Overview

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 6,000 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 globally, including water sector governance, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, water resources management, community engagement, urban resilience, and institutional capacity building.

Project Description

The purpose of the five-year USAID Climate Resilient (CR) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Activity is to support accelerated access to inclusive and resilient WASH services targeting lowlands areas.

The Activity will be based in Ethiopia and target the lowland areas of Afar, Oromia, Somali, and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR).

The Activity will work to fulfill this purpose through four complementary intermediate results:

1. Professionalize and expand climate-resilient water services;
2. Increase sustainable access to and use of sanitation and hygiene products and services, including for menstrual health and hygiene;
3. Improve gender power dynamics;
4. Strengthen the enabling environment for climate-resilient water and sanitation services.

Position Description

RTI is seeking a Procurement Assistant for the recently awarded USAID CR WASH Activity in Ethiopia. The Procurement Assistant provides support to Procurement Manager in the overall management of the processes of Procurement (Local and International), transport of procured goods, and oversight of asset management and inventory control. 

The Procurement Assistant will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and report to the Procurement Manager.

Responsibilities

• Support all phases of sourcing activity to ensure best value and within required lead times for a variety of requirements in Ethiopia.
• Support the preparation and implementation of the annual procurement plan with budget and timetables.
• Effectively negotiate with suppliers on a wide variety of commodities (protective equipment, vehicles) and services for the best overall value to the project.
• Support the issuance of purchase orders in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Contribute to the supply chain management efforts up to and including logistical support from the ordering point through the follow-up, expediting, and delivery of the required goods and/or services.
• Support logistical management of the project inventory and commodities required for operations within Ethiopia and the remote locations. Collaborate with home office and local partners on property disposition as needed.
• Manage and track the procurement goods and services for the project and grantees in compliance with approved procurement plans to ensure best value and within required lead times for a variety of requirements in Ethiopia.
• Obtains technical input on specifications, costs, and quality.
• Ensure the timely and documented delivery of any goods or services.
• Works closely with the Procurement Manager to identify any needs for logistics and procurement assistance;
• Helps to maintain complete documentation of procurement files for audit purposes; Ensure procurement folders in SharePoint are complete, well-structured, and up to date.
• Assists in maintaining procurement files both hard and soft in accordance with applicable policies and procedures to maintain an audit trail throughout the procurement process.
• Performs other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and 1 year of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Professional training in procurement or logistics management preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Proven ability to work under pressure, and with multiple concurrent demands. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English; proficiency in one or more local languages strongly preferred.
• Work experience in Ethiopia required.