Head of Finance

About CIVICUS

CIVICUS is a global alliance with over 17,000 members across more than 180 countries, dedicated to defending civic freedoms and empowering people. Their work focuses on monitoring violations of basic rights, holding perpetrators accountable, and amplifying marginalized voices, particularly from the global south, to support an effective and innovative civil society.

Role Overview

The Head of Finance will provide both strategic leadership and hands-on management of the financial operations at CIVICUS. This position requires an adept leader who thrives in a mission-driven, dynamic environment with a strong emphasis on accountability and transparency.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the finance team to ensure sound financial governance.
• Oversee organizational financial strategy, including budgeting, planning, and financial reporting.
• Manage audits and supervise risk assessment and compliance with funding requirements and statutory regulations.
• Ensure robust financial systems and internal controls are firmly established and maintained.
• Provide insightful financial analysis and reports to aid effective program delivery and organizational decision making.
• Collaborate closely with the Chief Operations Officer to embed financial management practices that uphold accountability, transparency, and long-term sustainability.

Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified professional accountant (ACCA, CPA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent) with a minimum of seven years post-qualification experience.
• At least three years in a senior finance leadership role overseeing complex organizations of comparable scale.
• Strong command of written and spoken English.
• Experience working within the non-profit sector, preferably managing restricted donor funding.
• In-depth understanding of institutional donor regulations and compliance, including knowledge of standards from the European Union, US Foundations, and European government bodies.
• Proven ability to audit, analyze, and ensure accuracy and compliance in financial records while communicating financial information clearly to non-financial staff.
• Experienced in designing and delivering training to enhance financial management capabilities among non-finance teams.
• Demonstrated leadership in building and managing high-performing, dispersed teams with clear roles, accountability, and effective delegation.
• Familiarity with human rights and social justice concepts is essential.
• Expertise in implementing automated financial systems and process improvements to increase efficiency and financial reporting accuracy.
• Knowledge of additional UN languages beyond English is considered an advantage.

Application Instructions

• Manual completion of the application form is required; autofill features should be disabled to prevent errors.
• Use of AI-generated CVs or cover letters is not allowed; all submissions must be authentic and reflect the applicant's true qualifications and experience.
• Applications must include a detailed CV outlining education, qualifications, employment history, key responsibilities, and achievements.
• A concise cover note (maximum one page) explaining motivation for applying should accompany the CV.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted within three weeks after the closing date for interviews.

Additional Information

• The application deadline is 14 August 2026 at 11:59pm SAST.
• CIVICUS reserves the right to withdraw the vacancy at any time.
• This role is based in Nigeria and requires onsite presence.