Natural State is hiring a Director of Finance & Capital in Nairobi, skilled in financial modeling, venture capital, and carbon markets.
Reports
To: Vice
President, with a dotted line to the President
Key
Travel: Regular
travel to operational hubs in Nanyuki and Lewa Conservancy
Position Summary
The Director of Finance & Capital is a core member of Natural State’s Senior Leadership Team, serving as the organizational lead for both financial oversight and strategic capital initiatives.
This role combines ensuring strong financial management across all affiliated nonprofit entities and operations with directly driving the development and financing of new conservation ventures, including the establishment and spin-out of a for-profit entity.
Key Responsibilities:
Financial
Leadership, Control & Strategy:
- Provide direct leadership and mentorship to the finance team in
Nanyuki, including creating professional development plans to build
long-term capacity.
- Assume ultimate responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, and
timeliness of all financial management, reporting, and compliance for all
affiliated nonprofit entities, including the US 501(c)(3), Kenyan entity,
and any future entities established under the organization’s umbrella
- Partner with the Director of Systems to ensure financial and
operational systems are fully aligned with the needs of a growing
organization. Own the organizational budgeting and long-range planning
process: develop templates, consolidate submissions, and hold authority to
challenge/reject budgets. Develop and maintain a robust multi-year
financial model.
- Develop and manage detailed cash flow forecasts to ensure
operational liquidity.
- Enforce budgetary discipline through monthly Budget vs. Actual
analysis and has the authority to implement spending controls to prevent
overspending.
- Develop, document, implement, and enforce robust internal controls,
procurement policies, and financial risk management frameworks.• Ensure
optimal stewardship of all funds, overseeing all financial reporting and
compliance for donor grants.
- Serve as the primary authority for all audit and tax compliance
matters in both jurisdictions.
- Act as a key financial representative to external partners,
including auditors, banks, and major donors.
- Provide strategic financial analysis to the VP, President, and
program leads to guide strategy and identify efficiencies.
- Oversee the financial aspects of legal and insurance matters (e.g.,
contract review, policy management), in close coordination with external
counsel as needed.
- Partner closely with the Head of Development & Global
Partnerships to ensure accurate budgeting, grant financial reporting, and
donor compliance across all funding streams.
External
Capital & Venture Strategy:
- Partner with the Director of Nature Finance to design, model, and
develop bankable financial products, focusing on blended and
outcomes-based finance (e.g., carbon, biodiversity credits).
- Serve as the lead financial architect for the creation and spin-out
of a for-profit entity, developing all associated financial models,
- Serve as the lead financial architect for the creation and spin-out
of a new, standalone for-profit entity, developing all associated
financial models, capitalisation strategies, and investor materials.
- Co-lead, with the Director of Nature Finance, the cultivation of
relationships with capital providers and market participants (impact
investors, carbon buyers, commercial lenders).
- Translate market intelligence, regulatory shifts, and project
methodologies (provided by the Nature Finance team) into financial
strategy, risk analysis, and valuation models.
- Conduct financial due diligence, risk assessment, and valuation for
new ventures and pilot projects.
- Develop and maintain a pipeline of financing opportunities and
strategic partnerships.
- Ensure financial models and ventures are built to track, report, and
verify conservation impact alongside financial performance.
- Structure, negotiate, and execute financial agreements, ensuring
alignment with Natural State’s mission and financial guardrails.
Qualifications and
Experience
- Sector-Spanning Expertise: 10+ years of financial leadership. Must
demonstrate hands-on mastery of US 501(c)(3) financial management AND
provable experience in structuring commercial financial deals (e.g.,
project finance, venture capital, impact investing).
- Deal-Structuring Track Record: A documented history of structuring
and executing blended finance mechanisms, project finance, or early-stage
venture investments. Must be able to present examples of built financial
models and term sheets.
- Environmental Market Credibility: Direct experience with voluntary
carbon market (VCM) economics and standards, and an understanding of
emerging environmental asset classes.
- Multi-Jurisdictional Operational Command: Demonstrated experience
building and leading finance teams in East Africa, with specific, recent
operational experience in Kenya, including managing compliance and
controls across entities and a proven ability to identify and mitigate
complex operational and financial risks.
- Professional Credential: A CPA, CA, CFA, or equivalent advanced
degree in Finance or Business is required.
Core Skills &
Competencies:
- Expert-level financial modeling, valuation, and strategic analysis.
- Demonstrated experience advising senior leadership and governing
bodies (e.g., Board of Directors), presenting complex financial
strategies, and influencing high-stakes decisions.
- Superior communication and diplomacy.
- An entrepreneurial, builder’s mindset with high tolerance for
ambiguity.
- Advanced proficiency in financial management software (MS Dynamics
proficiency is a strong plus).
How to Apply
Interested
candidates are invited to submit their CV and cover letter (PDF format only)
describing their interest in the position here
Applications
will be accepted until 24th July 2026 at midnight EAT. We look forward to
reviewing your application and learning about how you can contribute to our
mission.
Natural State is an equal
opportunity employer and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. All
qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard
to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation,
national origin, disability, or age.
