Operational Finance Advisor

Médecins sans frontières (MSF) or Doctors Without Borders, is an international humanitarian-aid non-governmental organization (NGO) and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, best known for its projects in war-torn regions and developing countries facing endemic diseases.

Operational Finance Advisor

Purpose of the Role

• The Operational Finance Advisor provides strategic and operational financial support to MSF Ubuntu Country Programs and country operations. The role ensures sound financial stewardship, risk-informed decision making, strong internal controls, operational planning support and financial accountability throughout the project cycle.

• The position acts as the primary finance strategic partner to operations, supporting program leadership in managing resources efficiently while ensuring compliance with MSF Ubuntu policies and principles and accountability, community engagement, safeguarding, transparency and interdependence.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Operational Finance Support

• Advise country program teams on financial planning and resource allocation.

• Support project design, exploratory interventions and operational proposal through budget development and financial feasibility assessments.

• Participate in project reviews, operational planning meetings and emergency response planning.

• Support country program teams in forecasting financial needs and monitoring expenditure.

• Ensure rapid support to emergency exploration or intervention.

Financial Planning and Budget Management

• Facilitate annual country program budget development.

• Monitor budget performance and variances.

• Provide recommendations on corrective actions and resource optimization.

• Support rolling forecasts and scenario planning.

• Produce financial analysis for management decision making.

• Prepare monthly, quarterly and ad hoc management reports.

• Support portfolio-level financial reviews.

• Contribute to organizational performance monitoring.

Internal Control and Risk Management

• Ensure implementation of MSF Ubuntu operational financial policies and procedures.

• Conduct periodic operational finance reviews and internal control assessments.

• Identify financial risks and develop mitigation measures.

• Support risk-informed decision making in complex operational environments.

Compliance and Accountability

• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, MSF Ubuntu policies and local regulations.

• Support HQ based Finance Administration Officer in preparation of internal and external audits.

• Monitor adherence to financial authorization frameworks in Country Programs.

• Monitor adherence to safeguarding and financial integrity principles and policies in Country Programs.

Capacity building

• Coach and mentor Fin/HR Coordinators and Finance Coordinators, and other finance staff.

• Develop practical finance tools, guidelines and training materials.

• Strengthen financial management capacity within operations teams.

• Facilitate onboarding of finance personnel.

Cross-functional collaboration and organizational contribution

• Foster effective collaboration between Finance, MedOPS, HR, Logistics and Supply to ensure integrated solutions.

• Contribute Finance expertise to operational decision-making and strategic discussions within Operational Cell.

• Contribute to institutional learning, accountability processes, and inter-sectional collaboration across the movement.

Other Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate integration of EDI & Safeguarding aspects into all policies and practices within the unit.