Project Coordinator

Job Description

RTI is currently accepting applications for the position of a Project Coordinator (PC) (Senior Project Management Specialist 1) within the International Development Group’s Learning, Energy and Environment for Development (LEED) Division. LEED is a growing Division with an expanding portfolio of work. This PC will be a new position working within Integrated Learning Solutions (ILS) practice area. Working closely with other project management team members, the PC provides operational and coordination support to projects and project management teams.

The successful candidate will be expected to have an exceptional ability to plan and organize work, develop tools, prepare and summarize reports and other materials, and follow through on agreed upon actions, while maintaining a positive and productive attitude with other team members in a fast-paced and demanding environment. S/he must be a strong communicator, be energetic and show initiative, demonstrate a willingness to take on challenges, while at the same time appreciating the scope of the position and his/her role within the team.

The position is based in Washington, DC.

Specific Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for a wide range of financial and operational project and proposal support tasks. Specific responsibilities will include:

• Responsible for internal and external financial reporting, financial analytics, tracking and detailed review of costs.
• Responsible for development, oversight and maintenance of project budget
• Monitoring and conducting analysis of project financial performance.
• Collaborate with other project team members and division management to identify and mitigate risks related to implementation.
• Establishing and maintaining financial tracking tools and budgets, monitoring expenses and helping to design and implement strategies that address financial performance issues and help to identify risk.
• Responsible for providing support to direct project work and as assigned by the management.
• Responsible for contributing to the technical scope of the project and as directed by management.
• Leading project management activities within ILS’s portfolio, from project start-up to closeout.
• Advanced daily oversight and coordination of complex activities for USAID-funded (US-based) learning program with activities in multiple countries.
• Developing and maintaining project management schedules, work plans, and other general project management resources and tools.
• Supporting the recruitment and onboarding of field- and/or home-office based project staff and other human resources processes, including identification of short-term technical assistance needs and resources.
• Preparing travel and consultant approval requests, consulting agreements, information for contract modification requests, and other actions for submission to clients.
• Supporting the contracting and monitoring of subcontractors and consultants, reviewing invoices; modifying contracts when needed; ensuring payments are made in a timely manner.
• Participating in procurement processes and ensuring compliance.
• Liaising and coordinating support services from RTI business partners and regional offices.
• Tracking completed/approved deliverables, especially those required for USAID’s Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC) and RTI managed websites.
• Ensuring accurate and compliant record keeping; monitoring and leading any correction process required to ensure project documentation, deliverables and data are maintained consistently in accordance with policies and standards.
• Providing general reporting to project management teams and ILS Director.
• Mentoring and supporting junior operations staff.
• Supervise junior staff.
• Serving as the PM on projects as needed.
• Supporting business and proposal development as assigned.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

The position is expected to support projects 70% of the time, proposals 20%, and other tasks as required, 10%.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant social science discipline and 6 years of relevant work experience. Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience in USAID-funded project financial management required
• Experience working in a learning organization preferred.
• Experience in project administration and proposal development is required. Experience with USAID-funded projects required. Experience with other international donors is a plus.
• Experience in direct or indirect field management preferred.
• Prior experience working, studying, or traveling in developing countries highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Outstanding financial management skills
• Outstanding attention to detail, managing multiple complex tasks simultaneously
• Outstanding critical thinking skills and proven ability to identify issues and opportunities, provide solutions, and build consensus among multiple stakeholders.
• Able to operate effectively and appropriately in ambiguity; demonstrates sound decision making and the ability to apply and adapt processes/approaches to new situations.
• Proven ability to interact effectively with team members, partners and donors.
• Proven excellent interpersonal and communication (oral and written) skills.
• Proven excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Advanced Excel skills to facilitate budgeting and financial analysis; strong Word, Access, PowerPoint skills. Knowledge of SharePoint, Salesforce, and Marketplace.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines under pressure, being a self-starter who works both independently and as a collaborative team player.
• Willingness to learn the ILS business and contribute at all levels as needed.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally and domestically up to 5-10%.