STARLIGHT AFRICA
We're Hiring: Finance Lead
Location: Kigali, Rwanda (Hybrid: minimum 2 days/week in office)
Contract Type: Full-Time │ 1-Year Contract (Renewable)
Start Date: July 2026
Working Hours: 40 hours/week
Reports To: Executive Director & Managing Director
Probation: 3 months
About Starlight Africa
Starlight Africa is a Rwanda-based organization focused on providing experiential STEM learning opportunities for young girls, igniting their creativity and imagination. Our goal is to foster a community of women innovators who apply STEM to advance society, protect the environment, and drive economic growth across Africa. We are an organisation led by women, committed to providing a safe and supportive space for girls to explore STEM.
The Role
Building on the successful delivery of the Step into STEM programme across 7 schools in Rwanda, we are looking for a rigorous, detail-oriented Finance Lead to manage end-to-end financial operations of the program scale-up. This role is central to ensuring financial integrity, compliance, and effective resource management across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
Bookkeeping & Financial Records
Maintain up-to-date books of accounts and record all transactions accurately and on time
Prepare monthly bank reconciliation statements
Manage and safeguard all financial documentation in line with donor requirements
Grant Financial Reporting
Prepare and submit financial reports aligned with organizational and donor requirements
Compile monthly expenditure summaries by budget line and activity
Contribute to quarterly and annual financial reports with variance analysis and supporting documentation
Budget Management & Forecasting
Monitor actual expenditure against approved budgets monthly and flag material variances
Prepare rolling financial forecasts and advise leadership on utilisation trends and risks
Support budget revision requests and maintain a real-time budget tracking tool
Payroll & Statutory Compliance
Process monthly payroll and ensure accurate statutory deductions and remittances
Ensure timely statutory filings to the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) and other regulatory bodies
Monitor changes in Rwandan tax and labour law and advise leadership accordingly
Procurement, Controls & Audit
Review payment requests and expense claims for proper authorisation and documentation
Support internal and external audits, preparing all required schedules and responding to queries
Identify financial risks and recommend remedial controls to the Executive Director
Team Collaboration
Provide financial guidance to programme staff on expense claims and procurement procedures
Collaborate with the STEM Facilitator to ensure field expenditures are accurately coded and submitted
Support financial planning for programme events, training sessions, and graduation ceremonies
Qualifications
Degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field; CPA or equivalent qualification is an advantage
Proven experience in grant financial management within an NGO, development, or donor-funded context
Solid knowledge of Rwandan tax law, PAYE, RSSB, and RRA compliance requirements
Experience with bookkeeping software (QuickBooks), Excel-based financial tracking and reporting
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, transparency, and accountability
Excellent report writing and ability to present financial data clearly to non-finance audiences
Fluency in English; Kinyarwanda is an advantage
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for someone who is:
Has strong experience building and managing financial systems, budgets, and reporting processes that are accurate, practical, and used for decision-making
Can translate financial data into clear insights that support planning, accountability, and strategic decisions
Is highly focused, accountable, and takes ownership by default, not only when asked
How to Apply
Fill out this application form: Here by May 25, 2026.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Early applications encouraged.
Women are encouraged to apply.