Description

THE ROLE: We are seeking a highly adaptable and experienced Finance Business Partner. In this role, you will oversee the accounting and financial performance of an assigned portfolio of projects. You will also support the Swiss Centre as a visible and proactive finance representative— providing financial insight, offering practical solutions, and connecting colleagues to expertise from the wider finance function when needed.

WHAT YOU’LL DO: CABI, in conjunction with our international donors and partners, implements and manages a wide range of initiatives around the world, from research programs to rural development activities. The successful candidate will join the Projects finance function, providing strong financial oversight across these donor-funded projects.You will manage day-to-day project accounting, maintain accurate financial records, and ensure timely donor reporting. You will lead budgeting, forecasting, and scenario modelling in collaboration with project managers and technical teams. The role ensures full compliance with IFRS/GAAP, donor rules, and internal financial controls. You will analyse financial performance, identify risks, and provide clear, actionable insights to support decision-making.

Key accountabilities
Accounting
• Manage day-to-day project analysis
• Provide invoices to the donors on time
• Maintain project codes, contract values, and the Project Ledger
• Book and monitor expenditures for correct allocation to project activities
• Ensure compliance with IFRS/GAAP, donor rules, and internal policies
• Support internal, external, and donor audits
Reporting
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual project financial reports to internal stakeholders and donors
• Produce donor-specific reports (expenditure, financial statements, pipeline, variances)
• Develop consolidated dashboards across multi-country programs
• Analyse budget vs actuals and financial risks
• Track deliverables, milestones, and cost-efficiency metrics
• Highlight risks and recommend corrective actions
Planning & Budgeting
• Develop project forecasts, as well as multi-year project budgets, in collaboration with key stakeholders
• Support annual and multi-year project budgeting
• Prepare detailed activity-, workstream-, and project-level budgets
• Collaborate with project managers and technical teams to validate assumptions
• Ensure alignment with donor guidelines and corporate policies
• Build financial models for planning, cost-benefit analysis, and scenario modelling Decision Support
• Translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights
• Serve as the embedded finance business partner
• Strengthen financial literacy through tools, training, and decision frameworks
• Quantify financial impacts of scope changes, donor amendments, or delays
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, improved absorption, and efficiency gains • Act as the lead Finance partner to the Centre Leadership, driving financial insight, strategic planning, and performance management

ABOUT YOU:
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Required
• Demonstrable project accounting skills
• Competent user of fully integrated ledger systems and strong Excel skills (intermediate to advanced level)
• Sound commercial experience across the key finance areas of payables, receivables, budgeting, reporting
• Excellent analytical and reconciliation skills
• Communication with non-financial colleagues at both a senior and junior level
• Developing and enhancing relevant management information
Personal Characteristics
Required
• Highly motivated, organized and adaptable, with strong inter-personal and communication skills. Proactive and enthusiastic in communicating with and supporting colleagues
• Comfortable working both independently or as a collaborative team player
• Able to work under pressure and deliver high quality products to tight deadlines, with flexibility. Including occasional out-of-hours working
• Trustworthy and capable of dealing with sensitive information in a discreet and confidential manner
• Managing and prioritising a high workload with a flexible approach to changing environments.
• Swiss national or holder of a B or C residency permit.
Desirable
• Strong experience using enterprise collaboration, workflow, and CRM platforms to enhance financial operations, strengthen document control processes, and support relationship management with internal and external stakeholders
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and analytics tools - including Excel, Power BI, Word, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint - with proven capability in financial modelling, dashboard creation, data analysis, scenario planning, and process automation
• Extensive hands-on experience with leading Accounting System and project accounting systems, supporting accurate budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, compliance, and effective end-to-end financial management across multiple projects and business units
• Creative and innovative in generating new ideas and undertaking research
• Ability to work and interface at a senior level both internally and externally

Education & Qualifications
• Accounting Degree (I.E brevet fédéral de spécialiste en finance et comptabilité)
• Fluency in English and French, both written and spoken essential; knowledge of German is an advantage.

WHAT WE OFFER:
We aim to recruit and retain passionate people who have the necessary skills, knowledge and commitment to help us achieve our mission. Our benefits are designed to make our lives easier, improve our work-life balance, save money and safeguard our well-being. They include:
• Competitive salary
• Defined contribution pension scheme covering Pillar 1 and Pillar 2, with three pension options for the Pillar 2
• 26 standard days of annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days of standard annual leave at 10 years service
• An Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, with a full calendar of health and well-being initiatives
• Income protection plans, life assurance and long service awards
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies
• Career development opportunities including internal promotions, mentoring and Development Bursary to visit another CABI centre.
• A culture committed to being a fully inclusive, enjoyable and fulfilling place to work
• Long Service Awards
• Employee Recognition Scheme
• Personal Accident and Business Travel Insurance