Financial Manager: Budgets and Reporting 

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Cape Town, South Africa.

Conservation International (CI) protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

The Finance Manager, Budgets & Reporting supports the financial operations of the Southern African region with an initial focus on CSA (South Africa and Mozambique) through monthly budget updates, Country Program annual budget, budget development for proposals, donor financial reporting, and ad-hoc financial analysis. This role ensures accurate financial data, supports project leads, and maintains compliance with donor and internal requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Budget Proposal Support

• Prepare internal budget templates (staff rates, cost centres, donor currency).
• Map internal budgets to donor formats.
• Review proposals and ensure accurate submission to the Africa Field Management Unit and/ or Head Office as applicable.

Budget Development and Updates

• Update monthly budget projections for Conservation South Africa, Mozambique, and Southern Africa meeting institutional deadlines.
• Maintain accurate revenue allocations across projects, funding activities within Conservation South Africa and Mozambique country programmes as well as the Southern Africa regional unit.
• Manage employee budgeting and planner entries.
• Assist in the development of the annual budget for Conservation South Africa and Mozambique country programmes and the Southern Africa regional unit, meeting institutional deadlines.

Program Financial Management

• Review budget vs. actual reports monthly.
• Monitor burn rate and flag risks to Africa FMU.
• Work with program management and project leads to identify and implement follow-up actions when necessary.
• Identify risks and reclasses, liaise with the Finance team for processing.
• Support monthly pipeline and financial updates for CLT.

Donor Reporting

• Update transaction listings and donor reports.
• Collaborate with Project Leads for mapping and review.
• Prepare donor forecasts and budget realignments in strict adherence to donor's guidelines.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure documentation readiness.

Systems and Tools

• Maintain budget management templates with donor updates.
• Ensure planner reflects accurate and current financial data.
• Support activation of prospects and BW for budget accuracy.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Typical office environment.
• Ability and willingness to travel on a regular basis to field sites within Southern Africa.
• Flexibility to work extended hours to meet deadlines.
• Position is based in Cape Town, South Africa.
• This role will be a fixed-term assignment, anticipated to begin in March 2026 and end in February 2028.
   

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in accounting.
• 4 to 6 years of relevant experience.
• Budgeting and forecasting - strong skills in preparing and managing multi-project budgets.
• Donor reporting: familiarity with donor formats and reporting requirements.
• Financial systems knowledge: proficiency in Excel.
• Proficiency in or ability to quickly gain proficiency in Business World and Planner.
• Attention to detail: high level of accuracy in financial reports and identifying trends or risks.
• Communication: clear professional communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Mature team player who is able to maintain boundaries whilst also building effective relationships.
• Time management: ability to meet monthly and quarterly deadlines consistently.
• Collaboration: works effectively with project leads, grants managers and finance teams.
• Resilience, flexibility, and autonomy: ability to work under pressure, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities, ability to multitask and deliver quality results with minimal supervision.
• Experience in working in a team based in different locations.
• Experience in the NGO sector, preferably in an international NGO.
• Previous experience in working on complex finance systems would be an advantage.
• Must be in the possession of a valid South African driver's license.

Preferred

• Advanced degree
• Strong academic credentials.
• Ability to bring sense of fun and life/ flow to the team.

To apply for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter.

Application Deadline: February 20, 2026  (11:49 PM EST)

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Application Outcome & Future Opportunities - Should you not hear back from us within two weeks of the closing date for this advertisement, please consider your application not successful. We encourage you to apply for any future roles that align with your skill set.  Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Employment Equity & Legal Compliance Disclaimer -We are committed to fair employment practices and abide by the Employment Equity Act (Act No. 55 of 1998, as amended), the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, and all related regulations. We promote transformation by eliminating unfair discrimination and implementing affirmative action measures for designated groups, including Black people, women, and people with disabilities.

As a designated employer, we have implemented an Employment Equity Plan aligned with sectoral and national benchmarks, and we monitor and report progress annually in compliance with the Employment Equity Regulations (2025). When entering into offers or contracts with any organ of state, we comply with Section 53 of the Act by attaching either a valid Employment Equity compliance certificate or a declaration of compliance with Chapters II and III of the Act, as required.

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