About Swahilipot Hub

Swahilipot Hub Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 2016 by Mahmoud Noor, nurturing youth talents in technology and creatives/arts through youth-led programs and community spaces for co-working, meeting, networking, and learning.

Position Overview

The Finance Director provides strategic financial leadership for the Vijana2Thrive Project, ensuring sustainability, transparency, and accountability across all activities while guiding the finance team and safeguarding donor resources.

Scope of Role

Align Vijana2Thrive financial strategies with the program vision, strengthening governance, compliance, resource stewardship, and long-term sustainability for youth-focused outcomes.

Key Areas

• Strategic financial leadership: Design and execute strategies that enhance sustainability, efficiency, and measurable impact.
• Analytical and decision-making strength: Interpret financial data, develop scenarios, and guide executive choices.
• Governance and compliance orientation: Build governance frameworks, internal controls, and risk management systems aligned to donor and statutory obligations.
• Stakeholder engagement and communication: Collaborate effectively with donors, auditors, partners, and executive leadership through clear reporting.
• Leadership and team development: Mentor and motivate finance teams to deliver high performance and accountability.
• Integrity and accountability: Uphold transparency, fiduciary responsibility, and stewardship of donor resources.
• Innovation and sustainability thinking: Explore and operationalize financing mechanisms that sustain impact beyond donor cycles.
• Financial management and reporting: Expert use of budgeting, planning, and reporting standards (IPSAS/IFRS).
• Donor-funded project management: Manage large, multi-year donor portfolios with Mastercard Foundation or similar partners.
• Risk and audit management: Establish risk frameworks and ensure audit readiness and follow-through.
• Procurement and contract oversight: Lead due diligence, sub-granting processes, and contract management.
• Systems proficiency: Command of ERP and accounting platforms (Odoo, QuickBooks, Sage, SAP) and advanced Excel.
• Financial forecasting and analysis: Apply financial modeling, forecasting, and performance-based budgeting to inform strategy.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• Professional certification such as CPA (K), ACCA, or CFA (mandatory).
• Minimum 10 years of progressive finance experience with at least 5 years at senior management or director level.
• Demonstrated success managing multi-million-dollar budgets in complex donor-funded programs; Mastercard Foundation experience is an advantage.
• Proven participation in executive or board-level strategic planning and sustainability discussions.
• Extensive audit and risk oversight experience, including implementing audit recommendations.
• Track record of building financial systems, policies, and high-performing teams that strengthen efficiency and accountability.
• Experience engaging funding partners, government agencies, and private sector stakeholders.
• Additional training in donor compliance, grant management, strategic leadership, financial modeling, or risk/governance (e.g., ISO 31000, CIMA) is desirable.

Skills

• Deep commitment to youth empowerment and inclusive economic growth.
• Exceptional interpersonal, leadership, and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Ability to excel in dynamic, adaptive, and innovation-driven environments.
• Thought leadership in sustainable and blended financing for development.

• Develop and implement Vijana2Thrive financial strategies that drive long-term sustainability and growth.
• Oversee end-to-end financial operations, governance, and performance reporting for the project.
• Ensure effective allocation and utilization of financial resources across program components.
• Establish and maintain robust risk management and compliance controls in line with donor and statutory requirements.
• Lead financial planning, forecasting, scenario modeling, and cost-efficiency initiatives.
• Serve as the primary financial liaison for the Mastercard Foundation and other stakeholders, delivering timely reports and due diligence.
• Coordinate internal and external audits, ensuring adoption of recommendations and continuous improvement.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and capacity building to Finance Managers and the wider finance team.
• Design sustainability and innovative financing plans that extend impact beyond donor funding.
• Undertake any other duties assigned by the Executive Director to advance project objectives.

• Deep commitment to youth empowerment and inclusive economic growth.
• Exceptional interpersonal, leadership, and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Ability to excel in dynamic, adaptive, and innovation-driven environments.
• Thought leadership in sustainable and blended financing for development.

• Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• Professional certification such as CPA (K), ACCA, or CFA (mandatory).
• Minimum 10 years of progressive finance experience with at least 5 years at senior management or director level.
• Demonstrated success managing multi-million-dollar budgets in complex donor-funded programs; Mastercard Foundation experience is an advantage.
• Proven participation in executive or board-level strategic planning and sustainability discussions.
• Extensive audit and risk oversight experience, including implementing audit recommendations.
• Track record of building financial systems, policies, and high-performing teams that strengthen efficiency and accountability.
• Experience engaging funding partners, government agencies, and private sector stakeholders.
• Additional training in donor compliance, grant management, strategic leadership, financial modeling, or risk/governance (e.g., ISO 31000, CIMA) is desirable.