Head - Finance

International Rice Research Institute; Laguna; On-site; PHP 4,000,000 - 6,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Retirement plan

Life and accident insurance

Other allowances

Job summary

IRRI in Los Baños, Philippines invites applications for Head of Finance to lead global financial strategy, align with senior leadership, and integrate accounting, audit, treasury, and investments across programs.

The role oversees planning, risk management, donor engagements, and reporting, guiding governance bodies and partners while driving continuous improvement in financial systems. This international position opens to global applicants and offers broad exposure to CGIAR networks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance required.
• CPA certification preferred for senior finance roles.
• MBA or related masters is an advantage for strategic finance leadership.

Responsibilities

• Set and lead finance direction to support organizational vision and growth.
• Shape financial policy to strengthen governance and compliance.
• Lead global planning and resource allocation across programs.
• Oversee risk management and ensure donor compliance and reporting.
• Manage the global finance team across multiple locations and cultures.

Skills

Financial leadership

Strategic planning

Donor liaison

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA certification preferred

MBA preferred

Tools

ERP systems experience

Donor reporting tools

Job description

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. IRRI is an independent, nonprofit, research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations with support from the Philippine government. The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa, and over 1,000 staff.

Working with in-country partners, IRRI develops advanced rice varieties that yield more grain and better withstand pests and disease as well as flooding, drought, and other harmful effects of climate change.

Job Purpose

Under the direction of the CFAO, the Head of Finance is responsible for setting and leading the organization’s finance management strategy, aligning financial direction with senior leadership priorities, and integrating key functions such as accounting, audit, treasury, and investment to support research and operations. The role involves overseeing global planning, risk management, and financial innovation, while advising governance bodies and representing the organization in strategic partnerships and donor engagements. Head of Finance ensures timely and quality service delivery by establishing advanced financial standards, monitoring compliance, and driving continuous improvement across financial systems and processes.

This position will be based at the IRRI Headquarters, Los Baños, Philippines and is open for international applications.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Set and lead finance management direction to support organizational vision and growth, aligning direction with senior leadership priorities
• Shape financial policy to strengthen governance and compliance and champion innovation in financial systems and practices
• Identify and address global financial opportunities and challenges and design the structure of the function, accordingly, ensuring the financial health of the organization and compliance with financial regulations
• Unify key financial functional areas to deliver integrated financial management solutions and fiscal resources that effectively support the organization’s research and operational programs
• Lead enterprise-wide financial planning and resource allocation, assuring alignment with organizational strategy and drive continuous improvement in financial operations
• Oversee financial risk management to safeguard long-term sustainability, resolve systemic financial challenges to maintain stability and lead readiness for global audits, reviews, and evaluations
• Deliver organization financial reports that guide strategic decisions
• Manage the global finance team function, integrating initiatives across specialized financial areas, conducting performance evaluations, and identifying development opportunities to cultivate an inclusive and productive work environment
• Partner with CFAO to drive digital transformation
• Represent the organization’s financial practices in engagement with leadership and major donors
• Advise board and governance bodies on financial matters and engage with donors, regulators, and partners to build trust and transparency
• Represent finance in global forums and strategic alliances
• Set and monitor strategies that integrate project/program cycles, budgeting processes and audit schedules with corporate planning and donor compliance requirements, ensuring seamless execution and alignment with organizational goals
• Establish advanced standards and metrics that push the boundaries of the organization in the field of finance management, audit, and reporting, showcasing the organization’s financial integrity and accountability
• Ensure compliance with global standards and donor frameworks

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
• Member of a recognized professional accounting certification, e.g. CPA is preferred
• Master’s degree in Finance, Business Administration (MBA), or a related field is preferred

Skills Required

Mandatory

• Substantive experience in Finance leadership, defining the financial direction of an organization, structuring fiscal resources for operational sustainability
• Experience driving innovative finance strategies and change
• Substantive experience leading diverse Finance Teams across multiple locations and culture, creating a collaborative work environment
• Substantive experience strategically advising senior leadership, liaising with major donors and representing the organization

Preferred

• Experience in global finance management, preferably for an international development or research organization
• Experience with donor funded programs is an advantage
• Experience within CGIAR or a CGIAR Center
• Experience with ERP systems implementation
• Experience working on large scale proposals

IRRI offers a highly extensive employee benefits package inclusive of globally-covered medical insurance, retirement plan, life and accident insurance and other allowances.

Join our team and be part of our story!

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

This position will remain open until filled.