IT Specialist Job at RTI Ethiopia 2026

Food for Progress SunGold Project | RTI International | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 20, 2026 — DON'T MISS THIS!

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IT Specialist Ethiopia NGO jobs 2026: The Opportunity You Cannot Afford to Miss

If you are an IT professional based in Ethiopia with a passion for international development, this is one of the most compelling roles on the market right now. RTI International, one of the world's most respected independent research institutes, is actively recruiting an IT Specialist for Program and Technical Support on the USDA-funded Food for Progress SunGold Project, a transformative 5-year initiative designed to reshape Ethiopia's sunflower value chain from the ground up.

The position is based in Addis Ababa, with periodic travel to regional project offices across Ethiopia. It sits at the intersection of IT infrastructure management, M&E data systems, and agricultural digitization, a rare combination that makes it both technically stimulating and mission-driven.

The application window closes May 20, 2026. RTI frequently fills positions before stated deadlines. Read every detail below, then apply through the direct link at the bottom of this post.

Key Takeaways: IT Specialist Ethiopia NGO jobs 2026

Position:IT Specialist – Program and Technical Support
Organization:RTI International (Research Triangle Institute)
Project:USDA Food for Progress SunGold – 5-Year Program
Location:Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (with regional travel)
Deadline: May 20, 2026 — Act Fast!
Qualification:Master's + 3 yrs OR Bachelor's + 5 yrs IT experience
Languages:Excellent English AND Afaan Oromo required

Who Is RTI International?

Founded in 1958 as the Research Triangle Institute, RTI International is a nonprofit, independent scientific research organization headquartered in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA. With operations in more than 75 countries, RTI has spent over six decades solving some of the world's most pressing challenges across health, education, energy, agriculture, and governance.

In Ethiopia, RTI is a familiar name. Through its Center for International Development, the organization has implemented large-scale, multidisciplinary programs that reach millions of Ethiopians. The SunGold Project represents RTI's newest flagship in the country, and it comes with USDA backing, meaning it carries the rigor, accountability standards, and global credibility of a U.S. federal government-funded initiative.

Working at RTI is not just a job. It is an opportunity to be part of a global community of scientists, technologists, and development practitioners who believe that technical solutions, applied with integrity, can change lives.

The SunGold Project: What It Is and Why It Matters

The Food for Progress (FFPr) SunGold Project is a five-year, USDA-funded agricultural development program with a singular goal: to use a market-driven, U.S.-led value chain approach to transform Ethiopia's sunflower sector. The project targets critical constraints identified by both public and private sector actors — productivity gaps, weak market linkages, limited access to agricultural finance, and policy bottlenecks.

At its core, SunGold is a digitization story. The project is not simply about farming; it is about building a data-driven sunflower economy in which digital tools, mobile data collection, M&E systems, and cloud-based collaboration platforms connect farmers, aggregators, processors, and financial institutions across Ethiopia's complex agricultural landscape.

That is precisely where the IT Specialist comes in. This role is the technological backbone of the entire program, ensuring that every system, from office infrastructure to mobile data collection tablets, runs flawlessly so the development mission never skips a beat.

What You Will Do: Full Breakdown of Responsibilities

The role spans four primary domains:

1. IT Infrastructure & Office Support

Day-to-day technical support:Laptop and workstation setup, troubleshooting, server and network management.
Hardware management:Windows PCs, MacOS devices, Windows Servers, ISP routers, switches, and PBX systems, including repairs and spare parts management.
Multi-office setup:Establish and maintain IT infrastructure for the Addis Ababa HQ and all regional project offices.
Security & compliance:Software patching, antivirus management, and data backups all aligned to RTI's strict global IT policies.

2. M&E Data Systems & Digital Reporting

Mobile device management:Configure, deploy, and support tablets used for field-level data collection across Ethiopia's regions.
Data integrity:Manage user accounts and ensure secure data transfer to maintain uninterrupted M&E reporting.
M&E system support:Collaborate closely with the M&E Manager on the program's monitoring database.

3. Digitization & Value Chain Innovation

Strategic collaboration:Work directly with the SunGold program team and its digital service partners on digitization and digitalization initiatives for the sunflower value chain.
Scalable solutions:Identify and implement IT solutions that streamline operations and improve cross-office collaboration, including video conferencing setups in remote locations.

4. Procurement, Finance Support & Asset Management

IT procurement leadership:Define technical specifications, source suppliers, and manage vendor relationships for cost-effective, sustainable IT procurement.
Finance system support:Provide IT support for the QuickBooks Financial Management System used by the finance team.
Asset & licensing records:Maintain a complete IT asset inventory and software licensing database per RTI compliance standards.

Who Should Apply: Minimum Requirements

RTI has set clear and non-negotiable eligibility criteria for this position:

Education & experience:Master's degree + 3 years of IT experience OR Bachelor's degree + 5 years of IT experience (or equivalent combination).
Cloud platforms:Hands-on experience with MS Azure, AWS, or comparable cloud systems.
Operating systems:Solid proficiency in Windows 7/Server and MS Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
Hardware & networking:Demonstrated ability to support Windows PCs, Mac OS, and servers, and to troubleshoot network issues independently.
Virtual desktop:Experience in Hosted Virtual Desktop (VDI) environments is required.
Languages:Excellent written and verbal skills in both English and Afaan Oromo both are required, not optional.
In-country experience:Prior professional work experience in Ethiopia is specifically required.
Mobility:Willingness and ability to travel throughout Ethiopia, including difficult terrain and challenging conditions.

Pro Tips: How to Write a Winning RTI Application

RTI's recruitment team reads hundreds of applications. Here is what sets the ones that move forward apart:

Mirror the language of the JD:Use exact phrases from the job description — 'digitization/digitalization', 'M&E data collection', 'IT asset inventory' — in your CV and cover letter. RTI uses ATS screening.
Quantify your impact:Don't just say you managed IT systems. Say you 'managed IT infrastructure for a 60-person organization across 4 offices' or 'reduced system downtime by 40% through proactive patching protocols'.
Highlight development-sector IT:If you have supported NGO programs, USAID or USDA-funded projects, or UN agencies, front-load that experience. It signals immediate value to RTI's hiring managers.
Afaan Oromo proficiency:This is unusual for an IT role and signals that RTI wants genuine community engagement in regional offices. If you have it, make it prominent.
Apply early:RTI is known to shortlist candidates before the official deadline. Submit a complete, tailored application — not a generic one — as soon as possible.

Expert Analysis: Why This Role Is Strategically Important

From a career positioning standpoint, roles that blend IT infrastructure management with M&E systems and agricultural digitization are rare and increasingly valuable in the international development sector. The convergence of USDA funding, a 5-year program runway, and RTI's global prestige means the successful candidate will gain credentials that transfer directly to similar roles at the World Bank, IFAD, FAO, and other Tier-1 development institutions.

Furthermore, as Ethiopia's agricultural sector continues its digital transformation — driven by programs exactly like SunGold — professionals who have led value chain digitization efforts at the program level will be in extraordinary demand over the next decade. This is not simply a job. It is a career-defining credential.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 20, 2026. Don't wait. RTI International is known to close vacancies ahead of the official closing date once a strong candidate pool is established. Submit your complete application package today.

Apply Now — Direct Application Link

Ready to take the next step? Submit your application directly through RTI International's official careers portal. Make sure your CV, cover letter, and any required credentials are complete and up to date before clicking submit.

APPLY NOW — DIRECT APPLICATION LINK 👉 careers.rti.org/jobs/13465 — Click here to Submit Your Application Closing Date: May 20, 2026 | Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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