Chief of Party

Overview:

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years of experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has approximately 5,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects.

The 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 Energy Division is working to develop and implement low emission energy technology alternatives, raise private financing for energy infrastructure, bring efficiency to utilities, work with governments on legal and regulatory reforms to alleviate bottlenecks in energy generation and consumption, and increase access to green energy to sustain economic growth and reduce poverty. We serve as a chosen partner for USAID's Power Africa program in sub-Sahara Africa and have a growing international energy portfolio of over $250 million across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands.

Project Description

The purpose of the USAID Mexico Partnership for Net Zero Cities is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving energy efficiency measures in the buildings and transportation sectors, and reducing Short Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCP), thereby helping to put Mexico on a pathway to net zero emissions after 2030. The program is based in Mexico City and includes programming throughout Mexico.

Position Description

The Chief of Party (COP) will lead the implementation of PNZC objectives and ensure the project quality, including planning and monitoring progress. They will also develop key stakeholder relationships, serve as USAID's primary point of contact, and direct activities by RTI's consortium partners. The COP will be able to rapidly respond to changes and personnel concerns, and provide demand driven technical assistance.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for overall management of the project including technical, administrative, financial, operational, security, and logistical management.
• Provide overall project vision and leadership; manage overall project design and delivery.
• Develops key stakeholder relationships. Serves as USAID's primary point of contact, directs activities by RTI's consortium partners, rapidly responds to changes and personnel concerns, and provides demand driven technical assistance.
• Liaise with USAID and RTI home office on technical and financial matters; implementation of and reporting on programming.
• Foster and maintain effective, professional relationships with a broad range of government counterparts, local organizations, donors, and other stakeholders for successful implementation.
• Oversees preparation and delivery of high-quality reports to USAID, including quarterly and annual reports, and other reports required by the contract. This includes providing project data and information, reviewing documents for accuracy, and writing relevant sections as agreed with the home office.
• Leads the development of the annual work plan and all associated activities, including consulting stakeholders, engaging with subcontractors and consultants, coordinating inputs from across the technical team, liaises with the home office for additional support.
• Ensure synergies across technical components of the project; ensures good team planning, coordination, deployment of resources, and intra-team communication in support of project objectives.
• Responsible for ensuring that annual project targets and objectives are met.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree and 15 years of experience, Master's degree and 12 years of experience, PhD and 8 years of experience.
• Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and written and proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse partners (private sector, public sector, and civil society) and demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated knowledge of scaling up EE, climate change policy, and climate change mitigation.
• Demonstrated management, teamwork, and technical skills to deliver sustainable solutions to achieve targets; client-focus, initiative, and business acumen to anticipate and resolve challenges, manage for results, and empower teams.
• Progressive senior management experience on programs of similar sized international donor programs with strong skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, procurement and budgeting similar size and scope. Demonstrated experience managing technically, operationally, and geographically diverse teams. USAID experience preferred.
• Substantive experience working with counterparts at various levels of government, private sector leaders, and other stakeholders in strengthening civil society engagement, capacity, and participation.
• Deep understanding of, and experience working in, Mexico's energy sector and proven track record of supporting energy sector reform and mobilizing highly desirable.
• Proven ability to work under pressure with multiple concurrent demands.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is required.
• Work experience in Mexico is required.