Finance & Operations Director - Mali Urban WASH

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.

SG&R’s Global Agriculture, Water, and Environment division is working to mitigate and address the impacts of climate change and build resilience in impacted communities through policy and governance support, capacity building for local actors, and support for responding to natural and human-caused disasters.

Project Description

The five-year USAID/Mali Urban WASH activity will provide assistance to SOMAGEP to improve access to drinking water for populations in the towns of Macine, Denne, and the Greater Bamako District. Mali has made modest progress in expanding access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). The Malian Drinking Water Management Company (SOMAGEP) faces several challenges that hinder its ability to provide sustainable access to water and effectively manage the water supply system, particularly in the towns of Macina (Segou Region), Djenne (Mopti Region), and the greater Bamako District. Rapid population growth and urbanization strains the water supply system, and the increasing water demand surpasses the existing capacity, further stressing the already limited resources. Climate change exacerbates the situation, leading to erratic rainfall patterns and reduced water availability. Weak institutional capacity and governance issues within the company hampers effective decision-making, planning, and implementation of projects.

Support will focus on planning, financing, and implementation of infrastructure and related services. Emphasis will be on reliable operations and maintenance arrangements and equity and accessibility of the resulting services in urban and peri-urban areas. The Activity will combine infrastructure support with capacity building in planning, operations, and maintenance to increase the sustainability of services. USAID Mali will also seek to ensure proper tariff setting in all infrastructure work.

Position Description

RTI is seeking a Finance and Operations Director for the Mali Urban WASH Activity. The Finance and Operations Director will be responsible for the day-to-day supervision and management of project operations, finance, administration, logistics, procurement, grants and subcontracts activities. They will provide direction and leadership to operations personnel, ensuring adherence to USAID and RTI standards and regulations on the activity. This position will report to the Chief of Party and would be based in Bamako, Mali.

Position is contingent upon award and funding.

Your primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Support the Chief of Party in all technical, operational and management aspects of the project, ensuring all activities are compliant with USAID and RTI rules and regulations.?

• Ensure efficient and compliant administration of the project and oversee all financial, procurement and operational areas of responsibility.

• Manage team of professionals in operational management and support roles, providing strong oversight and supervision.?

• Monitor and review project budget and expenditures, financial forecasts to ensure compliance with client regulations.?

• Collaborate with Chief of Party to identify, mitigate and manage risks and actively participates in the resolution of performance issues with project staff and sub-contractors or sub-awardees.??

• Assist Chief of Party in managing all aspects of staffing and creating/maintaining a clear organizational structure with appropriate operational controls, specific roles, responsibilities and reporting lines.??

• Ensure adherence to USAID and RTI financial and accounting policies and procedures consistent with local/regional laws and regulations.

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, accounting international development, or related field with 12 years of experience, or Master’s degree in related technical field with 10 years of professional experience.?

• Minimum 8 years of experience supervising day-to-day project operations and staff, including finance, administration, operations, procurement, compliance with contracts and regulations, logistics, security, and human resources.

• Previous experience working on USAID or other donor funded projects of similar size and scope.

• Previous experience with USAID or other donor funded infrastructure activities.

• Strong communications and interpersonal skills with evidence of ability to productively interact with a wide range and levels of organizations (government, civil society, private sector, NGOs, research institutions).?

• Proven ability to work under pressure, and with multiple concurrent demands.

• Fluency in English and French required.

• Citizens of Mali are strongly encouraged to apply.

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