Finance Manager - India (N-25-21)

International Potato Center POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Ref: N-25-21 FM/India/NRS

Finance Manager

India

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a Finance Manager to provide strategic leadership and oversight of financial operations across our South Asia country offices, including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.

About CIP: CIP is part of the CGIAR global research partnership committed to transforming food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. CIP’s mission is to develop and share science-based innovations in potato, sweetpotato, and other root and tuber crops. CIP partners with organizations in over 20 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to strengthen agri-food systems and provide economic, social, and nutritional benefits, especially for women and youth. We integrate social and biophysical sciences to address complex

challenges in food and agriculture. For more information, please visit https://cipotato.org/about/. About the position:

The Finance Manager, India & Bangladesh will be responsible for overseeing the financial operations and compliance of the International Potato Center’s (CIP) offices in India and Bangladesh. This role will ensure accurate, timely, and efficient financial management, reporting, and analysis in alignment with organizational and donor requirements. The selected candidate will report directly to the Director of Operations and will work closely with country leadership, project teams, and regional finance staff to supportstrategic decision-makingandfinanceexcellence.ThepositionwillbebasedattheCIPoffice,either in New Delhi or Agra.

Key responsibilities:

Strategic Financial Oversight and Reporting

• Oversee andensure robust financialplanning, budgeting, andforecasting across country offices inSouthAsia (India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan).

• Coordinate the annual budget preparation and quarterly forecasting processes, ensuring alignment with organizational and donor expectations.

• Oversee monthly financial closings and ensure data integrity in the general ledger and financial systems. • Provide timely, accurate financial reports to CIP leadership, country teams, and donors to support strategic and operational decision-making.

• Ensure financial strategies align with CIP’s institutional objectives, compliance standards, and donor requirements.

Financial Operations and Compliance

• Leadfinancialoperations across the region, includingcashflow management, treasury oversight, andcontrol of working capital in coordination with HQ.

• Ensure compliance with IFRS, CIP, CGIAR, and country-specific policies and legal frameworks. • Guide project lifecycle financial processes, including startup, implementation, and close-out. • Lead and prepare statutory filings and ensure accurate and timely reporting for tax purposes, including VAT/GST, withholding tax, and any relevant local obligations. • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of country-specific tax laws and liaise with external advisors and authorities

as needed.

• Provide ongoing support to the development, updating, and monitoring of the risk register, including

mitigation plans and accountability tracking for financial and operational risks.

• Strengthen internal controls, segregation of duties, and compliance protocols across all offices to ensure

accountability and minimize institutional risk.

Audit and Compliance

• Lead statutory, internal, and donor audits for all country offices in South Asia, including preparation,

coordination, and follow-up on audit findings.

• Ensure strong internal controls are implemented and maintained to mitigate financial risks.

• Guarantee compliance with CIP, CGIAR, and country-specific financial policies, procedures, and regulatory

requirements.

• Ensure proper project startup and closeout procedures, particularly on financial aspects including

reconciliation of accounts and final reporting.

• Maintain strong internal controls to mitigate financial risks.

Partner Financial Monitoring

• Collaborate withthe Project Finance Team to review and monitor partner and subrecipient financial reports,

ensuring compliance and timely disbursements.

• Ensure subrecipient audit reports are obtained, reviewed, and follow-up actions are taken as needed.

• Provide technical guidance and financial capacity-building support to implementing partners and

stakeholders.

People Management

• Supervise and mentor finance staff across South Asia offices, providing coaching, performance

management, and professional development support.

• Lead talent development initiatives, including recruitment, training, and performance planning in

line with CIP’s Talent Management System.

What are we looking for?

• Master’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field; a professional

qualification (CA, CPA, ACCA, etc.) is strongly preferred.

• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, preferably in

an international NGO or development organization.

• Demonstrated knowledge of local financial regulations in India and other countries in Asia, as well

as international accounting and donor reporting standards.

• Experience managing audits and working with external auditors.

• Proven ability to manage budgets, financial analysis, and reporting in a multi-project, multi-

country environment.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate financial information to non-finance

stakeholders effectively.

• Fluency in English required; working knowledge of Hindi and/or Bengali is an asset.

• Proficiency in financial management systems (e.g., ERP, SAP, Oracle) and Microsoft Excel.Specific Competencies:

• Strategic financial acumen with exceptional analytical thinking and precision, enabling sound

decision-making in dynamic, multi-project environments.

• Advanced planning and organizational expertise, with a proven ability to manage complex

workflows, meet tight deadlines, and drive operational excellence across geographically dispersed

teams.

• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, fostering trust-based collaboration

across country offices, headquarters, and diverse stakeholder groups.

• Inclusive leadership and talent development orientation, with a commitment to mentoring,

building capacity, and advancing institutional financial management standards.

• High adaptability and resilience, with demonstrated success in navigating organizational

transitions, funding volatility, and complex regulatory environments.

• Integrity-driven, team-oriented mindset, upholding transparency, accountability, and a culture of

continuous improvement and shared success.

Why should you consider this opportunity?

• CIP is a global and reputable international organization that has a strong, state-of-the-art R&D

background.

• CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improving nutrition and well-being, and gender equity

for poor people in roots, tubers farming and food systems in the developing world.

• CIPis amemberoftheCGIAR,aglobalpartnershipthatunites internationalorganizations engaged

in research about food security. CGIAR research aims to reduce rural poverty, increase food

security,improvehuman healthand nutrition, andsustainable management ofnaturalresources.

What are we offering?

• 1-year contract with the possibility of renewal based on performance.

• Compensation package commensurate with experience.

• Excellent working environment.

• Work in an equal and diverse workplace.

How to apply?

Pleasevisitthefollowing link: http://cipotato.org/open-vacancies/to submit yourcoverletterand afullC.V.

along with your references (preferable recent supervisors). Internal candidates are welcome and

encouraged to apply for this job opportunity. Nevertheless, we highly encourage all interested candidates

to participate in this exciting and competitive process. The deadline for the receipt of applications is July 7,

2025.

This position WILL NOT have contact with children or vulnerable adults.

We look forward to receiving applications from individuals with disabilities who are willing to contribute

their talents and skills to our team. If you require specific accommodations for the selection process due

to a disability, please do not hesitate to inform us.

Learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cipotato.org

CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals from developing countries are

particularly encouraged to apply.