Finance and Grants Manager (Deputy Finance Manager)

Job Posting Organization:
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) is a governmental organization in the Philippines that focuses on the conservation and management of the country's biodiversity. It is involved in various projects aimed at restoring ecosystems and promoting sustainable-land-management" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">sustainable land management. The organization collaborates with international partners such as Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Conservation International to implement initiatives like the RESEEDPh Project, which aims to reverse land degradation and strengthen ecosystem resilience. DENR-BMB operates within the framework of national environmental policies and is committed to addressing biodiversity loss and climate risks in the Philippines.

Job Overview:
The Finance and Grants Manager (Deputy Finance Manager) is a pivotal role within the RESEEDPh project, which is a 60-month initiative designed to enhance biodiversity and sustainable land management in various regions of the Philippines. This position is responsible for ensuring robust financial management and high-quality grant implementation across the project. The Finance and Grants Manager will maintain the financial integrity of all project components, support partners and grantees in adhering to GEF, CRS, and CI-GEF requirements, and provide specialized technical guidance on grant execution. The role encompasses financial tracking and reporting, oversight of subgrant and contract financial performance, and ensuring compliance with internal controls and procurement rules. The Finance and Grants Manager will also work closely with grantees to review financial reports, identify risks, and provide hands-on support to ensure that all grant agreements are implemented effectively and that financial processes are accurate and compliant with donor expectations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical guidance to grantees on budget design, financial plans, procurement plans, and cost justification in accordance with GEF and CI-GEF rules. Review draft grant agreements and budgets to ensure alignment with project objectives.
• Assess the adequacy of grantee financial systems and internal controls, recommending improvements as necessary. Conduct technical reviews of supporting documents to verify eligibility and reasonableness of costs.
• Deliver training and one-on-one support to grantees on GEF financial rules and reporting requirements. Develop guidance materials and templates to enhance financial capacity.
• Lead assessments of financial and operational risks related to grantees, proposing mitigation measures for risk registers. Monitor compliance with procurement thresholds and documentation requirements.
• Review financial execution against technical progress reported by grantees, ensuring consistency with MEAL systems. Provide recommendations for budget adjustments when gaps are identified.
• Collaborate with Component Leads to align financial and technical data for GEF reports and participate in meetings with grantees to address implementation challenges.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a B.A. degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Business Administration, with courses in accounting or a qualification in accounting such as CPA/ACCA. A minimum of five years of experience in a similar role is required, preferably within an NGO or financial institution. Knowledge of public donor regulations is preferred, along with proficiency in MS Office applications and financial reporting software. Candidates should also have a strong understanding of budgeting, financial management, and grants compliance, as well as skills in relationship management and partner capacity building.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Business Administration. Additional qualifications in accounting, such as CPA or ACCA, are highly desirable. Candidates should have completed coursework in accounting to ensure a solid foundation in financial principles and practices.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least five years of relevant experience in financial management or grants administration, particularly in roles that involve compliance with donor regulations. Experience working with international or local NGOs, or in financial institutions, is preferred. Candidates should demonstrate a strong track record of managing financial systems and providing technical support to partners.

Languages:
Proficiency in both Filipino and English is mandatory, with strong written and spoken communication skills in both languages being essential for the role. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in the Philippines and may require travel up to 20%. The role does not have supervisory responsibilities but involves significant collaboration with various internal and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct and commitment to safeguarding vulnerable populations. The position is full-time and may involve a contract duration that aligns with the project's timeline.