Program Finance Business Partner

CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow's problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. CIMMYT is a core CGIAR Research Center, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources. For more information, visit cimmyt.org.

The Program Finance Business Partner provides dedicated financial management and business partnering support to assigned Programs, ensuring effective budget management, financial monitoring, donor compliance, and operational financial support throughout the project lifecycle.

The role works closely with Program Directors (PDs), Principal Investigators (PIs), and program teams to support sound financial management while enabling programs to focus on delivery and implementation priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as finance focal point for assigned Program(s), providing guidance and support on financial matters.
• Support program leadership through financial analysis, forecasting, budget monitoring, and variance reviews.
• Participate in regular financial review meetings with program stakeholders.
• Identify and escalated emerging financial, compliance, or operational risks.
• Support implementation of standardized reporting and financial management practices.
• Support development and review of donor proposal budgets and costings.
• Ensure proposal budgets align with institutional costing methodologies and donor requirements.
• Coordinate with pooled Analysts/Accountants on budget preparation activities.
• Support award setup and budget validation activities.
• Review budget revisions and monitor alignment with donor agreements.
• Monitor expenditures, commitments, and forecasts against approved budgets.
• Conduct variance analysis and support corrective action discussions.
• Support monitoring of staffing plans, implementation trends, and budget utilization.
• Review donor financial reports and supporting analyses prepared by pooled Analysts/Accountants.
• Ensure donor reporting timelines and requirements are met.
• Support audits, compliance reviews, and documentation requests.
• Support financial closeout activities, reconciliations, and final reporting.
• Assist with resolution of outstanding balances and financial issues.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, procedures, donor regulations, and Delegation of Authority (DoA) requirements.
• Utilize standardized tools, dashboards, templates, and reporting processes.
• Contribute to process improvements and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Coordinate with pooled Analysts/Accountants and program finance Operations to ensure timely service delivery.
• Collaborate with regional/country finance teams and institutional Finance functions.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and continuous improvement activities.

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or related field.
• Professional accounting qualification or active progression toward certification is desirable.
• 5-7 years of experience in budgeting, donor-funded projects, financial reporting, or financial analysis.
• Experience supporting project/grant financial management.
• Experience with ERP systems and financial reporting tools.

• Advance English Level (C1)

CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package and support for continuous professional development. In addition to the provisions of the Mexican Labor Law our package of benefits includes year-end bonus (40 days), vacation premium (56%), life and medical insurance, supermarket coupons, savings fund, social Mexican benefits (IMSS, SAR / Infonavit).

Foreign national candidates must have legal documents to work in Mexico.

This position will remain open until filled.

CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity.