Project Finance & Compliance Officer The International Center for Agricultural Research

Financial Controllership and Oversight:

· Serve as the financial gatekeeper for all project-related expenditures and financial transactions.

· Maintain oversight of fund flow, cost control, cash flow forecasts, and financial risk exposure.

· Validate all financial inputs from ICARDA and project partners against project milestones, procurement plans, and donor rules.

· Support decision-making with strategic financial insights and scenario analysis.

· Actively advise the Project Director on resource allocation, burn rates, and fiscal performance.

Financial Planning & Budgeting:

· Develop consolidate, update and maintain the project’s detailed annual and multi-year budgets and financial forecasts.

· Lead periodic budget vs actuals reviews and variance analyses.

· Coordinate and support technical teams during work-planning to align budgets preparation with work plans and deliverables.

Donor Compliance & Reporting:

· Ensure financial operations strictly comply with both Gates Foundation and UAE government requirements.

· Prepare and submit timely donor financial reports aligned with milestone deliverables.

· Maintain donor-compliance guidelines and ensure adherence across all project implementation units at ICARDA and partner organizations.

· Design and implement internal control mechanisms tailored to the project’s requirements to fulfil funders’ expectations.

Internal Controls & Audit Support:

· Design and implement internal control mechanisms tailored to the project’s requirements to fulfil funders’ expectations.

· Ensure robust field-level procedures for cash, sub-grants, and procurement are in place.

· Prepare for and support donor audits and internal spot checks; ensure timely resolution of issues.

· Track and follow up on audit findings and management responses.

· Review partner financial submissions and conduct regular desk reviews.

Partner Financial Oversight:

· Train ICARDA’s financial reporting officers (GFOs) on financial and compliance requirements of the two donors.

· Conduct periodic financial desk reviews and field monitoring visits.

· Strengthen partner capacity in financial management, reporting, and compliance.

System & Process Support:

· Work with ICARDA’s Finance, Project and Grant Management Unit and IT teams to optimize and ensure ERP/grant systems (e.g., Unit4) meet project needs.

· Recommend process improvements and digital tools to enhance transparency, reporting, and decision-making.

· Support development of financial dashboards and key performance indicators for management.

Capacity Building & Support:

· Provide training to ICARDA and partner staff on budgeting, compliance, and donor financial policies.

· Provide guidance on financial controls, policies, and donor rules.

· Act as a focal point finance-related technical queries from consortium stakeholders.