Chief Financial Officer
About NESsT
NESsT is a global nonprofit organization that invests in and supports social enterprises that create quality jobs and economic opportunities for marginalized communities in Latin America and Central & Eastern Europe. By providing patient capital, business development support, and market access, NESsT strengthens the capacity of mission-driven businesses to scale their impact and financial sustainability.
NESsT invests in a growing portfolio of enterprises that deliver solutions in inclusive employment, sustainable agriculture, and environmental conservation, among other key areas. NESsT supports its portfolio through acceleration services provided by philanthropic capital and impact investment funds funded by impact-first, catalytic investors. To support this growth and ensure financial resilience, NESsT seeks a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead its financial strategy, optimize systems, and enhance operational efficiency across its global footprint.
About the Role
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will play a critical role in shaping NESsT’s financial strategy, ensuring financial sustainability, and driving operational efficiencies. Reporting to the CEO, the CFO will be responsible for ensuring financial transparency, compliance, and alignment with NESsT’s impact goals.
The CFO will work closely with the CEO, senior leadership, and country directors to create a unified financial structure, bridging gaps between financial insights and strategic decision-making. The ideal candidate will have experience in impact investing, nonprofit financial management, international growth, and grant funding within emerging markets.
Duties and Responsibilities
Financial Strategy & Leadership
- Serve as a strategic financial advisor to the CEO, leadership team, and Board, ensuring NESsT’s financial sustainability and risk management;
- Develop and implement a financial strategy that aligns with NESsT’s impact-driven mission and long-term growth objectives;
- Play a key role in leading NESsT through financial and operational transitions, ensuring the organization adapts effectively to growth and evolving impact goals;
- Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and scenario analysis to support decision-making;
- Ensure stronger collaboration between finance teams and country directors;
- Establish alignment with the CEO while driving financial strategies that support NESsT’s impact goals.
Financial Operations & Systems Improvement
- Design and implement a financial system (ERP) to enhance financial transparency, efficiency, and data accuracy;
- Strengthen financial processes and internal controls to improve global financial oversight and compliance;
- Oversee financial reporting, cash flow management, and investment strategies to optimize NESsT’s resources;
- Create transparent financial processes and grant management systems to support NESsT’s international expansion.
Grant & Impact Investment Management
- Ensure effective grant compliance and donor reporting, tracking funding allocations and managing financial risks;
- Work closely with the Acceleration & Fund Investments teams to co-develop financial frameworks that align with NESsT’s impact investing strategy, ensuring robust financial structures, risk management, and compliance with investor and donor expectations;
- Oversee audits, tax filings, and regulatory reporting across multiple geographies;
- Conduct effective financial reporting to donors and investors.
Cross-Departmental Collaboration & Team Leadership
- Foster a collaborative culture between finance teams, country directors, and program leaders, ensuring financial data supports strategic decision-making;
- Translate complex financial information into actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders;
- Lead and mentor finance teams, strengthening capacity and alignment across NESsT’s global operations.
Skills and Experience
- Proven experience as a CFO, Finance Director, or senior finance leader in an international nonprofit, impact fund, or grant-funded organization;
- Strong financial strategy and operational expertise, particularly in multi-country financial management;
- Experience in grant compliance, impact investing, and donor financial reporting;
- Knowledge of financial risk management, regulatory compliance, and tax implications for international operations;
- Prior experience in emerging markets, particularly in Latin America or Central and Eastern Europe;
- Experience in impact funds and blended finance models is a plus;
- A systems thinker who can build and optimize financial processes for a rapidly growing organization;
- Strong project management experience, particularly in grant budgeting and financial oversight;
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to simplify financial concepts for cross-departmental collaboration;
- Proven ability to bridge gaps and foster relationships between finance, leadership, and program teams;
- Hands-on, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.