Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Finance Systems & Projects Executive

at Sightsavers

🏢 About Sightsavers

Sightsavers is a unique international development organization focused on preventing avoidable blindness and promoting equal rights for people with disabilities in over 30 countries. What makes them special is their dual mission combining health programs with disability rights advocacy, creating meaningful global impact through sustainable, locally-led initiatives. Working here offers the chance to contribute finance expertise directly to humanitarian efforts while enjoying flexible remote/hybrid arrangements.

About This Role

This 24-month fixed-term role involves co-leading finance systems enhancements and change projects across Sightsavers' global operations, specifically improving controls, user experience, and outcomes in accounting, procurement, expenses, and banking software. It's impactful because you'll directly enable more efficient resource allocation for blindness prevention and disability rights programs across Africa and Asia through smarter financial systems.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with troubleshooting a procurement system issue from the Senegal office, then planning training materials for Asian country teams, followed by a virtual meeting with the Head of Finance Systems to track project timelines. Later, you'd update process documentation to align with the Financial Framework and prepare for upcoming travel to support system implementations.

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🎯 Who Sightsavers Is Looking For

  • Has 3-5 years of hands-on experience with integrated finance systems (like Sage Intacct, Unit4, or similar) in an international NGO or development context, not just corporate finance
  • Demonstrates proven ability to manage stakeholder training and adoption across diverse global teams, particularly with non-technical finance users in Africa/Asia
  • Shows experience planning and executing finance process improvements within robust control frameworks specific to international development compliance requirements
  • Is comfortable with monthly UK office travel plus periodic international trips to support implementations in challenging environments

📝 Tips for Applying to Sightsavers

1

Explicitly mention experience with finance systems in international development/NGO contexts, not just corporate environments

2

Highlight specific examples of training non-technical global teams on finance systems, especially in resource-limited settings

3

Quantify improvements you've driven in previous roles (e.g., 'reduced month-end close by 2 days through process automation')

4

Address the 24-month fixed-term nature positively, showing how your goals align with this timeframe

5

Demonstrate understanding of Sightsavers' dual mission by connecting finance systems work to program outcomes

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your experience with finance systems in international development contexts and how it applies to Sightsavers' Africa/Asia operations", 'Specific examples of leading successful change management for finance process adoption across diverse global teams', "How you've balanced robust financial controls with user-friendly system design in previous roles", 'Your approach to supporting non-technical users while maintaining system integrity and compliance']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Sightsavers' Financial Framework and how it guides their global operations
  • → Their specific programs in Africa and Asia to understand where finance systems directly support field work
  • → Their recent annual reports to understand financial scale and reporting requirements
  • → Their disability inclusion work to appreciate the full scope beyond health programs
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach training finance staff in Senegal or Bangladesh on new procurement processes?
2 Describe a time you had to implement a finance system change while maintaining strict compliance controls
3 What metrics would you track to measure the success of finance system improvements at Sightsavers?
4 How do you prioritize competing enhancement requests from different country offices?
5 What experience do you have with the specific challenges of finance systems in international development contexts?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with only corporate finance experience without showing understanding of NGO/international development contexts
  • Focusing only on technical systems skills without demonstrating change management and training abilities
  • Not addressing the travel requirements or fixed-term nature in your application

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Sightsavers!

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