Join Our Team: Director of Finance and Operations

Location: Pretoria or Cape Town, South Africa (hybrid/flexible)
Position type: Full-time, senior leadership role

The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) is the world’s largest global network dedicated to advancing research on violence against women and violence against children. Since 2003, we have worked to build and strengthen the field, connecting researchers, practitioners, funders, and advocates to generate and use evidence that drives meaningful, lasting change. We are a feminist, field-building organisation committed to collective care, equity, and supporting locally led research in low- and middle-income countries.

We are now seeking an exceptional Director of Finance and Operations to join our senior leadership team. This is a unique opportunity to shape the financial and operational backbone of a global organisation that is advancing evidence and practice to end violence.

The Role

The Director of Finance and Operations will be a key strategic partner to the Executive Director and Board of Directors, ensuring SVRI’s financial sustainability, operational excellence, and long-term resilience. This role blends strategic leadership with hands-on management, covering finance, operations, human resources, IT, risk management, and administration.

The successful candidate will:

• Lead SVRI’s financial strategy, budgeting, and reporting, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and transparency across complex, multi-donor funding streams.
• Oversee operations, systems, and processes to ensure SVRI runs efficiently and effectively, with strong HR, IT, knowledge management, and monitoring, evaluation & learning structures that support evidence-based decision-making and organisational learning.
• Manage risk, audit, and compliance, including external audits, donor reporting, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide leadership to staff, embedding collaborative, feminist, and values-driven approaches.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board on governance, strategy, and organisational development. The Director of Finance and Operations will participate in Board and Finance Committee meetings as an ex officio, non-voting member.
• Represent SVRI with funders, auditors, and external partners, building trust in our organisational and financial integrity and playing a direct role in shaping SVRI’s external image.

About You

We are looking for a dynamic, experienced leader who combines financial expertise with a passion for social justice and feminist leadership. You will have:

• A degree in accounting, finance, or business administration (MBA, CPA, CA, or equivalent, with professional registration required).
• At least 10 years’ senior experience in finance and operations, ideally within an international NGO, philanthropy, or mission-driven organisation.
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-source funding and donor reporting.
• Excellent understanding of the NGO environment, including its unique funding, compliance, and operational challenges.
• Experience in developing and implementing sustainable funding models that secure organisational resilience.
• Deep knowledge of non-profit financial management and systems.
• Strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills.
• A collaborative, adaptable style and commitment to SVRI’s mission of building evidence to end violence against women and children.

Why Join SVRI?

• Be part of a global feminist organisation making a tangible difference in ending violence.
• Work in a role that blends strategic influence and practical impact, shaping the future of SVRI.
• Join a team that values collective care, inclusivity, and creativity, and works across regions, disciplines, and sectors.
• Competitive salary and benefits, with flexibility to support wellbeing and work–life balance.

How to Apply

To apply, please send your CV, including references and a cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role to svri@svri.org by the extended deadline of 28 November 2025.