Finance Manager
The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture(ICBA) is an international, non-profit agricultural research center established in 1999 through the visionary leadership of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), and the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). ICBA is a unique applied agricultural research center in the world that is focused on biosaline and arid environment where an estimated 1.7 billion people live. It identifies, tests and introduces resource-efficient, climate-smart crops and technologies that are best suited to different regions affected by salinity, water scarcity and drought. Through its work, ICBA helps to improve food security and livelihoods for some of the poorest rural communities around the world. ICBA is an equal opportunity employer and appoints qualified staff regardless of race, creed, color, age, gender, religion or national origin. We demonstrate our commitment to each member of our team through a competitive benefits package designed to assist our employees to cover their needs and the needs of their immediate family members.
The Finance Manager leads the day-to-day financial management and technical finance function of ICBA under the overall direction of the Head of Corporate Services. The role ensures that financial operations comply with ICBA policies, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), donor requirements, and applicable UAE laws and regulations; safeguards the integrity of financial records and internal controls; and provides timely financial information, analysis, and advice to support the Center’s research programs, management decisions, and strategic objectives.
FINANCIAL STRATEGY AND LEADERSHIP
Lead the development and implementation of the Center’s financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial management processes, in alignment with institutional priorities and under the overall direction of the Head of Corporate Services.
Provide technical financial advice, analysis, and recommendations to the Head of Corporate Services and, as required, to senior management to support institutional planning and decision-making.
Develop, implement, and continuously improve financial policies, procedures, and systems in line with good international practice.
Ensure financial transactions, commitments, and approvals comply with ICBA’s delegation of authority, segregation-of-duties requirements, and financial policies.
Prepare timely financial reports, analysis, and presentation materials for the Head of Corporate Services, Management Committee, Board of Directors, and its Finance and Administration Committee, as required.
Support institutional financial sustainability through sound financial planning, reserve management, cost recovery, and financial analysis.
Promote innovation and continuous improvement in financial management, systems, and resource use.
Assess and advise on the financial implications of strategic initiatives, partnerships, investments, proposals, and organizational growth opportunities.
Support the development of institutional strategies by providing financial insights and risk assessments.
Partner with senior management, project leaders, and business development teams to assess the financial viability, full-cost recovery, and long-term sustainability of major funding opportunities and partnerships.
ACCOUNTING, REPORTING, AND TREASURY
Oversee general accounting, project accounting, and the integrity of the general ledger maintained in the ERP, including journal entries, reconciliations, and period-end closing.
Prepare the annual financial statements in accordance with IFRS.
Ensure timely completion of applicable statutory, tax, and regulatory filings in the UAE and other jurisdictions in which ICBA has reporting obligations, including VAT and other required returns.
Manage banking relationships, cash flow, funds management, and foreign exchange exposure to ensure adequate liquidity.
Review disbursements and maintain sound financial control over expenditure, ensuring records are complete, accurate, and safeguarded.
Oversee donor and other receivables, invoicing, cash calls, and collection of funds, ensuring timely follow-up and minimizing outstanding receivables and cash-flow exposure.
Lead the continuous improvement and digitalization of finance processes, management dashboards, and ERP-based controls to improve efficiency, accuracy, and timely decision support.
BUDGETING, PLANNING, AND ANALYSIS
Manage the annual budgeting process, including guidelines, templates, consolidation, revisions, forecasts, and timely submission through the Head of Corporate Services to the Management Committee.
Work with budget holders and project leaders to prepare realistic budgets and monitor performance against them.
Provide management with financial analysis, forecasts, and scenario planning to guide resource allocation.
Maintain the cost recovery model and indirect cost rates applied across the project portfolio.
Ensure timely monthly and quarterly management accounts, budget-versus-actual analysis, forecasts, and financial dashboards, highlighting material variances, emerging risks, and recommended corrective actions.
GRANTS AND DONOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Oversee the financial management of restricted and unrestricted funds in line with donor agreements and Center policy.
Ensure compliance with the financial and reporting requirements of donors and funding partners.
Review donor financial reports and ensure accurate and timely submission.
Monitor grant budgets, expenditure, and cash positions across projects and advise on cost eligibility and allocation.
Support proposal development through budget preparation, costing, and review of financial terms.
Provide consolidated financial oversight of the project portfolio, identifying under-spending, over-spending, funding gaps, cost-recovery risks, and financial exposure, and recommend timely corrective action.
Coordinate donor financial close-out requirements, including final reporting, reconciliations, asset and balance clearance, and financial record retention in accordance with donor and ICBA requirements.
AUDIT, RISK AND INTERNAL CONTROL
Review and continuously strengthen the internal control environment and financial risk management.
Manage external, internal, and donor or project audits with the appointed auditors and ensure timely resolution of findings.
Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, reporting standards, and organizational policies.
Maintain and regularly review financial risks, including liquidity, foreign exchange, donor, fraud, compliance, project, and financial sustainability risks, and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
Promote fraud prevention and financial integrity and ensure suspected financial irregularities are appropriately identified, documented, and escalated in accordance with ICBA policies.
TEAM LEADERSHIP AND CAPACITY BUILDING
Lead, develop, and mentor the finance team and strengthen financial management capacity across the Center.
Establish clear performance expectations, succession and capacity-development priorities for the finance team, and ensure adequate cross-training and business continuity for critical finance processes.
Promote a culture of service, integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement within the function.
Provide financial guidance and oversight to ICBA regional and project offices, where applicable, to ensure consistency with ICBA policies and standards.
Essential:
- Internationally recognized professional accounting qualifications such as CPA, CA, ACCA, CMA, with demonstrated IFRS financial reporting experience.
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, commerce, or a related field.
- Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible finance experience, including at least 5 years in finance management or senior supervisory role.
- Demonstrated experience with ERP-based financial management systems, financial reporting tools, and process automation.
- Experience in an international organization, research-for-development institution, NGO, or similarly complex multi-donor environment, with demonstrated responsibility for institutional and project finance.
- Proven track record in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting within complex, multi-donor environments.
- Strong knowledge of donor compliance, restricted fund accounting, and grant management
- Demonstrated experience managing external, internal, and donor audits and ensuring timely resolution of audit findings.
- Strong experience in treasury, cash-flow management, financial analysis, cost recovery, and institutional financial planning.
- Experience managing and developing professional finance teams.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of Arabic
- Experience in international agricultural research, development organizations, or donor-funded research institutions.
- Experience providing financial guidance across regional or project offices in a multi-country environment.
- Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, commerce, or a related field.