Finance & Operations Director

Overview Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years' experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a non-for-profit, independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 6,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects in education and other disciplines. RTI's International Education Division leads education development around the world by strengthening education policy, management, and practice 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, DFID, FCDO, The LEGO Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and other donors and clients. Project Description The Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Regional Fund to Expand Inclusive Access to Quality Basic Education will be a five-year cooperative agreement with an estimated total amount of up to $25,000,000 from USAID, with the expectation of obtaining other non-USAID funds to support the objectives. The primary objective of the activity is to expand inclusive access to quality basic education for marginalized and vulnerable students in a sustainable manner over time. This objective will be achieved by managing a regional fund that will have three main components: 1) a grant facility that will provide sub-grants to local organizations to expand their work in inclusive education and/or fund their ideas for promising innovations; 2) a technical assistance component to strengthen the capacity of local organizations to work with USAID, monitor and adapt their interventions, increase access and improve the quality of education for marginalized groups; and 3) a component that seeks to generate, disseminate, and use evidence and learning from local education sub-grants. The activity will closely monitor and evaluate improvements in inclusive access and quality of education with an emphasis on improving foundational skills for marginalized groups, especially in, but not limited to, the early primary grades. Job Summary The Finance and Operations Director, reporting to the Chief of Party, is responsible for supporting the Chief of Party in all operational, finance, and management aspects of the project. This position is responsible for overseeing all human resources, financial management, procurement, sub-grants, logistics, security, and operations on the project in compliance with applicable USAID and RTI rules and regulations. This position can be based in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, or Colombia. Responsibilities Responsibilities of the Finance and Operations Director include, but are not limited to: Support the Chief of Party in all finance, operations, and management aspects of the project. Manage finance, operational procurement, and administrative personnel, providing oversight of all operational, financial, procurement, and administrative functions on the project. Oversee the finance, accounting, and bookkeeping functions of the project to ensure project resources are effectively budgeted, analyzed, disbursed, monitored, and reported in achieving project objectives and results; approves payroll. Ensure all financial, procurement, and administrative documents are appropriately filed and ensure their quality in compliance with RTI procedures and terms of the cooperative agreement. Oversee the intersection of contract, budget, and technical work, engaging appropriate RTI contract and finance staff as needed. Oversee Cooperating Country National (CCN) HR practices to include recruitment, hiring, orientation, compensation, benefits, payroll, separation, and employee relations. Provide routine and ad hoc support and reports to RTI's Regional HR on project HR activities and issues. Ensure that contractual and internal approval requirements (e.g., waivers, approval memos, procurements) are met, and prepare justifications supporting these actions in coordination with project leadership and RTI home office support staff. Monitor budget analyses/reports and project cost reports/invoices against contract requirements, implementation progress, and general cost reasonability; alert management team to necessary contractual or management actions based on that review (e.g., LOE or line-item reallocation, need to improve grant performance, etc.). Lead the identification, recruitment, and management of local consultants and subcontractors; perform the actions necessary to initiate appropriate contractual mechanisms, as applicable. Oversee project procurement efforts for cost reasonability and compliance. Produce operational reports and updates for deliverable reporting and project success stories. Collaborate with Chief of Party to identify and manage risks and actively participate in the resolution of performance issues with project staff and sub-awardees. Oversee project VAT tracking and management in collaboration with USAID and local government institutions and vendors. Organize and undertake trips to Activity sites across the LAC region to ensure sound financial and operational implementation, including by staff, partners, grantees, or consultants. Demonstrate professional behavior, including a commitment to gender sensitivity, social inclusion, and climate and environmental protection and being a team player within the project, and growing and learning. Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party. Qualifications Bachelor's Degree and 12 years of experience, master's degree and 10 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience in business, economics, finance, accounting, or another relevant field. Skills & Abilities Demonstrated progressively responsible experience implementing projects of similar complexity, scope, and budget. Demonstrated knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation policies and procedures related to grants, procurements, and subawards. Experience in finance management of international-donor-funded projects including experience in the management of USAID-funded projects. ACCA/CPA or other recognized professional accounting qualification preferred. Experience in grants/subcontract management. Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and/or experiences in human resources, financial management, procurement, sub-grants, logistics, security, and operations accounting, financial planning and management, and procurement, among other management support areas/functions, as required. Familiarity with USG (United States Government) Cost Accounting Standards; Extensive knowledge of computerized accounting systems, accounting software and Microsoft Office. Possess excellent organizational, strategical, and analytical skills. Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, ability to work under difficult circumstances with limited resources, and ability to form productive relationships with counterparts, partners, and training institutions. Proven ability to work under pressure, and with multiple concurrent demands. Verbal and written fluency in Spanish. Professionally proficient in English. Disclaimer The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.