Chief Financial Officer, The AI Access Initiative

Evidence Action

9d•$240,000 - $270,000•Remote

About The Position

The AI Access Initiative (2AI) is at an inflection point in artificial intelligence, aiming to harness its potential for people in developing countries. The organization is focused on scaling AI-enabled 'big bets' to benefit millions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), operating at the intersection of global development, AI labs, and researchers. 2AI creates open-sourced resources to guide the design and launch of impactful AI-enabled programs, initially focusing on AI in Agriculture and AI in Health. Incubated at Evidence Action, 2AI is led by experienced figures in AI and global development and builds on Evidence Action's track record of reaching over 530 million people with evidence-based programs.

Requirements

12+ years in finance, including time as the most senior finance leader in an organization, business unit, or country program, with accountability for a full set of books.
A track record as a builder: you have stood up or rebuilt a finance function rather than inherited a working one.
Multi-entity, cross-border finance experience in LMIC settings.
Comfort in a lean model: you stay closer to the ledger than a CFO of a large organization would, and you select and manage outside providers.
Strong written communication skills; able to translate complex financial and legal concepts clearly.
Ability to assess complex data, foresee trends, and make strategic decisions.
Curiosity and creativity with AI tools, including a testing mindset and eagerness to experiment with emerging technologies.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. for roles based in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with managing legal and regulatory challenges in regions such as Africa, South Asia, and the US.
CPA, JD, MBA or equivalent professional credential strongly preferred.
Nonprofit-specific training or certification (e.g., CGAP, CNAP) a plus.
Experience with nonprofit finance, compliance, and 501(c)(3) environments strongly preferred: e.g., Form 990, single audit, charitable solicitation registration, IRS rebuttable presumption, and state-level tax exemptions.
Range across strategy and execution: you can pressure-test a multi-year scenario in the morning and fix the expense policy in the afternoon, with low ego about either.

Responsibilities

Design and stand up 2AI's core financial architecture: accounting systems, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, internal controls, and a reliable month-end close.
Create an AI-native set of accounting & finance processes to drive meaningful efficiencies.
Run analyses to drive strategic organizational decisions through financial models, scenario plans, and organizational forecasts.
Design, procure, and oversee a lean, high-performing finance and compliance ecosystem, managing outsourced partners.
Own the annual audit, Form 990, and statutory and grant reporting obligations.
Lead the financial, legal, and compliance workstreams for 2AI's establishment as an independent 501(c)(3).
Enable organizational expansion by designing financial systems for rapid international scaling and complex funding structures.
Drive high-leverage resource allocation through analytically rigorous budget allocation and decision-making.
Build and own compliance infrastructure, including charitable registration, insurance, governance, and regulatory filings.
Drive governance and board operations, including meeting cadence, conflict-of-interest disclosures, and fiduciary orientation.
Oversee the entire grant lifecycle: build funder-facing budgets and models, lead financial diligence, and own compliance and spend-down against restricted grants.
Manage legal affairs & contracting, serving as the primary internal point of contact for legal matters.
Ensure compliance, manage risk, and ensure the organization's adherence to legal and regulatory requirements.