About the Role
We're looking for a builder who enjoys creating high-performing finance organizations and helping organizations reach their next stage of growth.
TREES is investing heavily in all areas of its operations to support excellence in programming and performance of its fiduciary responsibilities. Having established a solid financial foundation, TREES is now accelerating the next phase of transformation by expanding strategic finance capabilities, modernizing systems, strengthening organizational decision support, and building a finance function equipped for the organization's next stage of growth.
We require continued excellence in our financial foundation through the application of new technology and enhanced capacities in high-stakes commercial negotiation, management of complex contracts, improved financial planning and analysis and proactive communication and collaboration with partners, including major international investors, impact investors and offtakers.
The CFO will be a full member of the management team and be responsible for reporting regularly to the Board Finance Committee chaired by the Treasurer. The CFO will play a key role in shaping TREES' future financing strategy by helping the organization develop innovative funding and enterprise finance mechanisms, strengthen commercial capabilities that support its carbon business, and identify new approaches that expand long-term financial sustainability and impact.
Reports to: CEO
Role Responsibilities
- Develop, maintain, communicate and revise a practical vision and strategy for the financial function, anticipating evolving needs and building effective solutions and capacities in advance of growth and increased complexity.
- Oversee, direct and execute directly where needed assessments and revision of policy, procedure and systems for the achievement of core financial functions, ensuring timely, accurate and usable financial information, and continuous control and efficiency improvements.
- Identify and act upon key financial risks to the organization, which may affect revenue quality and adequacy, net asset stability or internal controls.
- Build, mentor, and lead a team for high quality delivery of key functions including treasury, controllership, accounting, financial reporting, budget development and management, contract and negotiation, global procurement, internal audit, commercial proposal development and others.
- Identify, scope and resource improvements in the organization’s policy and system environment and develop and deliver change management plans that support financial and non-financial personnel to transition to more effective and efficient means of operation.
- Lead the development and evaluation of innovative financing models, commercial partnerships, and enterprise opportunities that strengthen TREES' long-term financial sustainability and support the growth of its carbon and impact initiatives.
- Lead the organization’s annual budgeting process and financial statements and ensure full preparation and responsiveness for achievement of positive annual audit results.
- Strengthen governance and control of company bank accounts in all jurisdictions and oversee compliance with all local laws.
- Represent TREES in negotiations with funders, vendors and other stakeholders for acceptable terms and outcomes in contractual and other critical matters.
- Arrange for the effective application of all contractual requirements within the TREES control environment, including segregation of funds, effective time and expense reporting, timely response to reported control failures and management of retained internal audit resources.
- Drive continuous improvement in the overall control environment within our program countries and globally.
- Serve as an active member of the Senior Leadership Team, bringing independent judgment, constructive challenge, and strategic insight that improves organizational decision-making beyond finance.
- Achieve results with a strong focus on value for money and careful stewardship of donor resources.
Role Requirements
- MBA or similar credential; CPA or accounting experience highly desirable
- 15 years of increasingly responsible experience with at least three years at an organization or company of similar or larger size
- Experience with carbon markets, investment markets, venture capital highly desirable
- Deep experience working with large, on-ground teams in East Africa or similarly challenging environments
- Demonstrated experience identifying, integrating and maximizing on-line financial and mobile technologies for effective global connection and operation.
- Certification or deep experience with one or more ERP systems; Sage/Intacct especially preferred
- Comfort working and projecting strong leadership in a largely remote operation
Who You Are
- An enthusiastic advocate for TREES' mission and values. You believe finance is a strategic enabler of impact and are excited to help build thriving rural economies, resilient food systems, and a healthier planet.
- A confident, proactive finance leader who builds as well as leads. You enjoy creating order from complexity—strengthening systems, improving processes, building teams, and leaving organizations better than you found them. You're as comfortable rolling up your sleeves as you are setting strategic direction.
- A technically strong finance executive with broad business acumen. You bring deep expertise across accounting, financial planning and analysis, treasury, controls, compliance, and financial reporting. You understand the details but naturally think beyond them, using finance to inform strategy and decision-making.
- A builder of high-performing teams. You develop people, create accountability, and build finance organizations that scale. You enjoy coaching leaders, empowering others, and creating a culture of ownership and continuous improvement.
- An innovative and commercially minded finance executive. You think beyond traditional nonprofit finance, bringing curiosity about new financing mechanisms, investment and carbon markets, enterprise models, and other opportunities that strengthen both mission impact and long-term financial sustainability.
- A trusted strategic partner. You combine sound judgment with strong commercial instincts. You thrive in dynamic environments, navigate complexity with confidence, and help executive teams make thoughtful, well-informed decisions.
- A skilled communicator and relationship builder. You communicate complex financial issues with clarity and credibility. Whether partnering with colleagues, presenting to the Board, engaging donors, or working with auditors and financial institutions, you build trust through expertise, transparency, and sound judgment.
- Comfortable leading through ambiguity. You don't wait for perfect information or detailed direction. You naturally identify opportunities, define priorities, and build practical solutions in environments that are still evolving.
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