Organization
As one of the world’s largest youth-serving NGOs, JA Africa activates youth for the future of jobs. Through the delivery of cutting-edge, experiential learning in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship, we create pathways for employability and job creation.
Junior Achievement has worked in sub-Saharan Africa since 1979, when the first office was established in South Africa. Since then, JA has reached over 2 million African youth. JA Africa works in 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, which collectively reach over 200,000 young people annually. These young people receive training and mentoring to enable them to become self-confident, financially stable, and socially responsible adults.
Visit http://www.ja-africa.org to learn more.
Equal Opportunity Employer
JA Africa is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Reports to: President and CEO, JA Africa
Position
The Vice President of Finance is the senior finance leader for JA Africa’s Regional Operating Center (ROC), responsible for financial strategy, stewardship, compliance, budgeting, audit oversight, and finance capability-building across the region. This role reports to the JA Africa President and CEO and partners closely with JA Worldwide’s finance team, board members, and country teams to strengthen financial sustainability, decision support, and resilience.
Role Focus
The successful candidate will be a strategic, disciplined, and mission-driven finance leader who combines strong technical expertise with sound judgment and collaborative leadership. The role requires the ability to operate effectively at both executive and operational levels, strengthen financial resilience across the ROC and member network, and ensure the finance function enables impact, accountability, and sustainable growth.
Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Leadership
- Develop and execute a financial strategy for the ROC that maximizes mission impact and long-term financial sustainability.
- Provide strategic financial leadership to support organizational growth, resilience, and effective resource allocation across the region.
- Work closely with JA Worldwide’s CFO to strengthen ROC-level resilience capabilities, particularly those related to financial performance, stewardship, and sustainability.
- Serve as a key financial thought partner to ROC senior leadership on strategic priorities, investments, and operational decisions.
Financial Management and Stewardship
- Oversee the adoption, implementation, and consistent application of best-in-class financial management practices, including policies, procedures, controls, and systems that promote sound financial stewardship.
- Ensure strong financial governance and disciplined management of financial operations, with high standards of integrity, accuracy, and accountability.
- Review and approve key financial transactions and control activities, including payroll, large disbursements, major account reconciliations, funder reports, project budgets, and complex journal entries.
- Monitor financial performance and proactively identify risks, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
Executive and Board Reporting
- Deliver timely and accurate executive- and Board-level financial reporting and analysis.
- Translate financial data into clear strategic insights that support decision-making, oversight, and governance.
- Serve as management representative to the Audit & Finance Committee, providing updates, analysis, and recommendations as needed.
Budgeting, Forecasting, and Planning
- Lead the development of ROC, program, and grant budgets in collaboration with ROC senior leadership and the JA Worldwide finance team as appropriate.
- Oversee forecasting, variance analysis, and financial planning processes to ensure effective management of resources and alignment with organizational priorities.
- Support program and grant planning to ensure budgets are realistic, compliant, and strategically aligned.
Audit, Compliance, and Risk Management
- Provide executive oversight of the ROC annual audit process, serving as the primary liaison with external auditors and the Audit Committee.
- Ensure full compliance with applicable accounting standards, donor requirements, statutory regulations, and internal financial policies.
- Maintain strong internal controls and risk management practices to safeguard assets and support audit quality.
- Oversee timely and accurate preparation of schedules, documentation, and responses required for audits for both the JA Africa ROC and JA Worldwide.
Grants, Programs, and Complex Transactions
- Provide financial guidance to the ROC and member organizations on the implementation of new programs, grants, and complex transactions.
- Support the financial structuring, review, and monitoring of grants and restricted funding to ensure compliance and effective use of resources.
- Partner with program and operational teams to strengthen financial management and reporting quality.
Regional Member Support and Capability Building
- Serve as a key finance point of contact for JA members across the Africa region.
- Provide strategic direction and practical support, where appropriate, to build financial capability across member organizations.
- Track progress and help ensure that members meet organizational, governance, and donor expectations.
- Support stronger financial resilience and sustainability across the regional network.
- Serve on Audit & Finance Committees of Member Boards
Team Leadership
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing finance function through a capable, committed, and service-oriented team.
- Foster a culture of integrity, accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and excellence within the finance team.
- Ensure the finance function is structured and resourced to meet organizational needs.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field required.
- CA or CPA certification required.
- 10 years of progressive leadership experience in finance, accounting, or related functions, ideally in the nonprofit, international development, education, or regional network sector.
- Demonstrated experience in financial strategy, budgeting, audit management, internal controls, grants management, and Board reporting.
- Experience working with donor-funded programs and complex multi-country or multi-entity environments preferred.
- Proven ability to partner with executive leadership and Boards on strategic and governance matters.
Core Competencies
| Strategic financial leadership | Financial stewardship and integrity | Governance and Board engagement |
| Budgeting and financial planning | Audit and compliance management | Risk management and internal controls |
| Grants and donor finance | Executive communication and decision support | Team leadership and talent development |
Travel Requirements
This position requires travel at least 25% of the time within the Africa region.
Location
The position will be based in either Lagos, Nigeria or Accra, Ghana.
Compensation
JA Africa offers a competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience.
How to apply
Interested candidates should send their CV and cover page to recruitment@ja-africa.org
Submission deadline is Wednesday, 15th April 2026.
