SWIO Program Finance Officer

Location : Antananarivo 
Term of contract : Fixed-term contract

Job assignment :
Under the supervision of the SWIO Seascape Manager, the SWIO Seascape Program Finance Officer will provide financial support to SWIO Seascape Program Project Managers and Technical Officers in the establishing, managing and monitoring of project budgets, producing project financial reports and the monitoring of fund management. The SWIO Program Finance Officer is also responsible for coordinating and building the capacity of WWF countries finance officers abd CSO partners across the SWIO region.

Budgeting

• Prepare cost estimates and budgets for proposals;
• Work closely with the Project Managers to prepare budget estimates;
• Assist the Finance and Administration Manager, the Senior Finance Officer and the Project Managers in any other financial and budgetary matters that may arise ;
• Prepare documentation for funding requests with Project Managers ; 
• Consolidate the SWIO Program budget and submit to donors.

Monitoring 

• Prepare relevant documentation regarding budget execution reports including variance analyses between approved budgets and actual expenditures ;
• Ensure that financial resources are used for the implementation of activities in accordance with the project budget ;
• Monitor budget implementation and determine/recommend reallocation of funds as necessary ;
• Monitor expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized budget lines ;
• Ensure coding of financial transactions by budget line ;
• Provide advice and guidance to Project Managers on donor financial regulations;  

Reporting 

• Prepare financial reports and explanations for donors. Draft or write correspondence to answer questions on financial transactions ;
• Ensure the financial implementation of contracts, protocols and agreements signed within the Landscape framework ; 
• Consolidate and submit to donors the Program's financial reports.

Internal controlling & Auditing

• Coordinate the implementation of annual financial audits for the whole program (Develop ToR, follow the procurement process for the attribution of the audit cabinet, interface with the auditors). 
• Provide information necessary to respond to internal/external audit findings ;
• Collaborate with the Finance and Administration Manager in the preparation of project audits ; 
• Send audit report to donors and share with SWIO country offices.

Support for coordination of the SWIO program :

• Participate to various meetings and coordination missions of the Program 
• Act as interface with donors and answer questions of clarification regarding budgets and financial reports 
• Communicate/share donor recommendations to country offices concerning program obligations and financial management. 
• Present the Program's financial situation (burn rate, cash-flow) to the Secretariat team and support the decision-making process (budget reallocation, etc.),  
• Coordinate with Outgoing Grants officer and SWIO Country Finance Officers on the transfer of funds.
• Ensure cash management of the program to facilitate the implementation 
• Monitor contracts and amendments during budget revisions budget revisions.  
• Participate in the evaluation of offers for the recruitment of consultants as a member of the evaluation committee
• Collaborate with the accountant to ensure that projects have sufficient funds in their bank accounts to meet their obligations.
• Perform monthly trial balance analysis of projects 
• Carry out the process required for the financial closing of projects : Donor final financial report from the donor reconciled with WWF R6 financial report and with the project's bank balance ; Collaborate with the Chief Accountant to close the project in the Oracle system-Collaborate with the finance team in the preparation of the Incoming Grant Sheet,
• Ensure the accounting and follow-up of incomes recognition in accordance with agreements.
• Provide analysis of accounts.

Capacity building : Reinforce the capacity of partner CSOs in financial management :

• Organize sessions to build the capacity of financial officers within partner CSOs 
• Participate in support missions to CSOs and provide feedback on their work plan and budget
• Verify CSO budgets and financial reports and provide feedback when relevant.

Profile
Required Qualifications

• A degree in Business Administration or equivalent, with a minimum level of Baccalaureate +4 ; 
• At least 3 years experiences in Finance & Accounting ;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in French, English and Malagasy ;
• Experience with projects funded by international donors would be an asset ;
• Basic computer skills (word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail...) ; 
• Knowledge of Oracle software would be an asset.

• Ability to work and coordinate team work and effort while being  independent
• Adherence to WWF values : Courage, Respect, Integrity, Collaboration
• Adherence to WWF cultures (*) : aim for impact, collaborate openly, listen carefully and Innovate without fear.