Chief Finance Officer (CFO) at Mara Elephant Project (MEP)

Duties and 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.

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.