Regional Budget and Financial Management Advisor Central Africa & Gulf

Rwanda

Global Conservation Full-Time

GLOBAL CONSERVATION

Job Description

Reports to: Regional Business Manager Central Africa & Gulf of Guinea

Location: Kigali Rwanda

Coordinates with: Central Africa Regional team, Country Finance Directors

About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS):

WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run programs spanning the entire ocean and more than 3 million biologically critical square miles in nearly 60 countries.  We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence.  Our 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.

Program Overview:

The Central Africa and Gulf of Guinea program is one of the largest of WCS’s Global Regional Programs, spanning Nigeria, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, and Gabon. This is a rapidly growing program with a diverse and expanding portfolio of donors, partners, and projects. The region presents a set of complex conservation challenges to biodiversity and their habitats and WCS field programs are addressing these through several initiatives including protected area management, community engagement, sustainable livelihoods, policy reform and sustainable financing. WCS’s regional hub in Kigali, Rwanda hosts a team of technical specialists and regional management to support our country programs and field offices.

Job Summary: 

This position is responsible for financial management and analysis in the region and budget management to ensure the delivery of the WCS Central Africa & Gulf of Guinea (CAGG) regional strategy and support to country programs. This role will provide key support to the Regional Business Manager in developing financial forecasts for the region and providing direct financial management support to country programs as needed.  This position will provide budget leadership to the region and work closely with the Regional Business Manager and Country Finance Directors.

Primary Responsibilities: 

This position’s responsibilities will include but not be limited to: 

Support development of quarterly key performance indicators for each country in the region and grants to support strategic decision making and efficient resource use

• Analyze spending trends and budget versus actual summaries to identify areas of risk and opportunities

• Manage the region’s unrestricted funds and regional grants to maximize financial allocations

• Support the annual budgeting process by review of data entry in the budgeting system, and troubleshooting with country teams throughout the process

• Review country budget adjustments and ensure frequent updates to the budgeting system throughout the fiscal year

• Support proposal budgeting process for new awards

• Manage reimbursement requests from regional staff with a focus on timely payment and compliance

• Support the development and/or implementation of financial forecasting, support on the development of business plans i.e confirming unit costs, completeness of cos in outs and budget management tools such as timesheet budget management, monthly follow up files

• Provide training to country finance teams on use of budgeting system and adhoc trainings as needed throughout the fiscal year on general financial management procedures in coordination with Regional Controller

• Temporary staff coverage for Country Finance Director, including site-based finance support, during vacancies and annual leave.

• Provide surge support to country programs during periods of increased financial management demands.

• Provide in-country, day-to-day support to Finance Director to ensure procedural changes are implemented in response to both internal and external audit report recommendations

• Other duties as determined by the Regional Business Manager

Qualification Requirements

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, or equivalent experience.

• Familiarity with the conservation and management of priorities, obstacles, and opportunities.

• 3-5 years’ experience managing large budgets for international NGOs

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrated success in working in a diverse and multi-cultural environment.

• Fluent professional English language skills; French language a plus

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills

• Commitment to high quality work and attention to detail.

• Commitment to conservation and to the mission of WCS.

Workplace Conditions and Environment: 

• Periodic need to work overlapping hours with teams located in different time zones

• Travel within the region including to remote locations