Financial Planning and Analysis Manager

ABOUT THE COMPANY

IITA is an award-winning, research-for-development (R4D) organization, providing solutions to hunger, poverty, and the degradation of natural resources in Africa. Since 1967, IITA has worked with international and national partners to we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity.
IITA is guided by an ambitious strategy–to lift 11.5 million people out of poverty and revitalize 7.5 million hectares of farmland–by 2020. As one of 15 research centers in the CGIAR, a global partnership for a food secure future, IITA is engaged in several CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs).
IITA has delivered more than 70% of the CGIAR’s impact in sub-Saharan Africa and remains committed to science-driven improvement of agriculture and related food value chains.
Our R4D programs are focused on four crucial areas: Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement, Natural Resource Management, Social Science and Agribusiness, Plant Production and Plant Health and Nutrition and Food Technology.
IITA’s R4D programs have attracted the best and brightest minds from all over the world. Thousands of scientists and professionals have been involved in IITA training and research programs and continue to benefit from the knowledge they have in turn passed on to others.
To help address poverty and the high number of unemployed young men and women in, IITA has initiated a Youth Agripreneurs program to create jobs by making agriculture and agribusiness appealing to the youth. The program is integrated in the Business Incubation Platform (BIP), the technology delivery arm of IITA, which serves as a model to stimulate product development and to provide opportunities for market expansion.

JOB SUMMARY

RequirementsBachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field. An MBA will be an added advantage.A professional accounting qualification such as CPA (K), ACCA, CIMA, or an equivalent is required. The ideal candidate should have a minimum of six (6) years’ progressive experience in financial planning and analysis, management reporting, budgeting, forecasting, or business finance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Management Reporting & Business IntelligenceLead the preparation of timely, accurate, and insightful monthly management and financial reports, including clear analysis, commentary, and recommendations for decision-making.Design, implement, and continuously improve automated financial dashboards and business intelligence tools using platforms such as Power BI, Agresso, Tableau, and related systems.Develop financial models, trend analysis, forecasts, scenario analysis, and performance reports to support strategic and operational decisions.Establish and monitor key financial and operational performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the financial health and sustainability of the Institute.Conduct detailed variance and trend analysis, identifying risks, opportunities, and efficiency improvements.Enhance reporting processes, data visualization, and user experience to improve accessibility and interpretation of financial information by both finance and non-finance stakeholders.Support senior management and governance bodies through high-quality analytical reporting and presentations.Financial Planning, Budgeting & ForecastingLead the Institute’s annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning processes.Develop robust short-, medium-, and long-term financial forecasts to support strategic planning and resource allocation.Coordinate the preparation, consolidation, review, and analysis of departmental and project budgets to ensure completeness, accuracy, consistency, and alignment with institutional priorities.Provide analytical review and challenge of budget assumptions, funding proposals, and expenditure plans, highlighting gaps, risks, and funding implications.Develop and enhance automated budgeting templates, tools, and workflows within ERP and planning systems to improve efficiency and accuracy.Drive continuous improvement and automation of budgeting and forecasting processes through Agresso and related digital platforms.Support budget holders through training, guidance, and financial business partnering to strengthen financial planning and accountability.Full Cost Recovery (FCR) & CostingLead the implementation and continuous improvement of the Institute’s Full Cost Recovery (FCR) framework.Develop accurate costing methodologies, including service costing, cost pooling, allocation drivers, and recovery mechanisms.Ensure institutional costs are appropriately allocated and recovered across projects, grants, and service units.Review cost structures and recovery models to ensure financial sustainability and equitable allocation of indirect costs.Conduct cost-benefit and financial viability analysis for investment proposals, operational initiatives, and strategic projects.Develop and maintain automated costing tools and models, incorporating key assumptions such as inflation, exchange rates, and operational trends.Maintain and regularly update institutional service catalogues, pricing structures, cost bases, and recovery rates.Systems, Process Improvement & Capacity BuildingDrive process improvement, reporting automation, ERP enhancements, and financial systems optimization.Strengthen financial data governance, integrity, and reporting standards across the Institute.Develop institutional capacity in financial planning, reporting, analytics, and business intelligence through coaching and knowledge sharing.Build strong collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders to enhance financial awareness and decision support.Ensure proper documentation, archiving, and maintenance of records related to financial planning, reporting, and costing activities.Undertake special projects and other assignments as required by management.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Financial reporting, Compliance, Budgeting, financial planning, Accounting

REQUIRED EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree