About the Organization
RTI International is an independent, non-profit scientific research institute dedicated to addressing complex global challenges through objective, multidisciplinary technical and science-based solutions. With a vision to improve the human condition, RTI integrates expertise across social, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to serve communities and businesses worldwide. The institute’s Center for International Development implements large-scale projects in health, energy, agriculture, and education, leveraging deep contextual expertise to drive economic growth and enhance stability in developing geographies.
The SunGold project is a five-year initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Food for Progress (FFPr) program. This market-driven program aims to transform Ethiopia’s sunflower sector by addressing productivity, market linkage, and financing constraints while benefiting U.S. agribusiness. RTI fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and explicitly operates as an equal opportunity employer, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.
Job Description and Strategic Impact
The SunGold project utilizes a U.S.-led value chain approach to increase Ethiopian sunflower productivity and competitiveness. The program focuses on four primary activities: building extension service capacity, facilitating financial services, improving market access through contract farming, and promoting improved policy frameworks. These positions—Financial Services Lead and Agribusiness/Market Officer—are the technical pillars that resolve access to finance challenges and strengthen market integration across the Oromia, Central, Southern, and Southwest regions.
The Financial Services Lead serves as the primary liaison between financial institutions, producers, and off-takers, developing interventions to enhance the growth of agricultural SMEs. The Agribusiness/Market Officer plays a critical role in delivering agribusiness development plans and leading market linkage initiatives between producers and buyers. Together, these roles contribute to identifying opportunities and constraints in the market system, directly impacting the economic stability of farmers and the efficiency of the sunflower value chain.
A career at RTI offers the opportunity to make a real difference by working on multidisciplinary teams to solve challenging global problems. Professionals in these roles will engage in high-level technical tasks, grant management, and project monitoring to ensure that Ethiopian sunflower productivity meets international standards. The impact of these roles is felt from the woreda level to the national policy stage, promoting entrepreneurship and sustainable economic development.
Job Positions and Requirements
1. Financial Services Lead
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Banking, Economics, Management, Accounting, or Agricultural Economics (or a Master’s degree in a relevant field).
Work Experience: 8 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s or 6 years with a Master’s; must include at least 3 years in agricultural finance in a Micro-Finance Institution or bank in Ethiopia.
Job Location: Jimma, Ethiopia (with frequent travel to project woredas).
Employment Type and Salary: Contract; Salary is Negotiable/Per Scale.
2. Agribusiness/Market Officer
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, or Business Administration (or a Master’s degree in a relevant field).
Work Experience: 3 years of experience with a Bachelor’s or 1 year with a Master’s; experience in agricultural value chain and market systems development is required.
Job Location: Jimma, Ethiopia or other regional field offices.
Employment Type and Salary: Contract; Salary is Negotiable/Per Scale.
Required Skills and Competencies
Financial Expertise: In-depth understanding of the Ethiopian financial sector, RUSACCOs, and MSME/agri-SME financing challenges.
Value Chain Knowledge: Experience in agricultural value chain analysis, contract farming, and out-grower schemes.
Grant Management: Ability to develop EOIs and RFPs, evaluate proposals, and monitor grant agreements with financial institutions.
Communication: Verbal and written fluency in English and Afaan Oromo is mandatory for both positions.
Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with public and private sector stakeholders and work collaboratively in team settings.
Technical Tools: Proficiency in routine data collection, data cleaning, and the use of supply chain digital solutions.
How to Apply
To ensure a streamlined application process, RTI International requires that scanned certificates or attachments are NOT submitted during this initial phase. Applicants should focus on providing a concise summary of their professional qualifications and experience as they relate to the specific requirements of the sunflower sector transformation. Original documents will be required for physical verification only during the interview stage for those who progress in the selection process.
Only shortlisted candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and follow the specific application instructions will be contacted for further assessment. RTI values merit and objective evaluation, and candidates are discouraged from submitting additional unrequested information at this stage. The selection process follows standard federal and institutional guidelines to ensure transparency and fairness.
Interested Ethiopian Nationals must submit a 3-page CV and a 1-page cover letter only. This documentation should highlight relevant experience in agricultural finance or market systems development. The application should be submitted through the official “Apply Now” channel provided in the job announcement.
Application Deadline
May 8, 2026
Official Application Link / Contact
Apply via the official RTI International recruitment portal or the “Apply Now” link provided on the job board where the vacancy was posted.
Agribusiness/Market Officer –Apply Link
Financial Services Lead- Apply Link