Finance Officer at CIAT

Roles for the Finance Officer Job

• Provide support to the Hub Head of Finance and Administration (HFA-CAH) to streamline financial policies and procedures in all IITA Central Africa Hub (CAH) Stations.
• Working with HFA-CAH and scientists, provide monthly updates and monitor budgets for all projects implemented under the CA Hub Director’s supervision.
• Support station administrators in IITA CAH to monitor administrative and cost recovery cost centres.
• Participate in review of donor financial reports for CAH projects as requested.
• Conduct regular checks and ensure accounts staff in all IITA CAH Stations comply with financial guidelines and procedures of the Institute.
• Work with the HFA-CAH to identify training needs, and organize in-house training, of accounting personnel and other staff (including Scientists and Administration) on accounting controls and procedures, budget monitoring, etc.
• Participate in coordination of audit activities and other assurance and monitoring providers across all CAH
• Hub Stations and follow up on implementation of audit recommendations in close consultation with HFA-CAH.
• Perform the role of second reviewer of FINIX transactions for some of the IITA CAH Stations.
• Review monthly reconciliation of bank accounts in all IITA CAH Stations and flag any inconsistencies.
• Support the HFA-CAH to provide technical support and back stopping to all accounting staff in the IITA CAH stations.
• The candidate shall have the following competencies, skills and experience:

Finance Officer Job Requirements

• Masters’ degree in a finance/accounting related field.
• Full certification in professional accounting qualification – CPA or ACCA.
• At least five year’s progressive INGO experience in accounting and financial management position.
• Understanding of, and demonstrated experience with, financial accounting principles, processes, systems and internal controls not-for-profit organizations.
• Experience in auditing and systems review.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• High level of proficiency working with MS Office (Excel advanced level), Word and accounting packages, ERPs
• Proficiency with Excel as a tool for data input, reporting, review, and analysis.
• Working knowledge of French is an added advantage
• Willingness to travel regularly to stations within the IITA Central Africa Hub
• Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills, good judgment and a high level of integrity and respect for confidentiality

Terms of employment

The position is nationally recruited, will be based at IITA Offices in Nairobi, Kenya. The contract will be for two (2) years period, subject to a probation period of three (3) months, renewable depending on performance and availability of resources.