Project Finance & Compliance Officer

Reports to: Head of Finance

Location: Ajman, UAE

Main purpose of the position

The Project Finance & Compliance Officer (PFCO) is a key member of the consortium management team that supports the Deputy Director General (DDGR) as Consortium Program Director. The PFCO is responsible for ensuring that the project's financial management and compliance processes meet both ICARDA's internal standards and external donor requirements. The role ensures sound financial planning and control, compliance monitoring, stewardship of project resources and coordination with national and regional partners. The position also supports capacity development and internal accounts controls at both ICARDA and partner levels. The PFCO of the project ensures the integrity of financial planning, oversight of project expenditures, risk mitigation, and accurate donor reporting. The position safeguards financial accountability across ICARDA and partner institutions while supporting strategic decision-making through robust analysis and controls.

About ICARDA

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by CGIAR.

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 temporary 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

Financial Controllership and Oversight:

·       Serve as the financial gatekeeper for all project-related expenditures and financial transactions.

·       Maintain oversight of fund flow, cost control, cash flow forecasts, and financial risk exposure.

·       Validate all financial inputs from ICARDA and project partners against project milestones, procurement plans, and donor rules.

·       Support decision-making with strategic financial insights and scenario analysis.

·       Actively advise the Project Director on resource allocation, burn rates, and fiscal performance. 

Financial Planning & Budgeting:

·       Develop consolidate, update and maintain the project’s detailed annual and multi-year budgets and financial forecasts.

·       Lead periodic budget vs actuals reviews and variance analyses.

·       Coordinate and support technical teams during work-planning to align budgets preparation with work plans and deliverables. 

Donor Compliance & Reporting:

·       Ensure financial operations strictly comply with both Gates Foundation and UAE government requirements.

·       Prepare and submit timely donor financial reports aligned with milestone deliverables.

·       Maintain donor-compliance guidelines and ensure adherence across all project implementation units at ICARDA and partner organizations.

·       Design and implement internal control mechanisms tailored to the project’s requirements to fulfil funders’ expectations.  

Internal Controls & Audit Support:

·       Design and implement internal control mechanisms tailored to the project’s requirements to fulfil funders’ expectations

·       Ensure robust field-level procedures for cash, sub-grants, and procurement are in place.

·       Prepare for and support donor audits and internal spot checks; ensure timely resolution of issues.

·       Track and follow up on audit findings and management responses.

·       Review partner financial submissions and conduct regular desk reviews.

Partner Financial Oversight:

·       Train ICARDA’s financial reporting officers (GFOs) on financial and compliance requirements of the two donors.

·       Conduct periodic financial desk reviews and field monitoring visits.

·       Strengthen partner capacity in financial management, reporting, and compliance.

System & Process Support:

·       Work with ICARDA’s Finance, Project and Grant Management Unit and IT teams to optimize and ensure ERP/grant systems (e.g., Unit4) meet project needs.

·       Recommend process improvements and digital tools to enhance transparency, reporting, and decision-making.

·       Support development of financial dashboards and key performance indicators for management.

Capacity Building & Support:

·       Provide training to ICARDA and partner staff on budgeting, compliance, and donor financial policies.

·       Provide guidance on financial controls, policies, and donor rules.

·       Act as a focal point finance-related technical queries from consortium stakeholders.

Requirements

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

Benefits

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.

This position offers a hybrid working arrangement. The selected candidate will be expected to work at the Ajman office at least two days per week.

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.