TERMS OF REFERENCE
Position : Finance Manager, Papua New Guinea
Report to : Country Director with matrix reporting to Global CFO
Positions Managed : Finance Team
Location. : Papua New Guinea, Goroka
Country Program : WCS Papua New Guinea
Position Type : Full Time
Scope / Capacity : Country
Coordinates with : Country Director, Global CFO, Regional Controller, Regional Business Manager, Regional Grants Manager, Regional Finance Manager, Regional HR Business Partner, WCS Papua New Guinea employees
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.
WCS Papua New Guinea (PNG) country program is the longest established international non-government conservation organisation within the country. At key and representative landscapes and seascapes, from the country’s coral islands to its forested highlands, WCS works with local communities and provincial, national and international partners, to sustainably manage and conserve the biodiversity and cultural values of Papua New Guinea’s wildlife and wild places. WCS PNG vision is “Gutpela sindaun, gutpela bus, gutpela solwara” (“Empowered people with healthy forests and seas”). The WCS PNG program is headquartered in Goroka, with field offices in Manus and Kavieng and staff embedded with government in Port Moresby. WCS PNG employs more than 50 full time staff and implement and administer about 10 projects annually funded by governments and private donors.
Job summary:
WCS is seeking a dynamic individual with significant experience with the financial management of government and agency grants and contracts to oversee financial management of WCS program in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The position is based in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. The candidate will relocate once PNG visa is obtained. This position will be a member of the country offices’ senior management team working closely with all of the various department directors/managers.
The Finance Manager (FM) will work with three local finance positions in Goroka office under their direct supervision to oversee financial management of WCS’s PNG program. The primary objectives are to maintain accurate, efficient and transparent financial management systems within the WCS PNG program and to ensure compliance with WCS’s policies/procedures. The FM will report directly to the PNG Country Program Director, with a strong dotted line to WCS’s VP/Comptroller’s office. They will directly supervise and train finance staff in the WCS PNG head office in Goroka and satellite offices in Manus, Kavieng, Kimbe & East Sepik. They will maintain appropriate communications with WCS PNG Team and Project leaders and will coordinate regularly with the Southeast Asia Pacific Regional Business Manager and WCS New York staff to support and manage timely and accurate submission of reports. The FM will also communicate with key donors, funding agencies, and local governmental institutions.
Strategic Financial, People Leadership and Capacity Building:
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Develop and implement financial strategies to support WCS PNG’s goals.
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Be an advisor to the Country Director on financial planning, risk management, and cost reduction opportunities.
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Overall supervision of Finance unit and employees.
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Optimize team’s performance by effectively monitoring and managing performance, as well as coach and mentor team members to enhance their skills and capabilities (e.g. preparation of financial reports in line with donor reporting requirements, reconciling accounting ledger entries to Budget vs Actual etc.)
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Responsible for recruiting, training, and managing finance team members ensuring alignment with WCS procedures and standards as well as their daily tasks.
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Foster team engagement through cultivating a positive environment to support staff engagement.
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Manage and maintain external strong relationships with banks, auditors and lawyer.
Strategic Financial ManagemenT:
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Oversee all project budget management and financial operations, ensuring compliance with WCS and donor requirements, as well as national legislation including customs regulations, labor rights, taxes, and benefits.
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Conduct financial reviews and audits to maintain the highest standards of financial integrity.
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Ensure that all expenditures are made per established procedures, including verification of supporting documents and budget availability.
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Monitor and review expenditures against budgets on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis by project and for the office advising the Country Director of any problems or weaknesses in financial controls and procedures, and any ways in which costs could be reduced.
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Prepare monthly reports of expenditure against budgets for internal use, including monitoring of expenditure against project activity budgets as well as WCS project, grant/fund, and account code.
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Address any discrepancies in project expenditures, making recommendations to adjust spending accordingly.
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Ensure that funds received are correctly, reported and posted to the appropriate project, grant/fund, and account code.
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Assess and mitigate financial risks, ensure that reliable internal control systems are in place, and uphold financial ethics.
Financial Reporting & Analysis:
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Prepare and submit financial report and analysis on all project and grants expenditures to the regional program for review, according to WCS established procedures to ensure financial accountability and transparency aspects are met according to high standard.
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Oversee monthly and year-end reconciliation of accounts, reports, and bank statements of PNG country program.
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Ensure communication, reporting, and administrative requirements of donors are met in consultation with the Country Director and Project Managers/Directors.
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Provide strategic insights through financial reporting to support decision-making to the Country Director
Budgeting and Forecasting:
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Lead the preparation of the annual program budget for submission to the regional office.
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Maintain the program budget and forecasts throughout the fiscal year to adjust for new funding and other budget adjustments.
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Develop/prepare donor proposal budgets in coordination with field teams for review by the Regional Business Manager.
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Apply appropriate grant management practices, including maintaining an accurate database of funding, including contracts, project budgets, and donor-specific procedures and regulations, review & send requests for new fund/grant codes to New York.
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Ensure cash flow management of the program to ensure that sufficient funds are available for project operations.
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Prepare a three-year salary and operational analysis for the country program office, highlighting any gaps in salary or operational sustainability to the Country Director.
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Ensure timesheet/effort reports and support cost allocations are completed for all staff.
Monitoring, Cash Flow Management and Managing Expenditures:
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To maintain effective control over cash and bank (ensure that cash in hand and bank reconcile with accounting records). Ensure that the office and sub-office funds are well managed, adequate funds are available to meet the organisation’s responsibility and proper internal controls over the disbursement of funds and procuring of goods is in place
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Ensure that funds received are correctly reported to WCS New York and posted to the appropriate project, grant/fund, and account code in appropriate project, grant/fund and account code in SAP, per WCS policy, is a timely manner.
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Supervise regular petty cash counts in accordance with WCS policy.
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Prepare and submit to the regional controller the month end reports, cash budget and transfer request, on a monthly basis.
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Oversee cross-charging to other programs as per established procedures.
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Ensure proper tracking of project advances to staff, ensuring that advances are accounted for promptly according to WCS procedures.
reporting:
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Prepare and submit analysis on all project expenditures to the regional program according to WCS established procedures and deadlines.
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Oversee monthly and year-end reconciliation of accounts, reports, and bank statements.
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To ensure on time posting transitions in SAP and reconcile balance sheet items by the in the following month e.g. cash and bank balance, advances, liabilities and control the effect of currency fluctuation on the balance
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Ensure communication, reporting, and administrative requirements of donors are met in consultation with the Country Director and Project Managers/Directors.
Audit and Compliance:
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Perform monthly review of all financial data by 10th calendar day of the following month ensuring that all transactions are accurately and consistently recorded in the accounting system, including details for grants, funds, projects, and other relevant information.
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Ensure that revenue and expenditure posted by WCS New York are accurately assigned to the correct project, grant/fund, and account codes and resolving any issues with the appropriate staff.
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Assess and mitigate financial risks, ensure that reliable internal control systems are in place, and uphold financial ethics.
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Coordinate and supervise local audits relating to accounting, including donor and institutional audits, tax, and labor matters.
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Work with Regional Controller assigned to Southeast Asia Pacific Region to ensure statutory compliance of WCS PNG.
Contracts and sub-awards:
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Ensure that WCS PNG applies to the Subaward Management Policy accordingly, i.e., implementation of subaward risk assessment, review subawards budget (including contracts) and compliance with WCS/Donor’s financial reporting requirements.
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Perform audits of contractors or sub-awardee financial systems and reports where necessary.
position requirements:
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Bachelor’s degree in accountancy or equivalent accounting qualifications. MBA, CPA, or other equivalent certification is a plus.
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Minimum of 8 years of post-qualification experience, with at least 2 years in a senior management role.
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Experience in monitoring budgets, cash flow management, and systems development for a non-profit organization.
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Demonstrated sound and in-depth knowledge of GAAP, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Financial Management, and Country Specific Taxation law.
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ICAN, ACCA, or equivalent recognized professional qualification required.
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Experience using an ERP system and advanced Excel skills required.
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Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and strong analytical skills.
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Significant experience with the financial management of government and agency grants and contracts, with experience with EU and US Government grants being a plus.
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Ability to work independently and effectively in a diverse team environment.
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Commitment to WCS’s values and mission.
How to apply:
Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, skills and experience, should apply directly at http://bit.ly/3X8YfUx together with the names and contact information of three references at the latest on May 31, 2025.
Please include “Finance Manager PNG” in the subject line of your email. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview.
WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging in a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, caste, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by laws and regulations/and similar categories.
It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities. The organization complies with the spirit and intent of relevant local laws and WCS’s employment policies.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.