Governance Specialist

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. RTI's 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.

The RTI Center for Governance promotes strong, stable societies by empowering people and strengthening institutions. Building on the RTI's decades-long legacy of leading governance projects around the world, the Center works to increase transparency and accountability, mitigate corruption, and help government actors to better deliver on the needs of citizens. Boasting a global reach, the RTI Center for Governance includes partners, expertise, and learning from major initiatives spanning sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. The Center leverages RTI's longstanding local partnerships to bring together governments, civil society, the private sector, and communities to define problems and jointly create sustainable solutions in countries around the world.

RTI's Center for Governance is seeking a Governance Specialist to provide technical assistance, thought leadership in governance and help RTI to successfully expand its international portfolio of projects in governance. The position will report to the Center's Senior Governance Advisor.

We are looking for a technical expert with proven success applying evidence, good practice, and innovations to design and manage effective governance programming. Experience with USAID Democracy, Rights, and Governance programming is highly preferred. Other experience building transparency, accountability, public financial management capacity, and/or integrated, inclusive approaches to governance and civic engagement is also welcome. The position is a mix of new business development, writing, technical assistance to existing RTI governance and cross-sectoral projects, project management, strategy development, and research.

This position would be based in Washington, DC, the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (RTI headquarters), or be a permanent remote employee. International teleworking will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The position will be expected to travel internationally up to 30% of the time.

include but are not limited to:

Business Development and Growth (65%)

• Develop, support, and write technical proposals, concept notes, and expressions of interest for governance opportunities.
• Conduct capture, partner identification and development, and other business development activities for governance opportunities.
• Contribute to design and methodology development aligned with governance best practices.

Technical Assistance and Project Management (30%)

• Provide technical assistance to governance and related projects, including field-based short-term technical assistance, such as capacity strengthening and political economy analysis.
• Contribute to the development and adaptation of existing technical approaches and tools in governance.
• Stay abreast of USAID headquarter and mission trends around governance programming.
• Serve as project manager for existing or new governance projects.

Research, Technical, and Scientific Stature (5%)

• Participate in research initiatives to drive innovation, adaptation, and learning of governance and PFM programming.
• Contribute to technical articles, papers, reports, blogs, and social media posts as well as give presentations, seminars, and workshops on governance topics.
• Provide thought leadership through articles, blogs, and presentations to USAID, clients, and peer organizations.

• Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience or Master's Degree with a minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience.
• At least 3 years of experience working in the international development governance sector. Experience with anti-corruption, countering authoritarianism, applied political economy analysis, integrated governance across sectors, municipal governance, and adaptive management a plus.
• At least 3 years of experience performing business development roles, including demonstrated writing experience, and supporting governance proposal strategy for USAID-funded opportunities.
• At least 3 years of experience managing and implementing governance projects funded by USAID, UKAID, or other key donors in the international development sector.
• Demonstrated short- and long-term experience working in developing countries.
• Fluency in English and proficiency in French required (Fluency in other languages a plus).

Key Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Ability to work collaboratively in teams.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as interpersonal skills.

Expected salary range for a US-based employee is indicated below. Please note, if the position is based outside of the US, the salary range would be different.

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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 .

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.