Projects Finance Officer at WWF South Africa

Description    

•  (1-year contract positions based in WWF-SA Head office in Newlands, Cape Town)
• WWF is the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisation, with over 6 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
• WWF South Africa is a national office that is part of the WWF network. We are a local NGO that has worked for 50 years with the aim of inspiring all South Africans to live in harmony with nature, for the benefit of our country and the well-being of all our people. WWF's work is for nature, for you.
• Our work is challenging and exciting and we love what we do. To join our team, you need to be brilliant at what you do, passionate, results-orientated and have a positive attitude.

Minimum Requirements    
Requirements:

• Financial/Accounting diploma or degree
• 3 years experience as a project/costs accountant
• Project finance management and donor reporting within an NGO environment
• Management reporting and the production of value-added analysis leading to improved decision-making.
• Creating and implanting good financial practice and controls, including transaction reviews and adjustments
• Balance sheet reconciliations and monthly checks and balances
• Familiarity with Oracle / SAP / Oracle's NetSuite is essential.
• Practical experience in the field of financial donor reporting
• Computer literate: MS Outlook, Word and Excel intermediate level
• Analyse and summarise financial data accurately with strong attention to detail.
• Deadline-driven and able to manage conflicting deadlines.
• Ability to build good working relationships with non-finance staff.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Good interpersonal skills
• Team player
• Positive attitude and willingness to share and develop skills further.
• Duties and Responsibilities    
• The successful candidate will report to the Small-Scale Fisheries Programme Manager and will be responsible for a broad range of accounting duties which will include the following:

Reporting and Analysis:

• Produce project-specific reporting, ensuring accuracy and adherence to donor requirements.
• Attend oversight group meetings and raise any financial strategic concerns or risks.
• Produce financial analysis to assist decision-making.
• Review, Produce, and consolidate reports for donor reporting and internal management purposes.
• Provide explanatory narrative for any reports as required.
• Design and record regular key performance indicators (KPIs) for the project(s)
• Respond to donor questions regarding financials as required.

Transaction Processing and Quality Assurance:

• Enter all transactions relating to projects onto the finance system in a timely manner.
• Create controls and processes to ensure the legality and quality of all transactions.
• Prepare and review monthly transaction listings for completeness and assurance.
• Reconcile all projects' balance sheet accounts every month.
• Prepare and review monthly reserve statements for each project.
• Ensure all transactions are supported by adequate documentation and are filed and retained in a suitable way.
• Ensure WWF-SA’s internal year-end deadlines are met.
• Review and settle all accruals before project closure.

Planning, Start-up and Closure:

• Coordinate the project budget and subsequent iterations, obtaining sign-off as required.
• Ensure maximum cost recovery, including overhead costs and levies on all projects.
• Upload the final budget into the NetSuite system and repeat for the periodic forecast.
• Develop reporting templates in line with donor requirements.
• Run financial aspects of inception workshop and provide training on donor requirements.
• Work with implementing staff to establish systems that meet donor requirements.
• Ensure all financial requirements, controls, and conditions are met.
• Work with Project Managers and Senior Managers to close out projects within the finance system and align with final donor reporting.