(RFP500596) Manager, Regional Operations and Finance Europe

(RFP500596) Manager, Regional Operations and Finance Europe (Rome, Italy)

The Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.

The Alliance works with local, national and multinational partners across Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and Africa, and with the public and private sectors. The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services.

About the position

Based in Rome, Italy, the Manager, Regional Operations and Finance (ROF) – Europe leads the delivery of finance and operations services in Italy, France, and Belgium. Reporting to the Global Director of Business Operations and Finance, the role ensures effective service provision in procurement, travel, hosting arrangements, protocol, facilities, and general administration. The manager is responsible for aligning regional operations with institutional standards, ensuring compliance with local regulations, and supporting hosted entities. The position contributes to the continuous improvement of processes and systems to deliver cost-effective, compliant, and high-quality support services across the Europe region.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the delivery of operations and finance services across Alliance offices in Italy, France, and Belgium, ensuring compliance with policies, local regulations, and service standards.
• Oversee procurement, travel, hosting, protocol, facilities, and general administration, driving efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with institutional procedures.
• Manage staff performance, planning, and development within the unit, fostering a positive work environment and ensuring adequate resources to meet operational goals.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance service quality, support hosted entities, and ensure consistent delivery across multiple sites.
• Coordinate with global finance and operations teams to ensure alignment of regional services with institutional policies and standards.
• Serve as focal point for internal clients and hosted entities in Europe, ensuring timely resolution of operational and administrative matters.
• Liaise with external stakeholders, including service providers, partner institutions, and local authorities, to ensure smooth and compliant service delivery.
• Collaborate with research and support units to understand operational needs and adapt service delivery accordingly.
• Promote cross-functional coordination and knowledge sharing to support consistency and integration across country offices.
• Ensure timely and consistent delivery of operations and finance services across Italy, France, and Belgium in line with institutional standards and local requirements.
• Monitor service performance, establish quality metrics, and implement corrective actions to address gaps and improve client satisfaction.
• Oversee the planning and execution of procurement processes, facility operations, travel systems, and administrative support.
• Guarantee operational readiness and contract compliance for hosting agreements, supporting accurate cost allocation and service provision.
• Lead the development and execution of annual work plans and budgets for the unit, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.

Requirements

Required qualifications and experience

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, or a related field relevant to operations and financial management.
• Professional-level proficiency in English (spoken and written) is required.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in operations and financial management, preferably within international or multi-country organizations.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing procurement, travel, facility management, and administrative services in complex institutional settings.
• Proven experience leading and developing multicultural teams and coordinating service delivery across multiple locations.
• Familiarity with hosting arrangements and managing operational partnerships with external entities and service providers.
• Strong record of integrity, compliance, and effective operational execution under institutional policies and external regulations.
• Solid understanding of business operations in