Job Opportunity at RTI, Chief of Party

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 5,000 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, breakthrough solutions in key development sectors, including countering wildlife crime, forestry, protected area management, climate change, environmental policy, economic livelihood development, community engagement, and institutional capacity building.

Position Description

RTI is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated USAID/Tanzania Heshimu Bahari project, focused on supporting and strengthening marine biodiversity in Tanzania. This project will work to build the capacity of public sector and civil society, increase private sector engagement in marine conservation and coastal natural resources management, improve the enabling environment for MPAs and Fisheries management, and enhance data availability and use in decision making. The COP will be responsible for overall project performance, management, and execution ensuring all project deliverables are exceptionally exceeded within budget and compliance. This position will provide project planning, oversight, leadership, and coordination. The COP will build and maintain strong and favorable client, partner, community, home office and team relations. They will provide technical assistance, coordination with the local government and support activities where necessary.

Position is contingent upon award and funding.

Responsibilities of the COP include, but are not limited to:

• Accountable for overall management of the project including technical, administrative, financial, operational, and logistical management.
• Provides overall project vision and leadership; manage overall project design and delivery.
• Fosters and maintains effective, professional relations with a broad range of government counterparts, in mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, local organizations, donors, and other stakeholders for successful implementation.
• Oversees preparation and delivery of high-quality deliverables to USAID, including quarterly, annual, and other reports required by the contract. This includes providing project data and information, reviewing documents for accuracy, and writing relevant sections as agreed with the home office.
• Ensures synergies across technical components of the project; establish good team planning, coordination, deployment of resources, and intra-team communication efforts in support of the project objectives.

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.
• Demonstrated experience in marine conservation, coastal natural resource management (NRM), and fisheries management, preferably in Tanzania and/or East Africa.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience and expertise on projects focused on community managed marine protected areas, coastal and mangrove reforestation, marine protected area management, seafood supply and market access, and/or small-scale fisheries.
• Five years’ substantive experience in the implementation of large international donor programs working with counterparts at various levels of government, private sector leaders, and other stakeholders in strengthening civil society engagement, capacity, and participation in sustainable fisheries management and/or coastal resource management.
• Demonstrated skills in building, mobilizing, and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to work under pressure, and with multiple concurrent demands.
• Knowledgeable and experienced with international development contracting policies and procedures, specifically USAID.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English required; fluency in Swahili preferred.
• Ability to travel and work throughout Tanzania.

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