Career Center

Job Summary:

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), an international non-profit, research organization with over 500+ employees worldwide and an annual budget of USD 100+ million, seeks a Controller for its Finance and Administration Division. The Controller will be responsible for directing the financial and accounting activities of the Institute; and establishing fiscal policies and procedures.  The Controller, through Board appointment, serves as Treasurer to the Board of Trustees.

This is a two-year, full-time, exempt, renewable appointment based in IFPRI’s headquarters in Washington, DC and involves international travel, particularly to developing countries.

Essential Duties:

Specific tasks include but are not limited to:

• Financial Management: Develops and implements finance?related procedures and systems; monitors overall financial status of the Institute informs senior management of financial issues and operational risks; takes a proactive role in the development of the financial management information system and overall risk management.
• Budgets and Contracts Activities: Responsible for development and revision of the Institute's annual budget; monitors actual revenues and expenses against the approved budget; interacts with CGIAR on financial aspects of CGIAR-wide programs; ensures donor reporting and requirements are satisfied.
• Accounting Activities: Oversees payroll, and disbursement; develops, implements and monitors an effective system of internal control over Institute assets and financial activities; ensures timely and accurate financial reporting; and oversees preparation of all required corporate tax returns; work with in?country Finance and Administration Coordinators to develop financial reporting systems and sound financial practices; supervise the review and processing of field office financial reports.
• Cash and investment Management: Responsible for timely collection and disbursement of funds and day to day management of investments within the parameters of the IFPRI Board approved investment policy.
• Financial Reporting: Prepares periodic reports to the Director of Finance and Administration and Director General; prepares formal financial status reports to the Board of Trustees and CGIAR System Office; ensures the provision of timely information to project leaders for individual project management; provides Unit and Department Directors with information to assist them in financial management; responsible for disseminating financial information to government agencies, donors and other interested parties.
• Audit: Serves as the primary liaison with external auditors for annual audit; coordinates with independent auditors to ensure that the annual audit is conducted efficiently and statements are produced timely. Interact with internal audit unit on audit activities.
• Supervision: Overall responsibility for supervision of finance staff; ensure staff is adequately trained.
• Inter-Center Collaboration: Participate in initiatives among CGIAR Centers to harmonize finance and administrative activities.

Required Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field and professional certification, such as a CPA plus 18 years of relevant experience;
• At least eight years of experience at a management and supervisory level preferably in a nonprofit, research, international , university or government contracting environment;
• Senior level experience with grants and contracts administration;
• Demonstrated experience with a project based accounting in multiple cost center/allocation environment; advanced spreadsheet skills required;
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills;
• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally;
• Strong analytical, problem solving, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate/interact professionally with a multiculturally diverse group of employees/teams/colleagues, across all staff and management levels.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field
• Experience in Deltek-Costpoint and Cognos software highly desirable
• Experience with large audit firms

 Physical Demand & Work Environment:

• Employee will sit in an upright position for a long period of time.
• Employee will lift between 0-10 pounds.
• Employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing computer terminal; extensive reading.  

IFPRI provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition. The Institute conducts research, communicates results, optimizes partnerships, and builds capacity to ensure sustainable food production, promote healthy food systems, improve markets and trade, transform agriculture, build resilience, and strengthen institutions and governance. Gender is considered in all the Institute’s work. IFPRI collaborates with partners around the world, including development implementers, public institutions, the private sector, and farmers’ organizations. IFPRI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium.

IFPRI offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits. IFPRI is an international and equal opportunity organization and believes that diversity of its staff contributes to excellence.

IFPRI Washington D.C currently has a hybrid work environment that allows staff members a minimum of two days in-office work and three days remote work.