Regional Finance Manager for Asia At WorldFish Center

Position: Regional Finance Manager for Asia

Location: Penang, Malaysia

Application Deadline: 09 December 2021

Type of contract: 2 years fixed-term contract

Language(s) required: English (proficient/fluent writing and oral skills)

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS

WorldFish is a nonprofit research and innovation institution that creates advances and translates scientific research on aquatic food systems into scalable solutions with transformational impact on human well-being and the environment. We envision an inclusive world of healthy, well-nourished people and a sustainable blue planet, now and in the future.

Our research and innovation work spans climate change, food security and nutrition, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, the blue economy and ocean governance, OneHealth, genetics and AgriTech, and it integrates evidence and perspectives on gender, youth and social inclusion. Our purpose is to accelerate the sustainable transformation of global food systems toward nutritious diets that sustain the health of people and the planet. Our research data, evidence and insights shape better practices, policies and investment decisions for sustainable development in low- and middle-income countries.

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. With novel partnerships, the Alliance generates evidence and mainstreams innovations to transform food systems and landscapes so that they sustain the planet, drive prosperity, and nourish people.

WorldFish and the Alliance are part of CGIAR, the world’s largest agricultural innovation network, whose mission is to “end hunger by 2030 through science to transform food, land and water systems under threat of climate change.”

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Regional Finance Manager for Asia, reporting to the Alliance Managing Director for Asia and to the Alliance Global Finance Director, is responsible for developing and implementing financial strategies in the Asia Region for the Alliance in close collaboration with the Global Finance Team. S/he is also responsible for the delivery, monitoring and evaluation of finance and accounting services in the Region including the PLANS Unit (Project Financial Analysis and Support) which will provide all the required financial services related to project’s implementation. S/he will additionally have oversight over the running of the Country and Project Offices of the Alliance, ensuring compliance together with regional coordinators on Human Resources, Operations, and the Legal Office. S/he will be the focal point for regional audits and regional risk management matters.

The successful candidate have key responsibilities in the following areas:

1.Develop and implement, in collaboration with the Global Finance Units, the required financial strategies to ensure the implementation of best financial practices in the Region.

This includes:

• Providing finance input to the planning and evaluation of regional operations as member of the regional operations team.
• Leading the Treasury process in the Region and regional banking relationships.
• Ensuring compliance with internal and external financial requirements in planning and execution processes.
• Taking responsibility for regional audit requirements and the implementation of audit recommendations in the Region.
• Manage, monitor and evaluate the delivery of finance and accounting services in the Region, in compliance with local regulations, Alliance policies and procedures and donor requirements.
  This includes:
• Supervising and providing guidance to the regional team of accounting, budget, and finance experts, assessing their performance and coaching them for their growth and development.
• Managing and completing the Regional Budgeting process and monitoring its execution in compliance with internal and CGIAR System requirements.
• Overseeing and monitoring the support provided to research leaders on project budget development and execution with timely and accurate financial information.
• Conducting constant cost analysis activities, identifying, implementing, and monitoring cost saving and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Identifying and evaluating financial risks, and proposing and implementing mitigating actions.
  1. Oversee the functioning of Country and Project Offices in the Region and ensure their compliance related to Hosting Agreements, MoUs and Licenses. This includes:
• Overseeing and managing the operations support provided to researchers in Country/Project Offices.
• Ensuring compliance with national regulations and legal requirements, and in line with country hosting arrangements.
• Support the Managing Director and Country representatives in the management of related stakeholder relationships (government ministries, hosted institutions and partners).

Requirements
This job might be for you if you have the below skills and qualifications:

• Masters’ Degree in Finance, Business Administration or Accounting.
• Professional certification in Accounting or Project Management.
• At least five (05) years of relevant work experience in the Region in a closely related field ideally gained in an international organization.
• Substantive experience in Financial and accounting ideally in an international organization at a regional level.
• Broad experience leading and coaching a team of diverse finance, budgeting, and accounting specialists.
• Knowledge and experience in compliance and risk management processes.

Desired Skills and Qualifications

• Knowledge of international standards in particular, GAAP and IFRS is desired.
• Working knowledge of ERP, complex accounting systems and business intelligence tools.
• Strong client service orientation.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, but also lead and participate as a team member in the accomplishment of duties.
• Fluency in English.

Salary & Benefits

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position with salary circa MYR11,226/- per month. We offers a competitive remuneration package including (but not limited to) insurance coverage for staff and eligible dependents, 15% employer provident fund contribution, paid leave and others.

Our Offer

The position will be based in Penang, Malaysia. Interviews are expected to begin in December 2021. Only shortlisted candidate will be notified and expected to attend the virtual interview session. The successful candidate should be available to commence as soon as possible for an initial of two (2) years fixed-term contract**, with the possibility of contract renewal depending on performance and funding situation.