About us

Ignite Energy Access is an Abu Dhabi-based leader in distributed renewable energy solutions, dedicated to providing affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity to underserved communities across Africa. Now operating across 12 countries and serving over 15 million people. Through innovative technology, scalable business models, and impact-driven financing, Ignite is transforming lives, fostering economic growth, and driving the continent’s clean energy transition.

Why join us – and why now

This is one of the fastest-scaling energy access platforms in Africa – and one of the most active corporate finance teams on the continent. Following a transformational acquisition, we are running multiple DFI and impact fundraising processes in parallel (including with the IFC and leading global impact investors), executing an active M&A pipeline, and building a commercial & industrial (C&I) solar financing platform – all at the same time. The capital this role raises will directly power millions of new connections. In return, we offer something few banks or funds can: your own mandate. You will lead transactions end-to-end – not support someone else’s – with direct access to CEO- and Board-level decision-making and the chance to shape how a pan-African platform is capitalised. We are looking for an autonomous, diligent, well organised problem-solver with significant transaction experience – someone who sees a frontier-market scale-up as an adventure.

Job Purpose/Mission

The Finance and Administration Manager is responsible for managing the financial, administrative, procurement, and compliance functions of the company to ensure sound financial stewardship, effective operational support, and compliance with Malawi's statutory and regulatory requirements. The role will support the growth of the business by providing accurate financial information, maintaining strong internal controls, managing budgets and cash flow, overseeing administration and procurement processes, and ensuring efficient business operations. As a key member of the management team, the Finance and Administration Manager will contribute to the achievement of the organization's strategic objectives and its mission of delivering sustainable renewable energy solutions across Malawi.

The Finance & Administration Manager will be responsible for:

• Leading financial management activities, including financial reporting, accounting operations, cash flow management, reconciliations, and financial analysis.
• Coordinating budgeting, forecasting, business planning, and monitoring organizational performance against approved budgets.
• Driving cost control initiatives and providing recommendations to improve operational efficiency and profitability.
• Ensuring compliance with all statutory, tax, regulatory, and financial reporting requirements in Malawi.
• Establishing and maintaining effective internal controls, risk management practices, and audit processes.
• Overseeing administrative operations, including facilities management, insurance, travel, contracts, licenses, and corporate records.
• Managing procurement activities and ensuring effective stewardship of company assets and inventory.
• Coordinating ICT service delivery, business systems support, and information security practices.
• Supporting corporate governance, business continuity, and organizational compliance initiatives.
• Leading and developing the Finance and Administration team to deliver high performance and continuous improvement.

Required Experience & Qualifications Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACCA, CIMA, CPA) is required.
• Minimum of 5 years' progressive experience in finance, accounting, and administration, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Proven experience in budgeting, financial reporting, taxation, financial controls, and compliance management.
• Experience using accounting software, ERP systems (e.g., Odoo, SAP, Sage, or similar), and advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Experience managing procurement and administrative functions.
• Knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting standards, internal controls, and risk management practices.
• Understanding of Malawi tax laws, statutory compliance requirements, and regulatory reporting obligations.
• Strong financial analysis, forecasting, planning, report-writing, and presentation skills.
• Experience in renewable energy, manufacturing, agribusiness, telecommunications, or infrastructure sectors is an added advantage.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and stakeholder management skills.

Highly Desirable Competencies

• High integrity, accountability, and a strong results orientation.
• Excellent interpersonal, stakeholder management, and teamwork skills.
• Strong strategic thinking, planning, and execution capabilities.
• Proven people leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills.
• Adaptable, resilient, and effective at leading change in a fast-paced environment.

• Leading financial management activities, including financial reporting, accounting operations, cash flow management, reconciliations, and financial analysis.
• Coordinating budgeting, forecasting, business planning, and monitoring organizational performance against approved budgets.
• Driving cost control initiatives and providing recommendations to improve operational efficiency and profitability.
• Ensuring compliance with all statutory, tax, regulatory, and financial reporting requirements in Malawi.
• Establishing and maintaining effective internal controls, risk management practices, and audit processes.
• Overseeing administrative operations, including facilities management, insurance, travel, contracts, licenses, and corporate records.
• Managing procurement activities and ensuring effective stewardship of company assets and inventory.
• Coordinating ICT service delivery, business systems support, and information security practices.
• Supporting corporate governance, business continuity, and organizational compliance initiatives.
• Leading and developing the Finance and Administration team to deliver high performance and continuous improvement.

• Strong financial analysis, forecasting, planning, report-writing, and presentation skills.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and stakeholder management skills.
• High integrity, accountability, and a strong results orientation.
• Excellent interpersonal, stakeholder management, and teamwork skills.
• Strong strategic thinking, planning, and execution capabilities.
• Proven people leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills.
• Adaptable, resilient, and effective at leading change in a fast-paced environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACCA, CIMA, CPA) is required.
• Proven experience in budgeting, financial reporting, taxation, financial controls, and compliance management.
• Experience using accounting software, ERP systems (e.g., Odoo, SAP, Sage, or similar), and advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Experience managing procurement and administrative functions.
• Knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting standards, internal controls, and risk management practices.
• Understanding of Malawi tax laws, statutory compliance requirements, and regulatory reporting obligations.