- Job Opportunity: Chief Financial and Risk Officer (CFRO)
- Job ID: FD/CF/RO/08/25
- Location: Ibadan, Oyo
- Employment Type: Contract (3 years, renewable)
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About IITA
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution dedicated to generating agricultural innovations to tackle Africa’s most pressing challenges—hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. As a member of CGIAR, we partner across sub-Saharan Africa to improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, create jobs, and preserve natural resources.
Position Overview
As part of IITA’s commitment to strengthening institutional performance and resilience, we are creating a new senior leadership position: Chief Financial and Risk Officer (CFRO).
The CFRO will:
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Report directly to the Director General and serve as a core member of the Senior Management Team (SMT).
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Provide oversight for Finance, Risk Management, Financial Systems, and Analytics.
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Lead efforts to ensure financial sustainability, transparency, and accountability in today’s evolving donor and governance landscape.
This pivotal role will ensure IITA’s financial strategy, systems, and controls align with organizational goals, donor expectations, and long-term sustainability.
Key Responsibilities
Finance & Revenue Maximization
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Provide operational and strategic leadership in financial management, planning, and reporting.
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Support the Board in governance and fiduciary responsibilities, including delivering financial statements and reports.
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Oversee budgets, income, expenditure, and cash flow management to support IITA’s global portfolio.
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Partner with program leaders to ensure financial data is accurate, timely, and actionable.
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Enhance revenue through full cost recovery, strategic funding, and optimized investments.
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Ensure compliance with donor, CGIAR, audit, and legal requirements.
Risk Management
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Develop and maintain an enterprise risk management framework.
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Identify, assess, and monitor financial, operational, and strategic risks.
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Provide the SMT and Board with insights, early warnings, and mitigation strategies.
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Drive implementation of corrective actions from audits, incident reviews, and donor feedback.
Systems, Controls & Automation
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Strengthen financial planning, accounting, and systems (e.g., ERP) to improve accuracy and internal controls.
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Integrate financial systems with institutional planning, analytics, and risk management.
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Champion automation to increase efficiency and audit readiness across IITA operations.
Analytics & Strategic Reporting
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Develop financial dashboards, KPIs, and scenario models to guide decision-making.
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Use trend analysis and predictive tools to inform institutional planning.
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Translate complex data into actionable insights for SMT, staff, and the Board.
People & Capability Development
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Lead and develop a high-performing finance team.
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Build staff capacity in financial systems, compliance, and strategy.
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Foster a culture of integrity, accountability, innovation, and responsiveness.
Requirements
Education
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Advanced degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or related field.
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Recognized professional accounting qualification (CPA, ACCA, CA).
Experience & Core Competencies
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Minimum 12 years’ senior financial leadership experience, preferably in international research, development, or donor-funded institutions.
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Strong understanding of international donor compliance (CGIAR, World Bank, Gates Foundation, etc.).
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Proven record in full cost recovery, financial systems implementation, and enterprise risk management.
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Experience in large, complex, multi-stakeholder organizations.
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Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
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Ability to balance hands-on execution with strategic leadership.
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High integrity, discretion, and sound judgment.
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Strong leadership with proven success in team motivation and development.
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Excellent written and oral communication skills for technical and governance-level audiences.
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Adaptability in dynamic, multicultural environments.
Work Conditions
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Contract: 3 years, renewable.
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Compensation: Internationally competitive package, paid in US Dollars.
Application Closing Date
25th September, 2025
