Application Deadline: 27-04-2017
Description
Job Description
RTI International is an independent nonprofit research institute and leading development organization headquartered in
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA. Since 1958, RTI has worked in over 150 countries and designed and implemented cutting-edge solutions in the sectors of economic growth, governance, education, and health. A cornerstone of RTI’s work is strengthening the capacities of local partners and systems in order to increase local ownership and ensure that host country individuals and organizations have the skills and resources to achieve their missions and sustain their services in the long term.
Position Summary
RTI International is currently accepting applications for an Organizational Strengthening Specialist to be based in Arusha, Tanzania for an anticipated USAID-funded Regional Intergovernmental Organizational (RIGO) Strengthening System project. The goal of the project is to strengthen the capacity of key RIGOs in East Africa so that they can improve leadership and better fulfill their mandates to lead the development agenda within the region. Target RIGOs under this project include the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Areas of capacity strengthening include institutional governance, strategic planning, data for decision-making, and the ability to meet the needs of their member states. To strengthen local capacity, we will utilize USAID’s Human and Institutional Capacity Development (HICD) approach that emphasizes continuous performance improvement through customized solutions, monitoring, learning, and adaptation.
The Organizational Strengthening Specialist will be one of three Specialists embedded within the respective Secretariat offices of targeted RIGOs and will be responsible for leading organizational development (OD) with EAC staff to build in-house knowledge in a broad range of areas. The EAC Organizational Strengthening Specialist will not conduct work on behalf of the institution, but will help to support them by providing technical assistance, facilitating broad buy-in, motivating staff, ascertaining challenges and opportunities, connecting departments or units within the Secretariat, and identifying specialized technical expertise that may be needed to complement her/his work.
The Organizational Strengthening Specialist for the EAC will be based out of Arusha, Tanzania, and may be expected to occasionally travel to Nairobi, Kenya, where the project office will be located. The project is expected to be five years in duration. This position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding. Nationals of East Africa are strongly encouraged to apply.
Primary Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Organizational Strengthening Specialist for the EAC are as follows:
Help to lead an institutional capacity assessment that will consult EAC staff on their key strengths, challenges, needs, and priorities and will establish a baseline in which to measure progress. This assessment will also form the basis for a customized performance solution package for the EAC.
Lead the implementation of the performance solution package by mentoring EAC staff in a wide range of areas helping increase their capabilities to perform their duties and achieve their institutional mandate. Although the support will be determined after the assessment and in consultation with the EAC, illustrative areas may include leadership, strategic planning, institutional governance, data collection and reporting, communication, fundraising, donor coordination, and HR.
Develop creative approaches to strengthening the institutional capacity of key RIGOs that align with USAID’s HICD approach so that solutions are customized to the unique needs of the EAC.
Be an integral member of the EAC Working Group and help to maintain momentum, ownership, and motivation of senior EAC management and Working Group members in implementing actions identified within the performance solution package.
Liaise regularly with the project’s lead Organizational Strengthening Specialist to provide updates, collaborate on deliverables, and consult on approaches.
Continuously monitor the results of project activities, evaluating progress against project targets and identifying course-corrections that may be needed in order to improve impact.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Lead the implementation of the performance solution package by mentoring EAC staff in a wide range of areas helping increase their capabilities to perform their duties and achieve their institutional mandate. Although the support will be determined after the assessment and in consultation with the EAC, illustrative areas may include leadership, strategic planning, institutional governance, data collection and reporting, communication, fundraising, donor coordination, and HR.
Develop creative approaches to strengthening the institutional capacity of key RIGOs that align with USAID’s HICD approach so that solutions are customized to the unique needs of the EAC.
Be an integral member of the EAC Working Group and help to maintain momentum, ownership, and motivation of senior EAC management and Working Group members in implementing actions identified within the performance solution package.
Liaise regularly with the project’s lead Organizational Strengthening Specialist to provide updates, collaborate on deliverables, and consult on approaches.
Continuously monitor the results of project activities, evaluating progress against project targets and identifying course-corrections that may be needed in order to improve impact.
Required Skills and Qualifications
The successful applicant will be a seasoned professional with extensive experience in strengthening institutional capacity in a wide range of areas. The applicant will also possess strong leadership and consensus-building skills in order to motivate and unite EAC staff around OD goals. The ideal candidate will possess significant experience in working with and/or strengthening the institutional capacity of complex national institutions in the East Africa region. Candidates that have experience in working with RIGOs are strongly preferred. Applicants should possess:
A minimum of a Master’s degree in international development, public administration, public policy, finance management, economic policy, or related field.
A minimum of 9 years of experience, with at least 4 years in organizational development of complex national or regional institutions.
Successful experience in non-traditional approaches to capacity development, such as peer-to-peer learning and mentoring and coaching.
Broad expertise across capacity development areas: leadership, strategic planning, change management, human resources, fundraising, M&E, communications, and coordination.
Experience in working with RIGOs, ideally within East Africa, is highly desired.
A track-record in adaptive approaches and, ideally, familiarity or experience in utilizing USAID’s HICD model.
Exceptional cross-cultural, verbal, and written communication skills so that she/he creates a shared vision on project objectives and activities among diverse stakeholders.
Collaborative team-player that is proactive in identifying challenges, proposing solutions, and is results-driven.
An ability to resolve sensitive and complicated work issues with senior high-level country counterparts, donor representatives and senior-level staff.
Fluency in English.
CPT or HPI certification is a plus.
A minimum of 9 years of experience, with at least 4 years in organizational development of complex national or regional institutions.
Successful experience in non-traditional approaches to capacity development, such as peer-to-peer learning and mentoring and coaching.
Broad expertise across capacity development areas: leadership, strategic planning, change management, human resources, fundraising, M&E, communications, and coordination.
Experience in working with RIGOs, ideally within East Africa, is highly desired.
A track-record in adaptive approaches and, ideally, familiarity or experience in utilizing USAID’s HICD model.
Exceptional cross-cultural, verbal, and written communication skills so that she/he creates a shared vision on project objectives and activities among diverse stakeholders.
Collaborative team-player that is proactive in identifying challenges, proposing solutions, and is results-driven.
An ability to resolve sensitive and complicated work issues with senior high-level country counterparts, donor representatives and senior-level staff.
Fluency in English.
CPT or HPI certification is a plus.
Application Instructions
Online application, click APPLY NOW below
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