RTI International

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 Environment portfolio has delivered innovative, locally driven, evidence-based solutions in local and institutional capacity building in natural resource governance and environmental policy, countering wildlife and environmental crime, forest and protected area management, sustainable landscapes, climate change and resilience, livelihood development, and economic growth. 

Project Description 

The purpose of the anticipated USAID/Southern Africa’s Countering Wildlife Crime Activity is to reduce threats to and protect biodiversity from wildlife crimes in Southern Africa. The Activity will build on the long history of the USAID Southern Africa Regional Mission in countering wildlife crimes (CWC) through partnerships with regional organizations, governments, the private sector, and civil society. The anticipated program will be based in Pretoria, South Africa and provide programming within USAID-supported countries within Southern Africa, which includes Angola, Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 

Position Description 

RTI International is seeking a Law Enforcement and Judicial Capacity Building Lead (Objective 2 Lead) for USAID/Southern Africa’s Countering Wildlife Crime Activity. The Objective 2 Lead will be responsible for leading the technical activities under the Objective 2 workstream. 

This position will be based in Pretoria, South Africa. 

Position is contingent upon award and funding. 

Responsibilities

• Lead overall project work dedicated to aligning and promoting law enforcement and judicial capacity under the Objective 2 technical scope with the senior leadership team for designing and implementing a regional approach to countering wildlife crime. 
• Conduct trainings for law enforcement (LE) agency personnel, wildlife rangers, etc. on wildlife crime, prevention tactics, policies, etc. 
• Provide guidance and feedback on areas to streamline in national LE agencies and on national government protocols on wildlife crime in Southern Africa. 
• Train and mentor judges and prosecutors to understand wildlife crime forensics, how to build a strong court case, and recommendations on offender sentencing. 
• Support the streaming on country policies on wildlife crime definitions and prosecution recommendations across Southern Africa. 
• Work with financial institutions, including banks on tracking funds used in the wildlife crime trade. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and 8 years of experience, Master's degree and 6 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience working in one or more of the following technical areas: 
• Training law enforcement (LE) agency personnel, wildlife rangers, judicial leaders, prosecutors, etc. 
• Working with national LE agencies' protocols on wildlife crime. 
• Training and mentoring judges and prosecutors to understand wildlife crime forensics, building a strong court case, and recommending sentencing for offenders. 
• Streamlining wildlife crime definitions and reasonable sentences/fines with other countries’ policies in Southern Africa. 
• Working with LE and judicial entities understand how to work with banks and other financial institutions to track the flow of money used to fund the wildlife crime trade. 
• Designing or contributing on projects with a regional approach to countering wildlife crime. 
• Demonstrated experience working with key stakeholders, including government officials and law environment agencies. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Fluency in English required. 
• Ability to work throughout South Africa, with travel throughout Southern Africa as needed.