international fund for agricultural development ifad

Organizational Setting

This is a re-advertisement of the position . Candidates who had previously applied, do not need to re-apply.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.

The Financial Operations Department (FOD) is a dynamic financial,



strategic and responsive business partner and service provider fully supporting IFAD in developing its financial strategy and managing its financial, investments and material resources. FOD ensures that these resources are efficiently, economically and effectively used to achieve IFAD's objectives in the long-term and deliver on its development commitments. FOD is led by an Associate Vice President and is comprised of three (3) divisions: the Treasury Services Division (TRE), the Financial Controller's Division (FCD) and the Procurement and Financial Management Division (PFM).

The Financial Controller's Division (FCD) safeguards financial integrity, including the preparation of IFAD's financial statements, sustainability reporting, audit processes and the internal control system assessment, drives innovative, efficient, and technology-driven solutions in financial reporting, loan portfolio management and servicing, disbursements, integrity, and controllership, ensuring IFAD remains robust and financially sound.





FCD's Financial Reporting and Corporate Finance function ensures clean audit opinions per IFRS and COSO framework, donor sustainability reporting as per IFRS Sustainability Reporting; statutory reporting to protect IFAD's credit rating. It provides corporate financial services focuses on capacity building such as the IFAD-CIPFA corporate finance qualification programme. It is also the functional Secretariat to the IFAD Audit Committee.

The position is located in FCD and the Chief, Financial Reporting and Corporate Finance works under the supervision of the Director and Controller, FCD.

Job Role

The incumbent is accountable for a core function and contributes to the continual evolution of IFAD's operating model,



responding to client needs and corporate risk requirements and coordinates related corporate, departmental, divisional and unit activities. Within the area of financial management the incumbent leads the development of innovative approaches to improve institutional financial processes by providing authoritative advice on best practices.

Position specific: The Chief, Financial Reporting and Corporate Finance leads FCD's Financial Reporting, Sustainability Reporting and Corporate Finance function ensures clean audit opinions per IFRS including Sustainability Standards, donor and statutory reporting to protect IFAD's credit rating. Leads provision of corporate financial services on supplementary funds, financial reporting of borrowings, debt servicing,



and focuses on capacity building such as the IFAD-CIPFA corporate finance qualification programme. Leads also as Division is the functional Secretariat to the IFAD Audit Committee.

Key Functions and Results

1. STRATEGIC PLANNING: The incumbent contributes to strategic development and work planning for the Division and leads the development of work plans for the function s/he manages in line with best practice and prevailing institutional, departmental and divisional strategic priorities. S/He directly supports corporate decision-making that impacts financial and operational resource planning.

2. POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND ADVICE: The incumbent contributes substantively to the development of operational policies and procedures,



designed to ensure sound and efficient management of financial resources and leads the design and implementation of required changes. S/He provides advice to management and the governing bodies on financial and accounting principles and policy issues, proactively recommending, as appropriate, mandatory and preferred changes in line with the best practices of the international financial markets and among international financial institutions to meet the evolving internal and external financial reporting needs and investment needs of the Fund. The Finance Manager provides authoritative advice, pertaining to the assigned function, on UN Financial Regulations and Rules including on financial interpretations, adaptations, internal controls and corrective actions to ensure proper safeguards over the financial assets of the Fund.

3.AGENT OF CHANGE:



The incumbent understands and applies the principles of change management and proactively serves as a role model for transformation and capacity for acceptance of change. S/He uses a seasoned knowledge of results based management and budgeting, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and other information technology. Finance manages change through consultations with inter-organizational and internal finance colleagues, IFAD senior management and outreach to client offices to build understanding of and to ensure open and regular communications pertaining to current and planned changes in the Fund's financial standards, regulations and rules.

4.MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The incumbent manages and provides strategic leadership on complex financial functions,



typically through the work of reporting supervisors, with accountability for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources. This includes: (a) People Management through work plan development, recruitment, performance and career management of P and GS staff as well as learning management establishing learning plans and ensuring staff supervised meet their development needs while meeting the needs of IFAD; (b) Material Resource Management by ensuring that all expendable and non-expendable (supplies, equipment and furnishings) are properly accounted for and maintained; (c) Knowledge and Content Management by ensuring (i) knowledge content within functional area is continuously updated and available to colleagues and clients (ii)



best practices are continuously identified, documented and distributed and (iii) appropriate and up-to-date information and learning tools are available to the Fund's managers, supervisors and staff; and Information Technology Management through leveraging ERP functionality for improved business results, simplification of transaction and reporting processes and improved client services.

Position specific:

5. FINANCIAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: The Chief, Financial Reporting and Corporate Finance manages and provides oversight of a complete financial function of the IFAD corporate finance system. She/He is a team leader with the capacity to develop as well as authoritatively interpret and apply a broad range of international and IFAD financial policies, rules and regulations, as well as systems, standards and techniques. Activities performed include: (a) Responsible for the development and continuous evolution of strategic frameworks; (b) Responsible for adapting rules and establishing financial procedures relating to the assigned operation; (c) In charge of creating effective monitoring systems, including operational oversight to ensure effective management of assigned operations, including ensuring due regard to segregation of financial tasks as required; (d) In charge of financial and sustainability reporting reporting and providing responses for management on queries raised and views expressed by IFAD's Governing Council and other relevant shareholders/partners; (e) Responsible for reviewing audit reports and providing guidance to IFAD staff and projects on sound financial resources management practices; (f) Coordinating the formulation and evaluation of periodic financial statements and the related external audit exercise for Controller's/Management, Rating Agencies and Governing bodies- attention (g) Responsible for analysing IFAD experience with other IFIs and development organizations to adopt best financial management practices in administering IFAD's financial resources (h) Approving financial resources management or accounting aspects of the Fund's operations (including ERP functionality). (i) Responsible for Corporate Finance areas including Supplementary Funds, Donor Reporting Debt Servicing (j) Ensuring maintenance of financial records (k) Responsible for corporate accounting processes and business ownership of related systems including integrity and interface control of the general ledger and submodules as well as links to the other corporate systems.

6. REPORTING AND CORPORATE FINANCE: The Chief, Financial Reporting and Corporate Finance takes the lead for her/his function on matters pertaining to the Audit Committee of the Executive Board including drafting and reviewing the Audit Committee's documents as well as other Governing body documents. Additionally, She/He manage the development, installation, and implementation of new/revised accounting systems and other related information technology systems and evaluate the efficiency, performance and enhancements of these systems. Representative occupational activities at this level may include: (i) The Chief, Financial Reporting and Corporate Finance is accountable for leading, and providing overall oversight of the complex operation of IFAD's financial accounting system, including the delivery of statutory financial statements (IFAD, ILC, etc.) and suistainibility disclosures as per IFRS Suistainibility Standards, Donor Reports, other statutory reports including Borrowing financial ratios, Reporting financial information for rating process, and financial closures while maintaining up-to-date process flows, risk and controls analyses for key financial processes, and (ii) ensuring the timely submission of such financial processes to External/Internal auditors for Attestation and Management Assertion on the Internal Controls over Financial Reporting. The Chief, Financial Reporting and Corporate Finance ensures management and oversight of corporate finance and corporate fiduciary services including the coordination of negotiation of contributions (e.g. Replenishments), borrowing agreements, debt servicing, fixed assets financial accounting and reporting, financial services for Supplementary Funds and hosted entities, EC Verifications support, reconciliations and financial services to Implementing Partners. The Chief, Financial Reporting and Corporate Finance also is accountable for acting as focal point and repository for compiling/updating IFAD's financial accounting, and management policies/manuals, and disseminating these among concerned staff/ departments/offices in IFAD, as well as ensuring the update of the internal control framework over financial reporting, sustainability reporting framework and debt servicing activities. The Chief, Financial Reporting and Corporate Finance is also accountable for leading the maintenance of data integrity and interface control of key corporate financial systems such as IFAD's core banking system and Oracle-PeopleSoft Financials, as the business owner and user of the IFAD Client Portal, and financial system innovation/data integrity and transparency

Key Performance Indicators

Finance Managers at this level are accountable for independently managing a complete financial function of the Fund with specific focus on policy planning, operational management and staff leadership.

They ensure the integrity of financial and management systems under their leadership in line with IFAD Financial Regulations, Internal and External Audit recommendations and best business practices and ensures correct financial practice and adequate control. Decisions taken on the incumbent's advice and financial/budget reporting directly impacts on the Fund's financial integrity as well as overall programme success.

The key performance indicators for Finance Managers include cohesive financial management leadership, compliance in fiduciary responsibilities, integrity of reports and databases and effective internal controls in support of the Fund's perception as a competent and trusted partner in development.

Position specific: Indicators that link to leading the Financial Reporting and Corporate Finance function, clean audit opinions per IFRS, donor statutory reporting and sustainability reporting to protect IFAD's credit rating, provision of corporate financial services on supplementary funds, financial reporting of borrowings, debt servicing, capacity building such as the IFAD-CIPFA corporate finance qualification programme and as the functional Secretariat to the IFAD Audit Committee.

Working Relationships

Internally the Finance Manager is an authoritative financial management adviser to the Fund managers, other budget holders and staff in their area of assignment and advocate for accountability and integrity in the allocation and management of the Fund's financial resources. Contacts extend throughout the organization and include Country Office management, internal auditors and evaluation specialists.

Externally work relationships require collaboration and coordination to ensure the effective implementation of financial rules and procedures, with particular reference to the use of donor funding and contacts with Borrowers and Contributing institutions. Together with the supervisor, she/he represents IFAD in interdivisional or external fora as required, including at governing body meetings, with the external auditors, rating agencies and counterparts in other IFI and UN organizations.

Position specific: Relationships relating to leading the financial reporting function internally and externally, role as Division being the functional secretariat of the Audit Committee and related documents of the AC and EB.

Job Profile Requirements

Organizational Competencies - Level 2

- Strategic thinking and organizational development: Strategic leadership

- Demonstrating Leadership: Leads by example; initiates and supports change

- Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating: Challenges, innovates and contributes to a learning culture

- Focusing on clients: Contributes to a client-focused culture

- Problem solving and decision making: Solves complex problems and makes decisions that have wider corporate impact

- Managing time, resources and information: Coordinates wider use of time, information and/or resources

- Team Work: Fosters a cohesive team environment

- Communicating and negotiating: Acquires and uses a wide range of communication styles and skills

- Building relationships and partnerships: Builds and maintains strategic partnerships internally and externally

- Managing performance and developing staff: Manages staff and teams effectively

Education:

Level - Advanced university degree from an accredited institution in a technically relevant area including finance, business administration, accounting or job related field. A Master Degree will be considered as a plus over the mandatory education level.

Areas - Accounting, Finance, Financial and Sustainability Reporting.

Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php.

Certifications: Professional qualification such as CPA, Chartered Accountant, CIPFA designation or equivalent from an internationally recognized Institute of Accountancy, is required.

Work experience:

- At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in leading accounting/financial reporting operations.

- Five (5) years of experience in an IFI/Multilateral Development Bank or similar/related institution

Position-specific experience: Authoritative knowledge of the principles and concepts of financial reporting and sustainability reporting in compliance to IFRS or US GAAP with a particular focus on financial instruments¿ Application of COSO as internal control system

- Knowledge of advanced analytics and attention to detail, experience at a managerial level in IFRS and in in IFRS Sustainability Standards or similar international standards.

Languages:

- Required English Excellent)

- Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic Good)

Position-specific requirement: n/a

Skills: Job role specific

- Leadership, Group thought leader, sought out by others and providing mentorship and effective guidance to others; Ability to build trust, inside and outside the organization by acting as a role model for IFAD's core values and competencies, and to provide a clear sense of direction, mentorship and effective guidance to the team, strategizing the IFAD's goals, giving the vision, empowering the team and ensuring a positive environment for all;

- Performance Management, Know-how in managing performance, learning management, establishing learning plans and ensuring staff supervised meet their development needs while meeting the needs of IFAD. Is proficient in establishing clear performance goals (operational and behavioural) and learning plans as well as in evaluating the performance of staff against the set goals;

- Confidentiality & Discretion, Establishes self and division as trusted advisor to internal stakeholders by maintaining high level of discretion and confidentiality in assignments; demonstrates sound judgement when dealing with sensitive and/or confidential matters ; drives good governance and is a "Culture Carrier" demonstrating IFAD institutional conscience through his/her work;

- Financial process management, Know-how in the management of financial processes such as reporting, treasury, investment processes and securities trading, cash management processes, etc.;

- Disbursements, Payroll and Payments, Know-how in financial checks required for disbursements of loans and grants, payments and payroll transactions to reduce risk of error, fraud and non-compliance with rules, maintenance of clean vendor master files, arrears and debt management of loans;

- Interpersonal skills, Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with others (e.g. visitors, clients, callers, etc.), including senior individuals (e.g. high-level meeting participants);

- Business acumen, private sector knowledge, Outstanding ability to synthesize and simplify complex technical information for a variety of (non-technical) audiences;

- Liquidity management, Know-how in liquidity planning, liquidity investment, investment portfolio management and reporting;

Position specific

- Authoritative knowledge of the principles and concepts of financial reporting including IFRS and IFRS Sustainability Standards. Ability to utilize and integrate accounting concepts in strategic thinking for the provision advice and strategies for decision making.

- Capital market instruments, Knowledge of capital markets instruments (fixed income, derivatives, loans), risk and performance metrics and quantitative tools of fixed income valuation (cash flow, present value, interest rate risk, duration, etc.);

- Debt capital structure management, Know-how in capital structure planning and implementation, development of efficient mix of debt instruments, Rating agencies reporting and road show material;

- IFAD financing strategy, Expertise on the Fund's governing and financial structure, mandate, long-term business strategy, financial rules and regulations;

- Ability to utilize and integrate accounting concepts in strategic thinking for the provision advice and strategies for decision making.

Other Information

This is a re-advertisement of the position . Candidates who had previously applied, do not need to re-apply.

Applicants should note that IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD. In accordance with IFAD's Human Resources Policy, the President can decide to assign them to any of the activities of the Fund. All International Professional staff members are required to be geographically mobile and positions in the professional category are subject to changes in location at any time in line with strategic priorities and reform initiatives in IFAD.

IFAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on ethnic, social, or political background, colour, nationality, religion, age, gender, disability, marital status, family size, or sexual orientation. This is in line with our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy and our Policy to prevent and respond to sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.

Please be aware of fraudulent job offers. IFAD does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Official communication from IFAD will always come from e-mails ending in @ifad.org.

In accordance with IFAD's provisions, all new staff members will normally be placed at the first step in the grade level for which they have been selected. For information on IFAD's remuneration package, please visit IFAD's compensation and benefits page on our website. Applicants are invited to use the ICSC compensation calculator to estimate the salary and benefit entitlements.

Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as participate in interviews.

In the interest of making most cost-effective use of funds and resources, we are only able to respond to applicants who are short-listed for interview. Candidates who do not receive any feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful.

How cinfo Can Support You in the Application Process for This Position

- Application and Interview Preparation: Whether you're preparing your application documents or getting ready for an interview, you can book a Job Application Support session to receive tailored guidance.
- For Swiss nationals invited to the first round of the selection process (e.g., written test, interview, assessment center): Notify us at (email hidden), and we will inform our HR partners in the respective organization and the Swiss Government to help increase your visibility.

"Important Application Information:
Please submit your application only via the official website of the hiring organization or by using the "Apply" button on CinfoPoste, which will redirect you to the organization's application site. Applications submitted through other job portals will not be forwarded to the respective organization and will not be considered. To ensure your application reaches the right destination, always follow the official application process as indicated in the job posting."

Settore: Servizi sociali/No Profit

Ruolo: Altro

Percentuale di occupazione: Full-time

Tipo di occupazione: