For nearly four decades, Research Triangle Institute International (RTI) has worked to improve education globally. From addressing education delivery in historically underserved areas of post-apartheid South Africa, to expanding disability-inclusive education in Cambodia, to raising reading scores nationwide in Kenya and elsewhere around the world, RTI seeks to ensure that all children fulfill their potential. Working with and in support of local partners (government and non-governmental), we employ evidence-based approaches to strengthen education practice, management, and policy at every level-from classrooms to ministries, to improve education outcomes.

Project Description:

Through the LAC Regional Fund for Basic Education, USAID intends to transfer money and services to an implementing partner or consortium of partners to address barriers to access and increase the quality of basic education for marginalized groups in selected countries of the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. The total funding provided by USAID is expected to be between USD 25M and 50M. USAID anticipates this will be done through the financial and technical support of a new or existing LAC-focused regional fund or platform that will provide grants and technical support to local entities in select LAC countries that are currently engaged in or have ideas for innovative and/or scalable activities that aim to address existing systemic barriers and improve access and foundational learning outcomes specifically for marginalized and vulnerable groups. USAID also anticipates this activity will include rigorous measurement to inform the adaptation and scaling of such interventions in the future. USAID is open to working jointly with other donor organizations on a new or existing regional funding platform, both in terms of catalyzing additional funding as well as technical collaboration for knowledge sharing and implementation. They also encourage implementing partners to be thinking about ways of mobilizing other donor and private sector investments and cost sharing as part of this activity.

Position Description:

RTI seeks a Grants Fund Director to oversee and administer the LAC Regional Fund for Basic Education's grants pool, ensuring strict adherence to USAID regulations and best practices. This position will spearhead strategic planning, learning initiatives, and process enhancements for grant design, competition, and award management. It will further lead the grantmaking process with partner organizations, ensuring strict compliance with relevant USAID grant-related policies, procedures, and the effective utilization of grants management systems.

• In close collaboration with project leadership and technical staff, contribute to activity design, including the development of solicitations and facilitating grant application evaluations, ensuring compliance with grants management policies, and advising on appropriate grant mechanisms.
• Assess the administrative, financial, and management capacity of grant applicants, identifying creative co-creation opportunities for grant design.
• Incorporate learnings, best practices, and innovative approaches into grant design, aiming to build on tested uses of grants and utilizing concessional financing where applicable.
• Negotiate terms and conditions for grant agreements and collaborate with grantees and technical teams for finalizing approvals from USAID.
• Develop capacities of local organizations and grantees for successful implementation, compliance with grant agreements, and sustainable organizational development.
• Track leverage, contribution, or program income as required in the grant agreement, ensuring compliance with audit requirements for grantees.
• Facilitate timely and well-documented close-out of grants, ensuring the completeness and quality of grant files.
• Oversee preparation and delivery of high-quality reports to USAID, including quarterly and annual reports, and other reporting requirements.
• Ensure synergies across technical components of the project; ensure good team planning, coordination, deployment of resources, and intra-team communication in support of project objectives.

• Bachelor's Degree and 12 years of experience, Master's degree and 10 years of experience, PhD and 6 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years' experience in the administration of large, complex grants pool on large international donor-funded projects, especially with USAID.
• Robust understanding of USAID rules and regulations and demonstrated ability to creatively apply these rules and regulations for tailored fit-for-purpose grants and procurement processes.
• Proven ability to manage and mobilize large funds, with a demonstrated track record of successfully leveraging funding through partnerships and collaborations with other donors and the private sector
• Demonstrated Skills in problem solving, leadership, communications, consensus building and coordination of diverse stakeholders including government, civil society, and local community actors.
• Proven ability to work under pressure with multiple concurrent demands.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Professional fluency in written and spoken Spanish and English is required.

As a global employer of choice, RTI is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in the workplace and the communities and markets where we serve our mission. We value diversity of thought, culture, background and perspective and welcome applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, creed, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable discrimination laws or RTI policy.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Further information is available here.

RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach and one that integrates expertise across the social and laboratory sciences, engineering, and international development. We believe in the promise of science, and we are inspired every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses around the world. For more information, visit www.rti.org.