Application Guide
How to Apply for Chief Financial Officer
at Cure Blindness Project
🏢 About Cure Blindness Project
Cure Blindness Project is unique for its 30+ year track record of developing sustainable, cost-effective eye care solutions in underserved global regions, focusing on permanent systems change rather than temporary aid. The organization combines deep technical expertise in ophthalmology with innovative public health approaches, making it an ideal workplace for mission-driven professionals who want measurable, lasting impact. Working here means contributing directly to restoring sight for thousands while building local capacity that continues long after projects end.
About This Role
As CFO at Cure Blindness Project, you'll lead financial strategy for a $20M+ global NGO, managing complex multi-country operations with restricted/unrestricted funds while ensuring compliance across diverse regulatory environments. This role is impactful because your financial leadership directly enables life-changing surgeries, screenings, and training programs that cure avoidable blindness worldwide. You'll serve as a key strategic partner to the Board and leadership team, translating financial data into decisions that maximize both organizational sustainability and humanitarian impact.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing multi-country financial reports from your global team, preparing materials for the Board's Finance Committee on restricted fund utilization, and collaborating with program directors in different time zones to align budgets with upcoming surgical campaigns. You'll spend significant time mentoring team members remotely while analyzing financial models that balance program expansion with long-term sustainability in underserved regions.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Cure Blindness Project Is Looking For
- 15+ years financial leadership experience with at least 5 years as CFO or equivalent at an international NGO managing $20M+ budgets across multiple countries
- Proven expertise managing restricted funding (government grants, foundation grants) and complex compliance requirements in global health/nonprofit contexts
- Demonstrated success building and mentoring global finance teams of 8+ people across different cultures and time zones
- CPA or MBA with deep understanding of nonprofit accounting standards and experience presenting to Board committees
📝 Tips for Applying to Cure Blindness Project
Quantify your experience with restricted funds management—specify dollar amounts and types (USAID, foundation grants, etc.) you've overseen in previous NGO roles
Highlight any eye care/global health sector experience prominently, even if tangential—this niche expertise is rare and highly valued
Tailor your resume to show progression from financial management to strategic leadership, emphasizing board engagement and multi-country operations
Include specific examples of financial innovations that increased organizational efficiency or impact in mission-driven contexts
Demonstrate remote leadership experience managing distributed teams across time zones, crucial for this remote position
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your passion for global health/eye care specifically and understanding of Cure Blindness Project's 30-year model of sustainable capacity building", 'Concrete examples of developing financial strategies that supported organizational growth in mission-driven environments (not just corporate settings)', 'Experience managing the unique challenges of NGO finance: restricted funds, multi-currency operations, audit compliance across different countries', 'Your approach to mentoring global teams and fostering collaboration across cultures in a remote work environment']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study their annual reports and financial statements to understand their funding mix (restricted vs. unrestricted) and geographic footprint
- → Research their specific surgical/training programs to understand the cost structures and financial challenges of delivering eye care in low-resource settings
- → Review their leadership team backgrounds to understand organizational culture and strategic priorities
- → Investigate major donors/funders mentioned in their materials (foundations, government agencies) to understand compliance expectations
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on corporate finance experience without demonstrating understanding of nonprofit accounting standards and restricted fund management
- Generic leadership statements without specific examples of managing global teams in NGO/healthcare contexts
- Failing to show passion for the specific mission—candidates who treat this as just another CFO role won't succeed in this mission-driven culture
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Cure Blindness Project!