Program Finance Analyst - CIMMYT at World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)

   Strategic Financial Planning:

• Participate in the strategic planning process, providing financial forecasts and modeling to inform decision-making.
• Collaborate with program directors to align financial management strategies with programmatic goals.

Financial Analysis and Monitoring:

• Conduct in-depth financial analyses to forecast budget trends and assess financial health.
• Prepare financial status reports that highlight variances and propose necessary corrective actions.
• Monitor budget utilization to ensure it aligns with project goals and fiscal prudence.

Budgeting and Fiscal Planning:

• Develop and maintain fully costed budgets for all program activities.
• Ensure precise maintenance of budget breakdowns for clear financial tracking.
• Manage and coordinate budget submissions to the Project Financial Management Unit (PFMU).
• Prepare and provide necessary documentation for budget reallocations as required.

Grant Management and Funding Strategy Development:

• Assist in financial grant management processes to ensure compliance with donor guidelines and timelines.
• Assist in developing and implementing funding strategies that include identifying new funding sources and engaging prospective donors.
• Support PFM to prepare and submit accurate financial reports for donors, ensuring compliance with funding requirements.
• Coordinate the submission of financial reports via the DFS.
• Review financial reports from partners to ensure compliance and accuracy.

Quality Assurance and Risk Management:

• Assist in reviewing financial documents to uphold high standards of financial integrity.
• Assess risks associated with financial operations and recommend mitigation strategies.

Reconciliation Functions:

• Perform monthly reconciliations of account balances to ensure the accuracy of financial records.
• Identify discrepancies in financial entries and transactions and resolve them promptly.
• Maintain detailed records of reconciliations and adjustments to support audits and financial queries.

Documentation and Audit Coordination:

• Ensure meticulous documentation of financial records on platforms like Microsoft Teams.
• Coordinate audit activities, ensuring readiness and compliance with all audit requirements.

Capacity Building:

• Provide training and support to project managers and staff on financial procedures and policies.
• Develop and lead workshops on budget management and cost control measures

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Facilitate meetings with project leads and scientists  to discuss financial strategies and address fiscal concerns.
• Maintain robust communication channels with all project stakeholders to ensure alignment and compliance.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting or a related field
• Professional Certification (e.g., CPA, CFA) is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in financial analysis, budgeting, fiscal management, and reconciliation processes.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in financial software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.