Director of Finance and Administration, Cameroon

Location: Yaounde, Cameroon

Reports To: Country Director

Direct Reports: Finance Manager

Organization Background:

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.

Job Summary

The Director of Finance and Administration is responsible for management of the financial systems and staff, financial reporting to the Central Africa Regional and New York HQ offices and donors, country budgetary reporting and controls, monitoring and compliance of internal controls, conducting/coordinating operational reviews of project sites, and cash management.

Based in Yaounde, there will be frequent travel to field sites to support the field-based finance teams and review financial documentation. This position reports to the WCS Country Director with a dotted-line report to the Comptroller based in New York.

Responsibilities

Financial Management and Compliance

• Responsible for financial management and timely accounting for the WCS Cameroon Program
• Ensure all project financial activities are in compliance with WCS and donor requirements
• Work with project managers and field-based accountants to generate donor financial reports on time
• Monitor bank transfers, banking activities, advances and expenditures in coordination with WCS-NY.
• Management of in-country revenue sources and receivables.
• Budget review and financial management of sub grantees. Assess and monitor sub grantees in coordination with the Project Manager and Regional Grants Manager.
• Coordinate and supervise local audits relating to accounting, tax, and labour matters as well as promote internal audits in coordination with Regional Controller, in order to determine the legality and veracity of the accounts of WCS Cameroon
• Assess and mitigate the financial risks of the mission, ensure that reliable internal control systems are in place, and financial ethics is respected within the mission
• Ensure proper implementation and respect of relevant policies and guidelines, design or adapt relevant local policies, procedures and tools for optimized management of the mission financial and human resources and awareness of realities of the context.
• Ensure cash flow management of the program

Budgeting and proposals

• Monitor budget versus spending with monthly updates on expenditures and sharing availability of funds with project managers. Analyze variances and suggest corrective actions when necessary.
• Prepare annual Country Program budget for submission to Central Africa Regional office. Maintain Country Program budget and forecasts throughout the fiscal year to adjust for new funding and other budget adjustments
• Prepare donor proposal budgets in coordination with field teams for review by Regional Business Manager

Administration and staff management

• Responsible for recruiting, training, and managing finance for the WCS Cameroon Program
• Ensure national staff contracts, worker’s compensation and medical benefits, vacation and work schedules are established in accordance with country program guidelines and following the national labor laws in coordination with HR Officer
• Ensure that all projects/activities in the country program are respecting national legislation regarding customs regulations, labor rights, taxes, and benefits.
• Oversee expatriate administration to include job requisition approvals, supporting HR onboarding process, review and use of housing allowances, home leave benefits and other allowances in coordination with the Central Africa HR Business Partner

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor degree in Business Administration, accounting major preferred. MBA, CPA or other equivalent certification a plus
• Demonstrated ability in the development and implementation of financial policies and procedures
• French and English language fluency required.
• Significant experience with the financial management of government and agency grants and contracts, experience with KFW, EU, US Government grants a plus.
• At least five years of experience managing a financial area for an international non-profit organization
• Willingness to travel to field sites
• Experience working in a developing country setting
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal, as well as strong analytical skills.
• Proven managerial skill and ability to work in a team setting within an organization