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 Coordination, Collaboration, Learning, and Sharing Lead (Objective 1 Lead) for USAID/Southern Africa’s Countering Wildlife Crime Activity. The Objective 1 Lead will be responsible for leading the technical activities under the Objective 1 workstream. 

This position will be based in Pretoria, South Africa. 

Position is contingent upon award and funding. 

Responsibilities

• Create and/or maintain knowledge management platforms for sharing data and other types of information and resources. 
• Design, implement, and measure effectiveness of social and behavior change (SBC) initiatives. 
• Design and facilitate learning and knowledge-sharing workshops and events, including the annual Regional Counter Wildlife Trafficking Partnership fora, technical exchange visits, study tours, and other relevant events. 
• Provide logistical, facilitation, and other support to the USG interagency regional wildlife crime working groups. 
• Support the capacity building of regional bodies to effectively carry out learning and knowledge management activities and to host and maintain associated online platforms beyond the Activity's scope. 
• Working closely with Activity leadership, propose methods for packaging, disseminating, and using information gathered to promote positive actions that deter wildlife crime. 
• Work closely with Activity leadership to adapt work plans, theories of change, interventions, timelines, etc. to ensure more effective wildlife conservation outcomes. 

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: 
• Designing and facilitating learning and knowledge-sharing workshops and events. 
• Creating and/or maintaining knowledge management platforms for sharing of data and other types of information and resources 
• Designing, implementing, and measuring effectiveness of social and behavior change (SBC) initiatives. 
• Providing logistical, facilitation, and other support to the USG interagency regional wildlife crime working groups. 
• Supporting the capacity building of regional bodies to effectively carry out learning and knowledge management activities, and to host and maintain associated online platforms. 
• Proposing methods for packaging, disseminating, and using information gathered to promote positive actions that deter wildlife crime. 
• Adapting work plans, theories of change, interventions, timelines, etc. to ensure more effective wildlife conservation outcomes. 
• Demonstrated experience effectively working with groups of multi-sectoral stakeholders, including national and regional government institutions, law enforcement agencies, judicial and anticorruption bodies, local communities, and private sector entities across southern Africa. 
• Prior experience with systems thinking, collective action, SBC, and/or adult learning techniques. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Fluency in English required. 
• Ability to work throughout South Africa, with travel throughout Southern Africa as needed.