Chief Finance Officer job at World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

Organization:

World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

About the Organization:

The World Wide Fund for Nature is a Swiss-based international non-governmental organization founded in 1961 that works in the field of wilderness preservation and the reduction of human impact on the environment.

Job Description

The Chief Finance Officer will work on the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) covering Uganda, DRC and Rwanda. S/he will lead on all aspects of financial management and administration policy and procedures, put in place viable mechanisms and systems of internal control to identify and manage risk and ensure compliance, review and send approved financial reports to audit committee, coalition offices and donors and ensure legal compliance and efficient operations of IGCP in all Branch Offices. The position is a member of the Senior Management Team.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead development and implementation of a financial sustainability plan

Coordinate preparation of annual operational/project budgets and forecasts for IGCP in accordance with the annual planning cycle and in close collaboration with the Deputy Director and Country Branches
Support the director in preparing timely and accurate financial reporting to the Audit Committee and the Board in accordance with financial guidelines
Monitor funding pipeline and perform financial due diligence check of all project proposals before these are submitted for external funding

Compliance and reporting:

Ensure adherence to IGCP finance and administration policy and procedures and countryspecific tax and labor laws in all countries where IGCP is registered
Ensure compliance to donor-specific terms and conditions and grant reporting, including monthly, grant, and year-end financial closing
Report to IGCP coalition offices and donors, and maintain complete files on all grants and records of financial and technical reports
Identify, monitor and report on financial risks and ensure appropriate mitigation measures are in place and adhered to
Prepare monthly financial reports for project and operations for review by the Deputy Director and approval by the IGCP Director
Lead on organizing and ensuring internal and external audits are properly conducted, and that there is adequate and timely follow-up of audit recommendations
Ensure adherence to and application of anti-fraud and corruption measures within IGCP

Financial systems:

Maintain adequate financial software system(s)
Develop and upload into the system operational and activity budget lines, figures and codes and budget figures,
Disseminate budget codes to all other finance and programme staff
Ensure support and information is available to all IGCP staff to enable them perform their administrative duties and to enter required financial data into software system
Provide or arrange for adequate training of finance staff to keep up to date with latest developments and system updates
Regularly evaluate and identify weaknesses in the finance and administration system including internal controls and work constructively with the finance and administration team to constantly strengthen the system
Cash flow, projections and accounting
Conduct regular projection and analysis of financial situation and advise the IGCP Director to ensure adequate funds for IGCP operations and strategy implementation
Ensure adequate cash flow for approved activities at all IGCP offices for uninterrupted program implementation
Coordinate and approve timely transfers of funds to field offices in accordance with internal financial policies

Maintain a comprehensive list of IGCP receivables and ensure timely submission of invoices and confirmation of receipt of funds
Prepare, administer, and control updated list of approved suppliers, consultancy contracts/ agreements and sub-grants

Administration and supervision:

Ensure that the IGCP Directorate and branch offices have appropriate financial and administrative structures in place with qualified staff
Supervise and provide effective line management for finance and administration staff and Senior Head of Human Resources (under recruitment), ensuring that they have clearly defined objectives, indicators of achievement, and quarterly/annual workplans

Qualifications and Experience

A university degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, Business Administration or related field
An MBA or equivalent post-graduate in a Finance / Accounting field
Full accounting qualification, i.e., CIMA, ACCA, CIS or equivalent
10 years working experience with at least 5 years in a senior finance and accounting position preferably in a major international organisation/NGO
Demonstrated skills in developing, managing, and evaluating financial and administrative plans and policies;
Experience with project level accounting, management and reporting;
Experience working with government and donors;
A thorough knowledge of, and dexterity with, accounting softwares (e.g. Sun Systems, ORACLE and ACCPAC) will be an added advantage)

Required Skills and Competences

Strong leadership abilities
Excellent inter-personal skills, including the ability to develop and maintain strong relationships at all levels, within WWF UCO/ IGCP and, as required, with external stakeholders
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, knowledge of French or Swahili is an added advantage.
Ability to work effectively in multi-cultural, multi-interest, multi-ethnic environment;
Must be detail-oriented and have the ability to multi-task under limited supervision

How to Apply

Email an application cover letter, Curriculum Vitae and contact details of three (3) referees plus copies of academic qualifications (sent as one PDF document) clearly indicating “the job title” in the subject line to: recruitment@wwfuganda.org . Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.