Finance and Administration Officer

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RTI International

RTI International is an independent scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world’s most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world’s most challenging problems.

We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you.

About the Hiring Group

RTI’s Center for International Development implements large-scale, multidisciplinary projects across health, energy, agriculture, water, and education by leveraging RTI’s deep cross-institutional knowledge, proven solutions, and contextual expertise to increase global impact by improving lives, driving economic growth, and enhancing stability in fragile and developing geographies.

What You’ll Do

RTI is seeking Finance and Administration Officer candidates for a 5-year Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food for Progress (FFPr) program in Ethiopia. This Food for Progress program will use a market-driven, U.S.-led value chain approach to transform Ethiopia’s sunflower sector and benefit U.S. businesses by addressing key productivity, market linkage, financing, and policy constraints identified by public and private actors.

The Finance and Administration Officer will be based in the Jimma Regional office and is responsible for ensuring that appropriate administrative, financial, and logistical support functions are delivered to the project. This role will ensure that procedures are in place to guarantee cost-effectiveness, timeliness, and strong internal controls.

The Finance and Administration Officer will report directly to the Finance and Administration Manager based in Addis Ababa. The Finance and Administration Officer will coordinate all day-to-day operational functions with the Agricultural Lead based in Jimma.

Your primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Provide functional support for the project’s finance and administration functions, ensuring compliance with RTI policies, project agreements, and donor regulations.

Administration

• Ensure efficient and effective administrative, finance, and logistics functions for the Jimma office.
• Establish and maintain a monitoring system to track and respond to service requests.
• Supervise drivers and cleaning staff, including preparing work plans and conducting performance evaluations.
• Conduct regular inventory checks, ensuring proper tracking, status updates, and user assignment, in coordination with the Addis Ababa Finance and Administration Manager.
• Oversee vehicle fleet management, including maintenance, repairs, logbook reviews, fuel tracking, and reporting.
• Support procurement processes in line with RTI policies, including preparing requests for quotations (RFQs) and communicating with vendors in coordination with the Addis Ababa office.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and well-organized procurement documentation and records, including Goods Receiving Notes and asset register.
• Follow up on office lease agreements and ensure proper facility maintenance by liaising with landlords and tracking service contracts and repairs.
• Responsible for identifying and escalating all official and legal correspondence to the Senior Management Team (SMT) and collaborating on the development of timely, professional responses.
• Lead the logistics for training and workshops, including venue procurement, contract management, and the arrangement of lodging for participants and facilitators.
• Manage regional staff insurance, reimbursements, and documentation.

Finance

• Implement effective internal control systems, including proper segregation of duties, in line with guidance from the national Finance Unit.
• Review vendor invoices against purchase orders, grants, or contracts to ensure accuracy before submission for payment.
• Ensure all financial records comply with RTI, local government, and USDA standards.
• Manage day-to-day financial transactions and submit accurate financial reports and invoices to the Addis Ababa Finance Unit.
• Respond promptly to financial information requests from the Addis Ababa office.
• Support semi-annual and year-end financial reporting and ensure compliance with tax regulations.
• Assist with audit requests and monthly tax filings.
• Ensure compliance with USDA and RTI policies and procedures, including timely financial processing of vendor invoices and effective project fund management.
• Establish and maintain appropriate financial systems and procedures (e.g., cash management, vendor payments, budgeting) to ensure cost-effective, timely, and well-controlled use of project funds.
• Perform compliance reviews of all project expenditures.
• Manage advances and accounts payable aging within allowable timeframes by closely following up with requestors.
• Coordinate and consolidate bi-weekly cash flow projections, and send Cash Management Requests (CMR) to the Addis Ababa office.
• Review financial records, procedures, and systems of contractors and grantees, as necessary, to ensure compliance with work orders.
• Manage the timely monthly settlement of all statutory obligations, including income tax, pension contributions, and withholding tax (WHT) to ensure full regulatory compliance.
• Prepare and process accurate payment vouchers, Cash Receipt Vouchers (CRVs), Disbursement Vouchers (DVs), and Journal Vouchers (JVs).
• Perform other finance-related tasks as assigned.

What You’ll Need

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of experience, or Master’s degree and 1 year of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Professional accounting training.
• Experience working with financial and banking institutions in Ethiopia.
• Strong understanding and knowledge of tax laws in Ethiopia.
• Proven capacity to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and set priorities.
• High level of personal and professional integrity; motivation to perform at one’s best.
• Proficiency in computer technology and QuickBooks accounting software.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, team player, ability to maintain confidentiality and compliance.
• Excellent organizational skills (attention to detail is required), flexibility, and capacity to multi-task.
• Verbal and written fluency in English and Afaan Oromo required.

Desired Skills and Experience

• At least two years of experience working in Finance and Administration functions for a US government-funded project preferred.

Additional Information for the Candidate

• This position is open to Ethiopian Nationals only.
• Submit a 3-page CV and a 1-page cover letter only. You should not submit additional information, i.e., certificates, diplomas, etc. at this stage.

As a global employer of choice, RTI is committed to belonging in the workplace and the communities and markets where we serve our mission. We value a variety of thoughts, cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives 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.

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