Controller

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), an international non-profit, research organization with over 400+ 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 maintaining the financial management information system and overall risk management.
• Budgets and Contracts Activities: Responsible for development 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’s 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 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 project management purposes; provides Unit Directors and Department Heads 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

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field, plus eighteen years of relevant professional experience or a master’s degree in the disciplines listed above, plus fifteen years of relevant professional experience.
• At least 8 years of experience at a management and supervisory level preferably in a non‑profit, research, international, university or government contracting environment.
• Senior level experience with grants and contracts administration.
• Demonstrated experience with 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

• A professional certification, such as a CPA
• Experience in Deltek-Costpoint and Cognos software highly desirable
• Experience with large audit firms

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Employee may sit at a computer screen for long periods.
• Employee may lift up to 10 pounds in the course of normal duties.
• Employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform such activities as reading data, performing calculations, and preparing written documents.

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is an equal employment opportunity employer - F/M/Disability/Vet/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.