Operational Finance Advisor at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

Purpose of the Role

• The Operational Finance Advisor provides strategic and operational financial support to MSF Ubuntu Country Programs and country operations. The role ensures sound financial stewardship, risk-informed decision making, strong internal controls, operational planning support and financial accountability throughout the project cycle.
• The position acts as the primary finance strategic partner to operations, supporting program leadership in managing resources efficiently while ensuring compliance with MSF Ubuntu policies and principles and accountability, community engagement, safeguarding, transparency and interdependence.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Operational Finance Support

• Advise country program teams on financial planning and resource allocation.
• Support project design, exploratory interventions and operational proposal through budget development and financial feasibility assessments.
• Participate in project reviews, operational planning meetings and emergency response planning.
• Support country program teams in forecasting financial needs and monitoring expenditure.
• Ensure rapid support to emergency exploration or intervention.

Financial Planning and Budget Management

• Facilitate annual country program budget development.
• Monitor budget performance and variances.
• Provide recommendations on corrective actions and resource optimization.
• Support rolling forecasts and scenario planning.
• Produce financial analysis for management decision making.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and ad hoc management reports.
• Support portfolio-level financial reviews.
• Contribute to organizational performance monitoring.

Internal Control and Risk Management

• Ensure implementation of MSF Ubuntu operational financial policies and procedures.
• Conduct periodic operational finance reviews and internal control assessments.
• Identify financial risks and develop mitigation measures.
• Support risk-informed decision making in complex operational environments.

Compliance and Accountability

• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, MSF Ubuntu policies and local regulations.
• Support HQ based Finance Administration Officer in preparation of internal and external audits.
• Monitor adherence to financial authorization frameworks in Country Programs.
• Monitor adherence to safeguarding and financial integrity principles and policies in Country Programs.

Capacity building

• Coach and mentor Fin/HR Coordinators and Finance Coordinators, and other finance staff.
• Develop practical finance tools, guidelines and training materials.
• Strengthen financial management capacity within operations teams.
• Facilitate onboarding of finance personnel.

Cross-functional collaboration and organizational contribution

• Foster effective collaboration between Finance, MedOPS, HR, Logistics and Supply to ensure integrated solutions.
• Contribute Finance expertise to operational decision-making and strategic discussions within Operational Cell.
• Contribute to institutional learning, accountability processes, and inter-sectional collaboration across the movement.

Other Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate integration of EDI & Safeguarding aspects into all policies and practices within the unit.
• Recognize, respond, and document any form of abuse or inappropriate behavior and alert the safeguarding unit of any suspected potential abuse.
• Compliance Assurance - Ensure that all data processing activities within the unit comply with relevant data protection laws and regulations, including the Data Protection Act, 2019 and support your team to receive necessary training in this area.
• Policy Adherence - Enforce data protection policies, procedures, and guidelines within the unit, ensuring that all team members are aware of and adhere to these protocols.
• Proactively participate in the individual performance management process including objective setting, performance monitoring and performance evaluation.
• Recognize and reinforce strong performance in the team; identify and encourage improvement where needed; and ensure quality and timely performance management process is carried out for the team.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration.
• Professional managerial accounting qualifications (CIMA or equivalent) preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of progressive finance experience.
• At least 3 years supporting humanitarian, development or emergency operations.
• Experience in operational finance management.
• Experience with MSF or international NGOS is highly desirable.

Competencies

Technical Competencies

• Financial planning and budgeting
• Financial controls
• Risk management
• Financial analysis
• Audit preparedness
• ERP systems

Behavioral/General Competencies

• Strategic thinking
• Collaboration and partnership mindset
• Problem solving
• Coaching and mentoring
• Adaptability
• Strong communication skills
• Ethics: High ethical standards and a commitment to protecting the data of individuals and furthering MSF mandate

Conditions and Benefits:

• The role requires regular travel to countries of operation and MSF Ubuntu hubs.
• Travel at short notice may be required during emergencies, assessments or critical incidents.
• The post-holder may be required to work extended or irregular hours during crises.
• The role requires high levels of discretion, resilience, political judgement and emotional intelligence.
• The position will operate in a growing Operational Directorate and will require adaptability as MSF Ubuntu’s structures, systems and portfolio evolve.
• Start date: 01st December 2026.
• Travel: 20 % to 50% a year.
• Grade/Annual Salary and other benefits: In line with MSF reward policy, subjected to local conditions, see below.
• Job Location: This position will be based in one of the countries within its portfolio (to be confirmed). For the initial two years, the duty station is expected to be in Harare (Zimbabwe), Johannesburg (South Africa), or Nairobi (Kenya). After two years, the successful candidate accepts flexibility to move to the final duty station, that is still to be confirmed.
• Contract: 3-year renewable, full-time contract (maximum 6 years).