The Planning and Budgeting Advisor is responsible for providing strategic financial advice, facilitating budget planning, and ensuring the alignment of financial resources with the university’s objectives. This role supports decision-making by delivering accurate financial analysis, forecasting, and budgetary guidance to various administrative and operational units. The advisor collaborates closely with various department managers, management, and finance teams to optimize resource allocation and manage operational expenditures and capital expenditures.

• Provide financial forecasting, analysis, and reporting to support strategic decision-making.

• Ensure alignment of budgetary plans with the institute's goals and priorities. 

• Strong understanding of budgeting, financial planning, and forecasting processes. 

• Prepare detailed financial reports, variance analyses, and cost assessments for both OPEX and CAPEX. 

• Ensure effective management of operational expenditures by identifying potential efficiencies and cost reductions. 

• Monitor budget performance and provide regular updates on financial status, risks, and opportunities. 

• Analyze financial trends and identify cost-saving opportunities while ensuring resource optimization. 

• Work closely with various units to gather budget inputs and provide guidance on financial planning processes. 

• Advise leadership on budget policies, financial planning strategies, and funding requirements. 

• Recommend appropriate adjustments to budgets and resource allocation in response to operational needs or external factors. 

• Assist in financial scenario planning and risk management for strategic projects and initiatives. 

• Proficiency in financial modeling, variance analysis, and cost control methods. 

• Capability to identify cost-saving opportunities and efficiencies within budgetary constraints. 

• Ability to align financial planning with the university’s strategic goals and priorities. 

• Expertise in long-term financial scenario planning, risk assessment, and contingency planning. 

• Ability to analyze complex financial data, interpret trends, and provide recommendations to optimize resource allocation. 

• Problem-solving abilities and attention to detail. 

• Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines. 

• Detail-oriented with a proactive approach to managing financial risks. 

• Organizational and time-management skills, capable of handling multiple priorities and tight deadlines. 

• Ethical and transparent, with a high level of integrity and professionalism. 

• Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment. 

• Advanced proficiency in financial software and tools (e.g., ERP systems like SAP, Oracle, or PeopleSoft). 

• Strong command of Microsoft Excel for financial modelling, data analysis, and forecasting. 

• Familiarity with business intelligence tools and financial reporting software (e.g., Power BI, Tableau). 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders. 

• Ability to build trust and maintain strong working relationships across various departments and levels of the organization. 

• Comfortable working in a dynamic environment with changing priorities and deadlines. 

• Strong problem-solving abilities with a focus on identifying financial risks and implementing proactive solutions. 

• Capacity to navigate complex budgeting challenges while balancing competing priorities and limited resources. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively with diverse teams across academic, administrative, and leadership levels. 

• Ability to lead discussions on budgeting processes, providing clear guidance to stakeholders. 

• Adherence to the highest ethical standards in financial management and decision-making. 

• Commitment to transparency and accountability in budgetary processes. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field. 

• Professional certifications such as Advanced Financial Management.

• 5 years of experience in budgeting, financial planning, or advisory roles, preferably within a higher education or non-profit setting. 

• Proven experience in managing and reporting on both operational (OPEX) and capital expenditure (CAPEX) budgets. 

• Experience working in a collaborative, multi-stakeholder environment with exposure to large-scale budget management.