Director, Finance

Requirements

• Country: Bangladesh
• Organization: International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research
• Closing date: 30 Nov 2026
• icddr,b is an international health research institute based in Bangladesh. Policymakers and practitioners utilise our evidence and expertise to improve health outcomes and prevent premature death and disability worldwide. In recognition of its scientific and humanitarian contributions, icddr,b has received numerous international and national awards, including
• Gates Award for Global Health (2001): For its pioneering contributions to global health, including the development of oral rehydration therapy.
• Independence Award (2005): For services rendered to the people of Bangladesh.
• Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize (2017): For innovative approaches to addressing health challenges in underserved communities
• Since its establishment in 1960, icddr,b’s research focus has expanded beyond cholera and diarrhoeal diseases to encompass a broad range of public-health challenges in Bangladesh and globally.
• Our research priorities are organised around nine public-health goals:
• Address health risks related to climate change;
• Address health risks related to gender and sexual and reproductive health and rights;
• Prevent and manage non-communicable diseases;
• Improve healthcare in urban populations and achieve universal health coverage;
• Prevent and control infectious diseases;
• Improve maternal and newborn health;
• Reduce maternal, adolescent and childhood malnutrition;
• Enhance laboratory services and support genomics research; and
• Improve hospital services and clinical research.
• The Opportunity
• We seek an accomplished, strategic and collaborative Director, Finance to provide leadership and oversight of icddr,b’s financial strategy, operations and governance.
• Reporting directly to the Deputy Executive Director, the Director, Finance will lead a multidisciplinary finance team and work closely with the Senior Leadership Team, Division Directors, Principal Investigators and donors to ensure sound financial stewardship and long-term organisational sustainability.
• The successful candidate will combine strong professional expertise with integrity, sound judgement and inclusive leadership. The position will ensure effective financial planning, transparent reporting, robust internal controls and adherence to sound financial governance and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Key Responsibilities
• Strategic Planning and Development
• Provide strategic leadership and overall direction for icddr,b’s Finance function, ensuring that financial strategy, resource allocation and financial management are aligned with icddr,b’s mission, research priorities and long-term institutional sustainability.
• Serve as a trusted financial adviser to the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, Senior Leadership Team, Finance & Audit Committee (FAC) and Board of Trustees (BOT), providing independent advice and constructive challenge on financial performance, sustainability, funding, investment, risk and major institutional decisions.
• Lead the development and implementation of icddr,b’s long-term financial strategy, multi-year financial plans, annual budgets, forecasts and scenario analyses, translating institutional and research priorities into sustainable financial plans and resource-allocation decisions.
• Provide financial leadership on major research initiatives, institutional programmes, partnerships and funding opportunities, assessing their financial implications, affordability, risks and long-term sustainability.
• Analyse funding patterns, expenditure trends and cost structures to inform strategic decisions and strengthen cost recovery.
• Anticipate changes in the research, donor funding and operating environment and advise leadership on their implications for icddr,b’s financial resilience, funding model, cost structure and future resource requirements.
• Financial Planning and Analysis
• Lead the preparation of annual budgets, mult