Senior Project Management Specialist, International Education Division - RTP, NC

Job Description

RTI International is one of the world's leading research institutes, dedicated to improving the human condition by turning knowledge into practice. Our staff of more than 3,700 provides research and technical services to governments and businesses in more than 75 countries in the areas of health and pharmaceuticals, education and training, surveys and statistics, advanced technology, international development, economic and social policy, energy and the environment, and laboratory testing and chemical analysis.

RTI's International Education Division is supporting education development around the world by strengthening education policy, management and practice in order to achieve measurable improvement in teaching and learning. From our well-established reputation in education system strengthening, to innovative work in early grade assessment and learning, RTI is improving education quality, relevance and efficiency through implementation of projects funded by USAID, DFID, Australian Aid and other donors and clients.

RTI is currently accepting applications for the position of Senior Project Management Specialist [Internal Title: Sr. Project Management Spec 1] to support our work in international education. Working closely with other project management team members, the Senior Project Management Specialist provides operational and coordination support to projects and project management teams within RTI’s International Education Division. The position will be based in Research Triangle Park, NC and will require international travel.

The successful candidate will be expected to have an exceptional ability to plan and organize work, develop tools, prepare and summarize reports and other materials, and follow through on agreed upon actions, while maintaining a positive and productive attitude with other team members in a fast-paced and demanding environment. S/he must be a strong communicator, be energetic and show initiative, demonstrate a willingness to take on challenges, while at the same time appreciating the scope of the position and his/her role within the team.

Specific Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for a wide range of administrative, financial, coordination, and operational project and proposal support tasks, with expectation for growth in technical and proposal work areas. Specific responsibilities will include:

• Supporting all phases of project implementation, from project start-up to close out.
• Developing and maintaining project management schedules, work plans, and other general project management resources and tools.
• Establishing and maintaining financial tracking tools and budgets, monitoring expenses and helping to design and implement strategies that address financial performance issues and help to identify risk.
• Supporting the recruitment and onboarding of project staff and other human resources processes, including the identification of short-term technical assistance needs and resources.
• Preparing travel and consultant approval requests, information for contract modification requests, and other actions for submission to clients.
• Supporting the contracting and monitoring of subcontractors and consultants, reviewing invoices; modifying contracts when needed; ensuring payments are made in a timely manner.
• Participating in procurement processes and ensuring compliance.
• Liaising and coordinating support services from RTI business partners and regional offices.
• Tracking completed/approved deliverables, especially those required for USAID's Development Experience Clearinghouse and RTI managed websites.
• Ensuring accurate and compliant record keeping; monitoring and leading any correction process required to ensure project documentation, deliverables and data are maintained consistently in accordance with policies and standards.
• Providing general reporting to project management teams.
• As appropriate and identified by senior project staff, directly providing technical assistance and support to projects.
• Supporting business and proposal development as assigned.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

This position is expected to support projects 70% of the time, proposals 15%, and other tasks as required 15%.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Further information is available here.

RTI participates in the US Government E-Verify program. Further information regarding the E-Verify program and laws that are designed to protect you against discrimination relating to your legal right to work in the US can be found at www.rti.org/jobs

A Master’s degree in education or a relevant social science, with at least four years related professional experience; or a Bachelor’s Degree in education or relevant social science with at least six years of relevant work experience.

• Experience in project administration and proposal development, in particular for USAID, or other donors.
• Experience in direct or indirect field management preferred.
• Outstanding critical thinking skills and proven ability to identify issues and opportunities, provide solutions, and build consensus among multiple stakeholders.
• Proven ability to interact effectively with team members, partners and donors.
• Proven excellent interpersonal and communication (oral and written) skills.
• Proven excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Advanced budgeting, financial analysis and spreadsheet skills; strong Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines under pressure, being a self-starter who works both independently and as a collaborative team player.
• Language skills in French, Arabic or Spanish highly desirable.
• Course work or certification in project management and/or in monitoring and evaluation highly desirable.
• Prior experience working, studying, or traveling in developing countries highly desirable.

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