The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is seeking from dynamic and highly motivated financial professionals for the following vacancy for WCS Republic of Congo.

Position

Administrative and finance manager – Wildlife Conservation Society – Congo

9 month-contract

Mission Statement

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild lands through careful science, international conservation, education, and the management of the world’s largest system of urban wildlife parks. These activities change attitudes toward nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in sustainable interaction on both a local and a global scale. WCS is committed to this work because we believe it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.

Objective

Ensuring the proper administrative and financial management, especially accounting, of WCS-Congo.

Relationships

The Administrative and Finance manager is based in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. The position will report to the Director of Administration and Finance. The Administrative and Finance manager will also maintain close communications with the various project leaders and finance team across the program.

Responsibilities

Support the DAF in the management of the treasury, including the whole accounting of the mission in order to ensure the smooth running of operations at all times and maintaining as much control as possible on financial risks. This position is responsible for:

• Reviewing daily accounting
• Maintaining relations with bank
• Conducting weekly petty cash verification
• Ensuring management of Brazzaville safe
• Verifying monthly bank reconciliation
• Managing the cash flow of the program
• Following up with employees and tracking opened advances
• Participate in the management of funding agreements with donors and in providing regular and adequate indicators to monitor the financial health of the mission. Supporting tasks to include:
  • Assisting in developing budget at proposal stage
  • Providing relevant cost analysis
  • Regular monitoring of expenses vs budget
  • Analyzing variances and suggesting corrective actions when needed.
  • Providing accurate cost data for personnel and supplies to assist in accurate budget preparation
  • Prepare monitoring reports for project managers
• Participate in the coordination and supervision of the monthly and annual closing of accounts with the aim that the statement reflects the financial reality of the mission
• Process new grant code requests
• Monitor bank transfers, banking activities, and expenditures.
• Oversee financial management and documentation of project infrastructure, i.e. leases, insurance policies, registrations
• Serve as the primary liaison with the local legal council
• Prepare payment requests and send them to the DAF for vendors and consultants.
• Verify monthly Brazzaville office salary calculations.
• Verify money requests from field offices
• When requested replace other members of the capital or project finance teams during their absence
• Conduct regular field visits to ensure harmonization of process and proceduresOther duties, as assigned by the Director of Administration and Finance

Experience and qualification

• Bachelor degree in Business Administration, accounting major preferred. MBA or CPA a plus.
• Demonstrated ability in the development and implementation of financial policies and procedures.
• French and English language fluency.
• Significant experience with the financial management of government and agency grants and contracts, experience with US Government grants and EU a plus.
• At least five years of experience, with at least 2 years managing a financial area for an international corporation or not profit organization.
• Excellent computer and systems skills required with respect to MS Office applications (advanced skills in MS Excel required) and major financial accounting and reporting software (SAP or equivalent)
• Willingness to travel to field sites
• Experience working in a developing country setting.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal, as well as strong analytical skills.
• Effective “roll up the sleeves” work ethic, with attention to detail.
• Proven managerial skill and ability to work in a team setting within an organization.