CIVICUS exists to defend people power. As a growing global alliance of over 15,000 members in 189 countries, we work together to monitor violations of basic civic freedoms, call out the perpetrators of violations and strengthen the power of people to organise by supporting a more accountable, effective and innovative civil society. We strive to promote excluded voices, especially from the Global South.
Job Title:Head of Finance
Salary: USD 87,845.85 Per Annum, (Excluding Benefits)
Location: Remote (the successful candidate must have the right to work in the location where they are based).
Contract Type: Permanent, subject to satisfactory performance and funding
availability
Reports to: Chief Operations Officer
Direct Reports: Finance Manager (7 Indirect Finance Staff)
The Job Role.
- The Head of Finance provides strategic and operational leadership for CIVICUS’ financial
management. The role combines strategic thinking and hands on delivery and requires
a leader who can thrive in a dynamic mission driven and solutions focussed environment with high levels of accountability and transparency. Focussed environment with high levels of accountability and transparency. - The Head of Finance is responsible for managing CIVICUS’s finance team, organisational financial strategy, budgeting and planning, financial reporting, audit management, risk oversight and compliance with funder,statutory, and regulatory requirements. The role encompasses mentoring and supervising finance staff, ensuring robust financial systems and controls are in place, and providing high-quality financial insights to support effective programme delivery and organisational decision making.
- Working closely the Chief Operations Officer (COO) the Head of Finance is responsible
for embedding sound financial management across the organisation, ensuring
stewardship, accountability, transparency and long-term financial sustainability.
Areas of Responsibilities
Financial Management and Reporting
- Lead the preparation of accurate and timely financial reports, for budget
holder, management, board, donors and other stakeholders. - Oversee organisational budgeting, forecasting and financial performance
monitoring. - Ensure the timely preparation of annual financial statements and compliance
with IFRS, US GAAP and other applicable standards. - Oversee month-end and year-end processes, including the review of balance
sheet reconciliations and financial controls. - Lead and coordinate statutory, organisational, donor and project audits,
ensuring compliance with regulatory and donor requirements. - Review and approve donor financial reports ensuring accuracy and compliance
with the accounting system and funding agreements. - Oversee financial systems and reporting tools ensuring they effectively support
financial management, reporting, compliance and decision making. - Drive continuous improvement in financial processes, controls and systems to
enhance efficiency, accountability and data integrity. - Ensure compliance with tax, statutory and regulatory requirements across
relevant jurisdictions.
Accounting, Control systems and procedures
- Lead the design, implementation and continuous improvement of financial
policies, procedures, controls and systems to ensure effective financial
governance and accountability. - Maintain and periodically review the finance manual and related policies to ensure they remain fit for purpose and aligned with organisational needs, regulatory and donor requirements and best practice.
- Ensure integrity, reliability and effectiveness of financial systems.
- Drive innovation and digital transformation within the finance function by identifying and implementing system enhancements, automation opportunities, and best practice solutions that improve efficiency, data quality,
and decision making. - Provide financial analysis, insights and recommendations to support decision
making by Budget holders, management, and the board. - Monitor compliance with approved financial policies, procedures and internal
controls across the organization and address areas of non-compliance.
Budgeting & Budgetary Control
- Lead the development and consolidation of organisational budgets and forecast
ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and available resources. - Oversee budget performance through regular monitoring and expenditure
analysis against approved budget and recommending corrective actions. - Coordinate the preparation and review of proposal budgets ensuring cost
recovery, compliance with donor requirements and alignment with organisational priorities. - Strengthen budgeting and financial management capacity across the
organisation providing guidance, training and support to budget holders in the management of restricted and unrestricted funds. - Support budget holders to make informed financial decisions through the
provision of budget analysis, forecasting and financial planning insights.
People Management
- Supervise and mentor a high performing finance function, fostering a culture of
accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement and a high standard of service - Build team capacity through effective coaching, professional development and
knowledge sharing. - Set clear objectives and conduct probation, performance and development reviews ensuring team performance aligns with organisation goals.
- Support and empower team members to maximise their effectiveness, delivering high quality responsive and value-added service across the organisation.
Other
- Undertake other duties and responsibilities, as reasonably required, that are
consistent with the scope, seniority and objectivity of the role. - Provide high-quality ad hoc financial analysis, modelling, forecasts and scenario
planning to support strategic decision-making, organisational planning and
resource allocation. - Contribute to organisational initiatives, cross functional projects and change
management activities providing financial expertise and leadership as required. - Maintain a strong understanding of the organisational priorities, risks and
opportunities, proactively identifying and addressing emerging financial issues. - Act as a champion of sound financial stewardship, accountability and
continuous improvement across the organisation. - Demonstrate and promote CIVICUS’ values and principles fostering a culture of
collaboration, integrity, inclusion and respect.
Education, Language & Qualifications
- A recognised professional qualified accountant (ACCA, CPA, CIMA, CIPFA or
equivalent) with at least seven years post qualification experience, including at
least 3 years in a Head of Finance role. - Senior level experience in a finance leadership role within an organisation of
similar scale and complexity. - Strong written and verbal English skills.
Essential Knowledge, skills and Experience
- Experience in the non-profit sector.
- Extensive experience in establishing and administering financial processes for
restricted donor funding within the not for profit sector. - Comprehensive knowledge of institutional donor regulations and financial
compliance standards, including those of the European Union, US Foundations
and European government agencies. - Ability to analyse, evaluate, and summarise financial records for accuracy and
compliance with procedures, rules, and regulations, while effectively
communicating financial information to non-financial team member in a clear
and understandable manner. - Extensive experience in creating and leading training interventions for non-
finance teams to enhance organisation financial management and adherence to
financial standards. - Proven ability to build and lead high-performing, geographically dispersed teams
by empowering employees, delegating responsibilities effectively, clearly
defining roles, and promoting individual and team accountability.
Desirable Knowledge,skills and Experience
- Sound understanding of human rights and social justice principles.
- Proven experience in driving innovation through the implementation of
automated financial systems, process improvements, and technology solutions
to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and financial reporting. - Knowledge of one or more UN languages other than English is desirable.
Application Deadline: 18th September 2026 at 11:59pm SAST.
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Interested and Qualified candidates should use link below to Apply.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
