Deputy Head – Finance

About IRRI

Job Purpose

The International Rice Research Organization (IRRI), the leading research-for-development international organization dedicated to abolishing poverty and hunger among people and populations dependent on rice-based agri-food systems and operating on a non-for-profit financial model, is seeking a dynamic and experienced Deputy Head of Finance. This role is crucial in supporting the Head of Finance to ensure effective financial management. The Deputy Head of Finance will play a key role in maintaining robust financial systems, contributing to strategic financial planning, and ensuring compliance with financial standards, policies, and agreed requirements with funders. This position involves managing the Finance Department’s day-to-day operations and supporting the organization’s strategic growth by engaging with key stakeholders and providing critical financial insights.

This position will be based at the IRRI Headquarters, Los Baños, Philippines and is open for international applications.

Roles and Responsibilities

• This position will be the Head of Finance’s second-in-command and will support the oversight of the daily end-to-end financial and accounting operations in all IRRI offices and locations.
• This position will assist the Head of Finance in the operationalization and implementation of strategic and/or operational initiatives and activities that have an impact on the resources of the organization and/or on the financial structure and operations.
• Directly assist and support the Head of Finance, and the Chief Operating Officer as needed, in key initiatives and activities. In turn, they will provide strategic direction, guidance, coaching, and mentoring.
• Partner very closely with the Senior Managers of the Finance Department in the daily delivery of responsibilities and requirements, ensuring operations run smoothly, risks are managed effectively, and issues are handled timely and decisively. This position will directly manage the team of senior managers.
• Collaborate with other Corporate Services leaders and senior staff in the implementation of cross-cutting and inter-departmental initiatives, projects, activities, and policies.
• Collaborate with other senior leaders in the organization and provide business partnering support where required. Issues will first be resolved at this level before escalating further. Proactively and regularly engage with IRRI leadership and collaborate on strategies to ensure good financial governance in the organization.
• Actively work with donor, external, and internal auditors, the Finance team, and other IRRI staff members to manage the various audit engagements satisfactorily. Coordinate with key stakeholders to ensure that audit recommendations are completed as committed.
• Together with the Head of Finance, design and establish the framework and ways of working between the Finance team and the partners and funders. Ensure that the monitoring and evaluation process is robust.
• Align and collaborate with counterparts in the Tripartite finance teams, identify and operationalize opportunities for efficiencies, primarily in the implementation of the new ERP. Regularly engages with CGIAR finance counterparts to deliver activities that will benefit IRRI.
• Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by the supervisor from time to time

Qualifications

• University Degree in Accountancy or Finance with at least three (3) years of meaningful experience in a senior finance leadership role in international organizations in the not-for-profit, development, or humanitarian sector

Skills Required

Mandatory

• Expert level end-to-end accounting and finance skills, with recognized local or international accounting or finance certification (CPA, CA, ACCA, CMA, CIA, CFA, or related)
• Exemplary track record of professionalism and integrity
• High emotional intelligence and excellent people skills
• Demonstrable skills in project management, change management, risk management, process design and improvement, and policy writing
• Strong IT skills/conversant with new technologies
• Self-starter, able to translate ideas into action or operationalize strategic vision and direction

Preferred

• Experience doing business in conflict areas / challenging geographical locations
• Actual experience in new ERP implementation
• Excellent negotiation and promotional skills

IRRI offers a highly extensive employee benefits package inclusive of globally-covered medical insurance, retirement plan, life and accident insurance, and other allowances.

Join our team and be part of our story!

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
This position will remain open until filled.