Senior Science Communication Officer

Role Overview

This role is the Foundation’s guardian of financial accuracy and compliance, responsible for the daily health of the general ledger, the discipline of month-end and year-end close, and the smooth execution of audits and statutory filings. You will review journals and reconciliations, test internal controls, support budget holders with technical accounting guidance, and ensure every transaction—from payables to payroll—is documented, approved, and traceable. Your work directly underpins the Foundation’s institutional accountability and stewardship, giving leadership and external stakeholders confidence in the integrity of every financial figure.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the accuracy of the general ledger by reviewing all journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting evidence, and by driving the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes to completion.
• Maintain clean balance sheet reconciliations for all significant accounts, investigating aged items, clearing outstanding risks, and documenting resolutions in a timely manner.
• Strengthen and monitor internal controls across finance operations, testing compliance with financial policies and delegated authorities, identifying weaknesses, and recommending corrective actions before they become problems.
• Coordinate finance-related audits from both internal and external auditors, preparing audit schedules, serving as the primary contact for audit requests, and tracking the implementation of agreed management actions.
• Manage statutory and regulatory compliance, including the preparation and submission of returns, liaison with tax authorities and regulators, and monitoring of legislative changes that could affect the Foundation’s reporting obligations.
• Oversee the full transaction cycle, including accounts payable and receivable, payment request reviews, vendor payments, statutory remittances, payroll finance reconciliations, and the resolution of outstanding receivables.
• Drive continuous improvement in finance operations by updating standard operating procedures, supporting the automation of routine processes, and providing technical accounting and compliance support to internal stakeholders and budget holders.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Statistics, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Full professional accounting qualification—CPA(K), ACCA, or equivalent—with active membership in a recognised professional accounting body.
• A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience, with substantial hands-on exposure to financial accounting and reporting.
• Proven experience coordinating internal and external audits, preparing statutory filings, and liaising with external auditors or regulators.
• Demonstrated ability to manage financial operations and compliance within complex organisations; experience in donor-funded, grant-making, or international development environments is strongly desirable.
• Strong working knowledge of internal control frameworks, tax compliance requirements, and regulatory reporting obligations.
• Advanced reconciliation and analytical skills, with meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Hands-on experience with ERP or financial management systems, including the ability to extract, analyse, and challenge system data.
• Excellent planning, prioritisation, and deadline-management skills, combined with clear communication and the ability to engage confidently with internal and external stakeholders.
• High personal integrity, ownership of outcomes, and a collaborative, continuous-improvement mindset.

What We Offer / Why Join

This is an opportunity to serve as the technical anchor of financial control within a mission-driven Foundation that depends on clean, credible finances to deliver its work. You will operate at the intersection of accounting, compliance, and operations, with direct exposure to audit committees, tax authorities, and complex grant-funded transactions. The Foundation is intentionally building a culture around Respect, Accountability, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Excellence, and expects its finance professionals to model those values in every interaction—offering a working environment where your expertise is both challenged and valued.