Posted by the organisation on ReliefWeb · Verified employer
Operational Finance Advisor
Médecins Sans Frontières
- Location: Kenya, South Africa
- Closes: 19 October 2026
About the role
MSF Ubuntu is hiring an Operational Finance Advisor based in Harare, Johannesburg or Nairobi for the first two years. You will provide strategic and operational financial support to country programmes, ensuring sound financial stewardship and compliance throughout the project cycle.
What you'll do
- Advise country programme teams on financial planning and resource allocation.
- Support project design and operational proposals through budget development and financial feasibility assessments.
- Participate in project reviews, operational planning meetings and emergency response planning.
- Facilitate annual country programme budget development and monitor performance.
- Produce financial analysis and prepare monthly, quarterly and ad hoc management reports.
- Ensure implementation of MSF Ubuntu operational financial policies and procedures.
- Conduct periodic operational finance reviews and internal control assessments.
- Ensure compliance with donor requirements, MSF Ubuntu policies and local regulations.
- Coach and mentor Fin/HR Coordinators, Finance Coordinators and other finance staff.
- Foster collaboration between Finance, MedOPS, HR, Logistics and Supply.
What you need
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration.
- Minimum 5 years of progressive finance experience.
- At least 3 years supporting humanitarian, development or emergency operations.
- Experience in operational finance management.
- Skills in financial planning, budgeting, controls, risk management, analysis, audit preparedness and ERP systems.
- Strategic thinking, problem solving, coaching, adaptability and strong communication skills.
- High ethical standards and commitment to protecting data and furthering the MSF mandate.
Nice to have
- Professional managerial accounting qualifications such as CIMA or equivalent.
- Experience with MSF or international NGOs.
What's offered
- Start date: 01st December 2026.
- 3-year renewable, full-time contract (maximum 6 years).
- Duty station for initial two years: Harare, Johannesburg or Nairobi; flexibility to move thereafter required.
- Travel: 20 % to 50% a year, including short-notice travel during emergencies.
- If Nairobi-based: annual salary of EUR 40,582 at HQ Grade 10 with 2% annual increment up to 10 years.
- Nairobi benefits include EUR 620 to 1,159/month work-life balance benefit, 25 days annual leave, 10% pension contribution and international insurance.
- Nairobi benefits also include maternity leave (21 weeks), paternity leave (4 weeks), relocation support, daily flexi-hours, 2 days working from home and school fees benefits.
- Nairobi benefits include annual home leave ticket for non-Kenyans and eligible dependents.
- If Johannesburg-based: salary to be determined, 13th Cheque in November, 100% medical aid contribution and 10% additional pension allowance.
- Johannesburg benefits include transport allowance, cell phone allowance, daily flexi-hours, 2 days working from home and provided working resources.
How to apply
- Apply even if your experience does not align perfectly with the selection criteria.
The employer’s original advert
## **MSF Ubuntu is looking for an Operational Finance Advisor**
*Do your skills and experience not precisely match the requirements? At MSF EA, we strive to create a safe, diverse and inclusive workplace, recognizing the need to increase access to professional opportunities for historically underrepresented groups. If you're interested in this position but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the selection criteria, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the ideal candidate for this or other positions.*
*Firmly committed to safeguarding patients, community members, staff, and all those in contact with the organization from all forms of abuse, including sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH), we will take all necessary steps, through rigorous vetting processes, to ensure that confirmed perpetrators of abuse do not join the organization.*
*For this position, contact level with patients and children is categorized as **Medium Risk** and will be monitored with this in regard.*
## ***Introduction***
Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian organisation that provides assistance to people affected by conflicts, epidemics, and natural or human-made disasters and excluded from healthcare. We provide this assistance without discrimination, irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation.
## ***About MSF Ubuntu***
**MSF Ubuntu** is the newest Operational Directorate of Médecins Sans Frontières, grounded in the philosophy of Ubuntu – “I am because we are”. With a strong emphasis on interdependence, interoperability, and locally grounded action, MSF Ubuntu aims to strengthen medical humanitarian response by placing communities at the centre of decision-making.
## ***Purpose of the Role***
The Operational Finance Advisor provides strategic and operational financial support to MSF Ubuntu Country Programs and country operations. The role ensures sound financial stewardship, risk-informed decision making, strong internal controls, operational planning support and financial accountability throughout the project cycle.
The position acts as the primary finance strategic partner to operations, supporting program leadership in managing resources efficiently while ensuring compliance with MSF Ubuntu policies and principles and accountability, community engagement, safeguarding, transparency and interdependence.
**Direct Reports:** Head of Operational Finance
**Functional Reports:** MSF Ubuntu Operational Cell Manager
**Key Internal Stakeholders:** MSF Ubuntu Cell, MSF Ubuntu MT, Operations Platforms, Service Providers, Legal and Finance experts, (HRCo/)FinCos and finance teams at country programs.
## ***Tasks & Responsibilities***
**Operational Finance Support**
- Advise country program teams on financial planning and resource allocation.
- Support project design, exploratory interventions and operational proposal through budget development and financial feasibility assessments.
- Participate in project reviews, operational planning meetings and emergency response planning.
- Support country program teams in forecasting financial needs and monitoring expenditure.
- Ensure rapid support to emergency exploration or intervention.
**Financial Planning and Budget Management**
- Facilitate annual country program budget development.
- Monitor budget performance and variances.
- Provide recommendations on corrective actions and resource optimization.
- Support rolling forecasts and scenario planning.
- Produce financial analysis for management decision making.
- Prepare monthly, quarterly and ad hoc management reports.
- Support portfolio-level financial reviews.
- Contribute to organizational performance monitoring.
**Internal Control and Risk Management**
- Ensure implementation of MSF Ubuntu operational financial policies and procedures.
- Conduct periodic operational finance reviews and internal control assessments.
- Identify financial risks and develop mitigation measures.
- Support risk-informed decision making in complex operational environments.
**Compliance and Accountability**
- Ensure compliance with donor requirements, MSF Ubuntu policies and local regulations.
- Support HQ based Finance Administration Officer in preparation of internal and external audits.
- Monitor adherence to financial authorization frameworks in Country Programs.
- Monitor adherence to safeguarding and financial integrity principles and policies in Country Programs.
**Capacity building**
- Coach and mentor Fin/HR Coordinators and Finance Coordinators, and other finance staff.
- Develop practical finance tools, guidelines and training materials.
- Strengthen financial management capacity within operations teams.
- Facilitate onboarding of finance personnel.
**Cross-functional collaboration and organizational contribution**
- Foster effective collaboration between Finance, MedOPS, HR, Logistics and Supply to ensure integrated solutions.
- Contribute Finance expertise to operational decision-making and strategic discussions within Operational Cell.
- Contribute to institutional learning, accountability processes, and inter-sectional collaboration across the movement.
**Other Responsibilities**
- Ensure accurate integration of EDI & Safeguarding aspects into all policies and practices within the unit.
- Recognize, respond, and document any form of abuse or inappropriate behavior and alert the safeguarding unit of any suspected potential abuse.
- Compliance Assurance - Ensure that all data processing activities within the unit comply with relevant data protection laws and regulations, including the Data Protection Act, 2019 and support your team to receive necessary training in this area.
- Policy Adherence - Enforce data protection policies, procedures, and guidelines within the unit, ensuring that all team members are aware of and adhere to these protocols.
- Proactively participate in the individual performance management process including objective setting, performance monitoring and performance evaluation.
- Recognize and reinforce strong performance in the team; identify and encourage improvement where needed; and ensure quality and timely performance management process is carried out for the team.
## ***Qualifications***
**Education**
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration.
- Professional managerial accounting qualifications (CIMA or equivalent) preferred.
**Experience**
- Minimum 5 years of progressive finance experience.
- At least 3 years supporting humanitarian, development or emergency operations.
- Experience in operational finance management.
- Experience with MSF or international NGOS is highly desirable.
**Competencies**
- ***Technical Competencies***
- Financial planning and budgeting
- Financial controls
- Risk management
- Financial analysis
- Audit preparedness
- ERP systems
- ***Behavioral/General Competencies***
- Strategic thinking
- Collaboration and partnership mindset
- Problem solving
- Coaching and mentoring
- Adaptability
- Strong communication skills
- Ethics: High ethical standards and a commitment to protecting the data of individuals and furthering MSF mandate
## ***Conditions and Benefits:***
- The role requires regular travel to countries of operation and MSF Ubuntu hubs.
- Travel at short notice may be required during emergencies, assessments or critical incidents.
- The post-holder may be required to work extended or irregular hours during crises.
- The role requires high levels of discretion, resilience, political judgement and emotional intelligence.
- The position will operate in a growing Operational Directorate and will require adaptability as MSF Ubuntu’s structures, systems and portfolio evolve.
- **Start date**: 01st December 2026.
- **Travel**: 20 % to 50% a year.
- **Grade/Annual Salary and other benefits**: In line with MSF reward policy, subjected to local conditions, see below.
- **Job Location**: This position will be based in one of the countries within its portfolio (to be confirmed). For the initial two years, the duty station is expected to be in **Harare (Zimbabwe)**, **Johannesburg (South Africa)**, or **Nairobi (Kenya)**. After two years, the successful candidate accepts flexibility to move to the final duty station, that is still to be confirmed.
- **Contract**: 3-year renewable, full-time contract (maximum 6 years).
**A- If based in Nairobi, the benefits below shall apply:**
- **Salary:** An annual salary of **EUR 40,582 at HQ Grade 10** based on a full-time appointment with an annual increment of 2% every year up to a maximum of 10 years.
- **Work-life balance financial benefit;** ranging between **EUR 620 to 1,159/month** based on individual & administrative status. This amount may be used to cover accommodation and utilities, transportation, etc.
- **Other benefits include;**
- **Annual Leave:** 25 days of annual leave per year.
- **Other Holidays:** sick leave, circumstantial leave, maternity leave (21 weeks), paternity leave (4 weeks), own affairs days off, etc.
- **Employer Pension contribution**: 10% of basic salary:
- **International insurance** for both medical and disability**.**
- **Relocation support**; based on MSF EA terms/conditions.
- **Work-life balance**: Daily flexi-hours and 2 days working from home possible.
- **School fees benefits**: for eligible dependents, based on individual & administrative status.
- **Diverse team composition**; Collaborate with a global network of talented professionals, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise from around the world.
- **Career Development**: MSF provides many learning resources (online learning resources, regular trainings – including language, Peer to peer learning.
- **Mobility**: You will have opportunities to travel abroad for work, meetings, trainings and workshops; giving you a chance to experience different cultures and broaden your professional network.
- **Annual home leave ticket**: To be taken once every year for both staff and eligible dependents back to their home country for vacation. Only applicable to non-Kenyans and based on individual & administrative status.
**B- If based in Johannesburg, the benefits below shall apply:**
- **Salary:** To be determined
- 13th Cheque in November.
- 100% Medical aid contribution.
- 10% additional pension allowance.
- Transport allowance.
- Cell Phone Allowance.
- Work-life balance: Daily flexi-hours and 2 days working from home possible.
- Diverse team composition; Collaborate with a global network of talented professionals, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise from around the world.
- Resources needed such as working space, computer, internet, stationery, and other resources will be made available.
*Do your skills and experience not precisely match the requirements? At MSF EA, we strive to create a safe, diverse and inclusive workplace, recognizing the need to increase access to professional opportunities for historically underrepresented groups. If you're interested in this position but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the selection criteria, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the ideal candidate for this or other positions.*
*Firmly committed to safeguarding patients, community members, staff, and all those in contact with the organization from all forms of abuse, including sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH), we will take all necessary steps, through rigorous vetting processes, to ensure that confirmed perpetrators of abuse do not join the organization.*
*For this position, contact level with patients and children is categorized as **Medium Risk** and will be monitored with this in regard.*
## ***Introduction***
Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian organisation that provides assistance to people affected by conflicts, epidemics, and natural or human-made disasters and excluded from healthcare. We provide this assistance without discrimination, irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation.
## ***About MSF Ubuntu***
**MSF Ubuntu** is the newest Operational Directorate of Médecins Sans Frontières, grounded in the philosophy of Ubuntu – “I am because we are”. With a strong emphasis on interdependence, interoperability, and locally grounded action, MSF Ubuntu aims to strengthen medical humanitarian response by placing communities at the centre of decision-making.
## ***Purpose of the Role***
The Operational Finance Advisor provides strategic and operational financial support to MSF Ubuntu Country Programs and country operations. The role ensures sound financial stewardship, risk-informed decision making, strong internal controls, operational planning support and financial accountability throughout the project cycle.
The position acts as the primary finance strategic partner to operations, supporting program leadership in managing resources efficiently while ensuring compliance with MSF Ubuntu policies and principles and accountability, community engagement, safeguarding, transparency and interdependence.
**Direct Reports:** Head of Operational Finance
**Functional Reports:** MSF Ubuntu Operational Cell Manager
**Key Internal Stakeholders:** MSF Ubuntu Cell, MSF Ubuntu MT, Operations Platforms, Service Providers, Legal and Finance experts, (HRCo/)FinCos and finance teams at country programs.
## ***Tasks & Responsibilities***
**Operational Finance Support**
- Advise country program teams on financial planning and resource allocation.
- Support project design, exploratory interventions and operational proposal through budget development and financial feasibility assessments.
- Participate in project reviews, operational planning meetings and emergency response planning.
- Support country program teams in forecasting financial needs and monitoring expenditure.
- Ensure rapid support to emergency exploration or intervention.
**Financial Planning and Budget Management**
- Facilitate annual country program budget development.
- Monitor budget performance and variances.
- Provide recommendations on corrective actions and resource optimization.
- Support rolling forecasts and scenario planning.
- Produce financial analysis for management decision making.
- Prepare monthly, quarterly and ad hoc management reports.
- Support portfolio-level financial reviews.
- Contribute to organizational performance monitoring.
**Internal Control and Risk Management**
- Ensure implementation of MSF Ubuntu operational financial policies and procedures.
- Conduct periodic operational finance reviews and internal control assessments.
- Identify financial risks and develop mitigation measures.
- Support risk-informed decision making in complex operational environments.
**Compliance and Accountability**
- Ensure compliance with donor requirements, MSF Ubuntu policies and local regulations.
- Support HQ based Finance Administration Officer in preparation of internal and external audits.
- Monitor adherence to financial authorization frameworks in Country Programs.
- Monitor adherence to safeguarding and financial integrity principles and policies in Country Programs.
**Capacity building**
- Coach and mentor Fin/HR Coordinators and Finance Coordinators, and other finance staff.
- Develop practical finance tools, guidelines and training materials.
- Strengthen financial management capacity within operations teams.
- Facilitate onboarding of finance personnel.
**Cross-functional collaboration and organizational contribution**
- Foster effective collaboration between Finance, MedOPS, HR, Logistics and Supply to ensure integrated solutions.
- Contribute Finance expertise to operational decision-making and strategic discussions within Operational Cell.
- Contribute to institutional learning, accountability processes, and inter-sectional collaboration across the movement.
**Other Responsibilities**
- Ensure accurate integration of EDI & Safeguarding aspects into all policies and practices within the unit.
- Recognize, respond, and document any form of abuse or inappropriate behavior and alert the safeguarding unit of any suspected potential abuse.
- Compliance Assurance - Ensure that all data processing activities within the unit comply with relevant data protection laws and regulations, including the Data Protection Act, 2019 and support your team to receive necessary training in this area.
- Policy Adherence - Enforce data protection policies, procedures, and guidelines within the unit, ensuring that all team members are aware of and adhere to these protocols.
- Proactively participate in the individual performance management process including objective setting, performance monitoring and performance evaluation.
- Recognize and reinforce strong performance in the team; identify and encourage improvement where needed; and ensure quality and timely performance management process is carried out for the team.
## ***Qualifications***
**Education**
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration.
- Professional managerial accounting qualifications (CIMA or equivalent) preferred.
**Experience**
- Minimum 5 years of progressive finance experience.
- At least 3 years supporting humanitarian, development or emergency operations.
- Experience in operational finance management.
- Experience with MSF or international NGOS is highly desirable.
**Competencies**
- ***Technical Competencies***
- Financial planning and budgeting
- Financial controls
- Risk management
- Financial analysis
- Audit preparedness
- ERP systems
- ***Behavioral/General Competencies***
- Strategic thinking
- Collaboration and partnership mindset
- Problem solving
- Coaching and mentoring
- Adaptability
- Strong communication skills
- Ethics: High ethical standards and a commitment to protecting the data of individuals and furthering MSF mandate
## ***Conditions and Benefits:***
- The role requires regular travel to countries of operation and MSF Ubuntu hubs.
- Travel at short notice may be required during emergencies, assessments or critical incidents.
- The post-holder may be required to work extended or irregular hours during crises.
- The role requires high levels of discretion, resilience, political judgement and emotional intelligence.
- The position will operate in a growing Operational Directorate and will require adaptability as MSF Ubuntu’s structures, systems and portfolio evolve.
- **Start date**: 01st December 2026.
- **Travel**: 20 % to 50% a year.
- **Grade/Annual Salary and other benefits**: In line with MSF reward policy, subjected to local conditions, see below.
- **Job Location**: This position will be based in one of the countries within its portfolio (to be confirmed). For the initial two years, the duty station is expected to be in **Harare (Zimbabwe)**, **Johannesburg (South Africa)**, or **Nairobi (Kenya)**. After two years, the successful candidate accepts flexibility to move to the final duty station, that is still to be confirmed.
- **Contract**: 3-year renewable, full-time contract (maximum 6 years).
**A- If based in Nairobi, the benefits below shall apply:**
- **Salary:** An annual salary of **EUR 40,582 at HQ Grade 10** based on a full-time appointment with an annual increment of 2% every year up to a maximum of 10 years.
- **Work-life balance financial benefit;** ranging between **EUR 620 to 1,159/month** based on individual & administrative status. This amount may be used to cover accommodation and utilities, transportation, etc.
- **Other benefits include;**
- **Annual Leave:** 25 days of annual leave per year.
- **Other Holidays:** sick leave, circumstantial leave, maternity leave (21 weeks), paternity leave (4 weeks), own affairs days off, etc.
- **Employer Pension contribution**: 10% of basic salary:
- **International insurance** for both medical and disability**.**
- **Relocation support**; based on MSF EA terms/conditions.
- **Work-life balance**: Daily flexi-hours and 2 days working from home possible.
- **School fees benefits**: for eligible dependents, based on individual & administrative status.
- **Diverse team composition**; Collaborate with a global network of talented professionals, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise from around the world.
- **Career Development**: MSF provides many learning resources (online learning resources, regular trainings – including language, Peer to peer learning.
- **Mobility**: You will have opportunities to travel abroad for work, meetings, trainings and workshops; giving you a chance to experience different cultures and broaden your professional network.
- **Annual home leave ticket**: To be taken once every year for both staff and eligible dependents back to their home country for vacation. Only applicable to non-Kenyans and based on individual & administrative status.
**B- If based in Johannesburg, the benefits below shall apply:**
- **Salary:** To be determined
- 13th Cheque in November.
- 100% Medical aid contribution.
- 10% additional pension allowance.
- Transport allowance.
- Cell Phone Allowance.
- Work-life balance: Daily flexi-hours and 2 days working from home possible.
- Diverse team composition; Collaborate with a global network of talented professionals, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise from around the world.
- Resources needed such as working space, computer, internet, stationery, and other resources will be made available.