Senior Finance Specialist

An exceptional opportunity awaits an experienced finance professional to join a globally respected international research organisation in Penang, Malaysia.

As a Senior Finance Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in transforming aquatic food systems by ensuring robust financial management across multiple countries and portfolios. This position offers the chance to work at the heart of impactful projects that contribute directly to reducing hunger, malnutrition, and poverty worldwide. You will be empowered to mentor finance teams, drive process improvements, and provide critical insights that shape strategic decisions. The organisation is renowned for its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a supportive multicultural environment where your expertise will be valued and your growth encouraged. With comprehensive benefits including insurance coverage for staff and eligible dependents, employer provident fund contributions, paid leave, and more, this is a rare opportunity to advance your career while making a meaningful difference on a global scale.

• Be part of an international team dedicated to advancing sustainable development goals through science and innovation in aquatic food systems, with direct impact on millions of lives.
• Enjoy a collaborative workplace culture that values diversity, gender balance, and inclusion—over 40% of staff are women representing more than 30 nationalities.
• Benefit from comprehensive support including insurance for you and your family, generous leave entitlements, employer provident fund contributions, and opportunities for contract extension based on performance.

What you'll do:

As a Senior Finance Specialist based in Penang, you will immerse yourself in a dynamic environment where your analytical acumen will be essential in assessing organisational financial operations spanning several countries. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve monitoring intricate financial systems for anomalies, reviewing transaction records for accuracy, overseeing budget compliance, and delivering insightful reports that inform high-level strategy. You will have the rewarding task of mentoring finance professionals across diverse offices while acting as a trusted advisor on complex challenges. By collaborating with cross-functional teams and supporting stakeholders with expert guidance on cost structures and compliance frameworks, you will help drive continuous improvement in financial processes from proposal stage through audit completion. Your ability to build strong relationships will enable you to develop fit-for-purpose solutions that enhance planning, analysis, and reporting capabilities throughout the organisation.

• Assess financial operations across the organisation by analysing accounting practices and reporting on full cost recovery as well as investments for ongoing improvement initiatives.
• Monitor financial systems closely to identify unusual activities or transactions, investigating anomalies as they arise to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Review and verify financial transactions and reporting systems while working collaboratively with finance teams to suggest amendments that enhance efficiency.
• Oversee expenditures to guarantee alignment with approved budgets and adherence to internal policies, providing timely financial insights to relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure accurate and complete reporting of all financial transactions by various teams in accordance with established internal control mechanisms.
• Lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of budgeting processes, forecasting exercises, financial planning activities, and regular reporting cycles.
• Mentor finance team members across multiple offices or portfolios to promote efficiency, quality of work, and knowledge sharing within the team.
• Act as a specialist advisor for project leads and finance management teams on complex finance-related challenges, alignment needs, and reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with other finance teams to align services across the organisation while building strong relationships that support resource allocation decisions.
• Guide stakeholders on cost structure methodologies and financial management frameworks to ensure consistent application throughout the organisation.

What you bring:

To excel as a Senior Finance Specialist in this internationally focused research setting, you will bring not only advanced academic credentials but also substantial hands-on experience managing multifaceted finance operations. Your background should reflect deep familiarity with accountancy principles alongside proven skills navigating ERP environments. You are adept at interpreting complex data sets into actionable insights that support strategic objectives. Your interpersonal strengths shine when mentoring colleagues or collaborating across cultures—your empathy fosters trust while your clear communication ensures shared understanding. A keen eye for detail enables you to uphold rigorous compliance standards even under pressure. Experience working within non-profit sectors or donor-funded contexts further enhances your suitability for this role. Above all else, your commitment to inclusivity aligns seamlessly with the organisation’s values—enabling you to thrive within their diverse community.

• A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or another relevant field is required; partial qualification of a recognised professional accounting certification such as CPA is expected.
• A master’s degree in Finance or Business Administration (MBA) or related field is highly desirable for this role.
• Fluency in English is essential for both written communication and verbal interactions within an international context.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing processes in accounting or budgeting functions or significant exposure to analysing finance data and developing robust financial systems.
• Proven track record managing financial operations across multiple accounts or regions while ensuring strict adherence to donor regulations and full cost recovery principles.
• Extensive hands-on experience with accounting software platforms or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems is necessary for success in this position.
• Comprehensive understanding of financial compliance requirements coupled with practical experience enforcing these standards within large organisations.
• Experience mentoring finance staff by providing technical guidance to project leads while ensuring consistency in management practices across different offices is highly valued.
• Ability to refine workflows by resolving complex queries efficiently while aligning services between internal teams as well as external partners is advantageous.
• Previous exposure working within international non-profit organisations or managing donor-funded programmes would be considered an asset.

What sets this company apart:

This international research organisation stands out for its unwavering dedication to transforming aquatic food systems through scientific innovation aimed at reducing global hunger and poverty. Employees benefit from being part of a mission-driven team whose work advances progress towards multiple Sustainable Development Goals. The workplace culture is deeply rooted in respect for diversity—over 40% of staff are women from more than 30 nationalities—and there is an active commitment to gender balance as well as broader inclusion across all dimensions of identity. Staff enjoy comprehensive benefits packages including insurance coverage for themselves and eligible dependents, employer provident fund contributions that secure their future wellbeing, generous paid leave provisions supporting work-life harmony, and structured opportunities for professional growth through training initiatives. The initial three-year contract offers stability with potential extensions based on funding availability and individual performance—making it an ideal environment for those seeking both purpose-driven work and long-term career development within a supportive global network.

What's next:

If you are ready to make a meaningful impact through your expertise in finance while growing professionally within an inclusive international community, this could be your next career move!

Apply today by submitting your curriculum vitae along with a cover letter addressing key requirements outlined above plus contact details for three professional referees before 23:59 (MYT), 10 September 2026. Screening begins immediately—don’t miss out on this unique opportunity!

Do note that we will only be in touch if your application is shortlisted.

Agensi Pekerjaan Robert Walters Sdn Bhd
Business Registration Number : 729828-T
Licence Number : JTKSM 423C