Finance Support Service

Job Posting Organization:
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, is a non-profit, international organization that focuses on addressing agricultural challenges through innovative solutions. Established to enhance the production systems of staple crops such as maize and wheat, CIMMYT operates primarily in the Global South, aiming to improve the livelihoods of resource-poor farmers. The organization is a core member of the CGIAR Research Center, which is a global partnership dedicated to ensuring security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and reducing poverty. CIMMYT's mission includes fostering partnerships that enhance agricultural productivity while ensuring sustainability and resilience within the agrifood systems. The organization is committed to research and development that aligns with planetary boundaries, making it a leader in agricultural science and innovation.

Job Overview:
The Finance Support Service position at CIMMYT is designed for a professional who is dynamic, self-motivated, and service-oriented, with a strong emphasis on finance and accounting. The role is situated within the Financial Planning Unit and focuses on various financial functions, including budget management, expense analysis, and cost reallocation. The successful candidate will be responsible for participating in the institutional yearly budget process, creating templates for historical data and forecasts, and monitoring expenses to ensure adherence to budgetary constraints. This position requires a proactive approach to financial management, with the expectation of preparing accurate financial reports and providing insights through data analysis. The role also involves collaboration with various departments to gather necessary information for budget analysis and support the financial information and reporting manager in their activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Finance Support Service position include: participating in the institutional yearly budget process, creating institutional templates for historical information and forecasts, uploading budgets into the financial system (Microsoft Dynamics AX/365), monitoring monthly expenses against the budget, preparing and sending financial management reports, managing contracts related to the D365 project, conducting midyear budget revisions, supporting institutional master data management, managing large databases for financial analysis, contributing to the development of reporting formats and KPIs, preparing financial reports in compliance with international standards, supporting the integration of the Management Reporting Package, collaborating with various organizational areas for budget analysis, responding to ad hoc financial information requests, and performing other duties as directed by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, along with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in financial management, accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and expense analysis. Knowledge of financial systems, ERP software, and proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel, is essential. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical skills, the ability to identify financial trends, and experience in preparing timely financial management information. Excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and a strong customer service orientation are also required. The ability to work independently and manage conflicting priorities is crucial for success in this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance. This foundational education is critical for understanding the complexities of financial management and accounting practices necessary for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of working experience in financial management, accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and expense analysis. This level of experience is necessary to ensure that the candidate can effectively manage the financial responsibilities associated with the role and contribute to the overall financial health of the organization.

Languages:
Proficiency in both English and Spanish is mandatory for this position. Candidates must possess strong written and oral communication skills in both languages, as well as presentation and negotiation abilities. This bilingual requirement is essential for effective collaboration within the diverse work environment at CIMMYT.

Additional Notes:
CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package that includes benefits beyond the provisions of Mexican Labor Law. These benefits encompass a year-end bonus equivalent to 40 days of salary, a vacation premium of 56%, life and medical insurance, supermarket coupons, a savings fund, and social benefits as per Mexican regulations (IMSS, SAR/Infonavit). The organization supports continuous professional development, making it an appealing workplace for individuals seeking growth in their careers.