Description
Job Title: Finance Director, Lesotho
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: Maseru, Lesotho
This is a reposted position.
Organizational Profile
Partners In Health (PIH) is a non-profit, global health organization that fights social injustice by bringing the benefits of modern medical science first and foremost to the most vulnerable communities around the world. PIH focuses on those who would not otherwise have access to quality health care. PIH partners with the worldโs leading academic institutions to create rigorous evidence that shapes more sound and all-inclusive global health policies. PIH also supports local governmentsโ efforts to build capacity and strengthen national health systems.
As of today, PIH runs programs in 11 countries (Haiti, Kazakhstan, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mexico, Navajo Nation, Peru, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, United States), where it provides direct care to millions of patients, through public facilities and community engagement.
Job Description Overview
The Finance Director will lead strategic financial planning, reporting, and the implementation of effective systems and processes in alignment with PIH Lesothoโs vision. This role oversees all financial operations, ensures compliance with donor financial reporting requirements, and upholds strong financial controls. The Director will play a key role in strengthening the finance teamโs capacity and efficiency, while also serving as a key member of PIH Lesothoโs senior management team. This position provides direct leadership and oversight to the entire Lesotho finance team and contributes significantly to the organizationโs strategic direction and operational success.
Responsibilities include:
Accounting and financial reporting
o Deliver technical accounting support and assistance to guide the development of the finance team, ensuring that each month is closed by the 15th day following the month
o Monitor and maintain strict financial processes and internal controls and safeguard assets
o Provide oversight for accounting functions, including timely clearing of encumbrances and prepayments in collaboration with the Procurement team, posting of bank account and Mpesa reconciliations, and payroll for 300+ employees.
o Perform balance sheet reconciliations and review staffโs reconciliations as part of the monthly close process, including preparing journal entries.
o Minimize exchange rate risk via proper cash management and oversee monthly currency exchange rate adjustments
o Execute monthly wire requests and monitor all organizational cash flows, ensuring forecasts and requests are in line with implementation plans and administrative commitments
o Review shared cost allocations across different funding sources
o Liaise with PIH Coordination Site in the US on issues relating to financial reporting as well as donor regulated reporting, providing oversight and assistance in completing all external donor financial reports
o Lead monthly and annual financial year close processes for PIH Lesotho and ensure timeliness in financial year close activities
o Work with PIH Coordination Site on year-end close and year-end adjustments in support of the PIH global consolidated audit & production of financial statements
Budgeting
o Lead the annual financial budgeting process
o Build capacity and provide training to managers on monitoring and tracking budget versus actuals, including costs related to project expenses
o Lead monthly, quarterly and mid-year budget reviews
o Keep Lesotho executive leadership team abreast of the Lesothoโs financial status through monthly financial report review meetings
o Build staff capacity around creating fully costed proposal budgets
Systems
o Ensure proper accounting system controls and functionality
o Liaise with PIH Coordination Site and local IT team on trouble shooting and resolving any functionality issues with accounting system
Team Management
o Oversee a team of six people, with two direct reports, with regular supervision.
o Provide clear expectations and responsibilities for each team member.
o Conduct annual performance assessment for each team member.
Other responsibilities
o Compile and analyze data for the purpose of reviewing spending patterns and preparing cost analyses of project expenditures
o Conduct regular reviews of audit recommendations, both external and internal, and ensure timely remedial action is taken to close gaps.
o Partner with the Policy and Partnerships Department to provide oversight on financial planning for resource mobilization
o Participate in ad hoc projects and analysis
o Work with the LE Internal Audit team to ensure robust internal controls are in place throughout the finance department
o Other projects as requested by the Executive Director
Skills and Qualifications:
- Bachelorโs degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Masterโs degree (MBA, MAcc, or related field) or equivalent postgraduate qualification strongly preferred.
- Membership in a professional accounting body (ACCA preferred)
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive financial management experience, with 3โ5 years in a leadership or director-level role preferred.
- Proficiency with accounting software, Serenic Navigator preferred.
- Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.
- Familiarity with international accounting standards (IFRS) and local financial regulations in Lesotho is an asset.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work well and communicate clearly in a dynamic team environment alongside health workers, senior management team, support staff, and patients
- High level of integrity, professionalism, and attention to detail.
- Ability to thrive in a dynamic and resource-limited environment.
- Fluency in English is required; fluency in Sesotho is an advantage.
- Willingness to travel to remote parts of the country
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive financial management experience, with 3โ5 years in a leadership or director-level role preferred.