Treasury, Risk & Compliance Manager

The Treasury, Risk & Compliance Manager at ICARDA plays a crucial role in ensuring that the organization operates effectively, efficiently, and in compliance with relevant regulations, policies, sanctions and standards, both internal and external.

Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Treasury, Risk & Compliance Manager is responsible for managing the organization's financial assets through optimizing treasury and cash management, risk and sanctions management, internal controls, and all key aspects of compliance to mitigate Center global risks. The incumbent also provides administrative support to the Risk Management Committee and Sanctions Management Committee.

The incumbent will collaborate daily with various teams, including Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Accounting, Grant Finance, Program Secretaries, Procurement, Information Technology Unit (ITU), Internal Audit Unit (IAU), and other colleagues within the organization and geographically spread across 14 countries as well as liaising with external auditors and project auditors as required. This role also involves close coordination with Partnership & Grants Unit (PGU) colleagues responsible for grant financial management.

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, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as 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 take into account 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.

All CGIAR Centers are currently engaged in a reform process (“One CGIAR”) that will help ICARDA and CGIAR achieve better impact through more strategically integrated research, unified governance, an integrated structure, and new research modalities across participating Research Centers. This transformation is supported by CGIAR donors who have committed to increased funding as a result of these reforms.

Main responsibilities

• Treasury Management:
• Assist the Director of Finance with the monitoring of appropriate treasury management policies and guidelines and ensure that these are implemented and followed in all ICARDA locations.

• Cash management and liquidity:

Managing the day-to-day liquidity of the Center and ensuring that appropriate levels of cash, including foreign currencies, are held as required. Provide tools, financial models, and advice to internal stakeholders on optimizing the use of cash within approved policies that emphasize preservation of capital in a cost-effective way.

Identifying FX risks arising from international operations and transactions, assessing currency impacts on income and expenses, and implementing hedging strategies to manage these risks effectively. Provide advice to the Director of Finance in developing and executing FX risk management policies, monitoring market trends, and executing FX transactions to optimize costs. Providing regular reporting on FX exposures and performance, collaborating with internal stakeholders to understand FX needs, and communicating strategies and insights to senior management.

• Investment Management:

In conjunction with the Director of Finance, manage ICARDA’s investment portfolio based on its investment policy, risk tolerance, and financial objectives. Conduct analysis of investment options and recommend appropriate investment strategies. Monitor investment performance and adjust portfolio allocations as needed.

• Relationship management with banks and financial institutions:

Serving as the focal point for all banking relations at the HQ and country level. Maintaining good relationships with banks and financial institutions and monitoring quality and cost of services. Serving as the administrator for ICARDA’s banking and corporate credit cards system. Ensuring “Know Your Customer” requirements and all other documentation are up to date and accurate.

Supporting the Risk Officer (who is currently the Director of Finance) in identifying, assessing, and managing risks that could impact the achievement of the organization's objectives, including financial, operational, and strategic risks.

• Compliance:

Working closely with ICARDA’s legal team, monitoring compliance of the organization’s treasury-related activities with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies, and recommending the implementation of measures to address any deficiencies or areas of non-compliance. Overseeing compliance with donor policies and requirements as set out in the grant contract agreement and monitoring the status of donor project audits.

• Internal Controls:

Recommending changes to the Director of Finance on ICARDA’s internal control systems to safeguard organizational assets, ensure the accuracy and reliability of financial reporting, and promote compliance with laws and regulations.

• Full Cost Recovery implementation:

Working closely with the Head of FP&A and the Grant Finance Manager to ensure the Board-approved full cost recovery policy is implemented and optimized. Overseeing approval of project proposal budgets to ensure full costs are recovered.

• Capacity Building:

Providing training and support to staff members on relevant oversight-related topics, including risk management, compliance, sanctions management, and internal controls to ensure that ICARDA remains agile in navigating global currency markets and enhancing financial resilience.

• Any other ad hoc tasks as requested by the Director of Finance.

Requirements

Education, qualifications, and experience

Essential qualifications and competencies

• Masters' university degree, or Bachelor’s degree in finance / Accounting / Commerce or a related field.
• Accreditation by a relevant professional association, such as CTP, CPA, CMA, etc.
• Experience in progressively responsible work in the same or related field for at least 5 years.
• Proficiency in relevant software packages (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint); and other functional software.
• Excellent command of the English language, both written and spoken; working knowledge of other languages is an added plus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated service orientation.
• Ability to work effectively in a highly dynamic multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
• Proactiveness, initiative, and good problem-solving skills.
• Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments and deadlines.
• Proven ability to identify which issues need to be escalated.