Africa Commercial & Finance Manager

About the role

USPE Southern Africa is seeking an experienced Africa Commercial & Finance Manager to oversee the commercial, financial, legal, and operational aspects of its African entities and projects (excluding South Africa). This hands‑on role will drive entity establishment, ensure regulatory compliance, and provide strategic financial oversight across multiple jurisdictions.

Key responsibilities

• Maintain full‑function bookkeeping for all African entities, including AP, AR, bank reconciliations, and general ledger.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, cash‑flow, and financial reporting across the African portfolio.
• Structure commercial deals, review contracts, negotiate terms, and support project commercial activities.
• Lead legal and compliance management, ensuring adherence to local regulations.
• Establish new entities and offices, handling registrations, KYC, statutory compliance, banking, and jurisdictional requirements.
• Oversee intercompany transactions, cost allocations, and project‑level financial controls.
• Ensure statutory, tax, and regulatory compliance across multiple African jurisdictions.
• Partner with project and operational teams to provide commercial guidance and financial oversight.
• Prepare and present financial and commercial performance reports to senior leadership.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate commercial and financial risks.
• Liaise with in‑country teams, legal advisors, banks, auditors, regulators, and external stakeholders.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Commerce or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in commercial and/or finance management.
• Proven experience managing commercial, financial, legal, and compliance matters across multiple African countries.
• Experience establishing new entities and offices within African jurisdictions.
• Strong knowledge of multi‑currency environments, cross‑border transactions, KYC requirements, and African regulatory frameworks.
• Commercially minded with the ability to translate financial information into sound business decisions.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple jurisdictions simultaneously.
• French language proficiency is a distinct advantage.

Required skills

• Proficiency in financial systems and reporting tools.