Finance and Compliance Manager at Wellspring Foundation ( Deadline: 12 October, 2025

Finance and Compliance Manager at Wellspring Foundation ( Deadline: 12 October, 2025

Job Summary:  

Position: Finance and Compliance Manager
Location: Kigali, Rwanda
Deadline for Applications: Sunday, 12 October 2025
Anticipated Start Date: January 2026

Introduction

The Wellspring Foundation for Education (Wellspring) is inviting applications for the position of Finance and Compliance Manager, based in Kigali, Rwanda. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled finance professional who has a passion not only for financial excellence but also for contributing to education transformation and community empowerment in Rwanda and beyond.

For more than two decades, Wellspring has worked in Rwanda to ensure that children receive the quality education they deserve, equipping schools and communities to nurture students who thrive with love, character, and resilience. Through values-based training, coaching, mentoring, modelling, and community engagement, Wellspring’s programs have made a lasting impact on thousands of children and educators.

The Finance and Compliance Manager will play a pivotal role in ensuring that this mission continues to be achieved with financial integrity, transparency, and sustainability.

This is not simply a technical finance position. It is a leadership role at the heart of Wellspring’s Rwanda team, requiring a candidate with professional expertise, servant leadership qualities, and alignment with Wellspring’s vision, mission, and values.

About Wellspring

Wellspring is an International NGO registered in Rwanda and as a charitable organization in Canada. Our vision is to be a catalyst for transforming education and fostering vibrant communities that address poverty in all its forms.

We believe in justice, dignity, and worth for all those we serve. Our mission is to show the love of Christ by empowering new generations through the development of quality education in Rwanda and Africa.

For over 20 years, Wellspring has partnered with schools, teachers, parents, communities, and government stakeholders to improve education systems. We do this through:

• Values-based training and mentoring of educators and school leaders
• Collaborative community development, using an asset-based approach
• Convening and modelling, bringing together school stakeholders to learn and innovate
• Commitment to safeguarding children and ensuring that our work does no harm

Wellspring’s impact extends beyond Rwanda, influencing education policy and practices across Africa through partnerships, knowledge sharing, and innovation.

The Role: Finance and Compliance Manager

Job Summary

The Finance and Compliance Manager is responsible for ensuring the financial integrity and legal compliance of Wellspring in Rwanda. This role sits at the intersection of technical financial management and strategic organizational leadership.

Reporting directly to the Director of Finance (Canada) and working closely with the Director of People and Operations/Country Manager (Rwanda), the Finance and Compliance Manager will ensure that Wellspring remains compliant with statutory, donor, and internal requirements while also providing financial leadership that supports long-term sustainability and impact.

The successful candidate will be a servant leader, modelling Wellspring’s values internally with staff and externally with stakeholders. He or she will provide both day-to-day financial management and strategic leadership, strengthening systems, building capacity, and ensuring continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Financial Leadership

• Serve as a strategic advisor to Wellspring’s global Finance Team and Rwanda Management Team.
• Align financial planning with Wellspring’s strategic priorities in Rwanda and globally.
• Provide insights and recommendations for sustainable resource allocation.
• Contribute to the global and country strategy, ensuring financial sustainability is embedded in program design.

2. Financial Planning, Budgeting & Reporting

• Lead the annual planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes.
• Consolidate and review program budgets in line with donor and organizational guidelines.
• Provide technical support to budget holders, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Monitor budget execution, providing variance analysis and recommending corrective actions.
• Prepare accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for management, donors, and headquarters.

3. Systems, Policies & Procedures

• Ensure robust financial systems are in place for compliance with local and donor requirements.
• Maintain and update Wellspring’s Financial Controls and Compliance Manual.
• Strengthen, implement, and monitor internal controls to reduce risks.
• Champion a culture of accountability, transparency, and stewardship across the organization.

4. Financial Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure adherence to Rwandan statutory requirements (tax, social security, labour, NGO regulations).
• Oversee compliance with Canadian and international financial standards.
• Manage accounts payable/receivable, monthly reconciliations, and reporting.
• Lead on external and internal audits, ensuring timely completion and follow-up.
• Maintain systems of documentation that provide complete audit trails.
• Promote value-for-money and efficient resource use across all operations.

5. Grant Management

• Lead financial input into grant proposals.
• Oversee donor budget monitoring, analysis, and reporting.
• Ensure full compliance with donor agreements and partnership contracts.
• Train and support program managers on budget management and donor compliance.
• Maintain organized grant records and financial reporting systems.

6. People Management & Capacity Building

• Provide direct supervision, mentorship, and coaching to finance team members.
• Develop individual work plans and conduct performance evaluations.
• Strengthen non-finance colleagues’ capacity to manage budgets through training and collaboration.
• Promote a values-based servant leadership style, fostering empowerment and collaboration.

7. Leadership & Representation

• Represent Wellspring with financial institutions, regulators, and sector networks.
• Play an active role on the Rwanda Management Team, contributing to overall leadership.
• Contribute to Wellspring’s strategic planning and financial sustainability strategies.
• Model servant leadership and uphold Wellspring’s mission, vision, and faith position.

8. Child Safeguarding

• Ensure compliance with Wellspring’s Child Safeguarding policy.
• Integrate child protection principles into financial and grant-related decisions.
• Ensure all activities uphold children’s rights, safety, dignity, and agency.

9. Other Duties

• Participate in Wellspring’s team rhythms and spiritual practices.
• Contribute technically to other projects where needed.
• Perform additional professional duties as delegated by leadership.

 Required Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Education & Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• CPA/ACCA qualification required

Experience

• Minimum 7 years progressive financial management experience, with at least 3 years at senior level
• INGO experience strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of Rwandan financial, tax, and compliance frameworks
• Proven experience in:
• Budgeting and financial analysis
• Donor reporting and grant compliance
• Audit processes and statutory compliance
• Supervising and developing finance teams

Skills & Competencies

• Advanced proficiency in QuickBooks Online and MS Excel
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent communication skills, able to simplify financial concepts for non-finance colleagues
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team-building skills
• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Ability to strengthen and monitor internal control systems
• Integrity, discretion, and accountability
• Cross-cultural interpersonal skills and openness to learning
• Strong time management and ability to manage multiple priorities

Personal & Spiritual Qualities

• A Christ-centered individual committed to Wellspring’s vision, mission, and values
• Ethical, trustworthy, authentic
• Collaborative, encouraging, and a positive problem-solver
• Ability to think critically, take initiative, and demonstrate resilience
• Flexible and able to work independently or as part of a diverse team
• Willing to travel regularly to program sites across Rwanda

Wellspring’s Core Values

1. Transformation – Investing in positive change in people’s relationship with God, themselves, society, and the environment.
2. Empowerment – Equipping people to create local solutions and empowering others in the process.
3. Stewardship – Managing resources entrusted to us with the highest level of care and accountability.
4. Partnership – Building fruitful collaborations with like-minded organizations and individuals.
5. Excellence – Striving for high-quality, innovative practice that can be shared with others.

Child Safeguarding

Wellspring is committed to keeping children safe. All staff must comply with the Child Safeguarding Policy. The successful candidate will be required to provide a recent police clearance and undertake training on child safeguarding as a condition of employment.

What Wellspring Offers

• A competitive salary and benefits package
• An engaged, positive, and supportive work culture
• Opportunities for professional development and personal growth
• The chance to make a real difference for children’s education
• Regular connections with program teams and site visits to deepen understanding of Wellspring’s impact
• A collegial office environment with playful, dynamic teamwork
• Collaboration with colleagues across time zones (Rwanda & Canada)
• Flexibility and opportunities to work on diverse projects
• An environment where staff care, faith, and values are central

How to Apply

Applicants are invited to send a single PDF document containing:

1. Cover Letter (max 1 page) explaining your motivation and suitability for the role
2. Curriculum Vitae/Resumé (max 3 pages)
3. Statement of Faith (max 1 page) describing your Christian faith journey, local church involvement, and its relevance to your work with Wellspring

 Email applications to: rwrecruitment@thewellspringfoundation.org
 Copy: amina@thewellspringfoundation.org
Subject line: Finance and Compliance Manager Application

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: Sunday, 12 October 2025
• Interviews: Week of 17 November 2025
• Start Date: January 2026

Final Note

At Wellspring, we are deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe every individual has inherent worth and dignity, and we encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

This is more than a job. It is a calling to serve, empower, and steward resources for the transformation of education and communities in Rwanda and Africa.

If you are a finance professional with the technical expertise, leadership capacity, and spiritual grounding to take on this role, we warmly invite you to apply and join us in making a lasting impact.