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 Private Sector Engagement (PSE) and Partnerships Lead for the LAC Regional Fund for Basic Education. The PSE and Partnerships Lead will provide all leadership and guidance on activities relating to PSE and increasing the role of private sector in Education services (investment and management). They will take charge of designing and implementing activities related to the project's involvement with the private sector and funding partners, overseeing existing initiatives and proactively identifying new opportunities for investment in the Fund. Additionally, this role will involve the identification, expansion, and cultivation of relationships with the private sector within the LAC Regional Fund for Basic Education's networks.

• Provide overall vision and leadership on PSE component of the project.
• Responsible for designing and implementing the project's private sector engagement strategy as the overarching framework for increasing private sector resources, expertise, and collaboration in education across the LAC region.
• Serve as main point-of-contact for private sector partners, cooperating country ministries, and other stakeholders on strategies to improve private sector involvement and participation in education.
• Lead identification of opportunities for public-private partnerships for education and establish scalable pilots
• Ensure synergy between PSE component activities and alignment with other project components, including activities in governance, policy, and civil society engagement.
• Guide PSE team on preparation and delivery of high-quality technical reports; lead annual workplan development, goal setting and establishment of indicator targets, and contractual reporting to USAID, including quarterly, annual, and other performance reports as requested.
• Foster and maintain effective, professional relations with government counterparts, local organizations, international and regional donors and other stakeholders for successful implementation of project PSE strategy.
• Collaborate and share knowledge with other conservation organizations and initiatives.
• Diplomatically supervise component staff and coordinate programs with partners from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
• In coordination with the Chief of Party, liaise with USAID and RTI home office on technical and financial implementation of and reporting on PSE programming.
• Oversee performance monitoring and evaluation to ensure all PSE project targets are met or exceeded - making recommendations for improvement in program implementation.

• Master's degree with 10 years of experience, or Bachelor's degree with 12 years of experience.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience and expertise in PSE, including business development services.
• Five (5) years proven leadership of similar sized international donor programs with strong skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, and budgeting.
• Experience working with the private sector in LAC, with demonstrated understanding of trade associations, private businesses (micro, small, medium, and large), and growth objectives that can create shared value and contribute to improved programmatic outcomes.
• Demonstrated skills in building, mobilizing, and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated skills and proven ability to develop, articulate and implement a strategic vision for PSE as a vital component of project implementation.

• Demonstrated experience managing large, global partner networks
• Demonstrate high sensitivity and tolerance to cultural, religious, racial, national origin, age, and gender issues.

• Professional fluency in Spanish is required; additional fluency in English preferred

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.