Regional Finance Controller – Africa (West and East)

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is a faith-based humanitarian and development organisation working to save and transform the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Established in 1984 and operating in over 45 countries, we respond to emergencies, tackle poverty, empower communities, and advocate for lasting change.

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Regional Finance Controller – Africa (West and East) to join our Finance & Corporate Services Division. This is a unique opportunity for a senior finance leader who is passionate about financial governance, capacity building, compliance, and driving sustainable improvement across complex international operations.

The preferred location for this role is Nairobi, Kenya. However, we recognise that exceptional talent exists across the continent and will consider applications from suitably qualified candidates located within Africa who can support the regional travel requirements and responsibilities of the position.

The Finance & Corporate Services Division is a strategic enabler of organisational performance, accountability and sustainability, delivering integrated services across Finance, Treasury, ERP & Digital Transformation, ICT, Supply Chain and Facilities. As part of an ambitious finance transformation programme, the division is strengthening financial governance, independent oversight, service excellence, and data-driven decision making across the organisation’s global footprint.

About the Role

The Regional Finance Controller (RFC) is responsible for providing financial oversight, governance, assurance, compliance, and capacity building across Islamic Relief’s country offices and implementing partners throughout West and East Africa.

This is far more than a traditional financial control role. You will work closely with Country Directors, Finance Managers, operational teams, and local partners to strengthen financial management practices, build organisational capability, and ensure the highest standards of financial stewardship are embedded across the region.

You will play a critical leadership role in improving financial performance, enhancing internal control frameworks, strengthening donor and statutory compliance, and supporting long-term financial sustainability. Through visible, hands-on engagement with country offices and partners, you will help drive a step-change in financial discipline, transparency, accountability, and decision-making.

The role combines strategic oversight with practical delivery. You will be responsible for assessing financial performance, mentoring regional finance teams, identifying and mitigating risk, supporting fraud prevention initiatives, and ensuring finance effectively supports programme delivery and donor confidence.

Reporting to the Global Finance Operations Lead, you will provide expert technical guidance and leadership across a diverse and complex regional portfolio, supporting the ongoing evolution of Islamic Relief’s global finance operating model.

The successful candidate will spend approximately 50% of their time travelling across the region, providing direct support to country offices, finance teams, and implementing partners.

The Successful Candidate Will Have:

• A professionally recognised accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, ICMA or equivalent).

• Significant senior-level financial management experience, ideally within the humanitarian, NGO, development, or international non-profit sector.

• Demonstrable experience leading financial governance, compliance, assurance, and internal control activities across multiple entities or geographical locations.

• Strong expertise in budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, financial planning, and scenario analysis.

• Experience producing consolidated management accounts, variance analysis, financial performance reporting, and strategic financial insight.

• Proven experience managing donor compliance requirements and statutory obligations.

• A strong understanding of financial risk management, fraud prevention, and control frameworks.

• Experience leading, developing, mentoring, and coaching finance teams.

• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and support both finance and non-finance leaders.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to present complex financial information clearly and effectively.

• Experience designing and delivering finance training, capability building, and development programmes.

• High levels of integrity, accountability, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity.

• Commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Islamic Relief Worldwide.
• Fluency in both English and French.

Desirable

• Experience managing donor-funded programmes and institutional grant reporting within international NGOs.

• Experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, or complex operating environments.

• Strong understanding of the geopolitical, regulatory, and socio-economic contexts across Africa.

• Experience supporting finance transformation, organisational change, or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience working with local implementing partners and sub-grantees.

Why Join Islamic Relief?

This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact across multiple countries by strengthening financial performance, governance, accountability, and sustainability throughout one of the world’s leading humanitarian organisations.

If you are a strategic finance leader who enjoys developing people, improving systems, driving compliance, and enabling operational excellence across international programmes, we would love to hear from you.

For more information, please refer to the full Job Description and Person Specification.

If you are talented, reliable, service-minded, resilient, and highly motivated, with a strong commitment to Islamic Relief’s mission and values of Sincerity, Excellence, Compassion, Social Justice, and Custodianship, please submit your application via our online recruitment portal.

Pre-Employment Checks

Any employment with Islamic Relief will be subject to: 

• Proof of eligibility to live and work within the UK.

• Satisfactory references.

• Appropriate screening and safeguarding checks.

Please note that we are only able to consider applications from candidates who already have the right to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

 

Our Values and Commitment to Safeguarding

Islamic Relief is committed to preventing all forms of abuse, exploitation, harassment, discrimination, and financial misconduct. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and uphold the highest standards of conduct.

All appointments are subject to satisfactory references and safeguarding checks, including participation in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme where applicable.

Islamic Relief is an equal opportunities employer.