Summary
Date Posted: Monday, March 13, 2023 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Overview
Research Triangle Institute International, LLC (RTII), is a subsidiary of Research Triangle Institute (RTI). RTI International is a registered trademark and a tradename of Research Triangle Institute. RTI has over 30 years’ experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 5,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. 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 Water portfolio has delivered innovative, breakthrough solutions in key development sectors, including water sector governance, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, economic livelihood development, community engagement, and institutional capacity building. Our work spans the African continent with a growing presence in South Asia. RTII leverages on RTIs capacity and experience to implement various projects worldwide.

Program Description:
RTII is implementing the $20 million USAID Expanding Water and Sanitation (USAID Expanding WASH) Project in Zambia. The purpose of the USAID Expanding WASH Project is to professionalize water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, to promote accountability for reliable and high-quality WASH services, and to enhance the enabling environment for private sector engagement (PSE) in service delivery in underserved areas of Zambia (Western, Southern, Northern, and Muchinga provinces). The project’s period of performance is 5 years, and it is currently entering its second year of implementation.
As part of the efforts to improve service delivery in underserved areas, the project shall undertake construction activities at USAID’s direction. These construction activities shall include, but are not limited to the following:

Water Supply:
• New boreholes with Hand Pumps
• Rehabilitated boreholes with Hand Pumps
• Household and Community Water Connections Including:
o Solar Systems with Distribution
o Extensions and Rehabilitated Distribution Systems
o Innovative surface water compact filtration
o Water Kiosks

Sanitation:
• Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) Latrines and/or Water borne Toilets
• Sewer Connections and Rehabilitations

To facilitate the construction work, a total of USD 5 million has been set aside for establishment of a Construction Fund (CF) to be disbursed over the life of the project. The Fund will be managed by a Construction Fund Manager (CFM) and will provide funding for needed emergency repairs and new piped water systems or expansion of existing infrastructure for water and sanitation services. RTII plans to use the CF for strategic needs identified in partnership with the Commercial Utilities (CUs) and Local Authorities (LAs) and, in addition to construction, will provide support for improving billing and collection, addressing non-revenue water (NRW) challenges, piloting metering, and funding business development studies. It is envisaged that the construction works to be undertaken will help service providers to achieve financial and operational improvements and pilot private sector partnerships.

Responsibilities
Position Description:
RTII is seeking a qualified, experienced, and highly motivated Construction Fund Manager (CFM) for the USAID Expanding WASH Project. The CFM will lead procurement and management of construction contracts. The CFM reports directly to the Service Delivery Lead and will provide the overall management of all aspects of procurement activities and contract management related to construction. This includes procurement of design, oversight, and construction services, reviewing and processing applications for construction funding, contract template development, managing the bidding process, and contract administration for oversight, construction contracts and A&E firm contracts. The CFM will work closely with RTII contracts and procurement teams to comply with all USAID contract conditions.

Roles and Responsibilities:
Management:
Under the supervision of the Service Delivery Lead, the CFM will:
• Work with Provincial Leads, CUs, and D-WASHEs to development applications for submission to the CF, showing how these will support performance benchmarks.
• Along with the Design and Oversight Engineer, provide oversight to implementation, timeline, budget of all construction contractors.
• Support the Service Delivery Lead to coordinate between technical and operational stakeholders on the team to ensure successful completion of construction work, payments, and close out of construction contracts.
• Quickly identify and communicate concerns, risks and delays as issues arise and supporting resolution to the Service Delivery Lead, Design and Oversight Engineer, and Chief of Party as appropriate.
• Develop the Construction Fund Implementation Strategy (CFIS), working closely with the Provincial Leads and CUs, outlining the utilization of the CF. The strategy should be aligned to the approved Construction Implementation Plan (CIP).
• Draft and finalize Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the CF to serve as the guiding implementation document for the period of the project. The SOP should be harmonized with the Project Operations Manual and key implementation documents, like the Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan, Construction Implementation Plan and Project Work Plan. The SOP should be harmonized with USAID/RTI Contract section 1.2.3
• Submit program reports according to a monthly and quarterly schedule. The final format and content detail of the reports will be determined prior to commencement of construction works.
• Conduct an annual review to improve the operation, outputs, and outcomes of the Construction Fund. The findings from these reviews may result in adjustments to the CFIS, other planning documents, and resource requirements.
• Additional management responsibilities as assigned.

Procurement:
• Under the guidance and supervision of the Finance and Operations Director and Service Delivery Lead, prepare requisitions and solicitations for construction related activities.
• Prepare shortlists/summary bid analyses based on market research, identify suitable Local Construction Oversight Firm, A&E firms, and construction contractors with due consideration to price, quality, delivery time, warranty and after sale servicing where applicable while ensuring segregation of duties.
• Prepare, convene, and lead timely bid evaluation meetings for Construction goods and services
• Prepare Purchase Orders for approval by USAID Expanding WASH staff with Delegation of Authority (DOA) in procurement.
• Provide necessary onboarding/orientation to vendors to ensure they understand their contracts, requirements, responsibilities, etc.
• Make construction related procurement follow ups with contractors and suppliers to ensure timely deliveries.
• Maintain a tracker of construction contracts and manage timely renewal/change order processes.
• Review vendor invoices against procurement documents and clear them for payment by the Finance office
• Maintain proper filing of construction procurement documents in SharePoint.
• Manage contractor and Supplier relations.
• Organize disposition of project construction assets when required.
• Manage procedures for retention, protection, retrieval, transfer, and disposal of construction procurement records.
• Periodically evaluate performance of vendors and perform ad-hoc construction site visits to validate compliance requirements.
• Ensure that all procurement actions are conducted as required according to RTI Rules and Regulations and the applicable policies and procedures as well as the highest degree of personal and professional ethics.
• Additional procurement responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:
• Master’s degree in engineering, water and sanitation, or related sciences and 10 years of experience or bachelor’s degree in related technical field with 12 years of experience.
• At least 5 years of experience working on procurement and contract management specific to construction; experience in procurement for construction works related to water and sanitation services is preferable.
• Member of the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply (ZIPS)
• In-depth knowledge of USAID or other international donor agency procurement regulations required
• Professional qualification in Supply Chain Management is preferable
• Experience in the design and operation of funds or grant-making facilities.
• Experience in managing and leading procurement processes for construction related services
• Fluency in English with excellent communication, leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 60

Level of Education: Associate Degree

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