Regional Finance Director at Asante Africa Foundation

ABOUT THE ROLE 

• The Regional Finance Director is responsible for financial management, reporting, treasury, and budgeting across Asante Africa Foundation’s three East Africa operating countries. Working closely with the CEO, the Global Finance Committee, and the country finance teams, the role ensures that the Foundation’s financial reporting is accurate, timely, and wellorganized, and that finance operations run smoothly and consistently across all three countries. 
• This is a hands-on regional finance leadership role. The successful candidate will bring strong technical finance expertise and the judgment to strengthen financial systems and oversee/lead country finance teams in a growing, mission-driven organization. Day-to-day transactional accounting sits with the country finance teams; this role focuses on consolidation, reporting, treasury, budgeting, audit coordination, capacity-building, oversight and responsibility for the accuracy and outcomes of the country finance teams. 
• The role is offered initially as a one-year introductory appointment at officer level, with the opportunity to grow into a more senior regional finance leadership position based on performance and organizational need. 

REPORTING AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS 

• Reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for administrative reporting with the functional reporting line to the Country Board Treasurers, with an independent check-and-balance reporting line to the Global Finance Board 
• Committee Treasurer and Finance Committee to maintain direct board visibility.  
• Works in close matrix collaboration with Country Managers, Country Board Treasurers and Country Finance Leads to align local budgets, enforce internal controls, and support country-level audit and compliance reporting. 
• Provides technical leadership and functional oversight to the country finance teams across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. 
• Works closely with Country Managers, Program and MEL teams, Development and Partnerships teams, Human Resources, and the United States finance counterparts. 
• Liaises with external auditors, tax and regulatory authorities, and donors on financial reporting and audit matters. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Financial Management and Reporting 

• Oversee the preparation and consolidation of accurate, timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports across all three countries. 
• Ensure timely and accurate management accounts, donor reports, board reports, and statutory financial statements. 
• Coordinate integrated regional reporting with the United States finance team, and ensure financial-data integrity, accuracy, and consistency across all country operations. 
• Ensure statutory financial statements, required tax filings, and donor financial reports are prepared accurately and submitted on time in each country. 

Treasury and Cash-Flow Management 

• Oversee cash-flow planning, liquidity management, and funding forecasts across East Africa operations. 
• Review and approve wire-transfer requirements aligned to approved workplans and budgets, and monitor banking relationships and cash controls. 
• Manage foreign-currency exposure and funding-movement risks across multiple jurisdictions. 
• Budgeting, Forecasting, and Grant Financial Management 
• Lead annual budgeting and periodic reforecasting across all countries, working with program and country leadership to align budgets with workplans and donor commitments. 
• Ensure donor restrictions, cost allocations, and indirect-cost-recovery methodologies are properly applied. 
• Support proposal budgeting and the financial review of new funding opportunities. 

Audit and Governance Support 

• Coordinate annual external audits in each country and support consolidated reporting requirements. 
• Maintain year-round audit readiness, and ensure agreed audit recommendations are implemented within agreed timelines. 
• Career Opportunity | Regional Finance Director Asante Africa Foundation | Educating Children · Transforming Worlds 
• Support the Global Finance Committee and Board governance processes through timely, accurate reporting and analysis. 

Key Governance & Risk Controls 

• This position recommends quarterly releases of funds to country offices based upon satisfactory budget and compliance reviews. 
• Responsible for developing, maintaining, and overseeing the multi-country financial risk management framework. 
• Responsible for reviewing and approving wire transfers in alignment with the organisation’s delegation of authority and segregation-of-duties controls. 
• Systems, Process Improvement, and Team Support 
• Strengthen and standardize finance systems, workflows, and processes across countries, and ensure the proper use and integrity of accounting systems. 
• Drive practical improvements in automation, reporting, and financial analysis to support decision-making. 
• Mentor and build the capacity of country finance teams, and promote cross-country learning and consistent practice. 
• People Management     
• Provide regional oversight, leadership and technical guidance to Country Managers and finance teams, ensuring effective performance, accountability and delivery of finance functions across the country offices. 
• Support the recruitment, onboarding, performance management, coaching, mentoring and professional development of finance staff, working closely with HR and relevant management to ensure appropriate staffing capacity and succession. 
• Identify capacity and performance gaps within country finance teams and support appropriate development, coaching and corrective actions. 
• Participate in the selection and assessment of finance personnel and provide technical recommendations on recruitment, staffing changes and performance-related matters in accordance with the organisation's HR policies and approval procedures. 
• Promote collaboration, knowledge sharing and continuous professional development across country finance teams. 
• Recommend staff appointments, contract renewals, disciplinary actions and separations, where necessary, in consultation with HR and subject to the organisation’s policies, approval levels and applicable employment requirements 
• Set clear performance expectations and work closely with HR and line managers to manage performance, staff development and employee relations matters. 
• Ensure that people-management decisions are appropriately documented and implemented in accordance with organisational policies and procedures. 

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE 

• Accurate financial reports delivered on schedule, with minimal post-submission adjustments. 
• Zero late statutory filings, and audit recommendations implemented on time across all three countries. 
• Budgets and forecasts delivered to agreed timelines and accuracy standards. 
• Country finance teams that are better supported, more consistent, and more capable over time. 

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Commerce, or a related field required; a Master’s degree is an added advantage. 
• Professional accounting qualification required — CPA, ACCA, CA, or equivalent. 
• Additional qualifications in IFRS, taxation, or nonprofit financial management are an advantage. 

Experience 

• A minimum of eight (8) years’ progressive experience in finance and accounting, including senior or supervisory responsibility. 
• Career Opportunity | Regional Finance Director Asante Africa Foundation | Educating Children · Transforming Worlds 
• Of which at least three (3) years in a multi-country or regional finance role, with exposure across the operating countries — Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. 
• Demonstrated experience in financial reporting, budgeting, treasury, and coordinating external audits. 
• Experience in nonprofit, donor-funded, or multi-country operations strongly preferred. 
• Experience supporting boards, finance committees, or senior leadership is an advantage. 

Competencies and Attributes 

• Strong technical finance, accounting, and financial-reporting skills, with sound professional judgment. 
• High ethical standards, integrity, discretion, and sound professional judgment. 
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and confidence with finance/accounting systems. 
• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues, boards, and donors. 
• Ability to work effectively across cultures and countries, and to build the capacity of others. 
• Excellent written and spoken English; Kiswahili proficiency is an added advantage.