Regional Finance Manager

Description

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking to recruit a dynamic and experienced Regional Finance Manager to support its project/research activities in potato and sweetpotato in the region.

The Center: CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research organization with a global mandate to conduct research on genetic resources of potatoes, sweetpotato, and other Andean roots and tubers, crop genetic enhancement and improvement, integrated crop management and sustainable management of natural resources.

The Position: The Regional Finance Manager for SSA ensures strong stewardship and exceptional financial management across all of SSA.  This position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya and will assist in designing, and then implement and managing policies and procedures required for all aspects of financial compliance, accounting and reporting of international activities.  Leads the SSA region’s knowledge management and learning strategies in the areas of financial management.  Support SSA regional accounting staff in strengthening the financial management capacity of both country/regional offices as well as local partners.  They are also responsible to ensure that financial reporting relating to donor-funded projects is accurate and timely; ensures that financial reporting of projects meets the needs of both 1) the funding organizations, and 2) project managers and operational staff.  The Regional Finance Manager for SSA oversees CIP’s project accounting and supervises accounting staff based in SSA Regional Offices that in turn support project and field-level accounting function across the approximately 10 countries that CIP operates in SSA. 

Duties and Responsibilities:  The Regional Finance Manager will work under the technical supervision of the Controller International Operations and administrative supervision of the Regional Director. The selected candidate will be responsible for financial oversight of the SSA Region in the following areas:-

• Leadership, Accounting Systems, and Internal Controls
  • Provide leadership and management to SSA Country Offices and guidance for identifying, recording, and reporting financial transactions within SSA operations in accordance with CIP financial policies and internal controls, CGIAR Financial Guidelines, donor requirements and IFRS.
  • Participate in the CIP-SSA senior management team meetings representing finance.
  • Make recommendations to the Senior Management relative to opportunities to enhance financial performance, meet donor compliance regulations, and accomplish strategic objectives.
  • Provide financial orientations for new Project International Staff
  • In conjunction with the CFO and Controllers assists with the development of the proper financial systems and procedures for record keeping, internal controls, backup and security for all financial internal and external reporting.
  • Maintains accurate accounting system, including computer data entry, and paper file system.
  • In coordination with the CFO and Controllers update and revise internal accounting policies and procedures, as necessary.
  • Manage the implementation of financial management policies, procedures, tools and systems to enhance the level of financial performance within CIP’s SSA operations.

• Project Accounting, Audit, Analysis, and Reporting
  • Direct the delivery of, or support country finance offices in the submission of, timely and accurate financial reporting to funding agencies, donors and CIP management
  • Direct all internal audits of SSA Country Offices conducted by CGIAR Internal Audit Unit or other auditors and provide input/perspective/follow-up to respond to audits.
  • Coordinate with the Global Treasurer in the monitoring of working capital related to SSA Officers and oversee quarterly cash forecasts in accordance with optimal working capital utilization
  • Provide bilateral project financial analysis as needed to assist SSA senior staff with decision making
  • Oversee in the monthly close process and all accounting operations of SSA Offices
  • Monitor actual expenditure vs. budget and funding obligations for SSA projects.
  • Coordinate the annual budgeting process and quarterly forecasting process.
  • Work with CFO and Controllers on fiscal year-end and independent and government compliance audit.
  • Ensure proper project startup/close out, focusing primarily on financial aspects, including close out of all related GL accounts in the SSA Offices;
  • Oversee subrecipient payments and ensure that required subrecipient audit reports are obtained, reviewed, and appropriate action is taken on any audit issues.
  • Work with HQ Finance Team to ensure that project and international development account code structure is responsive to and reflects project, donor and management needs
  • Inventory Management of all CIP assets by following up on annual assets counts/verification exercise

• Talent Management, Training, and Safety, Health and Environment (SHE)
  • Directly supervises SSA accounting staff in accordance with the organization’s policies, procedures, and applicable laws consistent with CIP’s Strategy and Corporate Plan including all aspects of the Talent Management System.
  • Responsible for developing, managing, and evaluating staff performance plans for assigned staff
  • Recruit, train, and manage a diverse and talented staff to deliver exceptional service to the organization. 
  • Create and disseminate accounting and compliance best practices across Country Offices to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of Project Office accounting procedures.
  • Spearhead CIP’s financial capacity building efforts in the various Country Offices
  • Direct the design, development, and implementation of financial management training for SSA accounting staff on donor compliance, OCS, and CIP systems, tools, policies and procedure
  • Provide leadership on the Corporate Objectives relating to the Safety, Health and Environment for International Operations Accounting.
  • To assist key partners in assuring that their accounting staff are knowledgeable and competent in CIP financial reporting procedures.

Key Competencies: Proficient in MS Office, especially in Excel, proficient in Accounting and Financial software packages, multitasking skills, deadline planning ability, adaptability. Good attention to detail and accuracy, strong organization and planning skills, results oriented, proficient interpersonal communication, team work, excellent analytical reasoning skills, Ability to work in multicultural environment, and maintaining confidentiality.

Requirements: A minimum of Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance, not-for-profit accounting and fund accounting, Internal service funds, Project grants and accounting system and project forecasting experience will have a definite advantage.

Experience: At least seven years of demonstrated work experience in similar positions and experience working with multiple donors is a MUST.

Conditions: The employment will be for a one-year term (with 3-month probation), renewable contingent upon individual performance and funding.

Language: Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Working knowledge of Portuguese, French, Spanish and Kiswahili

Applications: Apply by email, sending a letter of motivation, detailed C.V., copies of relevant certificates, and contacts of three referees to cip-nbo@cgiar.org on or before August 20th, 2014. The position title should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email message. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

You can learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cipotato.org.  

CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.