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Reports to: Vice President, Global Operations
Positions Managed: None
Location: Kigali, Rwanda
Country Program/Sector: Global, Europe, and Cross Cutting programs
Scope: Global
Position Type: Fulltime
Job Summary:
The main purpose of this role will be to oversee the budget, grants, finances, and program administration of global, cross-cutting programs of the Global Conservation division for which they are assigned responsibility, and to provide direct support to Program Directors in managing the operations of the programs. The position works under the guidance of the Vice President for Global Operations, and in close coordination with Program Directors and staff around the world, and the VP of Field Conservation, while liaising with WCS’s Budget, Financial Planning & Analysis, Grants Management and Compliance, Global Resources, Legal, HR, IT, Accounting, Payroll, and Purchasing departments, as well as partner organizations. Sample program areas that may be assigned to this position include the Africa Protected Areas Management Unit, the WCS Aviation Program and the WCS Europe team.
Major Responsibilities:
Budget Planning and Financial Management: Lead the annual WCS budgeting process for all relevant programs. Manage and maintain program budgets, make timely updates, monitor flexible funds and restricted grants. Conduct regular reviews of revenue and expenditure and assist in reconciling and ensuring quality control of financial transactions. Verify proper booking of revenue and assist program staff with allocation of expenses. Conduct regular analysis of the status of the budget (revenue and expenditure) and develop reports and analytical tools to assist Program Directors in decision-making and financial planning. Develop short and long-term financial plans.
Program Administration: Establish and maintain efficient administrative systems and procedures to support the smooth running of the program. Ensure timely coordination with human resources administration, procurement, contract management, and information management. Review and approve payment requests and credit card transactions. Coordinate compliance with WCS policies. Keep updated on changes in organizational policies and procedures, and provide guidance to teams on the relevant approaches and procedures. Maintain archive of documentation and ensure access to institutional memory.
Grant Management: Review grant agreements and contracts, work with relevant departments to support negotiation and final signature. Ensure new grants are properly set up in the accounting system. Update and maintain grant information in the central database. Serve as a budget lead and grant manager for global grants, and work with regional programs on the administration and financial management of these grants in the regions. Support programs in understanding WCS grant management processes, systems, tools and donor compliance requirements. Determine milestones, monitor progress, and ensure revenues are recognized accordingly. Working with Regional Controllers, coordinate audit responses and grant closures.
Proposal Development: Support the proposal development process with the development and review of grant proposal budgets and assess implications on overall program budgets. Ensure budgets are covering costs and are contributing to strengthening the programs. Ensure that proposal budgets are developed and reviewed in compliance with WCS policies.
Grant Reporting: Track reporting timelines, and work with program staff and support departments to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting and compliance with donor guidelines. Prepare and provide certified financial reporting to funding sources including private donors, foundations, corporations, and international and governmental agencies. Work with the program staff to prepare grant extension/modification requests as needed. Prepare payment requests, and ensure disbursements are processed according to the agreements.
Subaward Management: Assist program staff in determining contractual modality in consultation with the legal team. Conduct risk assessments of partners, and identify risks relevant to the conditions of prime awards, adjusting special conditions, reporting requirements and payment schedules as necessary. Draft the subgrant agreement/ amendments and reporting template. Oversee and monitor subgrantees, keeping track of deliverables and grant compliance requirements, reviewing financial reports and certifications, and issuing amendments as necessary. Working with the Accounts Receivable team, identify milestones and recognize expenses as part of subaward accounting.
Ensure compliance with WCS requirements and processes.
Job Qualifications:
Bachelor degree required. Related program of study such as finance, accounting, economics or business preferred.
Proven grant and financial management experience in an international organization (5+ years) in a multi-funder environment required. Grant financial reporting experience required. Experience with government and agency grants such as USG, UN, EU is preferred.
Effective “roll up the sleeves” work ethic; Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse team. Must be solution-oriented, and have strong problem solving and analytical skills.
Spoken and written fluency in English required.
Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, including writing and editing.
Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality required.
Excellent organizational skills, including ability to set and follow priorities, work independently, take initiative, work on multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
Additional Requirements:
Excellent computer and systems skills required with respect to MS Office applications (advanced skills in MS Excel required) and major financial accounting and reporting software (SAP or equivalent)
Comfortable operating in a dynamic, international environment and responding quickly to sudden needs and opportunities, working across multiple time-zones
How to apply
Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, skills and experience, should apply at the application tab by May 22, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis .
WCS is an equal opportunity employer 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.