Sr. Director of Operations and Finance

Why RTI

Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world’s most challenging problems.

We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you.

About the Hiring Group

We achieve global impact by improving lives, driving economic growth, and enhancing stability in fragile and developing geographies.

What You'll Do

This position will also oversee the financial management aspects of the project. All in all, the position provides leadership in ensuring effective and efficient resource allocation for project implementation, in compliance with US Department of State’s and RTI’s policies and procedures, risk mitigation and management.

S/he directly supervises 5 leads for major operational functions: Operations Manager, Finance Manager, Procurement and Logistics Manager, HR Officer, and IT/EVOSS Administrator.

Essential Duties:

• Ensure quality and timely operational support for program activities, and lead reporting efforts for all operational and financial deliverables in accordance with Department of State guidelines;
• Oversee procurement and administrative logistics related to subcontracting, consultant agreements, training events and other project activities, office equipment and supplies, ensuring compliance with the Project’s Field Operations Manual and RTI’s contracts and finance policy requirements;
• Monitor and analyze project budget and expenditures, financial forecasts, working with business partners to ensure compliance with corporate and client regulations;
• Steer annual budget development in conjunction with the annual work planning process, including co-creation with government and non-governmental counterparts;
• Prepare, with support from Finance Manager, financial reports for Quarterly, Annual, and Final reporting to Department of State, and Quarterly Accruals Report in accordance with established deadlines.
• Oversee finance, procurement and logistics, project and office administration, human resource management, and information technology (IT) services, providing quality control for these functions and processes, and delegating, as necessary, tasks and responsibilities for efficiency.
• Review and recommend improvements in office operating policies and procedures, forms, administration systems and workflow;
• Guard project financial and physical assets and other resources with strong internal controls and segregation of duties within project team;
• Provide regular updates on operational policies and procedures to ESP project staff and seconded partners, to ensure their knowledge of and compliance with P&Ps;
• Assist in identification, recruitment and management of contractors, consultants, subcontractors, and grantees, coordinating with technical teams, and the Home and/or Regional Office as necessary. Perform actions necessary to initiate appropriate contractual mechanisms, and ensuring scope of work and expected deliverables are clearly outlined and are within subcontracting guidelines;
• Ensure that contractual and internal approval requirements are met, and prepare justifications supporting these actions in coordination with COP and SLT;
• Provide guidance to subcontractors on managing project expense to annual work plan and contract budget, as needed.
• Review invoices related to subcontracting, ensuring accuracy and completeness of claims and timeliness of payments;
• Provide guidance to subcontractors on applicable rules and regulations and ensure compliance with contract terms;
• Collaborate with the COP and SLT to identify and manage risks and actively participate in the resolution of performance issues with project staff, sub-contractors or sub-awardees;
• Provide technical assistance and support to project staff and local partners as required;
• Perform business and proposal development needs as assigned;
• Conduct random checks on relatively big procurement particularly on VAT applications and updated recording
• Additional specific tasks and duties to be assigned by the COP as necessary to fulfill deliverables

Disclosure: This role is contingent upon successful project award

What You'll Need

Minimum Required Education & Experience

Bachelor's Degree and 15 years of experience, Master's degree and 12 years of experience, PhD and 8 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• A minimum of twelve (12) years of operation management experience in support of large-scale international development programs.
• Experience working with project management practice and teams, and matrix environment, in international development.
• Proven technical experience with applicable technical areas of finance, procurement and large office operations.
• Knowledgeable and experienced with international development contracting policies and procedures, specifically US Government.
• Advanced proficiency in project operational management and support skills and abilities.
• Ability to build consensus and demonstrated ability to develop high performing teams.
• Experience with finance management, accounting and auditing, procurement, and the establishment of internal controls;
• In- depth knowledge and practical understanding of USG administrative, management and reporting procedures and systems; experience overseeing finance and administration for a USG-funded contract of a similar size and complexity is highly desirable.
• Experience with strategic program planning, annual work planning and budgeting.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication, supervisory, leadership and managerial skills.
• Strong report writing skills and abilities.
• Advanced knowledge and skill with MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel.
• Excellent ability in communication (verbal and written) and presentation skills.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English is required.