Head of Accounting and Administration

The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) is an UN-affiliated international financial institution with 101 Member States, mandated to reduce poverty by transforming commodity-dependent economies. Operating as an impact investment fund, the CFC finances smallholder farmers, SMEs, and value-chain actors across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, helping raise incomes, strengthen resilience, and reduce vulnerability to climate and market shocks. Since 1989, the CFC has mobilized over USD 1 billion in investments, serving as a bridge between developing and developed economies.

Headquartered in Amsterdam, the CFC is advancing a new generation of initiatives, including the USD 100 million Agricultural Commodity Transformation (ACT) Fund, which places SMEs at the centre of scalable, climate-smart agricultural transformation.

The Head of Accounting and Administration is responsible for the overall financial and administrative management of the CFC. The role oversees strategic financial resource management, multi-currency accounting operations, preparation of the consolidated administrative budget, monthly financial reports, and annual financial statements in compliance with IFRS. It also ensures effective administration of internal policies, staffing and contractual processes, and institutional support functions.

In addition, the position supports the financial and administrative oversight of externally funded programmes, including in the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) region, projects financed by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and the management of Technical Assistance Facilities, ensuring appropriate budgeting, financial controls, reporting, and compliance with donor requirements. The role includes supervision of the Accounting and Administration team and provides close support to governance, oversight, audit, and donor assurance processes.

Candidates should possess a minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in an international financial institution, intergovernmental organization, or comparable environment. Experience with in the UN system or with NGOs is an asset. The role requires strong analytical capability, sound judgment, and excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare high-quality documentation for governing bodies, auditors, donors, and external stakeholders.

This is a full-time position based in Amsterdam, with an initial two-year fixed-term appointment, renewable subject to performance and institutional needs, and normally offered at the ICSC P-3 level. Appointment at a higher grade may be considered for candidates with particularly strong qualifications and relevant experience, in accordance with applicable rules and procedures.

Duties, Responsibilities and Accountabilities

The Head of Accounting and Administration leads the strengthening of the CFC’s financial and administrative systems to ensure sound oversight, transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency in support of the CFC’s mandate as a Member State–driven organization.

Reporting to the Managing Director, responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Prepare annual financial statements and periodic reports in accordance with IFRS.
• Maintain IFRS-compliant financial management and internal controls to ensure clean audit outcomes and lead the external audit process.
• Oversee a multi-currency accounting system covering core resources, trust funds, and externally funded programmes.
• Liaise with external auditors and the External Administrator of the ACT Fund.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, including oversight of AML controls.
• Lead the preparation and monitoring of the Consolidated Administrative Budget for regular and external resources.
• Produce monthly management reports and financial analyses.
• Oversee payroll, staff-related financial entitlements, and Provident Fund accounting.
• Ensure accurate accounting and reporting of loans, grants, equity investments, and trust funds, and maintain custody of financial records.
• Provide required financial information to Member States, including share…