Project Cost Controller - South African Restoration Project

About Us

Imperative is a global infrastructure grade nature restoration company that aims to be in the top decile for quality in the carbon projects market. We have a build-own-operate model and specialise in the design, development and operation of carbon credit projects that help combat climate change while promoting biodiversity conservation, economic growth and social development in the countries in which we operate. With a strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility, we are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Nursery Manager to join our dynamic team.

Position Summary  

We are seeking a resilient, detail-driven Project Cost Controller to join the Project Controls team on the Spekboom Project near Jansenville in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. You will maintain accurate, timely cost control data across the project lifecycle – budget, commitments, actuals and forecasts – spanning multiple phases, and support decision-making through structured reporting and variance analysis. This is a foundational role in a pioneering native forest regeneration project that aims to restore a planting area of 100,000 hectares, spread over a total project area of more than 1 million hectares. 

This role sits within the Project Controls function of the Integrated Project Team (IPT), working across 4CastPlus (the project’s cost management system) and the Reporting Hub, and supporting reporting to both IPT and Non-IPT (funder) audiences. You will work closely with the wider Project Controls team and NatCarbon Africa (Services Provider) to maintain a single, reconciled source of cost truth across Code Mapping, WBS and IPSC code structures. You will report directly to the Project Controls Manager and assist the Senior Finance Manager whilst playing a key role in maintaining data integrity as the project scales. 

Key Responsibilities 

1. Cost Data Management: 

• Maintain cost breakdown structures (CBS) aligned to the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). 
• Cost Coding of Project invoices, purchase orders and commitments in the cost system (4CastPlus). 
• Reconcile cost coding against approved budget structures and Code Mapping/lookup tables. 
• Flag and resolve coding discrepancies, including miscoded transactions and out-of-range cost codes.

2. Budget & Forecast Support: 

• Track committed vs. actual vs. forecast by cost category and work package. 
• Monthly Cash Flow Analysis, Forecast at Completion (FAC) and Forecast to Complete (FTC) calculations and maintenance. 
• Support budget change control, including change order documentation, evidence gathering and approval routing. 

3. Progress & Performance Measurement: 

• Analyse cost data to identify trends, areas of improvement, and potential risks. 
• Maintain progress measurement records consistent with defined rules of credit and utilise reporting tools to track key performance indicators. 

4. Reporting: 

• Prepare periodic (monthly/quarterly) cost reports for both IPT and Non-IPT (funder) audiences, with a clear distinction between reporting formats. 
• Build and maintain clean, pivot-ready datasets. 
• Support dashboard/BI reporting (Power BI, Reporting Hub), including data model integrity and DAX logic for % committed / % spent. 
• Draft variance narratives distinguishing genuine cost overrun from scope or baseline changes. 

5. Financial Administration: 

• Assist with weekly pay runs, collaborating with procurement on outstanding documentation. 
• Manage and control the asset register. 
• Assist with supplier queries and requests as required. 
• Undertake any other tasks as reasonably required by the Senior Finance Manager.

6. Data Integrity & Reconciliation: 

• Reconcile cost/code mapping documents against source systems (owner, entity, category). 
• Perform cross-system reconciliations, e.g. system vs. dashboard FX/WBS-level discrepancies. 
• Maintain audit trail and documentation standards for cost adjustments. 

Experience 

• Minimum 5 years experience in project controls, cost management or a related finance/reporting function 
• Exposure to cost management systems (e.g. 4CastPlus, SAP, Netsuite or similar) and BI tools (e.g. Power BI) is required 

Skills 

• Advanced Excel (lookups, pivot tables); exposure to cost systems (4CastPlus, Prism or similar) and BI tools (Power BI). 
• Strong analytical reasoning and numerical abilities, with attention to detail in data reconciliation and the ability to investigate and flag anomalies. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well under pressure. 

 Language 

• Fluency in spoken and written English is a requirement. 

Education 

• A relevant tertiary qualification in a relevant field (e.g. Project Management, Business Management, Finance, Accounting, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a related field (NQF Level 6 or above) is required. 

Position Location  

Project Office-based (Walmer, Gqeberha), with occasional travel to field restoration sites, and partner facilities. 

Values

At Imperative, we are passionate about our values are encourage all team members to embrace them.

• Integrity: We act honourably and are guided by a strong moral compass. If things go wrong, we put our hand up, admit it and adapt.
• Momentum: Speed matters. We have a bias to action. We think quick, we plan tirelessly, we mitigate risks but above all, we take action.
• Purpose: We are driven by our desire to make the world better, with every interaction, process and project.
• Accountability: We do what we say, and we deliver. We seek to be the best at what we do.
• Collaboration: We celebrate diversity of thought, values and backgrounds and seek to harness the strength of our people and partners to achieve more than we individually can, through teamwork and creativity.
• Tenacity: We are highly ambitious, driven and hardworking. We persist until we deliver impact.