Regional Finance Manager

Overview

The Regional Finance Manager position, reporting to the Finance Director at the Africa Area Office, serves as the key financial liaison supporting National Directors and National Office (NO) Finance Managers throughout the Africa region. This role ensures comprehensive oversight over all financial management activities, including planning, budgeting, reporting, fund transfers, audits, and internal controls, guaranteeing that branches and national offices operate with sound financial practices and comply with donors and audits. The position also leads capacity-building efforts and promotes best financial practices across a decentralized, multi-country portfolio, enhancing Habitat for Humanity International's capacity to efficiently allocate resources and maintain donor trust across Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed quality control reviews of financial reports from branches and NOs, generating financial and statistical indicators, and ensure that identified issues are resolved collaboratively with local finance leaders.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, GAAP/IFRS accounting standards, local regulations, and project funding rules by reviewing accounting systems and processes for data accuracy.
• Approve and verify international fund transfers initiated by branches/NOs, maintaining full records and tracking of these transactions.
• Monitor cash flow status regionally, detecting liquidity risks or inefficient use of funds and escalating significant concerns to area leadership.
• Oversee the delivery and review of Monthly Management Reports by branches/NOs, promptly escalating major financial deviations or cash issues.
• Analyze annual and bi-annual budgets and operating plans for branches/NOs, assessing alignment with strategic goals and financial constraints, providing recommendations to area management.
• Offer ongoing financial guidance to National Directors and finance managers regarding budget performance and cash management.
• Ensure budgets are correctly integrated into financial systems with proper coding to uphold budgetary controls.
• Manage external audit processes for branches, ensuring timely completion and accuracy including ledger adjustments and follow-up on audit findings.
• Track and promote timely resolution of audit management letters, reporting progress and raising overdue concerns to leadership.
• Collaborate with Governance, Risk Management and Compliance (GRC) teams to review internal audit results and enforce remediation of control weaknesses.
• Lead establishment and evaluation of internal control frameworks, standardizing policies and procedures across the region to align with best practices.
• Identify and remediate control gaps, including fraud risk areas, in close partnership with GRC.
• Support implementation and tailoring of corporate finance policies in local contexts.
• Drive continuous process improvements by enhancing financial workflows and reporting tools to improve efficiency and compliance.
• Proactively identify financial risk indicators, escalate concerns as needed, and assist in investigations and corrective actions.
• Identify financial capacity gaps at branches/NOs and design as well as deliver targeted training programs to enhance management and controls.
• Facilitate a National Office Finance Leads Community of Practice to encourage peer learning and sharing of best practices.
• Provide financial advice during recruitment and onboarding of branch/NO finance staff and continual support on financial operations.
• Contribute financial insights to branch/NO grant decisions, ensuring risk and viability assessments are thorough.
• Review and advise on proposal budgets for donor compliance, cost recovery, and accuracy before submission.
• Oversee grant financial management ensuring adherence to donor requirements, timely financial reporting, and budget compliance.
• Validate donor financial reports and fund requests from branches/NOs before submission.
• Monitor grant performance, analyze financial variances, and propose actions to mitigate risks.
• Review donor audit findings, support root cause analyses, and drive timely resolution of issues with NO teams and GCDR.

Education and Experience Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Professional certifications such as CPA or ACCA are required.
• At least 8 years of progressive finance and accounting experience, including 3 years in a managerial role, preferably in an international NGO or donor-funded environment.

Skills and Competencies

• Extensive knowledge of GAAP, IFRS, and fundamental internal controls.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial data strategically.
• Innovative mindset to enhance work practices and promote efficiency.
• Excellent communication skills to influence stakeholders across finance and non-finance teams.
• High cultural sensitivity and ability to influence without formal authority.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise with financial systems such as SunSystems or comparable tools, including installation and training experience.
• Experience working within international NGOs or donor-funded projects.
• Background in managing finances across multiple countries or borders.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International is a Christian-rooted global nonprofit organization with a mission to put God's love into action by building homes and communities with people from all cultures and faiths. Committed to promoting housing equity, the organization prioritizes learning, accountability and trust while fostering a culture that attracts diverse, mission-driven talent.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Habitat for Humanity International is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where every employee feels safe, respected, supported, and valued. The organization seeks to maintain a workforce reflective of various experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, ensuring that all employees experience dignity and respect.