Sr. Specialist, Program Operations - WWF GEF Agency

Job Posting Organization:
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, dedicated to preserving the natural world and addressing the most pressing environmental challenges. Established in 1961, WWF operates in over 100 countries and has a diverse workforce of more than 6,000 employees. The organization focuses on various conservation efforts, including wildlife protection, climate change mitigation, and sustainable resource management, aiming to create a world where people and nature thrive together.

Job Overview:
The Sr. Specialist, Program Operations at WWF GEF Agency plays a crucial role in the financial management of specific programs. This position is responsible for overseeing the WWF GEF budgets, ensuring accurate financial tracking, analysis, and reporting. The Sr. Specialist will manage grants and agreements, providing administrative support to program staff and grantees. The role requires ensuring compliance with WWF and GEF policies, procedures, and donor requirements. The successful candidate will be expected to collaborate closely with program staff, providing financial and administrative assistance while maintaining oversight of the assigned portfolio. This position is integral to the successful execution of programs and requires a strong understanding of financial management in a conservation context.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Sr. Specialist include managing the annual budgeting process, supporting the consolidation of program-wide annual budgets, and monitoring financial progress throughout the lifecycle of proposals. The specialist will coordinate and prepare Portfolio Analysis for funds requests to the GEF Trustee, review project financial reports for compliance, and provide technical assistance to grantees. Additionally, the role involves managing the allocation of programmatic staff time on awards, ensuring accurate labor charging to donors, and performing effort certification reclasses as necessary. The Sr. Specialist will also oversee outgoing agreements, monitor agreement-related accounts, and reconcile conditional grants quarterly. They will recommend and implement departmental procedures, maintain good working relationships with stakeholders, and provide training and guidance to program staff on financial management practices. Supervising Program Operations staff and performing other assigned duties are also key responsibilities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Public Administration, or a related field. A minimum of 6 years of professional work experience is required, with a strong emphasis on attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to work under time constraints. Candidates should demonstrate strong quantitative and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex data sets and translate findings into actionable insights. Experience in portfolio reporting and tracking, project management, and familiarity with U.S. Government funded projects is highly desirable. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential, along with experience supervising staff and managing multiple projects. Familiarity with Adaptive, Smart Simple, and Workday systems is a plus.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in Accounting, Business, Public Administration, or a related field. This educational background provides the foundational knowledge necessary for effective financial management and administrative oversight within the organization.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 6 years of professional experience in financial management, project oversight, or a related field. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing financial and administrative activities, with experience in non-profit organizations being particularly advantageous. The ability to operate independently and make sound decisions is crucial for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred, as it will enhance communication with diverse stakeholders and facilitate collaboration in various program initiatives. Proficiency in English is also mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization.

Additional Notes:
This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship, and applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. The salary range for this role is between $80,600 and $100,80

• The position may require travel to field offices in the U.S. or overseas. WWF promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals, regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status.