Location: Yaoundé, Republic of Cameroon

Reports To: Finance and Administration Director

Direct Reports: Country Finance Team

Start Date: ASAP

Duration: Full-time

Organization Background:

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.

Job Summary

The Finance Manager reports to the Director of Finance and Administration (DAF). S/he is responsible for all accounting across the Country Program. Based in Yaoundé, there will be frequent travel to field sites to support the field-based finance teams and review financial documentations and provide recommendations accordingly.

The Finance Manager participate in coordination of finance and administration and ensures that it operates as a cohesive, functional unit that provides high-quality, responsive, timely and cost-effective services, while remaining compliant with local laws, WCS policies and procedures, and donor requirements for the implementation of program activities. The job holder will perform efficient expenditure monitoring, pipeline analysis, and reporting duties in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and grant requirements and keeps strict control on the resources allocated.

Responsibilities

Accounting

–            Reviewing daily accounting and supporting documents for all transactions in the JV Upload before posting to the SAP system to minimize errors.

–            Participate in the coordination and supervision of the monthly and annual closing of accounts and ensures timely reconciliation.

–            Review monthly salary calculations.

–            Follow-up with employees and tracking open mission and other advances.

–            Review all balance sheet accounts monthly and make sure that for any issues the DAF is aware.    

–            Assist the DAF on the monthly Pooled Cost allocation.

–            Prepare payment requests and purchase order requests for international vendors.

–            Ensure that month end reports and Fiscal Year end reports are accurate, complete, and submitted in a timely manner.

–            Review service agreements for consultants.

–            Ensures that all local tax laws and regulations are strictly adhered to with taxes paid to tax authorities as prescribed by law.

–            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 and submitted on time.

–            Ensure completeness and compliance of documentation on all financial transactions.

–            Ensure implementation of a proper physical and electronic filing system of financial documentation.

Budget and Grant management

–            Participate in the management of funding agreements providing regular and adequate indicators to monitor the financial health of the mission.

–            Ensure the accuracy and updating of data to be entered into the institutional budget system throughout the fiscal year to ensure adequate resources are available to achieve program activities and deliverables, to support the monthly cash request to HQ, and to prepare the monthly pooled cost allocation.

–            Conduct regular field visits to ensure harmonization of processes and procedures.

–            Prepare donor financial reports working with project managers and field-based accountants for review by the DAF and ensure any cost share, match or leverage required is met on time and in compliance with signed contracts and donor’s requirements.

–            Assist the DAF on monthly Budget follow-up.

–            Ensure the corrections and adjustments (in SAP) resulting from recommendations and observations made during the budget follow up and financial reports.

–            Support the technical staff by explaining and monitoring the use of the budgeted operational plan to ensure all activities incurred are in line with the agreed, approved plan.

Subaward Management

–            Ensure management of sub-awardees follows WCS policies and procedures including but not limited to completing risk assessment, analyzing proposal budget to ensure it aligns with program description, tracking expenses against budget, reviewing invoices, site visits, monitoring reports.

Treasury and cash management

–            Conduct weekly petty cash verification for the country office.

–            Supervise the preparation of the monthly bank reconciliation with the Yaoundé and field accounting teams.

–            Ensure electronical filing of all cash counts and bank reconciliation.

–            Verify fund requests from field offices.

–            Monitor bank transfers, banking activities, and expenditures

–            Prepare on-time monthly cash requests for Yaoundé

Internal Controls and Audits

–            Ensure proper implementation and respect of internal control systems, WCS policies and guidelines.

–            Propose the DAF changes to local policies, procedures and tools for optimized financial management considering the realities and contexts of the operating environment.

–            Coordinate execution of internal/external financial reviews or audits, operational reviews or audits, and ensure timely follow up to all conclusions and recommendations by giving regular status reports to the DAF and Regional Controller.

–            Lead, coordinate, and supervise local audits relating to accounting, tax, and labor matters

Staff Management

–            Ensure that country finance staff and project staff are familiar and compliant with WCS policies and procedures and donors related to accounting, finance and budget, and financial risks through capacity building(training) and mentoring.

–            Directly manages the accounting team in Yaoundé and the first-line technical support for field accountants.

–            When requested, play secondment role when field finance members are absent, permission and on annual leave.

Any other duty assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

–            Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting major preferred. MBA, CPA, or other equivalent certification is 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 is a plus.

–            At least five years of experience, with at least 2 years managing a financial area for an international non-profit organization with specification in the development section like conservation will be an added advantage.

–            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.

–            Proven managerial skill and ability to work in a team setting within an organization.

How to apply

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, skills, and experience, should apply and send their CVs and Cover Letters through  before August 31, 2024.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value.