Operational Finance and Accounting Specialist – MSF Ubuntu
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Ubuntu is recruiting an experienced Operational Finance and Accounting Specialist to strengthen financial management, accounting quality and internal controls across its headquarters and country programmes. The position is open to candidates based in Johannesburg, South Africa, or Nairobi, Kenya, offering an opportunity to work within an international humanitarian organisation.
The application deadline is 20 November 2026, with the successful candidate expected to start as soon as possible. The position is offered on an open-ended contract.
About MSF Ubuntu
Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders is an independent international medical humanitarian organisation providing assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF Ubuntu is the organisation’s newest Operational Directorate and is built around the philosophy of Ubuntu — “I am because we are” — with an emphasis on interdependence, locally grounded action and placing communities at the centre of decision-making.
About the Operational Finance and Accounting Specialist Role
The Operational Finance and Accounting Specialist will provide senior technical expertise in operational accounting, financial administration, financial controls and end-of-period processes across MSF Ubuntu headquarters and country programmes.
A major component of the position involves serving as the technical reference for accounting processes within Dynamics Business Central and its interfaces with UniField. The successful candidate will monitor accounting quality, investigate complex accounting and system-related issues, coordinate financial closing activities and help ensure that MSF accounting standards and internal controls are applied consistently.
The role also provides specialist guidance and capacity building to country finance teams while supporting inter-entity accounting, rebilling, treasury administration and the development of accounting tools, standard operating procedures and process improvements.
Key Responsibilities
The specialist will lead or support a broad range of financial activities, including:
- Developing and improving accounting policies, procedures, guidelines and internal control frameworks.
- Acting as the primary accounting focal point for the MSF Ubuntu legal entity within Dynamics Business Central.
- Monitoring accounting data quality and resolving accounting errors and system issues.
- Coordinating monthly and annual financial closures.
- Reviewing balance sheets, reconciliations, accruals, provisions and prepayments.
- Supporting financial reporting, dashboards and year-end financial statements.
- Coordinating intercompany transactions, rebilling and shared-service costs.
- Preparing liquidity forecasts and monitoring treasury transactions.
- Reviewing country programme accounting records and financial administration.
- Identifying control weaknesses and implementing corrective actions.
- Supporting internal and external audits.
- Developing accounting SOPs, guidance and training materials.
- Coaching and mentoring finance managers and accounting teams.
The position therefore combines technical accounting expertise with systems knowledge, financial controls, process improvement and people management.
Qualifications and Experience
Applicants should have a degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration. A professional qualification such as CPA, ACCA or an equivalent qualification is preferred.
Candidates must have at least five years of accounting and financial administration experience, together with experience using ERP systems. Experience with Dynamics and UniField is preferred. Previous experience working for international NGOs or humanitarian organisations is also required, while MSF experience is considered a strong advantage.
Strong candidates will demonstrate expertise in financial accounting, general ledger management, ERP administration, financial controls, balance sheet reconciliations and month-end and year-end closing processes. Analytical ability, attention to detail, accountability, collaboration and a continuous-improvement mindset are also important.
Location, Salary and Benefits
The position can be based at the MSF Eastern Africa office in Nairobi, Kenya, or Johannesburg, South Africa. The role involves regular travel to countries of operation and MSF Ubuntu hubs, while periods of crisis may require extended or irregular working hours.
For candidates based in Nairobi, the vacancy information states an annual salary of EUR 27,145 at HQ Grade 8, with a 2% annual increment up to a maximum of 10 years, alongside additional work-life-balance benefits. Salary and other benefits for the position are otherwise aligned with MSF reward policy and local conditions.
How to Apply
Professionals with strong accounting, ERP, financial-control and international NGO experience should consider applying before the 20 November 2026 deadline. This is a senior finance opportunity for candidates interested in combining accounting expertise with humanitarian operations, systems improvement and cross-country financial management.
