Finance Director - Zambia
Purpose:
The Finance Director is a key member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) responsible for driving financial integrity, efficiency, and sustainability across MSZ. He/she will act as a business partner to the Country Director (CD), ensuring that all financial risks and projected returns are considered and robustly evaluated when making strategic and operational decisions.
The Finance Director is the final authority for all accounting matters within the organisation and must ensure MSI’s Group Financial policies are implemented while observing the needs of the country programme’s local statutory requirements. You will lead the finance function, oversee donor and commercial operations, ensure compliance with Zambian laws and MSI global standards, and provide strategic financial leadership to enable growth and innovation.
The Finance Director must build and maintain a motivated and productive local finance team capable of implementing MSI’s strategies, developing proper monitoring and follow-up systems to ensure financial sustainability and providing advice and support to the programme on financial management.
This position is ideal for a qualified accountant (ACCA or equivalent) who combines technical excellence with commercial acumen and a passion for making a social impact.
Marie Stopes Zambia (MSZ) is a marketing-driven, results-oriented social enterprise, committed to advancing family planning and reproductive healthcare. MSZ is part of the global MSI Reproductive Choices network. MSZ subscribes to the MSI goal and mission: preventing unintended pregnancies and safeguarding individuals’ right to children by choice, not chance. By integrating innovative marketing approaches and community-focused initiatives, MSZ plays a crucial role in improving reproductive health outcomes across Zambia.
It is a role requirement that the job holder must fully comply with, promote and live MSI CORE VALUES: mission driven, client centered, results orientated, pioneering, sustainable and people centered.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Financial Leadership
- Advise the Country Director, SMT and programme board on financial strategy, risk, and investment decisions
- Lead financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting aligned with organizational strategy and development of the annual business plan
- Identify and support strategic initiatives that promote growth and financial sustainability through new business models, efficiency improvements, and partnerships across both private and public sectors
- Provide ideas and influence to expand MSZ’s social business, including innovative approaches to financing health services, and advise on opportunities that enhance impact and cost-effectiveness.
Financial Management & Control
- Oversee all accounting, reporting, and financial control systems
- Ensure compliance with MSI Global Partnership accounting policies, IFRS, and Zambian statutory requirements
- Ensure any changes in legislation or organisational structure are reflected without delays in internal controls and systems
- Implement and maintain robust internal controls and risk management systems, including the country’s anti-fraud and bribery programme and fraud prevention systems
- Monitor cash flow, donor disbursements, and organizational liquidity
- Be accountable for the safeguarding of the country programme’s assets.
Donor & Grant Management
- Coordinate briefings with donors, MSI and government entities
- Lead development of donor budgets and financial reports that meet contractual and compliance requirements
- Support proposal development with accurate costing and financial analysis
- Monitor and manage programme budgets and expenditure trends, strengthening systems for tracking restricted and unrestricted funds to ensure full cost recovery and the optimal use of MSZ’s and donors’ resources.
Business & Commercial Support
- Partner with commercial teams to assess financial viability of new ventures and pricing strategies
- Develop business cases and ROI analysis for investments and service delivery models
- Support social marketing and clinic network profitability analysis
- Support the Operations Director (or equivalent) in the development and maintenance of robust systems to capture operational data.
Team Leadership & Capacity Building
- Lead, mentor, and motivate a diverse finance team to deliver high-quality outputs
- Build staff capacity through ongoing training, coaching, performance management, and encouraging personal development
- Provide annual training and continuous support to the SMT, budget holders and project managers to ensure proper understanding, ownership of and engagement with financial results and budgets
- Foster a culture of accountability, learning, and collaboration.
Tax & Compliance
- Ensure accurate and timely filing of all tax, and statutory obligations
- Lead periodic tax health checks to assess compliance risks, identify exposure areas, and recommend corrective actions
- Coordinate internal and external audits, and maintain effective relationships with external auditors and regulatory bodies, ensuring timely implementation of recommendations in line with group reporting timetables
- Ensure full compliance with MSI global standards, Zambian laws, and donor requirements.
Qualifications/Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field (Master’s preferred)
- ACCA, CPA, or equivalent international accounting qualification is mandatory.
- Minimum 10 years of progressive finance experience, including at least 4 years in senior management
- Prior experience with an audit or consulting firm (Big 4 or equivalent) is highly desirable.
- Experience working in NGO and private/commercial environments
- Proven experience managing donor-funded projects
- Demonstrated success leading financial strategy, budgeting, and risk management in complex organizations.
Essential Skills:
- Strong IFRS and grant management knowledge
- Strategic, analytical, and leadership skills
- Proficient in SUN Accounting and Excel
- Fluent in English and must be pro-choice
Note: MSI takes a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and bribery, terrorism, money laundering, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct or any safeguarding issues. Applicants will be subjected to a Police Clearance Check and Reference Checks.
Applicants must ensure that their qualifications are ZAQA certified.
MSZ is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to promoting a culture of equality and diversity. MSZ will actively strive to eliminate discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or beliefs.
Deadline for applications: Friday 31st October, 2025.
