Head of Finance and Operations

About the role

Akili Dada, an award-winning leadership incubator for girls and young women, is looking for a Head of Finance and Operations in Kenya. As a member of the Senior Management Team, the role advises the Executive Director and supports the Board and Finance Committee with accurate, forward-looking information on financial health, sustainability, risk and performance. It leads financial stewardship, operational excellence, risk management and institutional controls, and does not prepare routine transactions, audit schedules or donor reports.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the finance and operations strategy, annual budget and quarterly reforecast, and develop multi-year financial models and cash forecasts
• Produce monthly management accounts, BVA analysis and decision-oriented Finance Committee and Board packs
• Set standards for proposal costing, grant set-up, restricted fund tracking and donor reporting, and approve proposal budgets and donor reports
• Maintain finance, procurement, travel, cash advance, asset, investment, reserves, fraud and delegated authority frameworks, with segregation of duties and maker-checker controls
• Keep the compliance calendar (tax, payroll, regulatory, donor, insurance, lease, licence) and own the department's contribution to the risk register
• Set the audit strategy, hold the Finance Officer accountable as audit coordinator and track audit recommendations to closure
• Oversee liquidity, banking relationships, signatories, investment performance, payroll and statutory schedules
• Set procurement governance, thresholds and approval routes, and hold the Operations Officer accountable for sourcing, vendors, contracts, logistics, facilities and safety
• Own the finance and operations systems roadmap, including ERP controls, access, workflow design, integrations and reporting automation
• Set objectives, KPIs and development plans for direct reports, partner with the HR Business Partner on recruitment and performance, and maintain cross-training and backup coverage

Required profile

• Professional accounting qualification such as CPA(K) or ACCA, or equivalent; a relevant degree required
• At least 8 years of progressive finance experience, including 3 years in a leadership role; strong NGO/nonprofit experience preferred
• Demonstrated experience with restricted grants, donor compliance, multi-project accounting, budgeting, forecasting, treasury, audit, tax/statutory compliance and Board reporting
• Experience overseeing procurement and operational functions through clear role separation

Required skills

• Evidence of improving ERP-enabled processes, internal controls, monthly close and management reporting
• Strong people leadership, delegation, change management, judgement and communication
• Ability to explain complex financial issues to non-finance audiences

To apply, candidates use the online application form on the Oxford HR site, submitting their CV and cover letter.