Financial Operations Officer - College of Engineering - Rwanda

Carnegie Mellon University Africa (CMU-Africa) is Carnegie Mellon University’s global location in Africa, based in Kigali, Rwanda. Through world-class graduate education, research, and strategic partnerships, CMU-Africa is advancing technology, innovation, and digital transformation across Africa.

As part of Carnegie Mellon University’s global community, CMU-Africa operates within a highly collaborative international environment that combines U.S. university financial practices with local regulatory and operational requirements. Financial operations are delivered through a partnership model between the CMU-Africa Finance team and Carnegie Mellon University’s International Finance team, requiring close coordination across institutions, systems, and functional areas.

The Finance team plays a critical role in supporting academic, research, administrative, and sponsored programs by ensuring sound financial stewardship, operational excellence, compliance, and exceptional customer service to the CMU-Africa Community.

The Opportunity

CMU-Africa is seeking a highly organized, service-oriented, and collaborative Finance Operations Officer to join its Finance team.

Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer and working closely with CMU-Africa’s Finance team in Rwanda, the International Finance teams on the main campus in Pittsburgh, and colleagues across the institution, the Finance Operations Officer supports the efficient execution of procurement, vendor management, financial operations, travel administration, and related finance activities.

Operating within CMU’s shared-services finance model, the role serves as a key liaison between CMU-Africa functional units and the International Finance team, helping ensure that financial transactions, procurement activities, and operational processes move efficiently through their full lifecycle. The position requires strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to build productive working relationships with stakeholders across multiple teams and locations.

The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting operational

excellence, maintaining strong financial controls, and delivering a high level of service to faculty, staff, students, vendors, and institutional partners.

The scope of responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• Coordinate procurement and purchasing activities, including purchase order creation, vendor quotations, payment requests, and procurement documentation in accordance with university policies and procedures.
• Review vendor invoices, payment requests, expense reports, and purchasing card transactions for completeness, accuracy, policy compliance, and appropriate supporting documentation.
• Support vendor onboarding and vendor relationship management activities, including maintaining vendor records, coordinating required documentation, and monitoring contract and service agreement renewal timelines.
• Coordinate travel advance requests and expense settlement processes, ensuring timely submission, review, reconciliation, and follow-up.
• Process financial transactions and supporting documentation within Oracle and other university systems, ensuring accuracy and compliance with established procedures.
• Maintain effective communication with vendors, faculty, staff, students, and service providers regarding procurement, payment, reimbursement, and financial process inquiries.
• Coordinate closely with the International Finance team to support the timely processing and resolution of procurement, payment, reimbursement, vendor management, and other financial transactions, ensuring accurate documentation, effective communication, and strong end-to-end process execution.
• Assist with month-end and year-end financial activities, including reconciliations, accrual support, documentation preparation, and financial record maintenance.
• Support audit, compliance, and reporting activities by maintaining accurate records and providing required documentation and supporting schedules.
• Assist with maintaining and improving financial procedures, procurement processes, internal controls, and operational documentation.
• Contribute to financial systems improvement initiatives, process automation efforts, and service enhancements that improve efficiency and user experience.
• Provide operational finance support on special projects and other finance-related activities as assigned.
• Undertake other duties and special projects as assigned in support of CMU- Africa’s mission.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Economics, or a related field.
• Professional accounting (CPA, ACCA, CIPS, CA, or equivalent) completed.
• Minimum of two years post-qualification experience in finance, accounting, accounts payable, procurement, financial operations, or a related field.
• Experience processing financial transactions, procurements, reimbursements, or vendor payments in a structured organizational environment.
• Experience working with ERP systems such as Oracle, Workday, SAP, or similar financial management systems is desirable.
• Experience supporting procurement, vendor management, or accounts payable activities is strongly preferred.
• Experience working within a university, nonprofit, international organization, or donor-funded environment operating a distributed finance model is an advantage.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Sound understanding of procurement, financial operations, and administrative processes.
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive working relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment and effectively coordinate activities across multiple departments and functions.
• Excellent customer service orientation and commitment to responsive stakeholder support.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other business applications.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to continuous improvement.
• Commitment to integrity, accountability, collaboration, and service excellence.

Why Join CMU-Africa?

This is an opportunity to contribute to a leading technology and graduate education institutions while being part of the global Carnegie Mellon University community.

As a member of the Finance team, you will support programs, research initiatives, and partnerships that are helping to advance technology, innovation, and digital transformation across Africa. You will work in a highly collaborative international environment alongside colleagues in Rwanda and the United States, gaining exposure to complex financial operations, global university systems, and diverse stakeholders.

At CMU-Africa, we value collaboration, continuous learning, service excellence, and professional growth. You will have the opportunity to develop your skills, contribute to meaningful institutional initiatives, and play an important role in supporting the mission and long-term success of the university.

If you are looking for a role that combines operational excellence, teamwork,

professional development, and meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply.

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance. 

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

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