Regional Finance Manager- Africa CIMMYT At World Agroforestry Centre

CIMMYT is looking for a:

Regional Finance Manager- Africa

• 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.

Summary of responsibilities

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.

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.

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.

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.

Personal attributes and competencies

• Advanced level user of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, etc.).
• Knowledge and experience with ERP systems, preferably Microsoft Dynamics
• Project Management certification is a plus
• Proven experience in leading medium-sized teams
• Ability to work in a multicultural team across functional areas, in a stressful environment, and under pressure. The position requires strong supervisory skills of staff in different locations. Able to operate under an international matrix management structure.
• Fluent in English. French is a plus.
• The candidate must exhibit confidentiality, discretion, a sense of urgency, and commitment to his responsibilities and deadlines.
• The selected candidate must exhibit the following competencies: Project Management Communication, Decision-Making, Relationship Management, Strategic Thinking, Customer Orientation, and Time Management; in addition to these competencies, the selected candidate should demonstrate the following managerial competencies: Change Management, People Management, and Relationship with External Stakeholders.

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.