Sahel Finance Officer

About the organization
The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) is an independent research institution which generates science based knowledge about the complex role trees play in agricultural landscapes and rural livelihoods. As part of the Centre’s work to bring tree-based solutions to bear on poverty and environmental problems, researchers – working in close collaboration with partners – are developing new technologies, tools and policy recommendations for increased food security and ecosystem health. 
The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) is one of the 15 Centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Consortium, and receives funding from over 50 different donors.  The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya and research is conducted in 28 other countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Our vision is a rural transformation in the developing world as smallholder households increase their use of trees in agricultural landscapes to improve food security, nutrition, income, health, shelter, social cohesion, energy resources and environmental sustainability.
The main focus of thse positions will be the activities of the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) program and climate related projects of the West and Central Africa (WCA) team of ICRAF. One of the CCAFS over-arching objectives is to assess and test pro-poor adaptation and mitigation practices, technologies and policies for food systems, adaptive capacity and rural livelihoods. This is being done through an adaptive “placed-based” research aiming to decrease the vulnerability of rural communities and enable them to prosper under a variable and changing climate. The regional approach aims to ensure complementarity of thematic research, and to be the basis of a strong network of partners implementing the work. The regional teams are spearheading achievement of outcomes and impacts at national and regional levels
To learn more about our organization, please visit our website: www.worldagroforestrycentre.org
About the positions
SAHEL FINANCE OFFICER, BAMAKO
This position is re-advertised with some changes on the job description. However, those who had earlier applied are advised to reapply if still interested.
About theposition and overall purpose of the job
Under the direct supervision of the ICRAF Sahel Node Coordinator while maintaining a direct functional reporting relationship to the Regional Finance Manager based in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the incumbent will plan and manage the financial operations of the node. Specifically he/she will have the following responsibilities:
Implement the internal control systems, processes and procedures in the Sahel nodal office and country programmes under the Sahel node;
Provide guidance to the Nodal Leader to strengthen the internal controls, ensure ICRAF policies and procedures are strictly adhered to in the Node and the country offices managed by the Node;
Ensure advance planning on the budget process, budget revisions and reports by liaising with the project leaders, regional office and ICRAF HQ;
Generate accurate financial reports monthly and as and when required by the Nodal Leader and Regional Finance Manager in timely manner to inter alia assist the Nodal Leader/Regional Finance Officer/Budget Holders to monitor expenditures against budgets;
Ensure diligent posting of all financial transactions into accounting system in a timely fashion and maintain complete and up to date filing system for all documents to support each financial transaction;
Keep track of all staff travel advances requests and review all advance justifications to ensure strict adherence to ICRAF’s travel policies, exception to be brought the attention of the Nodal Leader and the Regional Finance Manager;
Preparation and payment of monthly salaries and any allowances of project staff and collaborators and ensure all statutory deductions such as income tax are correctly calculated, deducted and remitted to the relevant authorities in a timely manner;
Ensure quality, accuracy and timely submission of monthly accounting returns including follow up returns from collaborators and partners;
Carry out detailed review of financial reports and supporting documents submitted by partners managed by the Node to ensure compliance with laid down ICRAF policies and agreements with collaborators and partners, before liquidating the advances and recommending transfer of additional funds.  Report all discrepancies to the Nodal leader and the Regional Finance Manager as soon as these are detected;
Carry out monthly reviews of all documents submitted by the country offices managed by the Node to substantiate the monthly expenditure and report unsubstantiated expenditure, impaired supporting documents etc. to the immediate attention of the Nodal Leader, Regional Finance Manager, the focal person in FSU for the Node, the Manager of Budgets and Corporate Finance and the DDG Finance and Corporate Service in Nairobi, Kenya;
Preparation of the monthly imprest report for incorporation in the ICRAF data base;
Preparation of monthly reconciliations between the monthly imprest returns submitted and the ICRAF ledger;
Ensure the compliance  of ICRAF accounting procedures in all financial transactions;
Ensure the respect of all labour and government administrative procedures;
Ensure the timely preparation and payments of all related taxes, rents etc. and staff dues to the competent government departments;
Maintain schedules of fixed assets and a filing system within the established format and procedure and ensure data safety;
Maintain an accurate fixed asset register for the node  (capitalization depreciation and disposal if any);
Liaise with the Head of Operations at ICRAF Headquarters to ensure items requiring insurance are expeditiously insured;
Assist with various financial management request for the Sahel including partners;
Assist with financial information requests from auditors (internal and external), donors and partners;
Preparation of Annual Programme of Work and Budget (optimise resource allocation), in coordination with all scientists and national administrative teams. Assist in the development of fully costed  proposal budgets;
Supervision of other staff falling under the Finance Service Unit and based in the Sahel; and
Perform any other tasks assigned by the hierarchy.
Qualifications and experience
A professional accounting qualification or at least a first degree (BAC+5) in Accounting, Finance. A MBA degree would be an advantage;
At least 7 years of experience in financial management and accounting in a similar position preferably in an international organisation, interacting between regional/nodal/country office and headquarters;
Proficiency in office software applications (MS office, data management, etc.);
Excellent working knowledge of at least one accounting package, preferably an ERP accounting package
Good oral and written communication skills in French and English;
Ability to work under pressure and  implement multiple tasks simultaneously;
Experience in cross-cultural working environment;
Strong leadership;
Affinity with research and development activities in the development and environment domain;
Testimonials from three previous employers attesting the incumbent’s qualifications, performance and integrity.  
Terms of offer
The World Agroforestry Centre is an equal opportunity employer and offers a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment. We believe that staff diversity promotes excellence and strongly encourage applications from qualified women. These positions are on national terms and will be for an initial period of two (2) years, subject to a probation period according to the local labour law. The contract could be renewed subject to performance, continued relevance of the position and availability of funds.
How to apply
Applications for this position must include a cover letter illustrating your suitability for the position against the listed requirements and salary expectations and detailed and updated curriculum vitae along with names and addresses of three referees, including telephone, fax numbers and email addresses.
Go to https://worldagroforestry.org/working-for-icraf/vacancies
Applicants should indicate: “Application – Sahel Finance Officer”  on their application letters and subject of email submissions.
Applications will be considered until 05 April 2015 or until a suitable candidate is identified and selected. We hope to hold interviews during the last week of April 2015.
Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.
We invite you to learn more about ICRAF by accessing our web site: https://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org