Finance & Operations Director at Urgent Action Fund-Africa

Position Overview

The position is responsible for providing strategic leadership in financial stewardship and operational excellence. Overseeing the financial and operations management and ensuring that financial information for the Fund is complete, accurate, in compliance with global best practices, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), applicable tax regulatory requirements and other laws, and the Fund’s policies and procedures. The primary objectives of Finance & Operations Director are to manage and secure the financial resources of the Fund; dealing with the planning, organising, and controlling of financial activities like the procurement and utilisation of funds. To oversee the utilisation of resources, and to assess the systems to ensure effective and efficient utilisation of organisational resources, enabling the Fund to deliver on its mission across Africa.

Specific Responsibilities

• Support resource mobilisation through compiling/ approving proposal budgets, financial reports, independent and project audits and financial surveys.
• Grow and invest the reserve funds, assessing investment risks and opportunities across the portfolio.
• Lead and support grant proposal development by providing clear financial projections and budget justifications, ensuring proposal compliance check, adequate coverage of operational costs, and alignment to donor requirements and UAF-Africa’s policies.
• Assess and mitigate financial and operational risks through strong internal controls procedures.
• Analyse, develop and implement procedures to strengthen the Fund’s processes and ensure they function within the parameters of donor requirements and global best practices including implementation of the finance, procurement, operations & ICT policies.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements through timely, accurate financial reporting and the management of donor-specific audits.
• Ensure compliance with various statutory obligations including Public Benefits Organisations Authority, KRA, SHA, NSSF, HELB, Immigration Contract administration & management of outsourced services.
• Manage & monitor organisational and donor budgets including development of institutional budget that is subsequently approved by the Board.
• Monitor cashflow on a regular basis, bank balances and allocation of costs, foreign exchange exposure.
• Provide governance support through Board reporting, statutory audits and strategic engagement with auditors and financial advisors.
• Approve payments within the relevant threshold upon verifying the validity of the underlying documents.
• Streamline financial operations, including reconciliations and approvals, while leading the implementation of integrated ERP systems.
• Serve on the Senior Management Team, shaping the Fund’s strategic direction and promoting a culture of integrity and transparency aligned with its values.
• Lead and mentor the Finance, Operations and ICT teams, fostering a collaborative environment and building capacity in financial processes and compliance.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in finance management or related field.
• Professional qualification (ACCA/CPA/CFA) with membership to the relevant professional bodies.

Skills and Experience

• Minimum of 15 years’ relevant work experience with 6-8 years managerial experience working in or with organisations in Africa, preferably women’s rights, development or social justice-oriented organisations.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing organisational policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Experience in budgeting, financial analysis, and reporting, preferably in an NPO context.
• Knowledge of various accounting software is required.
• Excellent written and verbal communications in English.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, critical thinking, presentation, planning and organisational skills.
• Ability to perform detailed work, frequently of a confidential nature and/or to handle a large volume of work systematically, optimally and accurately.
• Passionate about UAF-Africa’s mission, committed to teamwork, and achieving results, including a commitment to trust-based transformative grantmaking, community-led development, and grassroots movement building.