Director of Finance

Our partner, a respected and established international charity supporting programmes across Africa; seeks a qualified and experienced senior finance professional to provide strategic financial leadership, maintain robust systems, controls, and donor compliance across the organisation. The Director of Finance is responsible for organisational financial strategy, budgeting, reporting, external audits, risk management, and supporting programme delivery through high-quality financial oversight. This hands-on role requires the Director of Finance to execute daily tasks as well as overseeing, and mentoring, others within the team to undertake what is required.

Key responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Financial Planning

• Lead the organisation s financial strategy ensuring sustainability and alignment with mission and organisational priorities.

• Advise the CEO and Board on financial performance, risk, and scenario planning.

• Develop long-term financial models and cashflow forecasts.

• Provide financial insight to strategic decisions, business cases, growth opportunities, and operational planning.

Financial Management & Control

• Oversee and execute specific tasks relating to financial operations including accounting, treasury, cash management, payroll, and banking.

• Ensure monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closes are accurate and timely.

• Maintain and strengthen internal financial controls across central team and country/project operations.

• Implement efficient systems and processes to support a lean but compliant financial environment.

Budgeting & Organisational Performance

• Lead the annual budgeting process

• Monitor budget performance, variances, and financial KPIs, providing clear analysis for senior leadership.

Donor Finance & Grant Compliance

• Oversee donor grant finance, ensuring compliance with institutional donor restrictions and requirements.

Audit & Assurance

• Lead the annual organisational audit: prepare schedules, financial statements, and required disclosures.

• Ensure compliance with charity accounting standards (SORP)

• Oversee financial donor audits, ensuring timely, accurate responses and evidence.

Risk Management

• Contribute to the organisational risk register by recording and presenting on financial risks to the Board and Finance and Audit Committee.

• Implement financial due diligence for donors, suppliers, and country operations as required to meet organisation and donor policies.

Oversight of International Operations

• Ensure strong financial management of new country programmes creating and reviewing and renewing policies as required.

• Support the development or review of financial systems, capacity, and reporting in relation to new country expansion work.

• Oversee financial arrangements for countries where the INGO has no legal entity, including fiscal hosts, secondee payments, and contract structures.

Leadership, Management & Culture

• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team to achieve operational excellence.

Person Specification

• Worked as a Finance Director or as a Head of Finance (with autonomy of decision making and board reporting duties)

• Strong understanding of charity accounting standards and regulatory requirements.

• Senior-level finance experience in an INGO, charity, or multi-country organisation (preferably with operations in the Global South)

• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, CPA or equivalent).

• Demonstrable experience with institutional donor compliance.

• Experience leading annual audits and preparing financial statements.

• Strong leadership and team management skills, including developing staff.

• Strong budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis skills.

• Experience managing multi-currency environments and international financial operations.

• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance staff, senior leaders, and Boards.