Jobs at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

Position Responsibilities

• The Financial Controller will have responsibility for understanding the strategic direction of the organization and assist the Director of Finance (DoF) in providing high level, proactive financial expertise and direction for both short-term and long-term financial planning and management.
• In conjunction with DoF, lead the task of preparing IITA annual financial statements to comply fully with International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) by 2016.

Strategic:

• Assist to prepare accurate and timely medium-term financial plan/annual budget.
• Monitor financial performance against budget to support the dynamic re-allocation of resources according to priorities.
• Develop tools and systems to provide critical financial and operational information to the DoF and make actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations.
• Work with the DoF to craft a long-term strategy for Finance Directorate by providing advice on issues, trends, and changes in the operating model(s) and operational delivery.
• Assist in establishing yearly objectives and work plans for the various workshops in Finance Directorate.
• Advise the DoF on long-term budgetary planning and costs management in alignment with the Institute's strategic plan, considering limitations and changes in the funding environment, strategic growth opportunities and collaborations with external organizations.
• Working with the Head of Internal Audit, advise DoF on the integrity of the Institute's Investment policies and reporting and control procedures.
• Remain up to date on non-profit audit and financial best practices.

Compliance:

• Ensure compliance and maintain oversight for all accounting and operating activities.
• Lead the annual financial audits; review audit materials, and prepare management response to internal and external auditors.

Team Management / Training:

• Mentor and develop finance management teams, providing input on work allocation, training, trouble-shooting, problem and conflict resolution, and the building of an effective team dynamic.
• Train accounting personnel and other users on accounting controls and procedures.

Acting Role:

• Act as Officer-in-Charge during periods of absence of the DoF.
• Any other finance-related duties assigned by Director of Finance.

Educational Qualifications

• First Degree in any discipline plus a recognised professional accounting qualification – ACA, CPA, ACCA. The possession of an MBA is highly desirable and will be an advantage.

Core Competencies:

• Minimum of ten (10) years relevant experience in core accounting function from a leading or well structured accounting firm, and three (3) of which must be at a senior management level.
• Relevant finance experience should include planning, forecasting and enterprise financial systems with emphasis on budgeting and financial reporting (with sound knowledge / hands on experience of IFRS).
• Experience in working with a leading accounting firm or international organization or multinational private sector company within a cross- cultural environment at a senior level
• Excellent leadership, management, interpersonal, and team building skills.
• Ability and proven track record in leadership of small groups; experience as a manager of staff, team builder / leader; and ability as a manager of strategic relationships.
• Proficiency in at least one major enterprise management system (oracle, sun, platinum SAGE, etc.) and relevant computer applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are essential, including ability to set out coherent presentations and group interactions.

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Responsibilities
Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:
Finance:

• Oversee the entire financial operations of the project office and ensure timely and accurate delivery of financial reports.
• Enter financial information and maintain all financial records for project by learning the applicable systems in RTB-CIP and IITA.
• Liaise with all project partners to obtain required information in time, check for completeness, accuracy and allowability of the expenses before finalising the accounts in close working relationship with IITA finance team,
• Manage compliance to project budget allocations and timely file reports on fund advances and utilization.
• Support project coordinator with timely advice and recommendations to ensure that program funds are utilized appropriately by the close of each fiscal year.
• Coordinate with the Grants and Contracts (G&C) team to help manage contracts, agreements, and project statutory annual audits.

Administration:

• Provide all administrative and logistical support to the project team
• Procure as needed and manage inventory of assets of the project
• Make travel arrangements for the project team and any other project partners / visitors in the country
• Make arrangements for meetings, trainings and workshops for the project team.
• Maintain the office filing system (manual and electronic) including backup, archiving and storage

Qualifications

• HND/B.Sc in Accounting, Business Administration or equivalent with an MBA or equivalent.
• Professional certification such as ACCA, ICAN is essential.

Experience

• At least seven (7) years of relevant work experience in an International Organization.
• CGIAR accounting system experience is essential.

Competencies
Ideal Candidate must have:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Methodical, organized and results-oriented;
• Good knowledge of rules, regulations and procedures of government and related agencies; ability to work independently and to take initiative when sorting out problem issues;
• Strong computer skills in financial management software;
• Good people skills, enthusiastic, entrepreneurial skills with a can do attitude.

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Responsibilities
Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

M&E System Design and Training:

• Review the project objective hierarchy and results framework matrices for each of the project components (inputs, activities/processes, outputs, outcomes and impacts) and ensure alignment with relevant RTB Flagships and Clusters;
• Identify and design performance questions, key indicators and targets, business metrics for profitability analysis of the each of the seed value chain activities;
• Working closely with the project component leads and the Project Coordinator, develop and facilitate the M&E plan implementation including data capture, analysis and reportage;
• Develop the data management system for substantive reporting on the project activities;
• Conduct workshops for internal and external stakeholders on results-based M&E; and in the use of the M&E tools developed, with an express focus on economic sustainability along the seed value chain.

Performance Measurement and Impact Assessment:

• Determine information needs of the project team, partners, and cooperating institutions;
• Build consensus with the project team and stakeholders on how to record, report, and analyse progress against targets; and design formats for reporting on progress;
• Conduct monitoring visits to project sites;
• Conduct/participate in evaluations (baseline, mid-term, end of project); and internal/external impact assessment studies as needed;
• Provide M&E advice, and support the project team in the use of M&E data for decision making as needed.

Knowledge Management:

• Design and manage learning / critical reflection events to be held with the project team, partners, and other stakeholders towards scale up and out;
• Collect, compile, analyse, and consolidate progress reports for project management in accordance with approved reporting formats;
• Contribute to the establishment and development of a database for M&E integrated with the RTB-M&E platform.

Deliverables:
The M&E Officer will present to the Project Coordinator, as needed, predetermined deliverables including but not limited to:

• The project M&E framework that provides linkages between the project activities, results, indicators, tools and methodology for data collection;
• The project M&E plan that details the results framework, approach to data management, indicator targets, data collection and data analyses protocols, management utility for indicator data, data quality assessment procedures, reporting schedules, and strategies for evaluation and special studies;
• Tools for data collection, collation, analysis, and report generation and dissemination;
• Database for data management (data entry, analysis, report generation, data and information storage);
• Reports of site visits to project sites that outline details of interactions with stakeholders,
• Reports of critical reflection sessions and consensus built for project activity improvement;
• Comprehensive reports on project performance for each period under review based on M&E data collected including recommendations for timely adjustment/improvement of project delivery;

Qualification

• MSc or equivalent in Agricultural Economics, Statistics, Development with strong quantitative skills.

Experience

• At least five (5) years of work experience in the design and implementation of a Monitoring and Evaluation system, preferably in the agricultural sector.

Competencies
Ideal Candidate must have:

• Experience in conducting M&E training sessions, including facilitation skills.
• Strong planning, system development and organizational skills, including results orientation.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English.
• Proficiency in statistical

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Position Responsibilities
The Deputy Director General, Corporate Services reports to the Director General. Main responsibilities:

• Provide oversight and strategic guidance on the administrative operations of Supply Chain, Hospitality and Travel Service, Facilities Management Services, Safety & Security Services, Human Resources and the Administrative services at the IITA hubs and stations. Particular focus will be on Human Resources and Facilities Management Services.
• Develop and implement a long term strategy for the Corporate Services Directorate.
• Review the efficacy of the SOP of the stations and improve on them.
• Handle challenging and/or unique employee situations (e.g., performance issues, complex personal situations) with a high degree of empathy and professionalism, in keeping with IITA’s broader culture and issues related to on-campus living within the local environment.
• Provide strategic advice to the IITA Board and the Director General.
• Devise strategic avenues of ensuring value for money in Supply Chain.
• Provide strong leadership on issues related to project execution and full cost recovery.
• Support, manage and progress the process of decentralization of the hubs and stations.

Educational Qualifications

• The candidate must be in possession of an appropriate advanced level Degree in a relevant field or an equivalent qualification.

Core Competencies:

• Minimum of ten (10) years relevant experience in core administration at senior management level and a proven managerial track record.
• Experience in leading and managing transformation, change and diversity.
• Strong and demonstrated management competencies, including strategic and operational capability and leadership, programme and project management, people management and empowerment and financial management.
• Experience in working with a leading international organization or multinational private sector company within a cross- cultural environment at a senior level.
• Excellent leadership, management, strategic decision making abilities together with hands on approach.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build high performance teams.
• Advanced computer literacy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are essential, including the ability to set out coherent presentations and group interactions.

General Information
Initial appointment is for three years. IITA offers a competitive remuneration package paid in US dollars.