Head of Finance and Operations

Hashtag Nonprofit NPC; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit organization is looking for a Head of Finance and Operations in Johannesburg. This critical role involves strategic financial management, team leadership, and development of financial systems to ensure sustainability. The Head of Finance and Operations will oversee budgeting, compliance with policies, and provide guidance to management on financial matters. An ideal candidate should have over 5 years of experience at a senior management level and a solid understanding of NGO operations. This position requires a B.Acc Degree and strong interpersonal skills.

Qualifications

• 5+ years relevant experience at a strategic senior management level.
• 3+ years relevant experience in managing a team or national team.
• Understanding of NGO operations and management accounting.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation of annual budgets and monitor financial records.
• Provide guidance on financial issues and build stakeholder relations.
• Ensure compliance with financial policies and legislative requirements.

Skills

Presentation skills

Financial risk identification and management

Planning, organizing and coordinating skills

Customer relationship building skills

Problem solving skills

Good communication skills

Change management skills

Education

B.Acc Degree in Accounting / Finance or equivalent field of study

A Valid South African Drivers Licence

Tools

PowerBI

D365

Job description

Head of Finance and Operations

SOS Children’s Villages South Africa

Deadline: 30 January 2026

Region: Johannesburg

Type of Employment: Full time

Job Description

Location: National Office - Johannesburg

Functional Area: Leadership / Finance

Job Title & Name of Direct Supervisor: National Director

Job Titles of direct subordinates: National Finance and admin coordinators

Additional professional support and instruction: Regional Finance and Controlling team

The Head of Finance and Operations is a strategic partner and part of the Senior Management Team. They are responsible for strategizing, supervising, accounting for, auditing and quality assurance of all financial activities within the Member Association (MA). Update financial policies and procedures in line with the SOS strategy regularly and ensure adherence by all departments and facilities. Ensure that all resources are used appropriately and efficiently for the best interest of every child within SOS Children’s Village Programmes (CVP).

General Aim/purpose Of The Position

• Ensure proper financial management of organisational funds and resources, constantly analysing the financial position of the organisation and employs strategies that maintains positive and healthy financial position of the organisation and financial sustainability
• Develops and drives strong financial planning and systems strengthening for high functioning of the finance department and the organisation
• Ensure that all financial and administrative policies and procedures, as established by the Association, are implemented and adhered to
• Overseeing of the general financial administration and monitoring of financial systems, as well as provision of excellent controls over all assets of the association.
• Provide guidance on relevant matters to all the facilities through communication, orientation, training and input into the management of team performance.
• Educate Programme Directors and management in financial administration.
• Build and maintain stakeholder relationship.
• Grow financial stability for the association and support the association`s strategic objectives.

Roles and Responsibilities

KPA 1: Financial Management and Administration

• Lead the preparation of all annual budgets of the MA and assists with the preparation of all other budgets of the MA i.e project proposal budgets
• Monitor and control the general monthly income and expenditure patterns of the MA with the relevant head of function at the national office, and report any irregularities
• Ensure accurate administration of financial records in accordance with the accepted accounting and management standards.
• Ensure that all international and local income is accurately accounted for and reconciled.
• Maintain internal controls and quality assurance in the finance and administration department to manage the MA‘s financial risk.
• Review relevance and effeciency of existing finance policies and make submissions for necessary amendments
• Lead and Compile budget review reports together with relevant managers inputs.
• Submit trimester review reports, management reports including ratio analysis, budget actual reviews and summaries or as requested to the Board of Governors for board meetings.
• Engage ND on monthly basis; the statement of financial position (what the organisation owns and owes), statement of activities (show revenue and expenses over the years’ time), statement of cash flow (how cash moves in and out of the organisation), statement of functional expenses (how the organisation uses funds)
• Regular reviewing and updating of financial policies and procedures in‑line with the strategy to ensure compliance with all legislative and operational requirements.
• Oversee and supervise the controls over all assets of the association.
• Ensure that all financial activities are geared towards mitigating and reducing financial risk as identified in the Risk Management programme

KPA 2: Leadership and Management of Finance Team

• Providing strong leadership and direction to finance team and ICT unit
• Communicating financial departmental vision and values to team
• Act as mentor to the team and provide sound advice and guidance to team members.
• Ensure professional recruitment, orientation, performance management and ongiong development of team members.
• Supervise, monitor and guide performance according to job requirements.
• Focus on creating a team‑based culture

KPA 3: Budgetary Preparation and Control

• Receives budget input from user departments and check for reasonability and alignment with operational plans.
• Consolidates departmental and facilities budget inputs into the detailed Association’s budget and submits to the National Director for review
• Tracks departmental and facilities expenditure and ensures that spend is within budget to prevent budget overruns

KPA 4: Financial Governance

• Lead the information sharing process and participation in annual internal and external audits.
• Ensure economic allocation of the MA`s financials and implement financial controls to ensure efficient and appropriate usage of the funds.
• Guide the MA‘s budgeting process, and align to the National plans and objectives as well as compliance with the Childrens Villages International guidelines and frameworks.
• Monitor risk trends, market and pitfalls and recommend proactive sollutions.
• Remain informed about financial risks as identified by Risk Manager and identify risk mitigation strategies.
• Identify opportunities for continuous systems improvement to suit the MA‘s needs.
• Prepare board financial reports and engage the board on the financial position of the organisation
• Prepare board resolution that relate that have financial implications in partnership with the ND, i.e. property sale

KPA 5: Customer Relations

• Build and maintain sound customer relations and meet their needs through effective consultation, advice and recommendations.
• Deal with complaints and follow up for feedback on satisfaction.
• Ensure complaince with statutory regulations.
• Remain responsible for child protection and ensure that it remains as key for all actions and decisions.

KPA 6: Manage the Operations Unit

• Monitor the functioning of the ICT unit and its efficiency in resolving organisational ICT issues and needs
• Support the unit in defining national ICT goals, standards and guidelines and organize and supervise their implementation.
• Guide the ICT budgeting process against international strategy and IOR regulations
• Monitor that the ICT unit maintains the network and computing resources including, LANs, WANs, Wireless Networks, personal computers, mainframe and mid-range computers across the country (NO and facilities), to ensure compatibility and integration with SOS ICT system.

KPA 7: Child Protection and Safeguarding

• Responsible within own area of work to raise awareness of the SOS Child Protection Policy principles and to prevent and protect children from all forms of abuse, abandonment, exploitation, violence and discrimination.
• Responsible to report any CS suspicion, concern, allegation or incident immediately following Child Safeguarding reporting procedures. CS reports should be made to the CS focal person and/or to the respective line manager.

Qualifications and Requirements

Legislative Requirements

• Adherence to relevant South African legislation.

Qualifications

• B.Acc Degree in Accounting / Finance or equivalent field of study.
• A Valid South African Drivers Licence.

Experience

• A Minimum of 5 years relevant experience, performing at a strategic senior management level
• A Minimum of 3 years relevant experience in managing a team or a national team.
• Understanding of NGO operations, including management accounting at a senior level.

Knowledge Specific to the Position

• Knowledge of accounting processes and principles.
• Knowledge of non‑profit accounting rules and application thereof.
• Understanding NGO`s operations, best practices and market trends.
• Understanding of Quality Management principles.
• Knowledge of business and financial practices.
• Knowledge of the South African legislation governing the business finances.
• Budget Preparation and Taxation requirements.
• Recognize business development opportunities.
• Experience in using automated systems, i.e. PowerBI, D365

Skills (Key Technical Skills Required)

• Presentation skills.
• Financial risk identification and management.
• Planning, organizing and coordinating skills.
• Customer relationship building skills.
• Delegation – assigns tasks and monitors expectations for purposes of team growth.
• Problem solving skills to resolve customers` queries.
• Good communication skills.
• Change management skills to effectively cascade down business changes.

How to apply

Interested candidates must submit a motivation letter highlighting your suitability to this role and your CV with contact details of three work‑related referees to MaraisButton & Associates.

Email: [e-mail]

Contact will only be made with shortlisted candidates. Closing date: 30 January 2026

More about this vacancy

Date posted: 16 January 2026