaching and learning. From our well-established reputation in education system strengthening, to innovative work in early grade assessment and learning, RTI is improving education quality, relevance and efficiency through implementation of projects funded by USAID, The LEGO Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and other donors and clients. 

Project Summary 

Uganda Targeting the Learning Crisis (TLC) is a planned 5-year program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). TLC is dedicated to addressing the current learning crisis in Uganda by achieving a significant and measurable increase in the number of P1-5 students who can read and perform math functions at the level expected for their age. The program is looking to purposefully implement targeted instruction methodologies in P3-P5 classrooms, targeted instruction or other effective methodologies in the P1-P2 classrooms, and support pre-literacy and pre-numeracy skills in pre-primary. The program is looking to operate in Uganda’s most vulnerable districts and in the most vulnerable schools within those districts. It seeks to build on USAID’s past investments and leverage the global evidence base to implement cost-effective, sustainable, and impactful programming. 

Position Summary 

The Chief of Party (COP) will be responsible for the overall leadership, management, and technical direction of the activity and will oversee the design, implementation, and quality of various activities that will result in the desired outcomes and impact. The COP will lead her/his team and provide overall supervision on the implementation of the program. In addition, the COP will serve as the primary liaison with USAID/Uganda on management and technical matters and will ensure exceptional quality and timeliness of project deliverables within budget and compliance parameters. The COP will also serve as primary liaison with the MOES and other key stakeholders and other implementing partners. This position will be based in Kampala, Uganda. 

Position is contingent upon award and funding. 

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to: 

• Lead the coordination of program activities among a diverse group of stakeholders and beneficiaries, including local implementing partners, key national and subnational Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES) government officials, autonomous agencies under the MOES (such as the National Curriculum Development Center), civil society, and private sector partners.
• Provide overarching leadership and direction across all technical and functional areas, such as technical strategies, monitoring and evaluation, finance, operations, reporting, communications, and human resources.
• Serve as primary liaison to USAID on management and strategic issues to maximize impact and scale, minimize costs, and maximize efficiency and sustainability in achieving project requirements.
• Serve as the project’s primary interlocutor with MOES leadership; represent RTI International, USAID, and the Activity with key beneficiaries and stakeholders in public and international forums. 
• Lead the annual work plan and budgeting process, aligned with donor and government priorities.
• Oversee an effective monitoring and evaluation system.
• Manage technical and administrative personnel, as well as sub-agreement partners, in the implementation of the project.
• Ensure that all activities conform to the terms and conditions of project requirements, including cost, schedule, and quality parameters, and in accordance with RTI policy and procedure. 
• Prepare status reports, budget information, and other documentation as needed.
• Foster teambuilding by developing and implementing practices encouraging a high level of staff morale and retention. 
• Work collaboratively with the home office project support team, providing regular updates about the project’s progress. 

Qualifications

Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in international development, education, public administration, public policy or related field from an accredited university.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in similar education intervention activities, and experience managing complex international donor-funded development activities in challenging environments.
• Prior experience as a COP on USAID-funded projects preferred; prior experience in positions of technical leadership on USAID-funded projects or equivalent required; strong knowledge of USAID rules and regulations.
• Demonstrated skills in leadership, effective organizational development, partnership building, adaptive management, team building, and communication. Proven ability to coordinate local partner capacity building activities, including technical, managerial, and governance abilities.
• Proven ability to coordinate with government stakeholders and maintain strong working relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to work across different cultures and manage diverse teams to deliver impact within agreed timelines. 
• Technical expertise and experience in two or more of the following areas: early grade reading, early grade numeracy, education in emergencies, equity in education with the focus on gender equity, inclusive education and universal design for learning, teacher professional development, community engagement, or government capacity strengthening.
• Commitment to inclusive programming that encourages full participation of individuals regardless of gender, disability status, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or other marginalized status.
• Prior education-focused experience working in Uganda strongly preferred. 
• Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills in English. 

#LI-EP1