Global Senior Finance Associate
JOB DESCRIPTION
Title: Global Senior Finance Associate
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Employment Type: Full-time
About Impact Water
Impact Water is an international nonprofit working to ensure that every child has access to safe drinking water at school. We partner with governments to deliver reliable, low cost safe water services that combine point of use water treatment, annual maintenance and resupply, continual education, and data driven operations to achieve lasting behavior change and universal coverage.
Since our founding in 2014, we have grown into one of the largest providers of school-based safe drinking water services in Africa, reaching more than 24 million students in over 60,000 schools across Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. Our work is built on the belief that governments, not NGOs, are the only institutions capable of achieving and sustaining universal access. We therefore work alongside national and subnational governments to strengthen the systems, operational capacity, and financing needed for governments to ultimately own and lead these programs.
Today, Impact Water is entering the next phase of its journey: supporting governments to progressively take ownership of safe water services while expanding toward universal public school coverage across Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. Alongside our school program, we are also piloting community based safe water services in northern Nigeria that extend our impact beyond the school gate to the families and communities where students live.
Position Overview
Impact Water operates across Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria with a diversified funding base that includes philanthropy, institutional grants, and government co financing. As the organization grows, manages increasingly complex funding streams, and supports greater government ownership of its programs, the finance function is becoming more strategic, more complex, and increasingly important to organizational performance.
You will join Impact Water as Global Senior Finance Associate, leading the organization’s finance function across Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria. Working closely with the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer, you will strengthen financial management across the region by supporting Country Finance Managers, improving financial systems and reporting, and ensuring the organization has the financial information and controls needed to support continued growth.
Key Responsibilities
Financial oversight
Oversee the organization’s finance operations across Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria, working closely with Country Finance Managers to ensure accurate financial reporting, timely reconciliations, sound budgeting, and effective cash management.
Grant and donor financial management
Lead the financial management of a growing portfolio of institutional and philanthropic grants, ensuring budgets, reporting, cost allocations, and donor compliance requirements are met accurately and on time.
Financial controls and fraud prevention
Continuously strengthen internal controls across the organization to safeguard assets and reduce financial risk.
Review reconciliations, investigate irregularities, identify control weaknesses, and implement practical improvements that prevent fraud before it occurs.
Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and financial discipline.
Financial reporting and analysis
Produce timely financial reports, budget analyses, cash flow forecasts, and variance analyses for senior leadership, providing clear recommendations to support organizational decision making.
Compliance and audit
Oversee statutory compliance, coordinate annual audits across all three countries, ensure audit findings are addressed promptly, and maintain readiness for donor financial reviews and external audits.
Systems and process improvement
Improve financial processes, reporting tools, and financial systems to increase efficiency, strengthen financial visibility, and support the organization’s continued growth.
Team leadership
Support, coach, and develop Country Finance Managers, promoting consistent financial practices across the organization and providing additional support during periods of transition or organizational growth.
Required Qualifications
Strong alignment with Impact Water’s values: make an impact, achieve scale, continuously improve, operational excellence, accountability, and integrity.
Professional accounting qualification (CPA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
At least 5 years of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience, including regional or multi-country financial management in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Experience managing the finances of donor-funded programs, including budgeting, grant reporting, financial compliance, and donor audits.
Demonstrated ability to design, strengthen, and enforce financial controls that protect organizational resources and reduce financial risk.
Strong understanding of budgeting, cash flow management, financial reporting, treasury management, and month-end close processes.
Experience working with accounting software and implementing or improving financial systems and processes.
Familiarity with payroll, taxation, and statutory compliance across multiple African jurisdictions.
Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to identify anomalies, investigate irregularities, and proactively strengthen financial controls rather than simply report on them.
High degree of autonomy, with the ability to quickly understand complex organizations, identify priorities, and work independently.
Strong coaching and people development skills, with experience supporting and mentoring finance staff across multiple locations.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to explain financial information to non-financial colleagues and constructively hold teams accountable to high financial standards.
Full professional proficiency in English.
Uncompromising integrity, sound judgment, and the confidence to raise difficult issues when necessary.
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive salary commensurate with experience
Comprehensive health insurance
Flexible work arrangements
Location & Travel
This position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya and requires travel to Uganda and Nigeria.
Reporting Structure
This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer and works closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Country Directors, and Country Finance Managers across Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria. As a regional leader without direct line management of all finance staff, success will depend on building trust, influencing across teams, communicating financial insights clearly, and driving consistent financial practices through collaboration and accountability.
Application Process
To apply, please submit an application here.
Impact Water Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, particularly those with lived experience in our countries of operation.
