RTI’s International Education Division supports education development around the world by strengthening education policy, management, and practice in order 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, and other donors and clients.

RTI is seeking Chief of Party candidates for an anticipated USAID/Guatemala proposal for a basic education project. The main purpose of the anticipated 5-year long Guatemala Basic Education and Transition to Lower Secondary project is to: improve foundational reading, math, and socio-emotional skills and increase survival and transition rates from primary to lower secondary in rural Guatemala; and strengthen capacity of local partners to become USAID implementing partners and transition the award to their leadership. The project will be implemented in Baja Verapaz, Huehuetenango, El Quiché, and San Marcos.

The Chief of Party (COP) will be responsible for overall project performance, management, and execution ensuring all project deliverables are exceptionally exceeded within budget and compliance for projects. The COP performs project planning, oversight and ensures strong and favorable client relations. The COP may perform technical assistance within the scope of the project. May perform business development within country or region as directed. They will have overall responsibility for contract implementation and will serve as the primary liaison with USAID/Guatemala on management and technical matters. They will ensure exceptional quality and timeliness of project deliverables within budget and compliance parameters.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for providing leadership and overall management of a multi-disciplinary team to implement education solutions to the development challenges in Baja Verapaz, Huehuetenango, El Quiché, and San Marcos areas. This will be accomplished through the implementation of the following activities: Result 1. Reading, writing, math and social and emotional learning (SEL) outcomes improved; Result 2. Rate of student transition to lower secondary increased; Result 3. Local capacity for sustainability acquired.
• Initiate and drive coordination with other education activities implemented by local and international education partners and donors, as well as the private sector. 
• Hold primary responsibility for project performance and budget management. 
• Leads planning, oversight and coordination of all project activities and personnel, operational and technical.
• Ensures all project deliverables exceed expectations and managed within budget. 
• Manages client relations and serves as primary liaison and IDG Representative with the client and stakeholders regarding overall policy, resource mobilization and allocation, joint initiatives and coordination of project management and planning.
• Ensure internal integration of project activities through: 1) the annual work plan and budgeting process; 2) creating/maintaining an effective project management team; 3) overseeing an effective monitoring and evaluation system
• Provide leadership and oversight for areas such as Finance, Operations, Reporting, Public Affairs, Fund Management and Human Resources; liaise with Regional Office and business partners per policy and practice.
• Responsible to ensure all staff receive adequate security and operational support and that Standard Operating Procedures are implemented.
• Manage all aspects of staffing and creating/maintaining a clear organizational structure with specific roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines.
• Ensure management systems are operational to track expenditures (including labor) and monitor same against the program work plan and budget, according to both company policy and client standards/regulations.
• Responsible for developing and implementing practices to ensure a high level of staff morale and retention.
• May participate in business development activities including meetings with prospective clients.
• Identify strategic opportunities for function and work with business development to market these opportunities.
• Prepare status reports, budget information and other documentation as needed.
• Develop and implement practices to ensure a high level of staff morale and retention.
• Remain in close contact with the home office, providing regular presentations and updates about the project’s progress.
• Other responsibilities as required and developed over the life of project.