Assistant Director: Financial Management and Reporting - Green Climate Fund

South African National Biodiversity Institute; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading conservation organization in South Africa is seeking a Financial Manager to oversee finances for critical projects. The successful candidate will ensure compliance, financial reporting, and effective risk management while working within a dynamic team environment. A degree in Financial Management along with extensive experience is required for this role.

Benefits

Competitive annual salary

Opportunity to work on significant projects

Career development support

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of work experience in Financial Management.
• 3 years in a supervisory role required.
• Valid driver’s license with practical driving experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage financial risk for donor funded projects.
• Prepare financial reports and budgets.
• Ensure compliance with financial management standards.

Skills

Financial Management

Project Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Attention to Detail

Computer Literacy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Financial Management

Postgraduate qualification (NQF 8)

Tools

SAGE 300

MS Excel

MS Project

Job description

Overview

SANBI offers basic annual salary of R582 444.00 plus 37% in lieu of benefits — Reference Number: FIN/2025/001

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is leading the implementation of a project entitled “Scaling up Ecosystem-based Approaches to managing climate-intensified disaster risks in vulnerable regions of South Africa” (the Eco-DRR project). The USD 40.1 million project is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), with cofinancing from SANBI, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), for a period of 8 years from 2025 to 2033. The goal of the project is to improve the resilience of communities that are vulnerable to climate change-exacerbated floods, droughts and wildfires through the implementation of Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Eco-Disaster Risk Reduction measures.

SANBI is looking for a self-motivated individual to ensure compliance with all mandatory financial matters related to GCF projects and other donor funded projects with a view to ensure proper financial management, financial risk management and financial reporting, including the preparation of budgets, forecasting and monitoring of expenditure and contracts, preparation of financial reports, and submission of financial management reports and deal with audit requests.

Qualifications

This position requires a degree in Financial Management or equivalent qualification with NQF 7. A postgraduate qualification in Financial Management or equivalent qualification with NQF 8 will be an added advantage. This position also requires 6 years of work experience in the relevant field, 3 years of which should be in supervisory level.

Competencies

Extensive knowledge and understanding of Financial Management, Public Finance Management Act, Treasury Regulations, and Generally Recognised Accounting Practice is essential; extensive knowledge and understanding of project management techniques, tools, methodologies, and frameworks; proven ability and experience in managing finances, budget and funding for multiple projects from multiple funders; advanced knowledge of financial management external to SANBI (budgeting for proposals, donor reporting, budgeting and reporting, etc.); comprehensive knowledge about public sector policies in Human Resources Management, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology Management including Corporate Governance policies, procedures and processes; highly organized and efficient; a clear-thinker able to solve problems and see all sides of a situation; ability to manage high pressure and juggle multiple stakeholders while multi-skilling across multi projects; outstanding stakeholder engagement and relationships management; attention to detail in budgeting, financial management, and reporting; systemic visualization of various projects entailing programme planning; proven ability to perform monitoring & evaluation of multi projects; ability to work under pressure with a diverse team while maintaining quality, cost, compliance, and safety awareness; extensive knowledge and experience with legislation, policies, procedures, processes, practices, systems, and frameworks related to project management, donor funding, and stakeholder management; excellent financial report writing and communication at all levels (verbal and written); excellent computer literacy with MS Word, MS Project, PowerPoint, Excel, Internet and Outlook; working knowledge of an accounting package (e.g. SAGE 300) will be advantageous. A valid driver’s license with at least one year of practical driving experience and willingness to travel is essential.

Key performance responsibilities

• Provide effective financial management and financial risk management advice to GCF and other projects;
• Ensure effective financial administration of GCF and other projects;
• Ensure accurate financial reporting of GCF and other projects;
• Oversee and enforce financial management compliance in GCF and other projects; and
• Facilitate human capital development and transformation within the scope of GCF and other projects.

Please Note

1) Only online applications will be accepted accompanied by a CV together with a letter motivating why the applicant should be favourably considered for this position, and certified qualifications confirming that the minimum qualifications are met (applicants lacking evidence of meeting minimum qualifications and relevant experience will not be considered).

2) A skills test will be conducted as part of the selection process.

3) Applicants must also provide the full names, addresses and telephone numbers and if possible e-mail addresses of at least three referees.

4) Failure to submit the requested information and reference number shall result in your application not being considered.

Personal Information will be processed by SANBI for purposes of assessing your suitability for the advertised position. SANBI may also share your personal information including special personal information with service providers or third parties, both within the Republic of South Africa and in other jurisdictions, to carry out verification of qualifications and other necessary documents, background and reference checks, competency assessment tests, and criminal record checks. By submitting your application, you acknowledge that SANBI’s authorized verification agent(s) and service providers will access your personal information to conduct background screening, verification of qualifications and other necessary documents, reference checks, competency assessment tests, and criminal record checks. For more information, kindly refer to SANBI’s website.

Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. SANBI reserves the right not to fill this position. All applications will be considered with the understanding that, in terms of the SANBI Employment Equity Plan, preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups.