Chief of Party, USAID El Salvador Roots for Prosperity Activity

Job Description

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.

The purpose of the anticipated USAID El Salvador Roots for Prosperity Activity is to increase the competitiveness of El Salvador’s economy by (a) increasing the ability of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to compete domestically and internationally, including by way of increased access to finance, (b) improving the business-enabling environment at the local and national levels in order to increase investment, innovation, and productivity, and (c) facilitating Salvadorans’ access to formal temporary work programs in the United States. The anticipated program will be based in El Salvador.

RTI is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated USAID El Salvador Roots for Prosperity Activity. The COP will act as the primary point of contact for USAID/El Salvador for day-to-day implementation and management matters relating to the contract. The COP will be responsible for assuring that all assistance provided under the contract is technically sound and appropriate for the needs to be addressed. This includes leading and overseeing all aspects of project strategy development, planning, implementation, review, surveillance, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), and operations. The COP will also be responsible for facilitating communication and close coordination with all stakeholders of the activity. They will ensure that a high-quality program is delivered; that performance targets are met; that contractual obligations are met in a timely and cost-effective manner; that subcontracts are well managed; and that coordination with all partners and stakeholders is well-managed and well communicated. The COP will be based in San Salvador and report to the RTI Home Office.

Position is contingent upon award and funding.

Your primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• 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.

• 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.
• 8 years of experience leading international donor-funded programs of similar size and complexity; experience with USAID programming strongly preferred.
• Experience working in El Salvador and/or Latin America is required.
• Expertise in increasing competitiveness and building an enabling environment for small and medium enterprises is preferred.
• Commitment to advancing equity and inclusion for women and disadvantaged populations.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and sustain professional relationships with host country government counterparts and a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, private sector businesses, associates, and civil society organizations.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with multidisciplinary teams.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish
• Knowledge of USAID rules and regulations strongly preferred.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to work under pressure with multiple concurrent demands.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to travel and work throughout El Salvador and in difficult terrain/conditions at times.

About the Organization