Overview

Job Description

OverviewResearch 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.

IDG’s International Education Division supports 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, The LEGO Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and other donors and clients.

Project Description

RTI seeks a Finance and Operations Director candidate for the anticipated USAID/Malawi Secondary Success Activity. The Secondary Success Activity will build on existing structures to increase the availability, access, and quality of secondary education, including remedial skills, life skills, health and leadership, mentorship, and financial inclusion.

Position Description

The Finance and Operations Director is responsible for leading all operational and financial aspects of the anticipated Activity. They will play a crucial role in supporting the Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party in the successful implementation and management of the Activity, leading a high-functioning operations and finance team, and ensuring a positive relationship with USAID and the RTI Home Office. They will oversee areas including finance, procurement, logistics, and budget analysis and reporting.

The position will be based in Lilongwe, Malawi and is contingent upon award and funding.

Responsibilities

Your primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to:   

  • Provides oversight to the program’s administrative function, in compliance with USAID and PEPFAR requirements and expectations for timely, cost-efficient implementation of the Activity.
  • Oversees and is responsible for contractual compliance and regulatory monitoring.
  • Oversees and manages the development, establishment, and adherence to standard operating procedures.
  • Liaises with RTI regional offices and business partners per RTI policy and practices.
  • Responsible for monitoring project budget performance and expenditures; reporting routinely on programmatic achievements and financial management indicators, internally and to the client.
  • Ensures management systems and project procedures to track procurements and expenditures (including labor), monitoring them against the work plan and budget, ensuring compliance with company policy and client standards and regulations.
  • Contributes to planning, oversight and coordination of program activities, resource allocation, and financial performance.
  • Responsible for guiding and coordinating financial analyses and reporting to clients and to RTI.
  • Contributes to the design and implementation of project start up and close out, at headquarters, regional, and country levels.

Qualifications

Requirements:   

  • Bachelor’s Degree in relevant area (management, public administration, education, health policy, economics, business) or other similar discipline with 12 years of relevant work experience; or Master’s Degree with 10 years of relevant work experience.
  • At least 8 years of progressive experience in international development programs in developing country contexts.
  • At least 5 years of experience in the financial and operational management of large-scale, complex, multi-country USAID-funded programs.
  • At least 2 years of experience in the financial and operational management of USAID programs that include funding from PEPFAR/DREAMS.
  • Demonstrated skills in operations and administrative management.
  • Strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and compliance to meet or exceed USAID requirements and expectations for the Activity.
  • Demonstrated ability to recruit and develop a high-performing team, equally committed to meeting or exceeding USAID requirements and expectations for transparent, accountable, and compliant implementation of the Activity.
  • Strong problem solving and negotiation skills to handle sensitive and urgent project situations as they occur.
  • Flexibility and ability to handle multiple tasks and work collaboratively within a matrix-oriented environment.
  • Must be fluent (writing and speaking) in English; additional language proficiency in relevant languages is considered an asset.