Financial Administration Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is a leading global conservation organization founded in 1961, dedicated to preserving the world's biological diversity and reducing humanity's ecological footprint. With a mission to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature, WWF operates in over 100 countries and has more than 5 million supporters worldwide. The organization focuses on various environmental issues, including climate change, wildlife conservation, and sustainable resource management, and employs thousands of individuals committed to these causes.

Job Overview:
The Financial Administration Specialist plays a crucial role in ensuring the financial integrity and compliance of the Country Office Unit (COU) within WWF. This position is responsible for overseeing financial management processes, including budgeting, reporting, and administration for Country Offices. The specialist will act as a liaison between Country Offices, headquarters teams, and external stakeholders, ensuring that financial operations align with organizational goals and donor requirements. The role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to capacity-building initiatives, supporting Country Offices in enhancing their financial management capabilities. The specialist will also be involved in the integration of financial systems and the preparation of financial reports, audits, and compliance documentation, contributing to the overall financial health of the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Financial Administration Specialist will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including but not limited to: preparing, administering, and maintaining the COU department budget in Adaptive; monitoring spending and coding accuracy; coordinating quarterly updates and projections; reviewing and approving incoming awards records and financial codes in SmartSimple and Workday; managing incoming agreement records tasks for COU; acting as the Financial Lead for outgoing agreements; creating vendor invoices and processing payments; supporting Country Offices on financial administration for donor contracts; reviewing funding proposals for US-based donors; participating in regional financial closing processes; validating financial system integrations; updating the I-LINK database with financial datasets; developing training materials for financial management tools; providing technical assistance to Country Offices; and facilitating information sharing across departments. The specialist will also manage donations and gifts related to COs’ portfolios and perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in accounting, business, financial administration, or a related field, or equivalent work experience. A minimum of six years of experience in similar roles is required, along with four years of substantial project management experience overseeing financial and administrative activities. Experience in financial reporting and analysis, corporate finance, or financial consulting is highly desirable. Candidates should have a strong understanding of financial statements and accounting principles (GAAP/IFRS) and demonstrate proactive problem-solving skills, organizational abilities, and attention to detail. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as is the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively. Familiarity with financial systems such as SAP, Oracle, Workday, or NetSuite, as well as BI tools like Power BI or Tableau, is preferred. Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills are required, and candidates must be fully bilingual in English and Spanish.

Educational Background:
The position requires a bachelor's degree in accounting, business, financial administration, or a related field. Equivalent work experience may be considered in lieu of a formal degree. The educational background should provide a solid foundation in financial principles and practices, enabling the candidate to perform the duties of the role effectively.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of six years of relevant experience in financial administration or management roles, with at least four years dedicated to project management. This experience should include overseeing financial and administrative activities, as well as a strong background in financial reporting and analysis. Candidates with experience in corporate finance or financial consulting will be given preference, as these skills are critical for the successful execution of the responsibilities associated with this position.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Spanish is mandatory for this role, as the position requires effective communication with diverse stakeholders across different regions. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This position may require travel to country offices and the US, with travel expectations of up to 20%. The role is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and aligns with WWF's core values of courage, integrity, respect, and collaboration. The application process requires candidates to submit a cover letter and resume through the WWF Careers Page, referencing Requisition #2603

• Due to the high volume of applications, the organization will not respond to inquiries via phone.