MCO Project Finance Lead (m/f)

Description

• Mission of the Department: Mozambique is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Critical forest, freshwater and marine land- and seascapes provide important socio-economic benefits to the communities who depend upon them directly, as well as to the national population more broadly. Yet these natural ‘assets’ are under extreme pressure. WWF Mozambique’s (MCO) vision is “a prosperous Mozambique built on thriving ecosystems and environmental citizenship.” This vision is intended to be achieved through a Country Strategy 2020-2030 that stablish three pillars: inclusive conservation of species and habitats, sustainable and equitable livelihoods and greening the footprint of economic development
• Project Finance Lead serves as the link between projects, donors and operations. Ensure projects get the necessary financial and operation support for smooth conservation delivery. Ensure accountability towards donors

Duties

• Under the directives of the Finance & Administration Manager, the Project Finance Lead’s responsibilities will be as follows:
• Provide hands on support to the Head of Finance team on all financial and operational issues to ensure effective management of the MCO Programs and projects
• Assists Head of Finance in the implementation of donor and WWF’s operational policies, procedures standards and systems including budget management, financial reporting, audits
• Provide support in the development of budgets (proposals and project), ensuring all required for project implementation are covered and ensuring appropriate cost recovery
• Support and coordinate development of program’s operational, strategic and business plans and ensure effective implementation of the same
• Manage the financial reporting for MCO, all donor reports and other reporting
• Attends project inception meeting and ensure that all donor financial donor requirements are adequately communicated to Landscape coordinators and Project Managers
• Support in the review of incoming and outgoing donor contracts and monitor compliance with contractual terms
• Perform other functions as may be directed by the Finance Manager

Program budgets management

• Prepare MCO budgets and forecasts and upload the budgets in the system
• Manage MCO and project expenditure by ensuring that all program activities are fully funded and expended appropriately
• Conduct monthly program financial reviews and reporting (budgets vs. expenditure)
• Liaise with project technical staff and the Finance Manager on budgetary/cash flows and disbursements from the donor and to program
• Support preparation of the annual plans and budgets including revisions and forecasts
• Coordinate regular program team financial reviews based on work plans and expenditures
• Update and facilitate technical staff’s comprehension of the respective financial management issues

Financial management and accounting

• Playing a leading role in preparation and ensure timely submission of all financial reports for review and approval by Finance Manager for further submission to donors and other partners as per respective contracts
• Validate all transactions listing per project for compliance, accuracy and completeness and share proposed corrections with the accounting unit
• Issue, track and reconcile approved travel advances to programme staff; review advance requests and purchase requisitions for budget availability and compliance with donor requirements
• Supports the Finance Manager to ensure key balance accounts are reconciled by designated staff and balances on accounts are current

MCO and Program audits

• Prepare and maintain MCO audit schedule and ensure timely execution of audit as planned
• Organize Program audits including preparation of documents for internal, external and donor audits
• Liaise with internal and external auditors on audit related issues
• Facilitate auditors in performing on-site visits
• Assist Head of Finance in providing management responses to audit reports and implement recommendations

Monitoring

• Provide regular support to program sites through visit and review of accounting and operational systems
• Assist Finance Manager to maintain chart of accounts and report templates in the financial systems
• Provide support on systems update including new activities and programme integration and/or consolidation
• Prepare, review and analyze financial reports and submit it to the Finance Manager
• General Responsibility: Undertake any other official duties as assigned by the Finance Manager and the WWF Country Director or his/her assignee as would be required

Requisites

• A university degree in Accounting, Commerce, Business Administration or related field
• Full accounting qualification i.e. CPA, ACCA or equivalent
• At least five years of working with financial/accounting systems experience in a major international organization/NGO i.e. USAID, Germany Government Funding, SIDA & NORAD
• Demonstrable skills in the development of finance and accounting policies, procedures and systems in the context of an international NGO but private sector experience will be equally considered
• Good knowledge of fund accounting (including reporting requirements of major Bi-lateral Aid Agencies)
• Hands-on knowledge of the major software would be a distinct advantage
• Excellent English writing skills and knowledge of local languages an asset

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• Internal: Interacts and works closely and on a regular basis with Finance & Administration Manager, Programme Accountants, Project Leaders and Mozambique Country Office staff
• External: Interacts as required with vendors and service providers, implementing partners, finance colleagues from other country offices and donors