Financial Analyst – Southern Africa Region

The Nature Conservancy; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 30 000 - 70 000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to environmental conservation as a Financial Analyst. In this role, you will play a critical part in managing financial processes and ensuring compliance with donor requirements across various programs in Africa. Your expertise in financial analysis, budget development, and data management will support vital conservation efforts. Collaborate with diverse teams to drive innovative financial solutions that enhance the organization's mission. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects that positively impact communities and ecosystems. If you are passionate about finance and the environment, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 4 years of related experience in finance or accounting.
• Experience with financial reporting systems and data analytics.

Responsibilities

• Prepare financial reports comparing budgets to actual results.
• Support leadership on program performance and financial management.

Skills

Financial Analysis

Budget Development

Data Analysis

Microsoft Excel

Accounting Standards

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance

CPA or ACCA certification

Tools

Workday

DAX

SQL

Power BI

Job description

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it is career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTubeor on Glassdoor.

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we will only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

TNC’s work in Africa transcends three key pillars: securing ownership rights to lands and resources for indigenous people, strengthening leadership and resource management, and helping communities value nature through a holistic appreciation of its benefits while increasing revenue streams for conservation efforts and socio-economic development. Together with our partners, we are witnessing critical milestones in integrated land and fisheries management, ocean and source water protection, energy development, and sustainable food production, working together and strengthening our resolve in tackling global challenges such as climate change, habitat and biodiversity loss that stands to adversely impact the nearly 1.4 billion people that share Africa.

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Financial Analyst provides highly specialized services in one or more of the following functions: proposal budget development; financial analysis and reporting; support and design field financial management processes; accounting; management controls and reporting; or similar financial activities for the Africa Region Business Unit. Exemplifies a high level of expertise in area(s) of financial reporting, proposals, budget development, advanced financial analysis, and systems innovation. Administers and maintains finance/accounting activities in accordance with TNC policies and procedures and best practices in financial/organizational management. The Financial Analyst supports all levels of personnel in their specialty area. Responds to complex operational and employee/management questions and problems based on advanced knowledge of the subject area with solutions. The Financial Analyst will report to the Regional Finance Analyst and will be based in either the Zambia or the South Africa country office.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE:

• Prepares financial reports and analysis for Zambia and South Africa country programs that compare budgets to actual results, while recommending corrective action as appropriate.
• Supports and proactively informs the leadership team on overall performance of the program and projects revenue, expenditure, cash, and net asset position.
• Supports program managers by monitoring and reporting on the spending rates of restricted and unrestricted funding to ensure proper burn rates are sustained.
• Leads the management of private awards, ensuring compliance with donor financials and other contractual requirements, accurate and timely reporting and timely close out of awards.
• Lead the financial review of Zambia and South Africa programs during monthly and quarterly program review meetings, including quarterly budget reviews of revenues and expenditures.
• Supports the Finance Manager, Budgeting and respective Country Directors on the fiscal year budgeting process. Developing the respective program budgets that address the needs of all stakeholders (Conservation, Finance, Operations and Development).
• Ensures Indirect Cost is fully recovered from all public and private awards and transferred to relevant General & Administrative projects prior to year-end close.
• Builds capacity for the respective Country Directors and Program Managers on budgeting, financial reporting, and monitoring tools.
• Collaborate with conservation, development, and grants teams on budget development for funding proposals and fiscal program planning.
• Collaborates with country operations team members to ensure financial management processes in the field complement and support project outcomes, and where necessary, design financial management tools & processes that facilitate strong control environments.
• Serves as a resource to country staff on all financial matters, including TNC policies, procedures and guidelines and educate staff as required.
• Ensures programmatic commitments, TNC policies and procedures, financial standards and legal requirements are met and managed for compliance to the respective countries.
• Performs any other finance tasks deemed necessary for the smooth operations of the finance department.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field and 4 years' related experience or equivalent combination.
• Professional certification such as a CPA or ACCA.
• Full Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute Management Accountants (CIMA), the Zambian Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA) or the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).
• Experience using accounting and financial reporting systems, workday system experience will be an added advantage.
• Experience in manipulating, analyzing and interpreting data. Advanced expertise in Microsoft Excel & data analytics required. Experience in using DAX, SQL, VBA, or M language is an added advantage.
• Experience with complex relational databases. Knowledge of Microsoft’s Power BI application is preferred.
• Experience in full cost budgeting.
• Experience in supporting multiple projects in various locations and/or countries.
• Demonstrated innovations in financial systems and tools.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent analytical and quantitative skills.
• Multi-lingual skills and/or multi-cultural experience appreciated.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong capacity building, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of current trends in budgeting, financial reporting, and analysis.
• Demonstrated use of modern technology in providing financial solutions.
• Demonstrated high level of integrity and trust.