Joseph N. Ndekwere

Finance, Research Finance and Grants & Compliance Professional with 24+ years' international experience across public health research, international NGOs, donor-funded programmes and community initiatives. Experienced in financial management, research finance, grants administration, budgeting, forecasting, management accounting, restricted funds, cost recovery, donor compliance, governance and audit assurance.

Proven Finance Business

Partner to senior leadership, Principal Investigators, researchers, programme teams and implementing partners, managing complex funding from proposal development through award, implementation, reporting and close-out. Managed research portfolios exceeding £8 million and international NGO programmes exceeding US$25 million, funded by MRC, SAMRC, FCDO, USAID/PEPFAR, NIH, Global Fund, UNDP, Wellcome Trust, and the EU. Recently provided voluntary finance and governance leadership to OWCC, strengthening financial accountability and controls.

Now based in the UK and seeking to contribute expertise across charity, university, NHS research and international development finance.

Co-Founder & Volunteer Finance Executive - One Way Car Club (OWCC) - SA & Zimbabwe

(2024-08 - 2026-03)

Co-founded and provided voluntary finance and governance leadership to a member-funded community economic empowerment initiative supporting members to acquire vehicles and participate in ride-E-hailing platforms, including Uber, Bolt and inDrive.

• Served as Finance Executive on an 8-member Executive Committee, providing financial leadership, governance and accountability support.
• Administered and reconciled member contributions from 80 members contributing US$200 per week over a 52-week funding cycle.
• Maintained financial records, contribution schedules, reconciliations and financial reports to promote transparency and accountability.
• Managed and authorised vehicle acquisition payments in accordance with approved governance procedures, member eligibility requirements and allocation schedules.
• Supported the financing and allocation of vehicle packages valued at US$12,500 per qualifying member.
• Administered a revolving financing model under which members receiving vehicles contributed an additional US$50 per week until completion of the programme.
• Maintained financial controls and reporting processes supporting member contributions and financing activities exceeding US$800,000.
• Provided financial advice to the members on budgeting, cash-flow management, financial controls, risk management and stewardship of member funds.
• Strengthened practical financial management and governance processes within a community-based organisation.
• Applied professional NGO finance and compliance expertise voluntarily to strengthen organisational accountability and financial sustainability.

Contract Grants Manager - Remote - Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime - Remote

(2024-01 - 2024-07)

• Managed 16 grants across a multi-donor portfolio funded by FCDO, US Government and European donors.
• Oversaw the full grant lifecycle from proposal development and funding agreement through implementation, monitoring, reporting and close-out.
• Reviewed project budgets, funding agreements and contracts to assess financial viability, compliance requirements and organisational risk.
• Provided financial input during grant development, including review of proposal budgets, funding conditions, cost allocations and appropriate use of restricted donor funds.
• Advised programme teams on budget allocation, financial viability, compliance and effective management of restricted programme income.
• Produced accurate donor financial and narrative reports within strict deadlines.
• Supported organisational audit readiness and improvements to grant management and compliance processes.
• Coordinated consultant procurement and contract management activities.
• Monitored grant compliance and supported programme teams throughout the grant lifecycle.
• Provided financial management and compliance guidance to programme teams and stakeholders.

Finance & Administration Manager - Remote - International Youth Foundation (IYF)-South Africa - Remote

(2021-04 - 2023-08)

• Led finance and administration functions for donor-funded programmes exceeding US$8 million, supporting more than eight staff and multiple funding streams.
• Produced monthly management accounts, financial forecasts, budgets and financial performance analysis for senior management.
• Acted as a Finance Business Partner to senior leadership, providing strategic financial planning, forecasting and decision-support analysis.
• Managed programme budgeting, expenditure monitoring, cash-flow planning and donor financial reporting.
• Strengthened financial governance, internal controls and compliance frameworks.
• Supported successful internal, external and donor audits and follow-up of audit recommendations.
• Improved month-end financial reporting processes and turnaround times.
• Managed payroll, procurement oversight and statutory compliance obligations.
• Provided financial guidance and capacity-building support to programme and operational teams.
• Supported effective management of multiple funding streams and donor requirements.

Finance & Travel, Logistics & Administration (TLA) Manager - Pact South Africa - South Africa

(2020-01 - 2021-03)

• Managed finance, procurement, donor compliance and financial governance for a US$20 million USAID/PEPFAR-funded programme.
• Ensured compliance with 2 CFR 200 and applicable USAID financial management and grant requirements.
• Managed banking, treasury, payments, reconciliations, cash-flow management and financial reporting.
• Coordinated donor audits, compliance reviews and financial assurance activities.
• Ensured timely resolution and follow-up of audit recommendations.
• Strengthened financial documentation, transaction controls and supporting-documentation processes.
• Provided financial compliance support and capacity building to five sub-grant recipients.
• Reviewed budgets, expenditure and financial records to identify compliance risks and support corrective action.
• Supported procurement and administrative processes in accordance with donor and organisational requirements.
• Provided guidance and coaching to programme teams and implementing partners on financial management and compliance.

Finance & Grants Consultant - Remote - International Treatment Preparedness Coalition - S. Africa

(2019-03 - 2019-12)

• Established finance, procurement and compliance systems for a newly established South African operation.
• Developed financial procedures, internal controls and reporting processes aligned with donor and organisational requirement