R4D Program Finance and Administrative Specialist at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of the One CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food-secure future.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: R4D Program Finance and Administrative Specialist

Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Employment Type: Full-time
Employment type: Contract, initial period of three years.

Position Responsibilities
Finance and Administrative Support to R4D:

• Provide support and guidance to Science Area Directors and Program Leads on financial and administrative matters.
• Assist and advise Deputy Director General-Research for Development (R4D) on financial and administrative matters within the R4D directorate.
• Perform financial analyses and monitor budgets and burn rates of Initiatives and W3/bilateral projects within the R4D directorate.
• Develop agendas for regular meetings with Science Areas Directors and Program Leads and monitor the implementation of action plans, developed during such meetings.
• Any other finance and administrative-related duties as assigned by Deputy Director General, Research for Development (R4D).

Support to Proposal Development:

• Participate in the formulation of budgets and financial plans during proposal development and annual institutional plans.
• Assist with the alignment of staff FTE and other financial needs in relation to the One CGIAR Initiative budgets.
• Monitor progress with investments in science infrastructure, as defined in the IITA’s Refreshed 2023-2030 Strategy.

Administrative Oversight of the IITA@ICIPE office:

• Oversee financial and administrative operations of the IITA@ICIPE office, including People and Culture management, procurement, security, facilities maintenance, asset management, and supervision of administrative staff, among others.
• Liaise with HQ on financial and administrative matters of the IITA@ICIPE office.

Educational Qualifications and Experience

• The candidate should have an Advanced Degree in a relevant field such as Business Management, MBA in Finance, or Accounting. Project management training is an added advantage.

Core Competencies:

• At least ten years of extensive experience working in a similar position, preferably in a donor-funded not-for-profit international organization.
• Solid knowledge in financial and contractual management of large, complex donor-funded projects, preferably within the agricultural research arena.
• Experience in overseeing administrative and financial operations, and with team and people management abilities.
• Demonstrable skills in the budgeting requirements and proposal development processes of major international donors.
• Extensive knowledge in financial planning, budget monitoring, forecasting methods, financial data analysis, donor reporting, and ability to explain budgeting and financial information in plain terms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to relate respectfully with staff at all levels and across work areas.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills with the ability to pay attention to detail.
• High level of proficiency in using Microsoft Office packages (Word, PowerPoint, and advanced-level user of Excel). Hands-on experience with accounting software and ERPs is essential.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English.

Remuneration
IITA offers an internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.

Application Closing Date
1st April, 2024.