Network Finance Director, VisionFund International

About World Vision International

World Vision International is a global Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Founded in 1950, the organization operates in nearly 100 countries and employs over 34,000 staff. World Vision’s ministry is focused on providing sustainable solutions through community-based initiatives aimed at enhancing education, health, food security, and economic development. The organization is guided by Christian values and is driven by the belief that every child, regardless of background, deserves a life filled with hope, joy, and purpose. More details about World Vision International’s programs, mission, and impact can be found on their website at wvi.org. VisionFund International, a subsidiary of World Vision, is the microfinance provider serving vulnerable clients through loans, savings, and insurance. VisionFund aims to empower families by providing financial products that help them grow their livelihoods in remote, rural areas across 25 countries. With the ultimate goal of impacting the lives of 30 million children through its “Our Livelihood Promise” strategy, VisionFund is committed to fostering sustainable economic growth and breaking the cycle of poverty.

About this Role

VisionFund International, the microfinance arm of World Vision, seeks to appoint a Network Finance Director. This critical role involves robust oversight of the financial performance of VisionFund’s network of 25 Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), effective implementation of financial processes, internal controls, and compliance measures. The role also necessitates proactive crisis management and strategic reviews to tackle financial risks and challenges and requires leadership in capacity building, performance management, and training. The new structure involves managing MFIs grouped into six regions, each overseen by a Regional Financial Director (RFD) reporting to the Network Finance Director (NFD). This setup ensures financial oversight, internal compliance, and the development of competent finance staff across the network.

Responsibilities

• Oversight of Network financial performance
• Monthly review of MFI financial performance, rolling reforecasts, and accompanying RFD narrative.
• Convene monthly performance review calls for each region with VFI GC attendees and ensure all key performance issues, areas of non-compliance, and risks are highlighted.
• Ensure actions from monthly meetings are followed up promptly by RFDs and MFI CFOs.
• Make recommendations to improve monthly reports so that financial performance can be fully assessed.
• Ensure any material issues arising between calls are promptly escalated to the VFI CFO and COO.
• Effective MFI finance processes, internal controls, systems and compliance
• Review monthly reports by the Finance Compliance Manager in relation to finance manual implementation, compliance with finance and risk policies, timeliness of MFI reporting, status of system implementation and upgrade projects, and addressing internal and external audit findings.
• Discuss and review with the Finance Compliance Manager and RFDs regularly MFI compliance status and local regulatory, legal, and tax tracking.
• Strategic reviews, crisis response and ad hoc projects
• Review with RFDs all issues which arise in MFIs where the risk of financial loss is high.
• Assess with RFDs, Regional Directors, VFI CFO, and VFI COO plans to address these issues.
• Ensure that internal staff or external contractors with the required skills and experience are engaged as required.
• Approve the appointment of professional advisers.
• Leadership, capacity building, performance management, and training
• Model Christian leadership and VFI Core Values in all interactions.
• Participate in the leadership of the VFI GC Finance team along with the CFO, Finance Operations and Transformation Director, Global Asset Management Director, and the Corporate Finance Director.
• Contribute to the success of annual Finance team goals.

Requirements

• Preferred:
• MBA or CPA or equivalent accounting qualification.
• Audit or consulting experience.
• Experience in a multinational and multicultural environment with proven cross-cultural effectiveness.
• Required:
• Masters or advanced degree in finance or related subject.
• Minimum 10 years of deep financial performance management and analysis experience.
• Extensive experience in the microfinance and/or banking sectors.
• Thorough understanding of balance sheet risk management including interest rate risk, liquidity risk, and foreign exchange risk.
• Investment analysis and appraisal skills.
• Minimum 5 years of managing people at a senior level.
• Cross-cultural sensitivity.
• Flexibility with working hours.
• Good project management and organization skills.
• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to lead and manage a virtual team.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation tailored to the context in which employees work.
• Opportunity to contribute to global mission-driven projects.
• Leadership and professional development opportunities.
• Engaging and supportive work environment rooted in Christian values.