Country Finance Manager

VACANCY ANNOUCEMENT

Position: Country Finance Manager

Reports to: Country Director
                 Global Chief Finance Officer (WCS’s financial compliance and accountability to donor agencies)

Supervisor to: Finance Officer(s) and Finance Assistant

Location: Ha Noi, Viet Nam

Country Program: WCS Viet Nam Program

Team/Division: Finance

Position Type: Full time

Internal liaison: WCS Viet Nam’s Managers
                         Global Finance, Regional Finance, and relevant counterparts across the Southeast Asia region

Expected travel: Approximately 10% or as required within the country, region, occasionally to other country if/when required

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.

WCS Viet Nam Program Overview

WCS has been working in Viet Nam since early 2006 to strengthen the commitment and capacity of the Vietnamese government to combat wildlife trafficking. It has established a well-respected presence in the country, providing support to a range of government agencies. WCS Viet Nam have generated a wide range of reliable data on a number of related issues and trained about 1,200 law enforcement officers from a range of agencies in investigation and enforcement techniques, and distributed a number of technical handbooks and guides. It has assisted central agencies to review and propose criminal intelligence analysis systems, inter-agency agreements and cooperation, national legislation, and have supported bi-lateral dialogues to suppress the wildlife trade and strengthen Viet Nam’s enforcement response. Its wildlife health expertise has been leveraged in Viet Nam to address core conservation issues, like wildlife trade, through collaborative research, training, and policy development.

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Country Director, the Country Finance Manager is responsible for:

  • Financially overseeing and supporting for the country program.
  • Monitoring financial issues (management and performance) of all programs/projects/sub-units and sub-grant partners in the country.
  • Providing strategic financial support to the Country SMT in strategic planning, reporting, analysis and risk management.
  • Ensuring WCS Viet Nam’s legal compliance with financial matters in Viet Nam and with its global financial standards, systems and processes, as well as donors’ rules on financial management.

This Job Description is progressive in nature and shall be reviewed and amended from time to time to meet WCS Viet Nam program needs.

Responsibilities

A. Financial and Accounting Management

  • Ensures an efficient financial management system and accounting procedures in compliance with WCS Viet Nam’s Finance, HR and Admin policies and procedures, and Vietnamese laws and regulations, as well as WCS’s global requirements as a US-registered 501(c)3 organization;
  • Ensures all expenditures are made in compliance with approved budget, WCS’s policies and in-ountry financial procedures;
  • Ensures that revenue and expenditure posted are correct in project, grant/fund and account codes including cross-charge to other country programs as per established procedures;
  • Oversees monthly and year-end closure of accounts, reports and bank reconciliations;
  • Ensures that funds received in-country are correctly reported to WCS’s Regional and Global finance staff (Controller, Grants, Business);
  • Ensures complete accounting records are maintained following local, donor and WC Global regulations. This includes but is not limited to vouchers, bills, invoices, procurements forms, authorizations, reconciliations, both hardcopy and electronic records.

B. Budget and Grant Management

  • Oversees timely preparation of the fiscal budget, to ensure inclusion of all financial information and appropriate levels of management, accounting, and administrative and related office costs are built in;
  • Maintains an accurate database of project funding, including grant agreements/contracts/sub-contracts, project budgets and donor-specific procedures and regulations;
  • Provide guidance to relevant staff members to ensure compliance with donor requirements, including procurement regulations, budget flexibility;
  • Provides key input and guidance to the Country Director and the teams in in the management of the country program resources, and in resolving pending items and developing recommendations/mitigation plans;
  • Monitors completion of grants/contracts. Ensure smooth close-out process, proper accounting and closing of books upon receipt of completed reports and documents from various units;
  • Prepares donor financial reports in line with donor reporting requirements in a timely manner.
  • Oversee financial aspects of budget development for new proposals, office budget allocation and consolidation.

C. Internal & Quality control

  • Ensures that the highest standards of financial integrity & internal control are followed and all grants/activities in the country program are respecting national legislation including regulations, labour code, taxes, benefits, etc.;
  • Monitors ongoing level of expenditures of projects, provide timely advice to Grant Leads, Country
  • Director and/or Regional Director and make recommendations to adjust spending accordingly;
  • Acts as a key focal point for internal or external audits (national and global requirements where needed). This may include but not limited to prepare audit responses and ensure implementation of accepted/agreed audit recommendations;
  • Supports to respective Grant Leads in understanding and managing their approved budget;
  • Advises the Country Director of any problems or weakness in financial controls and procedures in WCS Viet Nam office.

D. Management and Supervision

  • Ensure all WCS Viet Nam program staff understands all relevant financial policies and procedures to ensure efficiency in all aspects of its operations;
  • Manages and supports the performance and development of Finance staff, including coaching, training to ensure the team efficient and effective services. This may include conducting regular visits to sub-grantees for monitoring and supervision purposes, if necessary;
  • Liaises with donors, auditors and local bank representatives to ensure operations and maintain good relationship.

E. Others

  • Work with the Regional finance team, provide regular financial updates as required;
  • Performs other duties as requested by the direct supervisor.

Minimum Requirements

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or relevant fields;
  • 10 years of financial management experience (finance and accounting), preferably in international companies or organizations;
  • Knowledge of the policies, regulations, reporting formats, and cultures of traditional donors, including USAID, UNDP, USFWS, World Bank and others;
  • Ability to handle multitask, prioritize, attention to details and management efficiently;
  • Ability lead, supervise and coach the team;
  • Strategic thinker with excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills;
  • Proficient in written and verbal communication skills in English Language;
  • Computer skills mandatory, proficient in Microsoft Office Applications;
  • Demonstrate skills in database management and record keeping;
  • Concern for wildlife conservation & environmental issues is an asset.

Application Process:

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications should apply by online via this link:
https://forms.gle/7hwRq4k2Ki4R22Fh7 latest by 17:30 of May 15, 2019.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are 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.

The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on age, color, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations.

Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted for interview.

Job Details
Organisation Name: 
WCS
Location: 
Hanoi
Application Deadline: 
Wed, 2019-05-15