Country Finance Officer – Rwanda at CIFOR – Center for International Forestry Research: (Deadline 19 May 2023)

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.

Overview

The Country Finance Officer will be responsible for providing support, monitoring, and reporting for Rwanda based projects; supervising the financial resources in the office and offering administration support as required in liaison with the finance and administration officer.

Duties and responsibilities

Grants

• Prepare donor financial reports in accordance with donor agreements.
• Prepare budgets for existing and upcoming projects/proposals for the country office.
• Monitor project budgets to ensure expenditure is within grant agreements.
• Generate budget Vs Actual reports for review by the budget unit.
• Monitor Budget and Actual Expenses of grants.
• Coordinate with donors, collaborators, project leaders and scientists to clarify financial issues and give update on the financial and budget status of the project.
• Review and verify expenditures of projects to ensure adherence to budgetary and donor requirements.
• Ensure that reports to donors are submitted on time.
• Coordinate audit of projects.
• Assist with coordination and attend entry and exit meetings on audit of projects for grants managed.
• Key resource on queries from the external auditors.
• Assist in reviewing the draft audit report and provide draft management responses for approval by finance manager – grants.
• Review partner audit report in relation to project requirements.
• Posting of liquidations and review of financial reports including liaising with PMU to ensure partners are paid.

General Accounting

• Support in the year-end audits.
• Ensure bank confirmations, bank statements and support documents are shared with auditors on a timely basis.
• Follow up and ensure internal audit recommendations are implemented and adhered to.
• Maintaining petty cash and bank accounts.
• Ensure there’s sufficient funds in the bank accounts for smooth running of the country office.
• Monitor funds requests for the different projects and prepare funds transfer from HQ.
• Supervise payroll management.
• Ensure the payroll is prepared and payment done on a timely basis. And statutory deductions paid on time.
• Submission of Reconciliation’s and Payables Accounting.
• Perform bank accounts, petty cash, staff accounts, accounts payable and accounts receivables re-conciliations.
• Preparation of monthly bank re-conciliations on the due date.
• Check and verify all financial transactions, review payment requests, purchase orders and contracts for accuracy and integrity before approval by supervisor.
• Assist with processing payments for Rwanda country office including processing advances, ensuring suppliers are paid on time, matching invoices in the system and ensuring other payables are processed on time.

Others

• Manage CIFOR-ICRAF assets and maintain an accurate asset register.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelors’ degree in Finance/Accounting/Economics.
• 7 years of experience.
• Be a Certified Public Accountant in Rwanda recognized by the relevant body.
• Proficiency in MS office, accounting software – UNIT4 Business World (Agresso)would be an added advantage.
• Fluent in English.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Bachelors’ degree in Finance/Accounting/Economics.
• 7 years of experience
• Be a Certified Public Accountant in Rwanda recognized by the relevant body.

Terms and conditions

• This is a Locally Recruited position. CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive remuneration in local currency commensurate with skills and experience.

Application process

The application deadline is 19 May-2023