About the Organisation
Established in 1999, groundWork is an environmental justice organisation working through the lens of a Just Transition and Open Democracy. We work with communities to resist dirty energy and toxic production, building local alliances with workers and advocating for open debate and democratic decision making about the future. groundWork is a principles-driven NGO with committed and capable staff who make a significant contribution to building the environmental justice movement in South Africa and the region. We work with a broad spectrum of people, from NGOs, community organisations and peoples’ movements, to governments and academia, to hold government and corporates to account and challenge environmental racism and injustice on the ground. We also work with communities who are fighting for democratic control over resources such as energy, waste and health for their Constitutional right to ‘an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being’, and to secure their livelihoods. To achieve the objective of environmental justice, groundWork works through six thematic campaigns, these are: 1) Climate and Energy Justice; 2) Coal; 3) Waste; 4) Environmental Health; 5) Communications; and 6) Environmental Justice Education.
About the Job
The Senior Finance Manager will deliver on the organisation’s financial management and reporting requirements and provide leadership and management of groundWork’s Finance Team, to support the achievement of strategic and political objectives of the organization and its community partners. Ideally the candidate should reflect a commitment to groundWork’s vision, mission and values.
The Finance Team
The Finance Team, comprising the Senior Finance Manager, Accountant, Bookkeeper and Assistant Bookkeeper, provide support for and within groundWork and its partners to deliver finance and accounting functions, management, compliance and reporting requirements. The Senior Manager will report to and be accountable to the groundWork Executive Team and will supervise and manage the Finance Team.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic financial direction of the organisation together with the Executive.
Support to the Executive Team with the required organisational financial management, compliance, and reporting.
Leadership and supervision of the Finance Team in maintaining financial accountability and managing the financial functions of the organisation including procurement processes, salary schedules and audit processes.
Exercise effective financial leadership through support, direction, and teamwork.
Ensure Statutory compliance and good practice, including but not limited to: VAT, Taxation, The King Report, NPO registration, the groundWork Trust Deed.
Liaise with funders and prepare funding schedules, applications, budgets, and work with funder contracts and agreements, and respond promptly to funding related queries and audit requirements.
Monitor funds, manage expenditure, ensure accuracy of processes and data and report on the status of contracts including deadlines and re-applications to the Executive.
Improve the performance of the Finance Team by applying performance improvements to close existing or anticipated gaps in performance.
Apply extensive knowledge of existing or new technology (hard- and software) and an understanding of performance support systems.
Support and guide the Finance Team in their engagement with groundWork staff and campaigns.
Requirements
Relevant undergraduate and post graduate qualifications in Commerce, Accounting, Finance or Economics. Chartered Accountant Registration with SAICA is preferred.
At least 15 years’ experience in financial management and accounting including forecasting and budgeting, preparation and review of management accounts, audits, and financial risk management.
Experience in the non-profit environmental justice sector and working with multiple funders will be an advantage.
Demonstrated skill in leading a Finance Team, as well as, recognising training and development needs.
Accountability for daily planning, implementation, managing and controlling of finance related activities.
Experience in reporting and presenting financial plans and reports to organisational management, funders, and the Board of Trustees in accordance with accounting principles, procedures, and systems.
Experienced at managing finances including across multiple countries.
Experience with IFRS Accounting Standards and International Standards on Auditing (ISAs), and required reporting formats, particularly Log Frame Analyses (LFA).
Demonstrated ability to use administrative and financial computer packages - Pastel Accounting and Pastel Payroll in particular.
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; fluency in another South African language, particularly isiZulu, will be an advantage.
Strong work organising skills that ensure high quality, time-bound deliveries will be met.
Excellent interpersonal skills over email, digital platforms such as Zoom and Teams, by phone and in person.
A commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and transformation.
Cultural sensitivity, the ability to work with colleagues in different locations, and a demonstrated ability to work successfully with diverse constituencies.
Being willing to work as part of a diverse and dynamic team.
Demonstrated computer literacy, including Microsoft’s office, web-based systems such as SharePoint, Google drive, Teamwork; and
A current driving license (Code 8).
To apply
groundWork is committed to diversity, inclusion, equity and transformation. The post will begin on 1 March 2024 or sooner should the preferred candidate be available.
In order to apply, email your application by Friday 24th November 2023 to tracy@actionappointments.co.za - send your completed AA bio form, letter of motivation and updated CV (all in MS Word format).
About the Organisation
Established in 1999, groundWork is an environmental justice organisation working through the lens of a Just Transition and Open Democracy. We work with communities to resist dirty energy and toxic production, building local alliances with workers and advocating for open debate and democratic decision making about the future. groundWork is a principles-driven NGO with committed and capable staff who make a significant contribution to building the environmental justice movement in South Africa and the region. We work with a broad spectrum of people, from NGOs, community organisations and peoples’ movements, to governments and academia, to hold government and corporates to account and challenge environmental racism and injustice on the ground. We also work with communities who are fighting for democratic control over resources such as energy, waste and health for their Constitutional right to ‘an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being’, and to secure their livelihoods. To achieve the objective of environmental justice, groundWork works through six thematic campaigns, these are: 1) Climate and Energy Justice; 2) Coal; 3) Waste; 4) Environmental Health; 5) Communications; and 6) Environmental Justice Education.
About the Job
The Senior Finance Manager will deliver on the organisation’s financial management and reporting requirements and provide leadership and management of groundWork’s Finance Team, to support the achievement of strategic and political objectives of the organization and its community partners. Ideally the candidate should reflect a commitment to groundWork’s vision, mission and values.
The Finance Team
The Finance Team, comprising the Senior Finance Manager, Accountant, Bookkeeper and Assistant Bookkeeper, provide support for and within groundWork and its partners to deliver finance and accounting functions, management, compliance and reporting requirements. The Senior Manager will report to and be accountable to the groundWork Executive Team and will supervise and manage the Finance Team.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic financial direction of the organisation together with the Executive.
Support to the Executive Team with the required organisational financial management, compliance, and reporting.
Leadership and supervision of the Finance Team in maintaining financial accountability and managing the financial functions of the organisation including procurement processes, salary schedules and audit processes.
Exercise effective financial leadership through support, direction, and teamwork.
Ensure Statutory compliance and good practice, including but not limited to: VAT, Taxation, The King Report, NPO registration, the groundWork Trust Deed.
Liaise with funders and prepare funding schedules, applications, budgets, and work with funder contracts and agreements, and respond promptly to funding related queries and audit requirements.
Monitor funds, manage expenditure, ensure accuracy of processes and data and report on the status of contracts including deadlines and re-applications to the Executive.
Improve the performance of the Finance Team by applying performance improvements to close existing or anticipated gaps in performance.
Apply extensive knowledge of existing or new technology (hard- and software) and an understanding of performance support systems.
Support and guide the Finance Team in their engagement with groundWork staff and campaigns.
Requirements
Relevant undergraduate and post graduate qualifications in Commerce, Accounting, Finance or Economics. Chartered Accountant Registration with SAICA is preferred.
At least 15 years’ experience in financial management and accounting including forecasting and budgeting, preparation and review of management accounts, audits, and financial risk management.
Experience in the non-profit environmental justice sector and working with multiple funders will be an advantage.
Demonstrated skill in leading a Finance Team, as well as, recognising training and development needs.
Accountability for daily planning, implementation, managing and controlling of finance related activities.
Experience in reporting and presenting financial plans and reports to organisational management, funders, and the Board of Trustees in accordance with accounting principles, procedures, and systems.
Experienced at managing finances including across multiple countries.
Experience with IFRS Accounting Standards and International Standards on Auditing (ISAs), and required reporting formats, particularly Log Frame Analyses (LFA).
Demonstrated ability to use administrative and financial computer packages - Pastel Accounting and Pastel Payroll in particular.
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; fluency in another South African language, particularly isiZulu, will be an advantage.
Strong work organising skills that ensure high quality, time-bound deliveries will be met.
Excellent interpersonal skills over email, digital platforms such as Zoom and Teams, by phone and in person.
A commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and transformation.
Cultural sensitivity, the ability to work with colleagues in different locations, and a demonstrated ability to work successfully with diverse constituencies.
Being willing to work as part of a diverse and dynamic team.
Demonstrated computer literacy, including Microsoft’s office, web-based systems such as SharePoint, Google drive, Teamwork; and
A current driving license (Code 8).
To apply
groundWork is committed to diversity, inclusion, equity and transformation. The post will begin on 1 March 2024 or sooner should the preferred candidate be available.
In order to apply, email your application by Friday 24th November 2023 to tracy@actionappointments.co.za - send your completed AA bio form, letter of motivation and updated CV (all in MS Word format).
