Senior Project Operations Specialist, Global Health - RTI International

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 6,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. 

IDG’s The Global Health Division (GHD), works in Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases; Global Health Security and Public Health Preparedness; Heath Systems Strengthening - including Health Governance, Health Finance, Human Resources for Health, Capacity Building, and Health Policy and Advocacy; and Integrated Care - including Reproductive, Maternal, and Child Health and Family Planning. We address a range of public health problems to reduce disparities, lower disease burdens, and build locally owned sustainable health programs. 

  

Position Description: 

RTI is currently accepting applications for the position of Senior Project Operations Specialistto supportthe Global Health Division. The Senior Project Operations Specialist, Global Healthwillprovideoperations managementonhigh-value and/or complex projects in the division’s portfolio. As a key member of the project management team, they will be the lead home officestaff member responsible for providing operational and financial leadership and support to assigned project(s) and ensuring compliance with client and RTI policies and procedures.This position will work closely with the Project Manager, Chief of Party, and a wide range of RTI business partners and staff to ensure that projects areimplemented on schedule and budget, and in compliance with contractual terms and conditions. The candidate in this position is expected to identify and articulate risk, impact, and possible solutionsin the areas of financial management, grants, subcontracts, IT, legal, local HR, asset management, client and RTI compliance, procurement, and travel. They must be a self-starter with an exceptional ability to plan and organize work and communicate across diverse teams. The position is expected to support projects 80% of the time, proposals 10%, and other tasks as required 10%. 

  

This position will report toa Senior Project Operations Specialistand can be based in RTI’s Washington, DC office or the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (RTI headquarters), withanoptionto telecommute. The position will be expected to travel internationally 10% of the time for a duration of up to 2 weeks, and may have opportunities to travel up to 25% based on project needs and the candidate’savailability. Candidates must be authorized to work in the US. 

Responsibilities:

Financial: 

• Lead the development of internal and external financial forecasts that align with technical activities and capture accrued and committed costs, including those of subgrantees.  
• Develop annual work plan budgets that align to technical activities and prep the team by providing guidance on the burn rate and expenditure targets for the corresponding period.  
• Review and report out on monthly project expenditures for contractual and cost accounting compliance and analyze trends in spending and budgets vs. actuals.  
• Monitor and analyze cost performance vis-à-vis expected revenue targets and advise the team on corrective actions, including how to minimize unallowable costs. 

• Design and implement strategies to identify risk and address financial performance concerns.  
• Develop client quarterly financial reports and accruals and ensure that client invoices are prepared on time and are properly reviewed. 
• Advise Chiefs of Party and Project Managers on financial limitations for programmatic implementation plans based on financial analyses and forecasts and activity-based budgeting monitoring and oversight.   

 

General Project Management: 

• Support/lead operational project management activities throughout a project’s lifecycle in coordination with various RTI staff. 
• Provide mentorship and training to country staff on project operations and financial management.  
• Ensure compliance with RTI and client policies and procedures.Promote quality project implementation in line with RTI’s quality assurance expectations.   
• Proactively identify and report operational, financial, security, reputational or other project risks, impact, and possible solutions and work closelywith the Project Manager and other key team members to mitigate those risks, escalating concerns to senior management as required. 
• Help drive corrective actions to completion and ensure that they are adequately addressed with the support of other RTI staff.  
• Liaise and coordinate support services from RTI business partners and regional offices. 

 

Contractual, Compliance, and Administrative: 

• Support project compliance with award terms and conditions and RTI policies; seek/drive clarity on award terms and conditions when/if necessary.   
• In consultation with the PM and RTI’s Contracts team, help prepare contract modification requests or client approvals.   
• Ensureaccurate and compliant record keeping; monitor and lead any corrective actionsrequired to ensure project management tools, documentation, approvals, deliverables, and data are maintained consistently in accordance with policies and standards. 

 

Human Resources and Procurement: 

• Support the recruitment and onboarding of project staff andconsultants.  
• Initiate subcontractor and consultant requests and modifications. Refine budgets and review invoices for accuracy and compliance and provide guidance to vendors as needed. 

• Lead or support various elements of procurement processes including vendor identification, contracting and invoice payment.  
• Monitor vendor performanceand compliancein accordance with project, RTI, and client processes, standards, and requirements.   

 

Business Development: 

• Support business development activities. Possible assignments include supporting capture, serving as a Proposal Coordinator, reviewing budgets, conducting tech/budget crosswalks, interviewing candidates, and writing relevant sections. 

 

 Other: 

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree and 5 years of experience, Master's degree and 3 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.  
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis on multimillion dollar projects, including monitoring monthly expenditures and key financial metrics and guiding teams on resource allocation and implementation based on budget. 

 

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities 

• Advanced Word, PowerPoint, and Excel skills (including budget building and forecasting within the platform). Familiarity with SharePoint and Oracle a plus.  
• Proven excellent cross-cultural interpersonal and communication (oral and written) skills.  
• Outstanding critical thinking skills and proven ability to identify issues and opportunities, provide solutions, and build consensus among multiple stakeholders.  
• Proficiency in written and spoken French strongly preferred.  
• Demonstrated experience in project administration. Knowledge of USAID rules and regulations strongly preferred.   

 

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EEO & Pay Equity Statements:

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:$78,000 - $96,000