Mara Elephant Project

Non-profit + 1 more

Chief Finance Officer (CFO)

Closed for applications
Job details

Contract Type

Description

Qualification & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related discipline.
  • Professional accounting qualification (CPA-K, ACCA, or equivalent.
  • Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related discipline is an added advantage.
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressive financial leadership experience, including senior executive or CFOlevel responsibility.
  • Demonstrated experience operating in donor-funded, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations with complex compliance requirements.
  • Proven track record in financial governance, strategic planning, and Board-level engagement.
  • Strategic financial leadership and sound judgment.
  • Strong governance, risk, and compliance orientation.
  • High integrity and stewardship mindset.
  • Ability to translate financial insight into strategic action.
  • Executive communication and Board-level presence.
  • People leadership and institutional capacity building.


Responsibilities
  • Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with MEP’s strategic plan and operational priorities.
  • Provide high-quality financial analysis and decision support to the CEO, senior leadership, and Board.
  • Lead long-term financial planning, scenario modelling, and funding risk analysis to strengthen sustainability.
  • Engage with the Board, funders, and other stakeholders to communicate financial performance and build trust.
  • Act as the principal advisor to the CEO and Board on financial sustainability, funding risks, and long-term financial planning.
  • Safeguard organizational assets, ensuring ethical, efficient, and mission-aligned deployment.
  • Provide financial oversight for major supplier and vendor relationships, ensuring value for money and compliance.
  • Act as senior custodian of financial governance, internal control, and risk management frameworks.
  • Ensure compliance with statutory, donor, and regulatory obligations across all operations.
  • Oversee timely filing of statutory returns, payroll obligations, tax compliance, and regulatory reporting.
  • Lead engagements with auditors, regulators, and governance committees to ensure transparency and
  • credibility.
  • Monitor changes in regulatory and donor compliance requirements and advise management proactively.
  • Strengthen supplier due diligence and financial elements of supplier pre-qualification processes.
  • Identify financial, operational, and compliance risks and lead development of mitigation strategies.
  • Support the Board and management in strengthening governance frameworks, financial policies, and accountability mechanisms.
  • Maintain robust documentation, audit trails, and compliance records to withstand audit and donorscrutiny.
  • Lead annual budgeting and multi-year forecasting linked to programme plans, operational needs, and funding pipelines.
  • Monitor budget performance, analyze variances, and provide timely recommendations for corrective action.
  • Support programme teams in developing compliant grant budgets and financial inputs for funding proposals.
  • Work closely with programme teams to ensure effective financial planning, cost control, and value for money.
  • Review contracts, MOUs, and partnership agreements from a financial and risk perspective.
  • Set and enforce financial approval thresholds and oversight for procurement commitments and major
  • vendor contracts.
  • Collaborate with department heads to forecast procurement needs, integrate them into budgets, and promote cost-effective sourcing.
  • Oversee financial management of all donor-funded grants, ensuring compliance with donor agreements and reporting requirements.
  • Establish and maintain robust grant tracking systems by donor, project, and funding period.
  • Ensure donor financial reporting is accurate, timely, and aligned to approved budgets and donor templates.
  • Lead financial preparation for donor audits and reviews, serving as primary financial focal point.
  • Ensure robust financial systems, accounting policies, and internal controls are in place and consistently applied.
  • Drive continuous improvements to financial systems and processes to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
  • Develop and maintain a Finance Manual and SOPs, including operational checklists aligned to Boardapproved policies.
  • Ensure strong segregation of duties and clear transaction workflows and approvals across the organization.
  • Oversee accurate accounting records in accordance with applicable standards and NGO best practices.
  • Review and approve monthly reconciliations to ensure completeness and accuracy of closing balances.
  • Prepare management accounts and financial dashboards for senior management and Board with clear analysis.
  • Coordinate external audits and ensure timely completion of audited financial statements and management letters.
  • Manage and monitor cash flow to ensure adequate liquidity for programme and operational needs.
  • Oversee banking relationships, cash management, reserves policy, and financial sustainability planning.
  • Lead and develop a high-performing finance department, promoting professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Build financial discipline across the organization and promote a cost-conscious culture.
  • Provide coaching, mentorship, and succession planning for finance and administrative staff.
  • Lead financial and compliance training for staff across departments.
  • Undertake strategic assignments as delegated by the CEO.
  • Serve as Secretary to the Audit & Risk Committee and the Remuneration & HR Committee.
  • Oversee third-party consultancy contracts related to finance, audit, tax, and compliance.
  • Represent finance in cross-functional working groups and strategic initiatives.
  • Provide mentorship and capacity building support to strengthen financial management practices across the organization.


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