Payroll & IRS Support Officer

CIMMYT — a leading non-profit international agricultural research organisation dedicated to improving food security across the Global South — is seeking a detail-oriented and compliance-driven Payroll & IRS Support Officer based in Nairobi, Kenya. In Kenya, CIMMYT operates under the hosting arrangement of World Agroforestry (ICRAF), headquartered on United Nations Avenue, Nairobi.

The successful candidate will be responsible for end-to-end payroll management for all Kenya-based staff categories while providing robust administrative support for internationally recruited staff (IRS) processes, including relocation coordination and protocol requirements. This role is critical to ensuring that CIMMYT's payroll function remains accurate, confidential, and fully compliant with Kenyan statutory obligations and organisational policies.

• Manage the full monthly payroll cycle for all Kenya-based employees across all staff categories, ensuring accuracy, completeness, confidentiality, and timely disbursement.
• Validate and process all payroll inputs including overtime, leave balances, new hire onboarding data, salary adjustments, benefits, allowances, deductions, and final dues upon separation.
• Reconcile payroll elements such as salaries, pension contributions, loans, tax deductions, and other recoveries or payments on a monthly basis.
• Ensure full compliance with Kenyan statutory and regulatory requirements including PAYE, NSSF, SHIF (Social Health Insurance Fund), Housing Levy, and any other applicable employer obligations.
• Coordinate timely preparation, filing, and remittance of all statutory deductions and payroll-related returns to the Kenya Revenue Authority and other relevant bodies.
• Prepare detailed payroll reconciliations and liaise with the Finance team to ensure payroll outputs, statutory payments, and associated reports are accurately reflected in financial records.
• Investigate and resolve payroll variances, discrepancies, and exceptions within agreed timelines.
• Provide end-to-end administrative support for internationally recruited staff (IRS) onboarding, relocation logistics, work permits, and diplomatic protocol processes.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date payroll and IRS records in the HRIS system, ensuring data integrity at all times.
• Respond to employee payroll queries professionally and within service level timelines.
• Support internal and external payroll audits by preparing documentation and responding to audit queries.
• Collaborate with HR and Finance teams on budgeting, forecasting, and reporting related to staff costs.

• Demonstrate at least 5 years of hands-on payroll processing experience in a mid-to-large organisation, ideally within an international NGO, INGO, or CGIAR-affiliated entity.
• Apply in-depth working knowledge of Kenyan statutory compliance frameworks — PAYE, NSSF, SHIF, Housing Levy — to ensure zero compliance gaps.
• Use payroll software and HRIS platforms proficiently to process, reconcile, and report payroll data accurately.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and data integrity standards when handling sensitive employee compensation information.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with Finance and HR teams to produce timely payroll journals, reconciliations, and variance analyses.
• Communicate payroll-related policies and updates clearly to staff at all levels, including internationally recruited employees unfamiliar with Kenyan regulations.
• Navigate administrative processes related to work permits, diplomatic protocol, and relocation support for internationally recruited staff.
• Manage multiple deadlines simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy and minimal supervision.
• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional certification in payroll management or HR (e.g., IHRM membership, CPA) is an added advantage.

CIMMYT offers a competitive compensation package benchmarked to international NGO salary scales in Kenya. Based on the seniority and scope of this role, the estimated monthly gross salary ranges from KES 150,000 to KES 250,000, subject to qualifications and experience. The organisation also provides a comprehensive benefits package aligned with CGIAR network standards.

• Medical insurance cover (employee and dependants)
• Pension/provident fund contributions
• Annual leave and paid public holidays
• Professional development and training opportunities
• International working environment within the CGIAR system

Ideal candidates are seasoned payroll professionals with at least five years of experience managing complex, multi-category payrolls — particularly within international organisations, NGOs, or research institutions. You are comfortable working with statutory bodies, have a firm grasp of Kenyan labour and tax law, and can support internationally recruited staff with relocation and protocol processes.

Do not apply if you have fewer than 3 years of direct payroll processing experience, lack working knowledge of Kenyan statutory compliance requirements, or are seeking a purely generalist HR role. This position requires a payroll specialist with demonstrated technical competence, not a generalist with incidental payroll exposure.

To apply for the Payroll & IRS Support Officer position at CIMMYT, follow these steps:

• Visit the official CIMMYT careers page at www.cimmyt.org or the World Agroforestry Centre website at www.worldagroforestry.org.
• Locate the job posting and complete the online application form.
• Attach an updated CV and a cover letter clearly demonstrating how your experience aligns with the responsibilities outlined above.
• Submit your application before the closing date of 2 July 2026.
• Important: Do not pay any fees for notarisation, certificates, or assessments as part of this recruitment process. CIMMYT does not charge applicants at any stage.