Senior Research Food Security & Agriculture Specialist

Job Description

RTI International / Research Triangle Institute (RTI) is both a global research institute and a leading international development organization. We combine these powerful capabilities with those of our partners to co-create smart, shared solutions for a more prosperous, equitable, and resilient world. Based in North Carolina, USA, RTI is one of USAID’s top implementing partners. A commitment to making meaningful change energizes our 6,000 staff who deliver results across eight international development sectors and in more than 80 countries. 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.

Job Summary:

The Senior Research Food Security & Agriculture Specialist is a mid-level leader responsible for the overall performance of complex food security & agriculture international development projects through project management and strategic vision, ensuring excellent implementation and innovation to achieve results. Project(s) will include those located in francophone countries such as Mali. This leader will also lend their technical expertise to the design and development of new business opportunities, internal research and development projects, and special projects as they arise, to promote the strategic growth of in the domains of food security, agriculture, nutrition, market systems, resilience, and economic growth. The role will supervise project associates, coordinators, Chiefs of Party, and other staff members as appropriate in a direct and matrixed manner.

This position reports to Food Security & Agriculture Senior Director. The primary role of this position will be competitive budget/pricing development and preparation of business proposals. This position will be based in Research Triangle Park, NC or Washington, . The position will be expected to travel internationally up to 25% of the time.

Technical Leadership

• Collaborate with Chiefs of Party and senior field project staff implementing agricultural market systems, economic growth, and resilience projects.
• Advise on the design and implementation of technical activities within projects drawing on experience in agricultural production, market facilitation, nutrition, food systems development, social inclusion, enabling environment, resilience.
• Contribute to the advancement of the division’s overall technical competence and expertise through internal and external presentations, conducting research and contributing to or authoring publications.
• Mentor less experienced staff on project, proposal, and thought leadership activities.

Implementation and Risk Management

• Ensure projects meet or exceed client expectations through impactful programming and the production of high-quality deliverables.
• Provide oversight on annual workplanning, monitoring and evaluation, project deliverables, grants and subcontracts.
• Proactively identifies, flags, and works with teams to mitigate current and potential project risks (performance, contractual, financial, legal, reputational, etc.).
• Ensures projects stay within budget and available funding by monitoring financial forecasts, collaborating with project team members to adjust, and ensuring that projects meet cost-share / leveraging requirements.
• Develop strong rapport with the client and project partners through timely communication, proactively managing risks, and resolving issues collaboratively.

New Business Development

• Lead and/or write proposals, and contribute to opportunities in the nutrition, food security, agriculture, resilience, and/or market systems and economic growth domains.
• Review proposals including those from other divisions, such as water and environment.

• Master’s degree and 10 years of experience in a relevant field, including international development, nutrition, agricultural economics, or other adjacent field, Bachelor’s Degree and 12 years of experience or PhD and 6 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Significant experience in nutrition and/or food systems is required with knowledge of agricultural market systems development and food security preferred.
• Experience managing large projects with multiple partners; preferably with international development projects and USAID-funded projects
• Advanced French language skills preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong collaboration and problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal communication skills with an ability to communicate complex information to multiple audiences
• Excellent writing skills, including ability to present information in an articulate and concise manner
• Exceptional ability to cultivate strong relationships and collaborate inclusively with a wide variety of individuals
• Must be able to manage a multitude of tasks simultaneously and prioritize as necessary
• Must be able to work effectively under deadlines, both independently and as a team member
• Advanced knowledge and skill with MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel

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