CIMMYT Director of Internal Audit

If you are looking for an opportunity to add value and impact to a major non-profit global research institute, this is a position worth exploring!

CIMMYT is seeking a candidate for Director of Internal Audit to develop its internal audit function. The position reports jointly to the Board of Trustees (Audit Committee) and CIMMYT Director General. The successful candidate will design and oversee internal audit in the organization globally. The position will be based at CIMMYT’s Main Campus located 45 km northeast of Mexico City, Mexico.

The Director will provide leadership in the improvement of the internal control environment, with focus on effectiveness and efficiency of business processes and operations, accuracy and reliability of financial and management information, and ensuring that accountability is strengthened in every facet of the organization’s operations.

Specific responsibilities of this position will include:

1. Develop a risk-based annual, medium-term and long term (three years) internal audit plan for the organization.

2. Lead and perform assigned internal audit tasks designed to provide assurance to management and the Board on the effectiveness and efficiency of business processes, internal controls and recommend improvements.

3. Evaluate organizational policies and procedures along with audit results for attributes including compliance with appropriate accounting guidelines (CGIAR, IFRS, and/or GAPP, as appropriate), compliance with regulatory provisions, global best practices and process improvements.

4. Evaluate and report on key operational and financial processes, as well as evaluate the design, efficiency and effectiveness of the processes.

5. Enhance risk assessment and management processes in the organization.

6. Prepare written reports to document the results of internal audits and communicate these results to process owners, organization management, the Director General and the Audit Committee.

7. Develop and execute plans for evaluating financial and management controls over operations.

8. Manage internal audit resources effectively and efficiently.

9. Collaborate with the CGIAR Internal Audit Unit as needed.

We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications:

1. Bachelor degree in accounting, advanced degree a plus.

2. Over 10 years of relevant internal or audit experience in a multinational Organization, or audit experience in an international Accounting firm.

3. Desirable CPA, CIA, CISA or other professional certificates.

4. Understanding of Sarbanes Oxley framework required.

5. Demonstrated skills in project management, data collection, analysis, and problem solving, decision-making, people management.

6. Must be proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.

7. Ability to work independently, maintain confidentiality, and present findings and recommendations utilizing excellent written and verbal communications skills, attention to detail.

8. Experience in IT systems auditing preferred.

9. Very good people and communications skills.

10. Fluent in English-Spanish is a plus.

11. Involves international travel (approximately 15 -20%)

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT® (www.cimmyt.org), is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries. The center works to sustainably increase the productivity of maize and wheat systems and thus ensure global food security and reduce poverty. The center's outputs and services include improved maize and wheat varieties and cropping systems, the conservation of maize and wheat genetic resources, and capacity building. CIMMYT belongs to and is funded by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) (www.cgiar.org) and also receives support from national governments, foundations, development banks, and other public and private agencies.

CIMMYT has had enormous impact in the developing world. It is the center of excellence for work on two of the three most important food crops in the developing world. Its most famous employee, Dr. Norman Borlaug, is credited by many with saving more lives than any other individual in the history of the world. Borlaug’s work dramatically increased yields of wheat in the Indo-Gangetic plains in the 1960s and 1970s, staving off starvation for hundreds of millions. For this work, Borlaug received the Nobel Prize in 1970. Scores of other CIMMYT efforts have saved or enriched millions of lives, from releasing disease-resistant varieties and varieties resistant to drought and heat and soil deficiencies, to dispersing techniques to reduce farmer costs and post-harvest losses. In developing countries, wheat varieties developed by CIMMYT and its partners cover 75% of the area planted to modern wheat varieties.

The position is for an initial term of three years, renewable based on performance and strategic needs. CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package paid in US dollars, with a range of benefits including housing allowance, life and health insurance, education allowance (to Grade 12), home leave, retirement fund, and relocation shipping assistance.

Closing Date: 15^th July 2012

Expressions of interest together with a full CV (Word document) and supporting statement, highlighting your experience and skills against the requirements of the role should be directed in confidence to

Ms Ursula Gallagher Director, SRI Executive Search, +353 1 6479206; ugallagher@sri-executive.com

CIMMYT is an equal-opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.