Chief of Party - Colombia Responsive Governance Follow-on Activity

at  RTI International

Overview:
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.
The RTI Center for Governance promotes strong, stable societies by empowering people and strengthening institutions. Building on RTI’s decades-long legacy of leading governance projects around the world, the Center works to increase transparency and accountability, mitigate corruption, and help government actors to better deliver on the needs of citizens. Boasting a global reach, the RTI Center for Governance includes partners, expertise, and learning from major initiatives spanning sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. The Center leverages RTI’s longstanding local partnerships to bring together governments, civil society, the private sector, and communities to define problems and jointly create sustainable solutions in countries around the world.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The anticipated Colombia Responsive Governance Follow-on activity will focus on strengthening governance, public service delivery, public financial management, and citizen engagement across conflict-affected municipalities.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

RTI is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated USAID-funded Colombia Responsive Governance Follow-on activity. The COP will be responsible for overall management, strategic direction, and leadership of the activity, ensuring all project deliverables are met or exceeded within budget and in compliance with RTI and USAID rules and regulations and local law. This position will be based in Bogota, Colombia.
Position is contingent on award and funding.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the activity, providing strategic direction and technical guidance to all project staff.
• Oversee technical design and implementation of activities to achieve results and impact.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with USAID, national and local government counterparts, civil society, and private sector stakeholders to enhance collaboration and program impact.
• Serve as the primary liaison with USAID/Colombia and the Government of Colombia to ensure exceptional quality and timeliness of activity deliverables.
• Ensure that cross-cutting issues such as gender, youth, social inclusion approaches are effectively integrated into the Activity.
• Responsible for ensuring all staff receive adequate security and operational support and that Standard Operating Procedures are implemented.
• Responsible for developing and implementing practices to ensure a high level of staff morale and retention.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in public administration, political science, international development, business administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 12 years of progressive management experience managing large-scale USAID or other donor-funded governance programs, preferably in Colombia, Latin America, or other conflict-affected regions.
• Proven expertise in public financial management, decentralization, public service delivery, governance, or civil society engagement, with demonstrated success in implementing capacity-building initiatives.
• Previous experience managing USAID or other donor funded projects of similar scope preferred.
• Substantive experience working with counterparts at various levels of government, private sector leaders, and other stakeholders in providing multi-faceted support for civil society engagement, capacity, and participation.
• Proven ability to work under pressure, and with multiple concurrent demands.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is required.
• Citizens of Colombia are highly encouraged to apply.

• Lead and manage the activity, providing strategic direction and technical guidance to all project staff.
• Oversee technical design and implementation of activities to achieve results and impact.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with USAID, national and local government counterparts, civil society, and private sector stakeholders to enhance collaboration and program impact.
• Serve as the primary liaison with USAID/Colombia and the Government of Colombia to ensure exceptional quality and timeliness of activity deliverables.
• Ensure that cross-cutting issues such as gender, youth, social inclusion approaches are effectively integrated into the Activity.
• Responsible for ensuring all staff receive adequate security and operational support and that Standard Operating Procedures are implemented.
• Responsible for developing and implementing practices to ensure a high level of staff morale and retention