Reference number: 2025005
Job status: In-progress
Job category: Local Position
Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya
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CIFOR-ICRAF
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.
Regional Finance Manager- Africa CIMMYT
Overview
• CIMMYT seeks an ambitious finance professional to oversee its financial operations and services in Africa. High-quality and high-performance finance operations as an integral part of the African Operations Chapter will support CIMMYT’s primary process of supporting the Science and Innovation for a Food and Nutrition Secure World. • This position will lead effective decentralized financial accounting processes and respective finance country staff for CIMMYT’s African operations. The candidate develops, implements, and maintains financial policies, procedures, and systems in the Regions and oversees and leads a high-performing team of finance professionals. • This position will support the Regional Director and Management by providing strategic leadership, aligning country/ regional activities with institutional goals, facilitating coordination between HQ and country/regional offices, and making localized decisions to address specific challenges and opportunities. Oversight, monitoring/ assurance and compliance are essential aspects of this function. • Collaborate closely with other Regional Managers and focal points of the Operations Chapter to ensure the seamless adaptation and implementation of policies, procedures, and new system architecture (e.g., ERP and contract systems), focusing on process improvement while maintaining business continuity during the transition.
Duties and responsibilities
1. Lead Financial Management of CIMMYT’s
Operations in AFRICA
- Oversees financial accounting and
month-end reporting for CIMMYT operations in Africa. Supervises finance staff
at CIMMYT country offices in Africa, who report to the candidate functionally.
- Monitors performance of Country
Finance team operations through the development of a transparent set of KPIs.
- Works closely with HQ Finance Managers
to ensure worldwide development implementation and compliance of CIMMYT
financial policies, procedures, practices, and the ERP.
- Further develops and maintains an
adequate level of financial governance by sustaining an adequate level of
internal control framework.
- Works with CIMMYT’s finance country
managers to design and customize financial and administrative management
structures where appropriate.
- Responsible for the timely
consolidation of all financial accounting operations in Africa into CIMMYT’s
ERP.
- Works with scientists and country
finance managers to ensure scientific and administrative staff are trained and
competent in financial policies, procedures, and systems.
- Coordinates with the Regional Director
the development and follow-up of the Country office's work plan.
- Supervises fluent process for cash
flow monitoring and timely replenishment.
- Reviews hosting agreements in Africa
for financial aspects and finance processes, which host centers provide (or
services given by CIMMYT to other CGIAR centers).
- Budget review of CIMMYT’s country
offices' annual budget in coordination with the country managers.
2. Leadership in
developing efficient, effective, and service-oriented finance processes to
benefit Scaling up and Impactful Research for Development activities
- Instills efficient Development Finance
processes.
- Takes a leadership position in
effectively using CIMMYT’s new ERP implementation and maintenance in the region.
3. Coordinates and contributes to the
successful Combined Assurance model:
- Coordinates timely Internal Audit
& External Audit responses, including regional project audits.
- Oversees the operational effectiveness
of the Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICOFR) framework in the
region.
- Ensures and oversees that adequate
segregation of duties and Restricted Access is maintained at the CIMMYT country
office operations.
- Contributes to the Enterprise Risk
management framework covering the African operations.
4. Business partner of the Regional
Director and peer colleagues from the African Operations Chapter team.
- Support the regional operations team by providing
meaningful financial reports for data-driven decision making.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in
accounting or finance, complemented with an internationally recognized professional
accounting designation, like: CPA, CA, ACCA, or CMA.
- At least 8 years of
experience in similar roles or activities, ideally gained in private and
Non-profit environments and covering activities in multiple countries.
- Experience managing
funding agreements related to international development programs from donors
like USAID, BMGF, GIZ, AFD & EU.
Education, knowledge and experience
•Master’s degree in accounting or finance, complemented with an internationally recognized professional accounting designation, like: CPA, CA, ACCA, or CMA.
•At least 8 years of experience in similar roles or activities, ideally gained in private and Non-profit environments and covering activities in multiple countries.
•Experience managing funding agreements related to international development programs from donors like USAID, BMGF, GIZ, AFD & EU.
Terms and conditions
•This is a Locally Recruited Staff (LRS) position and on competitive remuneration in local currency, commensurate with skills and experience.
•The appointment will be for two (2) years, including a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent on performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
•The duty station will be in Nairobi, Kenya.
Application process
The application deadline is 04 Feb 2025
We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.
