Consortium Financial Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting:
· Lead the development, consolidation, and maintenance of annual, multi-year, and phase-specific consortium budgets and financial plans.
· Develop and maintain consortium-wide expenditure forecasts, spending pipelines, and cash flow projections for ICARDA and partner institutions.
· Monitor budget execution and conduct regular budget-versus-actual expenditure analyses, identifying variances, implementation bottlenecks, and opportunities for corrective action.
· Coordinate with technical teams and consortium partners to align budgets with approved workplans, milestones, procurement plans, and implementation schedules.
· Support the development and financial review of annual workplans, budget revisions, and funding allocation decisions.
· Provide financial scenario analysis and projections to support strategic planning and decision-making by ICARDA leadership.
· Mentor, coach and train spending units in proper budget planning and utilization of funds.
Financial Oversight and Performance Monitoring:
· Serve as the focal point for consortium-wide financial performance monitoring and expenditure tracking.
· Maintain oversight of project expenditures, fund utilization, burn rates, commitments, and financial obligations across ICARDA and partner institutions.
· Review financial transactions, commitments, and expenditures to ensure alignment with approved budgets, donor requirements, and ICARDA’s Policies and Procedures.
· Develop and maintain financial management dashboards and key performance indicators to support program oversight and management decision-making.
· Prepare periodic financial performance summaries, risk analyses, and expenditure forecasts for consortium leadership, governance bodies, and donors.
· Advise the Consortium Program Manager and ICARDA’s Management on budget utilization, financial risks, and resource allocation decisions.
Partner Financial Management and Coordination:
· Coordinate financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and expenditure monitoring across all consortium partners.
· Review partner budgets, financial reports, invoices, forecasts, and expenditure submissions for completeness, accuracy, and compliance.
· In collaboration with the Finance, Partnerships and Legal teams, lead the financial review and processing of partner agreements, amendments, budget modifications, and funding reallocations.
· Support the integration of new activities, workstreams, and project phases into partner budgets, agreements, and implementation plans.
· Maintain consolidated records of partner budgets, expenditures, commitments, invoices, disbursements, and available balances.
· Liaise regularly with the implementation partners finance and project management teams to strengthen financial planning, internal control, and implementation performance.
Donor Compliance and Financial Reporting:
· Ensure financial management practices comply with the requirements of the International Affairs Office (IAO) of the UAE Presidential Court, the Gates Foundation, and ICARDA Policies and Procedures.
· Coordinate the preparation and submission of donor financial reports and supporting documentation.
· In close collaboration and consultation with the Finance Department, maintain and disseminate donor financial management and compliance guidance across consortium partners.
· Monitor compliance with donor agreements, approved budgets, funding conditions, and financial reporting requirements.
· Support the preparation of financial information required for donor reviews, meetings, and governance processes.
Internal Controls, Risk Management and Audit Support:
· Maintain effective financial control and risk management systems across consortium operations.
· Support the implementation of internal control procedures related to budgeting, expenditures, procurement, sub-awards, and financial reporting.
· Conduct periodic financial reviews and compliance assessments of partner institutions.
· Support internal and external project audits and ensure timely follow-up and resolution of audit findings and management recommendations.
· Identify emerging financial, compliance, and operational risks and escalate them accordingly to obtain guidance and recommend mitigation measures.
Systems, Process Improvement and Capacity Development:
· Work closely with ICARDA’s Finance, Grants Management, and Project Management functions to optimize financial systems, workflows, and reporting processes.
· Recommend and support the implementation of process improvements and digital solutions that may enhance financial transparency, forecasting, efficiency, and accountability.
· Provide training and guidance to ICARDA staff and consortium partners on budgeting, financial management, donor compliance, forecasting, and reporting requirements.
· Serve as the primary focal point for consortium-related financial management and compliance queries.
· Promote consistent financial management practices and strengthen partner capacity in financial planning, reporting, and compliance.