Jobs

The East, Central and Southern African Health Community (ECSA-HC) invites applications for the Post of Director of Finance from suitably qualified persons who are nationals of Member States. The Member States are: Kingdom of Eswatini, Kenya, Kingdom of Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

1.0 The Organization

The East, Central and Southern African Health Community (ECSA-HC) is a regional organisation set up in 1974 to promote the highest possible standards of health among member states. It is mandated to foster cooperation that will lead to the strengthening of health care programmes among member states in the region. The Secretariat implements its activities through four specific programme clusters, namely:

1. Family Health and Infectious Diseases;
2. Non-Communicable Diseases, Food Security and Nutrition;
3. Health Systems and Capacity Building; and
4. Knowledge Management, Monitoring and Evaluation.

2.0 Overall Purpose of the Job

The Director of Finance is a key strategic partner in the organisation’s leadership. Reporting directly to the Director General, the Director will lead the Resource Mobilization Team (RMT) to diversify and secure sustainable funding. The role is responsible for modernizing financial systems, driving digital transformation, ensuring robust financial governance, and managing complex, multi-donor portfolios.

The Director will ensure the accountable and efficient use of resources in line with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and evolving donor requirements, while integrating considerations for climate and health finance.

3.0 Specific Responsibilities

1. Strategic Financial Leadership: Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive, multi-year financial strategy aligned with the ECSA-HC’s strategic plan, ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
2. Resource Mobilization: Provide leadership for the Resource Mobilization Team (RMT) to identify, solicit, and secure funding from a diversified base of traditional and non-traditional donors, including leveraging opportunities in climate and pandemic preparedness funds.
3. Financial Planning & Budgeting: Direct the preparation of consolidated budgets, activity budgets, and medium-term financial forecasts. Ensure budgets are aligned with strategic priorities and incorporate risk assessments.
4. Expenditure Control & Reporting: Oversee and control actual expenditure against approved budgets. Ensure the timely and accurate preparation of management accounts, financial reports, and donor-specific reports on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. Internal Controls & Risk Management: Design, implement, and continuously enhance robust internal financial controls to safeguard the organisation’s assets and mitigate financial risks, including fraud and corruption.
5. Audit Facilitation: Act as the primary liaison for internal and external auditors, ensuring the timely completion of audits and the implementation of agreed-upon recommendations.
6. Payroll & Treasury Management: Manage the ECSA-HC payroll system and oversee the organisation’s investments, providing strategic advice to management on optimal investment opportunities and cash flow management.
7. Donor Compliance & Cash Flow: Ensure the timely production of advance requests, expenditure liquidation submissions, and reconciliations in strict compliance with diverse partner requirements (e.g., WHO, Global Fund, EU,EAC, SADC) to facilitate smooth project cash flow.
8. Sub-Recipient Management: Oversee the preparation of all financial agreements and sub-agreements for sub-recipients. Provide technical support and capacity building to ensure sub-recipients comply with partner agreements and ensure smooth project implementation.
9. Digital Transformation & Systems: Champion the digital transformation of financial processes, including the adoption and continuous improvement of integrated ERP systems, data analytics for decision-making, and automation of workflows.
10. Climate & Health Finance: Integrate climate risk and resilience considerations into financial planning and reporting, including identifying and managing funding streams for climate-related health initiatives.
11. Staff Development & Mentorship: Provide continuous professional development, mentorship, and performance management for the Finance team, fostering a culture of high performance and ethical conduct.
12. Policy & Compliance: Advise the Director General on financial policy, regulatory compliance, and changes in international accounting standards (IPSAS). Ensure adherence to all statutory and legal requirements in member states.
13. Conversant with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
14. Perform any other functions and duties as may be assigned by the Director General.

 4.0 Key Educational Qualifications and Professional Experience

1. A Bachelor of Commerce or Accounting Degree or equivalent and qualified as a Chartered Accountant (CA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
2. A Master’s Degree in Commerce, Accounting, Finance, or a related field. An MBA from a recognized institution is an added advantage.
3. Additional postgraduate qualifications in Finance, Resource Mobilisation, Public Financial Management, or Digital Finance will be a distinct advantage.
4. At least 8 years of senior management experience in financial management, with significant experience in an international organisation, public sector, or large corporate environment.
5. Demonstrated experience in strategic and business planning, and in managing complex, multi-currency, multi-donor portfolios (e.g., Global Fund, World Bank, EU, Gates Foundation, AUDA -NEPAD, UN agencies).
6. A proven, successful track record in resource mobilization, fundraising, and proposal writing, with a history of securing significant funding from diverse sources.
7. Experience in leading digital transformation of financial systems and implementing modern ERP solutions.
8. Experience in managing climate, health, or other thematic funds will be considered a strong asset.
9. Demonstrated experience in dealing with financial management for regional organizations (e.g., SADC, WAHO, WHO, ECSA HC, EAC, IGAD, Africa CDC).

5.0 Essential Skills and Competencies Required

1. Leadership & Change Management: Exceptional leadership skills with a proven ability to build, mentor, and motivate high-performing teams and drive organizational change.
2. Strategic & Analytical Thinking: Superior financial analytical and strategic planning skills, with a proven ability to translate data into actionable insights for decision-making.
3. Communication & Presentation: Excellent written and oral communication, presentation, and negotiation skills in English.
4. Systems & Digital Literacy: Expert-level proficiency in computer-based accounting applications (e.g., ERP systems like SAP, Oracle, or Dynamics 365) and the full Microsoft Office suite, particularly advanced Excel.
5. Donor Relations: Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with a diverse range of international donors and partners.
6. Professional Integrity: High degree of integrity, transparency, and accountability, with a strong commitment to the highest ethical standards.
7. Resilience & Adaptability: Demonstrated ability to work in a dynamic environment, under pressure, and to meet strict and competing deadlines.
8. Mentorship: A proven leader with the ability and commitment to mentor and develop subordinates.

 6.0 Remuneration and Package

An attractive and competitive international remuneration package will be offered to the right candidate.

 7.0 Contract Appointment

This is a 3-year contract appointment, renewable once based on exceptional performance and by mutual consent.

 8.0 Age

Applicants must be between 40 and 55 years of age.

9.0 Method of Application

Nationals of member States who wish to apply for the Post should do so by submitting the following: 

• Brief Application Letter stating why the candidate feels suitable for the post.
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Completed ECSA-HC Application Form for Employment, available  HERE
• Certified Copies of Educational and Professional Certificates. Names of three (3) professional referees with their addresses, including telephone, fax, and e-mail.
• Letter supporting the application written by the Permanent/Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Health of the member state.

Applications that have not met ALL of the above set criteria will not be accepted. Only candidates who have met ALL the requirements of the post and have been selected for an interview will be contacted.

 10.0 Deadline for Applications:

 Applications should reach the address below by 31^st July 2026

The Director General
East, Central, and Southern Africa- Health Community
Plot 157 Oloirien, Njiro Road
P.O. Box 1009
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: Off: +255-27-250 8362/3; 250 4106
Fax: +255-27-254125/250 8292
E-mail: vacancies@ecsahc.org
Website: www.ecsahc.org

The ECSA Health Community is an equal opportunities employer. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

📥 Download ECSA Employment Application Form here