Head of Finance

JOB VACANCY – HEAD OF FINANCE

The Hunger Project Malawi (THP – Malawi), is a branch of the Global Hunger Project, a non-profit, strategic organization committed to the sustainable end of world hunger. Our vision is a world where every woman, man and child lead a healthy, fulfilling life of self-reliance and dignity. Our mission is to end hunger and poverty by pioneering sustainable, grassroots, women-centered strategies and advocating for their widespread adoption in countries throughout the world. THP-Malawi has been operating in Malawi since 1999 and is currently running programs and projects in the tollowing districts: Blantyre, Chikwawa, Neno, Nsanje, Ntcheu, Phalombe, Salima and Rumphi.

THP- Malawi is looking for qualified, experienced and motivated personnel with strong work ethics to fill the vacant position of Head of Finance. The position is tenable at the Head Office in Blantyre and are for a fixed period contracts (Annual) renewable contingent to continued donor funding and individual employee performance.

Head of Finance (1) – Blantyre

a) Position Summary

The Head of Finance is a senior leadership role central to the organization’s success. This position ensures the organization’s financial integrity, compliance while fostering strategic decision-making and integrity, fostering operational efficiency, and regulatory promoting excellence in economic finance and compliance roles.

Reporting to the Country Director, the role currently oversees a team of finance personnel which comprises Senior Grants Officer and Project Accountants while ensuring effective collaboration, high performance, and alignment with organizational goals.

The role involves 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 efforts while following THP policies, procedures, and donor requirements. This position is critical for the timely preparation and submission of financial reports and technical management of grants, safeguarding the organization’s financial and operational sustainability.

The role collaborates closely with global and regional stakeholders, including the Controller, Global Accounting and Finance, the Lead, Global Grants and Compliance and the Associate Director of Global Operations and Human Resources. Additionally, this role regularly interfaces with partner countries’ finance teams when funding programs, aligning financial management with international standards. While the Program Country Head of Finance reports locally to the Country Leader and National Board of Directors, they are ultimately accountable to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

The Head of Finance (HoF) must maintain full accountability to the National Advisory Council, ensuring financial transparency, compliance, and strategic alignment with the organization’s financial policies and long-term goals. This includes regulai reporting, budget oversight, risk management, and adherence to financial best practices to support informed decision-making at the board level.

This full-time position is based at THP Malawi office in Blantyre it is integral to aligning with internal and external financial and operational standards, driving compliance, and supporting the organization’s mission.

Essential Functions

1. Audit and Financial Reporting:

• Audit & Compliance: Coordinate internal and external audits, ensuring timely and accurate financial statement preparation.
• Collaborate with auditors and The National Advisory Council to address inquiries, provide documentation, and implement recommendations.
• Financial Oversight: Maintain a strong understanding f financial transactions, records. and svstems to suppor audit and compliance requirements. Ensure adherence to financial regulations, GAAP, and local accounting standards.
• Policy & Risk Management: Review and maintain 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 timely monthly financial reports for 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.

2. Budgeting and financial planning

• Budget Development & Oversight: Lead the creation, 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 of budget management and implementation of internal control frameworks.

3. Daily Financial Management:

• Oversee day-to-day financial operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general ledger activities.
• Financial Operations Oversight: Manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general ledger activities.
• Transaction Accuracy & Compliance: Ensure timely processing of financial transactions, bank reconciliations, and proper documentation.
• Cash Flow & Liquidity Monitoring: Oversee cash reserves and coordinate quarterly fund requests per THP
  Cash Management guidelines.
• Data Integrity & Compliance: Conduct periodic financial reviews and reconciliations.
• Staff Training & Development: Provide ongoing training on financial tools, policies, and procedures.

4. Compliance with Local Laws and Taxes

• Strategic Financial Oversight: Ensure financial operations in Malawi align with global objectives and local regulations.
• Regulatory & Tax Compliance: Maintain adherence to Malawi financial laws and regulations.
• Payroll & Labor Law Compliance: Supervise payroll processing and benefits administration in line with regional labor laws.
• Government & Donor Compliance: Ensure compliance with donor standards and maintain accurate tax filings
• Risk Management & Contingency Planning: Develop financial strategies to mitigate risks from regulatory changes and economic fluctuations.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Represent the organization financially with government authorities, donors, and partners.
• Expansion & Feasibility Analysis: Conduct financial modeling and risk assessments to support sustainable growth in new Latin American markets.
• Maintain key organization documents and records.

5. Grant Oversight & Financial Management / Management and Compliance:

• Grant Oversight & Financial Management
• Oversight of Assigned Major Grant
• Audit Facilitation & Risk Management
• Stakeholder Collaboration
• Regulatory Updates & Strategic Guidance:

6. Risk Management and Governance

• Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks through robust internal controls.
• Provide strategic guidance to senior leadership on financial and compliance risks.
• Ensure alignment with donor compliance frameworks.
• Ability to identify, analyse and take appropriate action to effectively manage risk.

7. Other responsibilities

• Represent the organization in external forums, building 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 team.
• Effectively communicate financial insights to non-financial stakeholders to support informed decision-making.
• Participate in a collegial office environment, helping with office-wide initiatives outside your job area.
• Represent THP at external events and meetings.
• Perform all other relevant duties assigned by the supervisor or manager.
• Effectively communicate financial information and insights to non-financial stakeholders with the organization regularly to assist them in understanding their burn rate.

Qualifications

1. Education:

• Minimum Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• Preferred: A Master’s Degree or MBA is preferred, as well as professional certification such as CPA (Certified Public Accountant), ACCA, or equivalent certification and a member of ICAM.

2. Work Experience

• Minimum Required Seven years of proven experience in financial management, budgeting, audit, and compliance, including experience in managing donor-tunded grants, subcontracts/ grants, and a good understanding of USG donor rules, preferably in a nonprofit or international organization context.
• Preferred: 10 years of proven experience, ideally mainly in non-profit setting with remote team structure and experience in a fast-paced environment with a small team.

3. 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 knowledge of Excel are required.
• Strong 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 implementation of internal controls.
• Possess an understanding of relevant legislation about NGOs.
• 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 organisational and project audit types.

4. Skills

• Proven ability to lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams in dynamic environments.
• Strong organizational and decision-making skills to manage complex financial and administrative operations.
• Sound judgment, able to troubleshoot problems and develop creative solutions while identifying issues that need to be escalated.
• Proven ability to operate within a matrix financial oversight structure, with reporting lines 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, ability to prioritize.
• Superior organization skills and high accuracy, rigor, and attention to detail.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills; ability to collaborate with colleagues and partners nationally and internationally.
• Ability to adapt and work in a flexible, fluid, and evolving environment.
• Resourceful self-starter with the ability to independently multitask and prioritize.
• Proficiency in financial and accounting software and tools, including ERP systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proficiency in MS Office suite, with expertise in Excel.
• High level of knowledge of Google Suite and tools
• Professional Skills in English to effectively engage with global offices, donors, and compliance teams.
• Excellent personal integrity and confidentiality.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• Alignment with organizational values of transparency, accountability, and collaboration.
• Ability to work with a shifting daily schedule outside regular working hours and days.
• We seek a candidate fully committed to THP’s values who understands and aligns with our principles and philosophy. The successful candidate will be part of a passionate team that takes pride in its work and views it as a privilege to serve this mission.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their application in English, including a resume and cover letter, salary expectations detailing their experence, and alignment with the position’s requirements and THP’s mission. Applications can be submitted through email to: recruitment.hub@thp.org not later than 9th June, 2026.

The Hunger Project Malawi is an equal opportunity employer.

THP-Mw does not tolerate any form of sexual misconduct and is committed to the protection of children from abuse, therefore, successful candidates will be subjected to rigorous background checks and control.