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 Environment portfolio delivers innovative, locally driven, evidence-based solutions in local and institutional capacity building, natural resource governance and environmental policy, countering wildlife and environmental crime, forest and protected area management, sustainable landscapes, climate change and resilience, livelihood development, and economic growth.

Project Description

RTI is preparing for the anticipated $10 – 25M USAID Ecuador Climate Change Mitigation through Sustainable Land Use Activity. The goal of the Activity will be to promote sustainable livelihoods and advance natural climate solutions in areas affected by deforestation and land degradation through greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction and mitigation efforts. This new activity will target areas impacted by deforestation and land degradation, including forests, wetlands, coastal areas, peatlands, grasslands, and/or agricultural lands. The primary objectives of this activity are as follows:

1. Generate measurable results in terms of avoided emissions, reduced emissions, or carbon sequestration,
2. Support the conservation, restoration, or management of Ecuadorian landscapes with a climate change mitigation benefit, and
3. Mobilize climate finance

Position Description

RTI is currently seeking professionals with senior- and mid-level expertise in landscape conservation, restoration, and management, market systems development, climate change mitigation, climate finance, and other technical areas in Ecuador.

Please note that positions are contingent upon award and funding. Local nationals are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

RTI is seeking experts in the following areas:

• Landscape conservation, restoration, and management
• Natural resource management
• Sustainable forest management
• Climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Climate-smart livestock management
• Market systems
• Climate finance
• Value chain finance
• Agroforestry
• Gender, youth, and social inclusion
• Communications and Social Behavior Change Communications (SBCC)
• Monitoring, evaluation, research, learning, and adapting (MERLA)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 5 years of experience focused on technical area of expertise.
• Native fluency or full professional proficiency in Spanish required; English fluency preferred, and proficiency in other languages of Ecuador a plus.
• Work experience in Ecuador required, specific experience in the coastal, sierra, and/or Amazon regions a plus.