Reports to: Grant Business Partner

Location: Cairo, Egypt (Or any other ICARDA station)

Main purpose of position

ICARDA designs and implements research projects that are funded by a diverse set of donors. The Grants Finance Officer (GFO) provides financial management and administration support to scientists in the development and management of research projects, from the development of proposals to donors, the start of a new grant, its management, reporting, and closure. The GFO liaises with colleagues in Finance, Procurement, and other departments to facilitate project management.

The position reports to the Grant Business Partner in the Finance Department.

About ICARDA

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by CGIAR. ICARDA’s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as environmental health in the face of global challenges including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development and capacity development that take into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organization, other CGIAR Research Centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. For more information: www.icarda.org

All CGIAR Centers are currently engaged into a reform process (“One CGIAR’”) that will help ICARDA and CGIAR achieve better impact through more strategically integrated research, unified governance, an integrated structure and new research modalities across participating Research Centers. This transformation is supported by CGIAR donors who have committed to increased funding as a result of these reforms.

Main responsibilities

For a set of grants assigned to her/him the Grant Finance Officer is expected to:

• Support budget monitoring and expense utilization for assigned grants, by regularly monitoring the project budget and expenditure and providing advice on potential adjustments; regularly review compliance with agreement provisions and validity of outstanding commitments.
• Prepare accurate and timely periodic reports and invoices to donors and other stakeholders for assigned grants.
• Coordinate the budget development of assigned proposals by supporting the project leader in the development of a realistic and donor compliant budget for new research project proposals. Ensure that the proposal is properly costed and compliant with both the Full Cost Recovery Policy of ICARDA and the donor guidelines.
• Facilitate the preparation and upload of the annual Plan of Work and Budget (POWB) and corresponding budget for the approved grant into the ERP. Prepare budget amendments as needed.
• Support the financial management of sub-grants for assigned grants (due diligence, agreement, budgets, payments, financial reports, and audits).
• Ensure quality of administrative actions for assigned grants e.g., purchase requisitions for capital assets.
• Support grant management of assigned grants to ensure compliance and minimize financial risks and support the Project Leader in seeking amendments to the grants budget or adjustment of expenses as necessary.
• Facilitate donor and other audits for assigned grants.
• Any other task in agreement with the Supervisor and in particular, stand in for other Grant Finance Officers whenever necessary.

Requirements

Essential qualifications and competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in either Accountancy, Commerce, Business Administration
• At least 3 years’ experience in Project Financial Management obtained in a consulting firm, an international organization or international NGO, or similar multi-project work environment.
• Accounting qualification – ACCA, CPA, CIA, CMA or equivalent.
• Experience with project budget development and monitoring and project administration.
• An effective and energetic team player, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
• Excellent command of the English language, both written and spoken.
• Strong self-motivation and innovative skills.
• Proficiency in relevant software packages (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience in working on an ERP.

Desirable qualifications and competencies

• Master’s degree in Business Administration or a certificate from Project Management Institute or similar qualifications is an advantage.

Benefits

Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits

This is a nationally recruited position for which ICARDA offers an attractive compensation package including a competitive salary, medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, five months’ maternity leave, 15 days’ paternity leave. The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 3 years, renewable subject to continued need for the position and satisfactory performance. The first year will be a probationary period.

ICARDA is committed to increasing women’s representation in its workforce and strongly encourages applications from women.

Applications will be acknowledged, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.