Controller / Chief Financial Officer

About Aquaya

The Aquaya Institute (‘Aquaya’) is a nonprofit research and consulting organization dedicated to advancing global health through universal access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). We deliver critical insights, data, and tools to support informed policy, program, and financing decisions. This knowledge helps to secure safe water and sanitation for vulnerable populations, improving human health and well-being.

Aquaya’s portfolio spans public health, economics, technology development, and social entrepreneurship in over 20 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. We have published or contributed to over 40 peer-reviewed research articles and produced numerous other reports and publications.

Aquaya maintains an office in Nairobi, Kenya, and Accra, Ghana. Staff members are also in the US, France, Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Morocco. Many of our projects are carried out in collaboration with academic research groups and expert consultants.

About the Position

We are recruiting a full-time position based remotely (40 hours/week). This position will be based remotely in the United States and may include infrequent international travel. The Controller/CFO will report to Aquaya’s Executive Director and will be a strategic partner in Aquaya’s financial future.

In 2021, Aquaya was awarded a five-year cooperative agreement by USAID and serves as the prime awardee, leading a consortium of eight partner organizations. This position will primarily work to ensure U.S. Federal compliance on this project as well as Aquaya’s other U.S. Federal awards, subawards, and subcontracts. The Controller/CFO will provide a crucial link between the technical and finance functions within the project to ensure that Uniform Guidance and Federal Acquisition Regulations, as well as internal and project rules and policies, are followed in all aspects of program implementation.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Monitor current financial strategies that support the organization’s mission and goals, developing and implementing new strategies as needed.
• Manage and oversee all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records.
• Review and present financial reports to the Executive Director and Board of Directors, providing analysis and recommendations as needed.
• Ensure compliance with all financial reporting and regulatory finance requirements, including tax filings, audits, single audits, and other reporting requirements.
• Oversee the organization’s annual budgeting process and provide regular updates and analysis to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the finance team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
• Monitor and manage internal controls.
• Lead and oversee the financial activity, including budgets, expenditures, and external reporting for all grants and contracts, including those funded by USAID, to ensure compliance with respective agreements.
• Resolve external issues/problems related to grants administration in a timely manner.
• Work closely with the program team to ensure overall compliance and efficiency of execution of all awards and contracts.
• Review and approve agreement drafts, subaward request letters, negotiated indirect cost rate proposals, and other documents to be submitted to the U.S. government for compliance with Uniform Guidance and FAR.

Criteria for the Controller/Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

The following qualifications are necessary for this position except as noted:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in accounting.
• An active CPA license.
• At least six (6) years of progressively responsible nonprofit experience in accounting, auditing, or finance in the capacity as an employee or consultant with a recognized entity.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, manage, and analyze large budgets.
• In-depth knowledge of U.S. accounting standards.
• Experience managing, working, or consulting in connection with charitable awards.
• Extensive use of Excel formulas and functions for projections, allocations, cash forecasting, etc.
• Fluency in English.

We are also looking for the following skills and attributes:

• Prior experience in a management role on a U.S. federally-funded grant and or contract is highly desired.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating and collaborating with various stakeholders and grant awardees.
• Interest in learning and using new technology for payments, forecasting, budgeting, and accounting system integrations.
• Previous work experience working with staff from other countries.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proven ability to work closely with a small team and to successfully manage multiple and changing priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining a positive and productive attitude and a good sense of humor!

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time position, with an initial 3-month probationary period. Aquaya offers competitive salaries that are commensurate with experience.

Benefits include:

• Generous PTO including paid sick leave and federal holidays
• Low or no-cost medical insurance plans
• Dental reimbursement
• 401(k) with 4% match
• Cell phone & internet stipend
• Remote office stipend

To Apply

Please submit your resume via e-mail to jobs@aquaya.org along with a thoughtful cover letter. Submissions will be considered as received, and the position will remain open until filled. There will be an additional screening survey and activity once your resume and cover letter are received.

In your cover letter, please explain why you are interested in Aquaya’s mission and activities, and tell us why your skills, background, and accomplishments make you the ideal candidate for this position, specifically highlighting your experience.

Note that we will not consider applications without a cover letter. In your e-mail subject line, specify “Controller/CFO 2024”. No phone calls, please.

Aquaya provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

• This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.