Head of Finance
Location: Blantyre
Company: The Hunger Project Malawi (THP – Malawi)
The Hunger Project Malawi (THP-Malawi), an affiliate of The Global Hunger Project, is dedicated to the sustainable end of world hunger. Our vision is a world where all individuals lead lives of self-reliance and dignity. Our mission is to end hunger and poverty through grassroots, women-centered strategies and advocating for their widespread adoption globally. THP-Malawi has been active in the country since 1999, implementing programs in Blantyre, Chikwawa, Neno, Nsanje, Ntcheu, Phalombe, Salima, and Rumphi districts. THP-Malawi is seeking a qualified, experienced, and motivated individual with a strong work ethic to fill the vacant position of Head of Finance. This full-time role is based at the Head Office in Blantyre and is offered on an annual fixed-term contract, renewable based on continued donor funding and employee performance.
Position Summary
As a senior leadership role, the Head of Finance is crucial to the organization's success. This position ensures financial integrity and compliance while promoting strategic decision-making, operational efficiency, and excellence in financial management. Reporting to the Country Director, this role leads a finance team that includes a Senior Grants Officer and Project Accountants, fostering collaboration and high performance aligned with organizational goals. Responsibilities include grant budgeting, expense monitoring, financial reporting, adherence to donor guidelines, and compliance with international regulations and global policies. The Head of Finance also ensures conformity with local laws, oversees audits, manages budgets and forecasts, and supports grant management in accordance with THP policies, procedures, and donor requirements. This critical role ensures the timely preparation and submission of financial reports and provides technical management of grants, safeguarding the organization's financial and operational sustainability.
Collaboration extends to global and regional stakeholders, including the Controller, Global Accounting and Finance, the Lead of Global Grants and Compliance, and the Associate Director of Global Operations and Human Resources. The role also interfaces with finance teams in partner countries when funding programs, ensuring financial management aligns with international standards. While reporting locally to the Country Leader and National Board of Directors, the Head of Finance is ultimately accountable to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The position requires full accountability to the National Advisory Council, ensuring financial transparency, compliance, and strategic alignment with the organization’s financial policies and long-term objectives through regular reporting, budget oversight, risk management, and adherence to financial best practices.
This full-time position, based at the THP Malawi office in Blantyre, is integral to aligning with internal and external financial and operational standards, driving compliance, and supporting the organization’s mission.
Essential Functions
Audit and Financial Reporting
- Audit & Compliance: Coordinate internal and external audits, ensuring the timely and accurate preparation of financial statements. Collaborate with auditors and the National Advisory Council to address inquiries, provide documentation, and implement recommendations.
- Financial Oversight: Maintain a thorough understanding of financial transactions, records, and systems to support audit and compliance requirements. Ensure adherence to financial regulations, GAAP, and local accounting standards.
- Policy & Risk Management: Review and update the local Finance Manual to align with THP standards, accounting principles, and donor requirements. Assess financial risks for investment projects and recommend corrective actions to strengthen internal controls.
- Financial Reporting: Prepare and submit timely monthly financial reports to the National Board of Directors.
- Asset Management: Manage the fixed asset register, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and donor guidelines on acquisitions, disposals, and depreciation.
Budgeting and Financial Planning
- Budget Development & Oversight: Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of annual budgets in collaboration with relevant departments.
- Financial Analysis & Strategy: Analyze financial data and trends to provide insights for informed decision-making and budget adjustments. Identify opportunities for cost optimization and revenue enhancement while ensuring operational efficiency.
- Reporting & Advisory: Prepare and present budget variance reports and financial performance updates to senior management and the National Board of Directors' audit and finance committee.
Extensive experience in budget management and the implementation of internal control frameworks is required.
Daily Financial Management
- Oversee day-to-day financial operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general ledger activities.
- Ensure timely processing of financial transactions, bank reconciliations, and proper documentation.
- Monitor cash reserves and coordinate quarterly fund requests in line with THP Cash Management guidelines.
- Conduct periodic financial reviews and reconciliations to ensure data integrity and compliance.
- Provide ongoing training to staff on financial tools, policies, and procedures.
Compliance with Local Laws and Taxes
- Ensure financial operations in Malawi align with global objectives and local regulations.
- Maintain adherence to Malawi's financial laws and regulations.
- Supervise payroll processing and benefits administration in accordance with regional labor laws.
- Ensure compliance with donor standards and maintain accurate tax filings.
- Develop financial strategies to mitigate risks from regulatory changes and economic fluctuations.
- Represent the organization financially with government authorities, donors, and partners.
- Conduct financial modeling and risk assessments to support sustainable growth in new markets.
- Maintain key organizational documents and records.
Grant Oversight & Financial Management / Management and Compliance
- Provide oversight for assigned major grants, facilitate audits, and manage risks.
- Collaborate with stakeholders and provide strategic guidance on regulatory updates.
Risk Management and Governance
- Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks through robust internal controls.
- Offer strategic guidance to senior leadership on financial and compliance risks.
- Ensure alignment with donor compliance frameworks.
- Demonstrate the ability to identify, analyze, and effectively manage risks.
Other Responsibilities
- Represent the organization in external forums, fostering partnerships and enhancing visibility.
- Maintain up-to-date financial, grants, and budget records in Sage Intacct, with guidance from the Global Finance and Global Grants and Compliance teams.
- Effectively communicate financial insights to non-financial stakeholders to support informed decision-making.
- Participate collaboratively in office-wide initiatives outside of your direct job area.
- Represent THP at external events and meetings.
- Perform all other relevant duties assigned by the supervisor or manager.
- Regularly communicate financial information and insights to non-financial stakeholders to assist them in understanding their burn rate.
Qualifications
Education
- Minimum Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
- Preferred: A Master’s Degree or MBA is preferred, along with professional certifications such as CPA (Certified Public Accountant), ACCA, or equivalent, and membership in ICAM.
Work Experience
- Minimum Required: Seven years of proven experience in financial management, budgeting, audit, and compliance, including managing donor-funded grants and subcontracts/grants. A solid understanding of USG donor rules is essential, preferably within a nonprofit or international organization context.
- Preferred: 10 years of proven experience, ideally within a non-profit setting with a remote team structure and experience in a fast-paced environment with a small team.
Specialized Knowledge Needed for Job Performance (Technical Expertise)
- Advanced knowledge of financial regulations and compliance frameworks.
- Proficiency in ERP systems, financial tools, and advanced Excel.
- Strong understanding of international accounting standards, such as US GAAP and IFRS.
- Proficiency in spreadsheets and advanced Excel skills are required.
- In-depth knowledge of local financial regulations, tax laws, and reporting requirements.
- Strong leadership qualities and the ability to mentor and manage finance team members.
- Experience in risk management and the implementation of internal controls.
- Familiarity with relevant legislation pertaining to NGOs.
- Expertise in accounting and audit practices related to donor-funded projects.
- Experience managing foreign currency-denominated grants in a local currency environment, including FX risk mitigation and dedicated account management.
- Familiarity with multi-party grant structures involving Partner Country, Program Country, and Global Office oversight layers.
- Demonstrated experience managing concurrent audit processes across organizational and project audit types.
Skills
- Proven ability to lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams in dynamic environments.
- Strong organizational and decision-making skills for managing complex financial and administrative operations.
- Sound judgment with the ability to troubleshoot problems, develop creative solutions, and identify issues requiring escalation.
- Proven ability to operate within a matrix financial oversight structure, reporting to both local leadership and international counterparts on grant compliance matters.
- Strong capacity to prepare and interpret multi-year liquidity forecasts tied to program delivery timelines.
- Expertise in financial analysis, risk assessment, and strategic planning.
- Ability to synthesize data into actionable insights for senior leadership.
- Project management skills and the ability to prioritize effectively.
- Superior organization skills with a high degree of accuracy, rigor, and attention to detail.
- Strong teamwork and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues and partners nationally and internationally.
- Adaptability and the ability to thrive in a flexible, fluid, and evolving work environment.