Senior Finance Analyst – Africa – CIMMYT
Reference number: 202644
Job status: In-progress
Job category: Local Position
Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya
CIFOR-ICRAF
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.
CIFOR-ICRAF is looking for a
Senior Finance Analyst – Africa – CIMMYT
Overview
About our organization:
CIMMYT is a cutting edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow’s problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. For more information, visit: cimmyt.org
CIMMYT is hosted by World Agroforestry (ICRAF), a member of the CGIAR that is headquartered on United Nations Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya. We invite you to learn more about CIMMYT and World Agroforestry by accessing our web sites: www.cimmyt.org and www.worldagroforestry.org
CIMMYT is looking for a:
Senior Finance Analyst – Africa
The Senior Finance Analyst – Africa, supports the Regional Finance Manager in executing CIMMYT’s regional finance oversight model across country offices within Africa region.
The role provides analytical, compliance monitoring, quality assurance, risk management, and coordination support to strengthen financial governance, internal controls, and financial performance oversight across country operations. Acting as a key member of the regional finance oversight function, the position supports the execution of finance reviews, compliance monitoring activities, risk assessments, corrective action tracking, and management reporting across multiple country offices.
The role works closely with Country Finance Managers, Country Finance Leads, Country Representatives, headquarters finance functions, and regional stakeholders to promote consistent application of institutional policies, improve financial visibility, strengthen control environments, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
The role does not have direct supervisory responsibility but is expected to influence, coordinate, and collaborate effectively across multiple countries and stakeholders.
Duties and responsibilities
1.Regional Finance
Oversight & Monitoring.
Support the Regional Finance Manager
in monitoring financial performance, compliance, and control effectiveness
across country offices within the region.Review financial information, key
performance indicators, and management reports to identify risks, trends,
exceptions, and areas requiring management attention.Support implementation of regional
finance oversight plans and monitoring activities.Assist in evaluating adherence to
institutional finance policies, procedures, Delegation of Authority (DoA), and
internal control requirements.Support monitoring of country office
implementation of finance initiatives, policy changes, and institutional
priorities.
2.Compliance Reviews,
Quality Assurance & Risk Management.
Perform risk-based finance reviews and
compliance monitoring activities across country offices.Support reviews of financial
transactions, reconciliations, supporting documentation, and key financial
processes.Prepare review samples, testing
populations, exception analyses, and working papers to support oversight
activities.Identify policy deviations, control
weaknesses, compliance risks, and areas requiring corrective action.Support regional risk assessments and
monitoring of finance-related risks.Assist in strengthening financial
governance, compliance practices, and internal control environments across the
region.
3.Audit &
Corrective Action Coordination.
Support coordination of internal
audits, external audits, finance reviews, and compliance assessments affecting
country offices within the region.Maintain tracking of audit findings,
review observations, risk mitigation activities, and corrective action plans.Monitor progress of remediation
activities and follow up with country offices regarding outstanding actions.Support reporting of audit
observations, risk trends, and implementation status to Regional Finance
Managers and relevant stakeholders.Assist in identifying recurring issues
and opportunities for process and control improvements.
4.Financial Analysis,
Reporting & Data Quality Monitoring.
Prepare regional finance dashboards,
scorecards, monitoring reports, and management information.Perform financial analysis and trend
reviews to support regional oversight and decision-making.Analyze financial data quality,
reporting accuracy, compliance indicators, and operational performance metrics.Support development and maintenance of
regional reporting tools, monitoring frameworks, and analytical models.Prepare reports, presentations, and
supporting analyses for regional finance reviews and leadership discussions.
5.Country Office
Coordination & Stakeholder Support.
Coordinate information requests,
review activities, follow-up actions, and reporting requirements between country offices,
headquarters finance teams, and Regional Finance Managers.Support implementation of finance
transformation initiatives, process improvements, and system enhancements
across the region.Assist in communicating finance
guidance, best practices, and oversight expectations to country finance teams.Support regional finance meetings,
workshops, training sessions, and knowledge-sharing activities.Build collaborative relationships with
country finance teams and key stakeholders across the region.Support country Finance teams in
operational and financial analysis in hosting services, intercompany
transactions, and accounts receivable transactions, where applicable.First line of support on SOPs and
D365-finance module questions.Ad-hoc temporary backstopping for
country Finance team members.
6.Continuous
Improvement & Regional Governance Support.
Support standardization of finance
monitoring, reporting, and review methodologies across country offices.Contribute to development of
monitoring tools, review programs, templates, and working paper standards.Identify opportunities to improve
efficiency, consistency, transparency, and effectiveness of regional finance
oversight activities.Support continuous improvement
initiatives aimed at strengthening financial governance, compliance monitoring,
and organizational performance.Promote a culture of accountability,
compliance, transparency, and continuous improvement.
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting,
Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Audit, or related field.Professional accounting or audit
qualification preferred (CPA, ACCA, CA, CIA, CMA, CISA, or equivalent).Minimum 7–10 years of progressive
experience in finance, accounting, audit, compliance, internal controls, risk
management, or financial analysis.Strong understanding of financial
controls, compliance frameworks, risk management, and governance principles.Experience supporting audits,
compliance reviews, financial monitoring, or assurance-related activities.
Education, knowledge and experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Audit, or related field.
- Professional accounting or audit qualification preferred (CPA, ACCA, CA, CIA, CMA, CISA, or equivalent).
- Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in finance, accounting, audit, compliance, internal controls, risk management, or financial analysis.
- Strong understanding of financial controls, compliance frameworks, risk management, and governance principles.
- Experience supporting audits, compliance reviews, financial monitoring, or assurance-related activities.
Terms and conditions
- This is a Locally Recruited Staff (LRS) position. CIFOR-ICRAF offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with experience and qualifications. In Kenya, employment contracts are issued under ICRAF in compliance with Kenyan labour law. Locally recruited staff are eligible for a non-contributory pension scheme, comprehensive medical insurance, paid annual and statutory leave, and learning and development opportunities in line with CIFOR-ICRAF policies.
- The appointment will be for a period of two (2) years, inclusive of a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
- The duty station will be in Nairobi, Kenya.
- We will acknowledge all applications but will only contact short-listed candidates.
Application process
The application deadline is 28 Jul 2026.
We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.