Driver

Overview

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.

The RTI Center for Governance promotes strong, stable societies by empowering people and strengthening institutions. Building on RTI’s decades-long legacy of leading governance projects around the world, the Center works to increase transparency and accountability, mitigate corruption, and help government actors to better deliver on the needs of citizens. Boasting a global reach, the RTI Center for Governance includes partners, expertise, and learning from major initiatives spanning sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. The Center leverages RTI’s longstanding local partnerships to bring together governments, civil society, the private sector, and communities to define problems and jointly create sustainable solutions in countries around the world.

Project Description

The recently awarded United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines’ U.S.-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation and Lifelong Learning (UPSKILL) Program will strengthen the Philippine higher education system to support broad-based, inclusive growth and become a key driver of development. It will do this by strengthening the innovation capacities and workforce development functions of Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs) in faculty development, curriculum improvements, and engagement with industry and international partners, as well as overall improvements in HEI management and administration. The Activity will also support improvements in the regulatory environment to improve governance in the sector, support Philippine policies in strengthening human capital development, and provide a platform for convergence for local stakeholders to work together in achieving shared development goals.

Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Operations Manager the position is to drive, maintain, and manage the project vehicle for the UPSKILL Program. The incumbent’s tasks involve safely transporting passengers or goods, adhering to traffic laws, maintaining the vehicle, and ensuring timely departure and arrivals. Responsibilities also include route planning, vehicle inspections, conduct any registration processes, and providing excellent customer service. This role requires excellent driving, road safety, and navigation skills, strong interpersonal communication, and the ability to adapt to daily operational requirements at short notice.

Essential Duties:

• Driving the RTI vehicle as may be assigned by the Operations Manager.
• Drive assigned means of transport for the transport of project staff and authorized partners, stakeholders, visitors, goods, and documents.
• Collect and deliver goods, mail, documents, and other items.
• Meet project staff and other designated guests at the airport.
• Take care of the day-to-day maintenance of the assigned means of transport, check oil, water, battery, brakes, tires, etc.; perform minor repairs and arrange for other repairs and ensure that the vehicle is kept operational and safe.
• Maintain the official vehicle in a clean, polished, and flawless operating condition.
• Read and understand specific vehicle/vessel operating manual to ensure the safe and appropriate operations of the vehicle.
• Process any applications and subsequent renewals with regards to the vehicle registration with regulatory agencies and any associated safety, smoke testing, and insurance requirements.
• Obey traffic rules and road signs; negotiate, liaise, and coordinate with local authorities to facilitate smooth running of vehicle/vessel movements.
• Ensure that the steps required by rules and regulations are taken in case of involvement in an accident.
• Identify any apparent problems during field deliveries and report them to the appropriate personnel.
• Assist with loading and unloading of project equipment and materials.
• Obtain necessary permits and clearances for travel within the project area.
• Maintain accurate records of vehicle usage, passengers, fuel consumption, and travel logs.
• Provide administrative support, such as filing paperwork, photocopying, and running errands.
• Perform other duties as maybe necessary.
  
  

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Minimum 3 years of related experience in driving an office vehicle.
• Preferably, experience working for international organizations, USAID or other donor projects, or embassies.
  
  

Skills & Abilities

• Subscribe to the values of RTI.
• Possession of a valid Philippine LTO professional driver’s license (PDL) with a clean driving record.
• Experience operating an automatic vehicle.
• Defensive driving or any advanced driving training certificate is a plus.
• Knowledge of driving rules and regulations and skills in minor vehicle repairs.
• Knowledge of radio, email, telephone, and other applications.
• Trustworthy, high sense of responsibility, alertness; physically fit on duty, emotionally stable, neat and courteous.
• Good knowledge of the UPSKILL Program activity areas and the current conditions of roads and highways.
• Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to fluently communicate in English, both verbally and in writing, applicable to project requirements.
• Ability to multi-task, work independently and consistently with the capacity to handle various tasks with accuracy while maintaining a friendly and courteous image to all internal and external stakeholders to meet the required deliverables.
  
  

Other Requirements

• RTI will require the top candidate(s) to pass a practical driving test.
• The top candidate(s) must present a medical certificate, including passing an eye exam, to demonstrate that the individual can meet the physical demands of the job. The medical exam will be at the cost of the applicant.
  
  

Physical/Mental Demands

Applicants must be physically and mentally fit to operate a motor vehicle and successfully perform the essential functions of this job, as outlined above. Examples include: remaining in a stationary position for long periods of time; operating a computer and other office machinery; thinking, learning, and concentrating effectively and frequently communicating with other people, both within RTI and outside of RTI; frequently moving about inside and travel between offices and laboratories; ability to handle the stress associated in meeting frequent, multiple and tight deadlines, ability to work in excess of 40 hours per week as workload and deadlines may require, ability to have regular, reliable and predictable attendance, and good eyesight even if with glasses.



Disclaimer

The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.