Consortium Finance Administration Officer

Reports to: Consortium Program Manager

Location: Ajman, UAE or Maadi, Egypt

Main purpose of the position

The CGIAR Consortium for Red Palm Weevil Control (C4RPWC) is a multi-partner initiative funded by the International Affairs Office (IAO) of the UAE Presidential Court and the Gates Foundation. Led by ICARDA, the Consortium brings together international research organizations and strategic partners to develop and scale sustainable, science-based solutions for the management of the Red Palm Weevil in low- and middle-income countries.

The Consortium Finance Administration Officer (CFAO) is a key member of the Consortium Management Team and reports directly to the Consortium Program Manager at UAE, while indirectly reporting (i.e., dotted line) to ICARDA’s Egypt finance and administrative office. The CFAO is responsible for consortium-wide financial planning, budget management, expenditure visibility, monitoring, forecasting, compliance oversight, and financial coordination across ICARDA and partner institutions. The position mentor, coach and train spending units, including partners, and ensures the effective stewardship of donor resources, supports strategic decision-making through financial analysis and forecasting, and ensures compliance with donor agreements, consortium governance requirements, and ICARDA policies and procedures.

About ICARDA

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit organization that conducts research for development activities as part of the CGIAR Integrated Partnership.ICARDA's mission is to reduce poverty and enhance food, water, nutritional security, and 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 consider gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organizations, other CGIAR research Centers, and the private sector. With its Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. For more information: www.icarda.org.

Main responsibilities

Consortium Financial Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting:

• Lead the development, consolidation, and maintenance of annual, multi-year, and phase-specific consortium budgets and financial plans.

• Develop and maintain consortium-wide expenditure forecasts, spending pipelines, and cash flow projections for ICARDA and partner institutions.

• Monitor budget execution and conduct regular budget-versus-actual expenditure analyses, identifying variances, implementation bottlenecks, and opportunities for corrective action.

• Coordinate with technical teams and consortium partners to align budgets with approved workplans, milestones, procurement plans, and implementation schedules.

• Support the development and financial review of annual workplans, budget revisions, and funding allocation decisions.

• Provide financial scenario analysis and projections to support strategic planning and decision-making by ICARDA leadership.

• Mentor, coach and train spending units in proper budget planning and utilization of funds.

Financial Oversight and Performance Monitoring:

• Serve as the focal point for consortium-wide financial performance monitoring and expenditure tracking.

• Maintain oversight of project expenditures, fund utilization, burn rates, commitments, and financial obligations across ICARDA and partner institutions.

• Review financial transactions, commitments, and expenditures to ensure alignment with approved budgets, donor requirements, and ICARDA’s Policies and Procedures.

• Develop and maintain financial management dashboards and key performance indicators to support program oversight and management decision-making.

• Prepare periodic financial performance summaries, risk analyses, and expenditure forecasts for consortium leadership, governance bodies, and donors.

• Advise the Consortium Program Manager and ICARDA’s Management on budget utilization, financial risks, and resource allocation decisions.

Partner Financial Management and Coordination:

• Coordinate financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and expenditure monitoring across all consortium partners.

• Review partner budgets, financial reports, invoices, forecasts, and expenditure submissions for completeness, accuracy, and compliance.

• In collaboration with the Finance, Partnerships and Legal teams, lead the financial review and processing of partner agreements, amendments, budget modifications, and funding reallocations.

• Support the integration of new activities, workstreams, and project phases into partner budgets, agreements, and implementation plans.

• Maintain consolidated records of partner budgets, expenditures, commitments, invoices, disbursements, and available balances.

• Liaise regularly with the implementation partners finance and project management teams to strengthen financial planning, internal control, and implementation performance.

Donor Compliance and Financial Reporting:

• Ensure financial management practices comply with the requirements of the International Affairs Office (IAO) of the UAE Presidential Court, the Gates Foundation, and ICARDA Policies and Procedures.

• Coordinate the preparation and submission of donor financial reports and supporting documentation.

• In close collaboration and consultation with the Finance Department, maintain and disseminate donor financial management and compliance guidance across consortium partners.

• Monitor compliance with donor agreements, approved budgets, funding conditions, and financial reporting requirements.

• Support the preparation of financial information required for donor reviews, meetings, and governance processes.

Internal Controls, Risk Management and Audit Support:

• Maintain effective financial control and risk management systems across consortium operations.

• Support the implementation of internal control procedures related to budgeting, expenditures, procurement, sub-awards, and financial reporting.

• Conduct periodic financial reviews and compliance assessments of partner institutions.

• Support internal and external project audits and ensure timely follow-up and resolution of audit findings and management recommendations.

• Identify emerging financial, compliance, and operational risks and escalate them accordingly to obtain guidance and recommend mitigation measures.

Systems, Process Improvement and Capacity Development:

• Work closely with ICARDA's Finance, Grants Management, and Project Management functions to optimize financial systems, workflows, and reporting processes.

• Recommend and support the implementation of process improvements and digital solutions that may enhance financial transparency, forecasting, efficiency, and accountability.

• Provide training and guidance to ICARDA staff and consortium partners on budgeting, financial management, donor compliance, forecasting, and reporting requirements.

• Serve as the primary focal point for consortium-related financial management and compliance queries.

• Promote consistent financial management practices and strengthen partner capacity in financial planning, reporting, and compliance.

Education, qualifications, and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field. A master’s degree and/or professional certification (CPA, ACCA) is a strong asset.

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in project finance or grants management, preferably with international development or research organizations. Experience with major donors (especially Gates Foundation or Gulf-based funders) is an advantage.

• Solid knowledge of budgeting, financial analysis, and donor financial reporting.

• Familiarity with IFRS and audit procedures.

• Proficiency in financial systems (e.g., ERP) and Excel; Power BI and Unit4 are a plus.

• Strong communication skills in English and Arabic.

• Good judgment, attention to detail, and a problem-solving mindset.

• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and external partners.

• Availability and willingness to travel occasionally to partner sites, Cairo administrative HQ, and field locations (30%).

Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits

This is a nationally recruited staff position open for UAE nationals 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.

Please be advised that ICARDA accepts applications only in English, as per the organization's standard communication language. Applications in other languages will not be considered.

Only shortlisted applications will be contacted.