Chief Financial Officer
Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.
Conservation South Africa (CSA), a local affiliate of Conservation International, is committed to helping societies adopt a more sustainable approach to development—one that considers and values nature at every turn and improves human well-being through the conservation of healthy ecosystems and the goods and services they provide. CSA seeks to influence policy, develop markets, engage the private sector, and support communities to develop and implement conservation-based economic growth models.
POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Gauteng or Cape Town-South Africa
CSA is seeking to appoint a Chief Financial Officer to take ownership of the entire finance, accounting, taxation and audit function within CSA. This role will play a pivotal role in ensuring the financial health and sustainability of the organization, and the successful candidate will be a finance leader with a proven ability to combine a strategic mindset with a hands-on, solution-orientated approach.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Leadership

• Contribute to the development and implementation of sustainable strategic plans.
  
• Provide strategic financial input and support to the CSA CEO, MD, EXCO, and country leadership - this includes leading the development of financial forecasts and business plans.
  
• Drive the development and implementation of financial strategies and operating plans to enable the delivery of organizational goals.
  
• Mobilize and optimize the use of financial resources to deliver organizational goals.
  
• Ensure that financial (including auditing and taxation) risks are identified, tabled for discussion with EXCO and that plans are in place for risk management/mitigation.
  Team Leadership
  
• Lead and manage the Finance team to develop a capable, high-performing, solution-orientated, and collaborative Finance function that takes accountability for operational excellence across all financial processes, supports CSA leadership and management on financial processes, and integrates effectively with interdependent functions.

Operational Excellence, Governance, and Compliance

• Ensure sound and strong accounting systems and accounting principles are in place and adhered to.
  
• Execute fiduciary responsibilities.
  
• Ensure compliance with all relevant statutory regulations.
  
• Oversee the annual external and internal audit planning processes.
  
• Oversee the financial components of the BBEEE verification process for the organization

Tax Planning and Compliance

• Develop tax planning strategies for tax optimization.
  
• Oversee and manage the tax accounting and tax computation processes including preparation and submission of all tax returns (including PAYE).
  
• Ensure compliance with applicable tax laws and regulations.
  
• Monitor changes in tax laws and develop plans to manage their impact on the organization.
  
• Provide tax advisory to all CSA programmes, including programmes that extend into neighboring countries.
  
• Identify system and/or control deficiencies and execute modifications.

Reporting/Management Information

• Ensure the provision of monthly and annual financial management reports for the organization.
  
• Develop/lead the development of reporting tools/templates as required to provide essential financial and operational information to CSA leadership and make recommendations to inform decision-making.
  
• Identify financial (including audit and taxation) risks and facilitate risk management discussions with CSA EXCO.

Board Liaison

• Prepare financial reports and presentations for the CSA Board.
  
• Act as point of contact for the secretarial function of the CSA Board.

Grants and Contracts

• Provide support to CSA CEO, MD, and Grants and Contract Manager in all negotiations with lenders, donors, etc.
  
• Ensure oversight processes are in place to monitor that donor funds and grants are managed in line with donor requirements.
  
• Ensure oversight processes are in place for grant allocations – to ensure they are well managed, dispersed, and reported on as required.
  
• Ensure processes are in place to manage grant budget development.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
WORKING CONDITIONS

• Typical office environment
  
• Ability to work extended hours or travel as needed.
• This position follows a hybrid work structure, working some days from the office and some remotely. Guidance will be shared during the interview process.
• This role will be a two-year assignment, anticipated to begin in November 2024 and end in October 2026.

QUALIFICATIONS
Required

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, minimum of CA(SA)/ or CMA.
  
• 10 or more years of finance management experience at a senior level, including 5 or more years of leadership of a professionally qualified Finance team.
  
• Proven track record of the ability to build a high-performance Finance team through a combination of inspiring leadership, active, hands-on management, leading by example, and continuous constructive and honest feedback.
  
• Sound theoretical and practical working knowledge of relevant Accounting Standards, Corporate Governance Frameworks, and Legislation and ability to apply these in a relevant flexible way (including BBBEE framework and scorecard).
  
• Sound theoretical and practical working knowledge of relevant tax legislation and the ability to apply these in a flexible, relevant way in both an advisory and a compliance capacity.
  
• Excellent relationship-building skills.
  
• Mature team player with a solution-orientated approach.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
  
• Strong analytical, organizational, and planning skills.
  
• Strategic thinker and decisive decision maker.

Preferred

• Experience within an operational environment/proven ability to partner with and integrate with an Operations function.
  
• Proficiency in one or more official South African languages in addition to English.
  
• Experience in the NPO sector.
  
• Passion for and some knowledge of environment and conservation.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.
Application Deadline: October 31, 2024 (11:49 PM EST)
See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE
Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.