Application Guide
How to Apply for Director, Finance & Administration
at Akashinga
🏢 About Akashinga
Akashinga is a trailblazing nonprofit that uniquely combines conservation with women's empowerment, protecting over 13 million acres across Southern Africa. By partnering with local communities and employing an all-female ranger force, they offer a mission-driven environment where financial leadership directly supports both ecological preservation and gender equality.
About This Role
This role oversees multi-country budgeting, cash flow, and financial reporting for a growing organization, ensuring resources are deployed effectively across four countries. As Director, you'll build scalable systems and controls, providing critical visibility for leadership and the Board to make informed decisions that amplify conservation impact.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your day might start with a video call with the Zimbabwe-based CFO to review cash flow needs, then shift to analyzing budget variance reports for the Botswana program. Afternoon could involve refining a financial model for a new grant proposal, followed by a check-in with the US-based accounting team on month-end close. You'll also carve out time to review internal controls and document processes for scalability.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Akashinga Is Looking For
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📝 Tips for Applying to Akashinga
Highlight specific experience managing donor-restricted funds and multi-country grants, as this is core to Akashinga's funding structure.
Quantify your impact in previous roles, e.g., 'Improved cash flow forecasting accuracy by 20%' or 'Led audit that reduced findings by 50%'.
Demonstrate familiarity with remote team management across time zones, as the role is remote but coordinates across Southern Africa.
Mention any experience with conservation or women's empowerment nonprofits, even if tangential, to show mission alignment.
Customize your resume to emphasize systems building and process improvements, not just day-to-day accounting.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
1. Your hands-on experience with US nonprofit GAAP, IRS compliance, and Form 990, specifically with multi-country operations. 2. How you've built scalable financial systems that improved transparency and decision-making for leadership and boards. 3. Your passion for conservation and women's empowerment, and how your financial leadership can further Akashinga's mission. 4. Specific examples of managing cash flow across multiple currencies and countries.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read Akashinga's annual reports and financial statements (if available) to understand their funding sources and spending priorities.
- → Study the specific conservation programs in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, and Namibia to understand operational nuances.
- → Learn about the founder, Damien Mander, and the organization's history to grasp the cultural and strategic context.
- → Review any recent news or press releases about Akashinga's growth or new partnerships to tailor your application.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid generic language about 'passion for the mission' without connecting it to specific financial skills or experiences.
- Don't overlook the multi-country aspect; failing to address currency risk or local compliance could be a dealbreaker.
- Steer clear of claiming experience you don't have; be honest about your level of hands-on involvement in audits and Form 990.
📅 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!