RTI International / Research Triangle Institute (RTI) is both a global research institute and a leading international development organization. We combine these powerful capabilities with those of our partners to co-create smart, shared solutions for a more prosperous, equitable, and resilient world. Based in North Carolina, USA, RTI is one of USAID’s top implementing partners. A commitment to making meaningful change energizes our 6,000 staff who deliver results across eight international development sectors and in more than 80 countries. 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.

SG&R’s Global Food Security and Agriculture portfolio is working to strengthen agricultural markets, engage youth and women as critical leaders of the on- and off-farm workforce, and tackle the dual burden of malnutrition around the globe. RTI’s work helps foster stronger food systems, reduce malnutrition in all its forms, build resilience and engage the next generation of food security leaders.

Project Description

The goal of the anticipated USAID activity will be to transform local food processing to sustainably and equitably increase the access to and affordability of safe, nutritious foods for women and children. This activity will strengthen business and technical practices of food processors; strengthen linkages between food processors and the broader business ecosystem for nutritious foods, including smallholder producers and domestic and regional markets and increase sharing and uptake of knowledge, learning, and tools to support local food processors of safe nutritious foods.

Position Description

The Research to Practice Leader will provide leadership and technical direction for activities related to sharing and uptake of knowledge, learning, and tools to support local food processors of safe nutritious foods. The Research to Practice Leader will report to the Project Director. This position will be based remotely in the Washington, DC area. Other remote locations will be considered on a case by case basis. 

This position is contingent upon award and funding.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide leadership and technical direction for activities related to sharing and uptake of knowledge, learning, and tools to support local food processors of safe nutritious foods. activities and deliverables.
• Responsible for developing the strategy for knowledge sharing and exchange. Under the direction of the Project Director, this will require close collaboration with the Client (USAID/Washington) to identify relevant stakeholders including MSMEs and local and global researchers as well as relevant forums for sharing knowledge generated by the project.
• Contribute to development of the research agenda, including advising on engagement of Missions/local stakeholders, from a perspective of optimizing knowledge uptake/translation of research into practice.
• Provide leadership for capacity strengthening of local food processors, other key stakeholders, and local researchers to collaboratively design and implement interventions that facilitate processing of safe, nutritious foods. 
• Apply a vision of collaboration, learning, and adapting to project activities, including in relation to other relevant USAID investments. 
• Identify and contribute to dissemination approaches and strategies including with external stakeholders, research institutions, and academic institutions, in collaboration with technical experts and the Project Director.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree and 12 years of relevant experience, Master's degree and 10 years of experience, PhD and 6 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Technical experience in food safety and/or food processing or related sectors, including nutrition, food security, and resilience.
• Extensive experience leading and applying research and innovation in low and middle-income countries.
• Experience in collaborating with researchers and stakeholders from USAID Feed the Future priority countries. 
• Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and written, and proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse stakeholders including MSMEs and local and global research partners.
• Strong understanding of the state of current global evidence related to food safety and food processing and current global guidelines and best practices. 
• Familiarity and experience working in different cultural contexts.
• Proficiency in English.
• Previous experience of working on USAID programs is desired. 
• Working knowledge of USAID (Washington and Mission) modalities for knowledge sharing is desired.
• Prior experience working in sub-Saharan Africa is preferred.

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 here.

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.