RAP (Resources, Accounting, and Procurement) Officer

Position Title: RAP Officer

Employment Type: Fixed Term

Duration of Employment: 1 year with a possibility of extension

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, mandatory occasional travel

Application Deadline: August 10, 2025

Organizational Profile

MERSA Media Institute is a nonprofit media policy think tank. We work to help create vibrant, responsible, and independent media institutions, professional unions, and education centers through research, capacity building, and institutional support in Ethiopia.

Position Summary:

The RAP (Resources, Accounting, and Procurement) Officer is responsible for the efficient and compliant management of organizational resources, including human resources administration, financial support, and procurement processes. This role ensures that all operational activities align with internal policies, donor requirements, and local regulations, supporting the smooth implementation of projects and overall organizational effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Resource Management:
   • Maintain comprehensive documentation and HR filing for all project and administrative staff.
   • Ensure HR compliance, including accurate management of contracts, timekeeping records, and leave requests.
   • Oversee the proper utilization, allocation, and tracking of office and project materials.
   • Maintain up-to-date inventories of all organizational assets and supplies.
   • Coordinate proactively with project and administrative teams to assess and forecast resource needs.
2. Accounting and Financial Support:
   • Manage financial records pertaining to HR and procurement activities.
   • Process payment requests efficiently, ensuring all procurement and HR-related expenditures are supported by appropriate and complete documentation.
   • Collaborate closely with the finance team to ensure timely reconciliation of payments related to procurements and resource utilization.
   • Track and report financial data relevant to staffing costs and procurement expenditures.
3. Procurement:
   • Lead the entire procurement process, from the collection of requests and comparison of quotations to supplier selection and final documentation.
   • Ensure all procurement practices strictly adhere to internal organizational policies and donor requirements.
   • Maintain and regularly update the vendor/supplier database and associated agreements.
   • Provide essential support to the finance team during audits and donor reporting processes related to procurement.
4. Cross-functional Coordination:
   • Work in close collaboration with project teams to ensure procurement and resource utilization are aligned with project implementation timelines and budgetary constraints.
   • Serve as the primary focal point for procurement planning during project startup and close-out phases.
   • Actively contribute to regular operations meetings with finance, HR, and program leads to ensure integrated planning and execution.
   • Coordinate with project and administrative teams to assess and forecast any upcoming procurement needs.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Management, Business Administration, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• • 1 – 3 years of progressive experience in accounting, human resource support, and/or procurement roles.
  • Prior experience in non-profit organizations is preferred.
  • Experience working with donor-funded projects is considered a significant asset.

Knowledge:

• • Solid understanding of Ethiopian labor laws and procurement regulations.

Skills and Competencies:

• • Strong organizational abilities and proven multitasking skills.
  • Demonstrated high level of integrity and meticulous attention to detail.
  • Excellent ability to work collaboratively and effectively across various departments.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and experience with financial software.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.