Climate Resilient WSSH Advisor
Overview
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 5,000 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 Water portfolio has delivered innovative, breakthrough solutions in key development sectors, including water sector governance, water security, sanitation, and hygiene (WSSH) services, urban resilience, community engagement, and institutional capacity building.
Position Description:
RTI International is recruiting for a Climate Resilient WSSH Advisor. The Climate Resilient WSSH Advisor will contribute to RTI’s thought leadership in areas of water security, sanitation and hygiene (WSSH), climate change (adaptation and/or mitigation) and resilience. They will serve as a proposal leader or lead technical writer for USAID-funded solicitations and will also serve as a project manager for any assigned complex USAID-funded WSSH programs. It is anticipated that the individual will spend the time in their first year evenly split between the first two tasks.
This position will report to the Director and would be based in Washington, DC, or the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (RTI headquarters). Telecommuting will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The position will be expected to travel internationally up to 25% of the time. Candidates must be authorized to work in the US.
Responsibilities
Business Development
- Market Positioning—Explores opportunities to expand RTI’s current markets and positions the Water division to enter new and adjacent technical areas or geographies. Contributes to the division’s business development strategy. Conducts research and/or scouting missions in preparation for proposal opportunities that align with the division’s business development priorities.
- Proposal Development— Serves as proposal leader or lead technical writer on WSSH opportunities. Contributes to the development of strategic approaches and methodologies related to WSSH and climate change. Participates in technical proposal reviews and provides constructive feedback to help writers improve technical drafts.
Technical Leadership
- Thought leadership—Takes leadership role in contributing to the scientific stature of RTI and the Water division. Stays current on international development trends, tools, and approaches related to building the resiliency of WASH infrastructure, services and behaviors are sustainable, safe and resilient to climate-related risks. Shares knowledge both internally and externally through publications, blogs, presentations, conferences, workshops, and other platforms. Mentors early career staff in technical areas.
- Technical Oversight—Provides technical expertise and manages technical staff implementing climate resilient WSSH projects. Provides leadership to project learning agenda. Works with team members to organize and/or participate in sector working group events, conferences and other industry events. Participates in project learning events and the dissemination of lessons learned.
Project Management
- Implementation Excellence and Quality Control—Ensures any assigned projects meet or exceed client expectations through impactful programming and the production of high-quality deliverables. Provides oversight to and participates in the annual work planning process, oversees monitoring and evaluation and ensures that the project meets client objectives. Provides assistance and oversight to developing technical reports or other deliverables, and works with the Chief of Party to ensure the project’s progress and successes are accurately communicated to the client.
- Financial Management—Works closely with the Project Coordinator/Associate to ensure the project stays within budget. Helps the project to meet negotiated fee targets and minimize fee erosion by ensuring project expenditures are in compliance with RTI and client policies.
- Client and Relationship Management—Works alongside the COP to ensure optimal client satisfaction. Develops a strong rapport with the client through frequent updates about the project, proactively managing risks, and responding to timely requests for information. Serves as the project’s primary point of contact for US-based partners and develops a strong working relationship with key individuals within partner organizations.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and 12 years of experience, or Master’s degree and 10 years of experience.
- At least eight years’ experience in water security, sanitation, hygiene (WSSH), water resource management, climate change adaptation and/or mitigation or other related fields.
- At least eight years of professional experience in the international development sector required, with experience with USAID-funded project preferred.
- Previous experience supporting business development, including experience with proposal capture, proposal management and/or proposal technical writing, with a preference for experience with USAID.
- Excellent verbal communication skills with an ability to communicate complex information to multiple audiences working in the international development.
- Excellent writing skills, including proposal writing skills, and ability to present information in an articulate and concise manner.
- Ability to cultivate strong relationships and collaborate inclusively with a wide variety of individuals in a matrixed environment to accomplish project goals.
- Experience working as part of multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural teams in dispersed locations is a plus.
- Must work effectively under deadlines, both independently and as a team member.
- Fluency in Spanish, French and/or another language is a plus.
EEO & Pay Equity Statements
As a global employer of choice, RTI is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in the workplace and the communities and markets where we serve our mission. We value diversity of thought, culture, background and perspective and welcome applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, creed, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable discrimination laws or RTI policy.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Further information is available here.
RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach and one that integrates expertise across the social and laboratory sciences, engineering, and international development. We believe in the promise of science, and we are inspired every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses around the world. For more information, visit www.rti.org.
For USA Job Postings Only: 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 here.
For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is available here.
The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States.
RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.
At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.
Hiring Salary Range
$118,000-$145,000