Senior Specialist, Finance, Congo Basin - WWF International
Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the Earth? Working at WWF could be your opportunity of a lifetime.
All around the world, people are waking up to the devastating impacts of climate change and nature loss. The situation today is worse than the darkest predictions of just ten years ago, pushing billions of people to the edge and threatening lives and livelihoods. At WWF, we are facing our biggest crisis – and our biggest ever opportunity – to create a better future for people and nature. With over 60 years of experience and an active presence in more than 100 countries, we work to achieve both on-the-ground and global policy action, from protecting and restoring species and their habitats, to transforming markets and policies toward sustainability.
Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from conservation science and advocacy to HR and finance. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us tackle this enormous global challenge and drive the urgent conservation impact needed to restore our planet.
What We Do
We are an independent conservation organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and the ecosystem. From individuals and communities to businesses and governments, we are part of a growing global movement calling for bolder action on climate and nature, demanding that world leaders set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. WWF works to address the most dominant drivers of nature loss through system-wide changes in how food and energy are produced and consumed, and in how financial systems are structured. By implementing change in every country, we aim to drive visible and positive impacts on the ground, helping to restore nature in the most critical places around the world, from the Amazon to the Coral Triangle.
Engaging everyone means addressing the barriers to participation faced by some groups in society, including local communities. Conservation will only be sustainable if it is owned by, and benefits, local people. That’s why Indigenous Peoples and local communities must be at the centre of action on climate and nature. WWF is committed to using its resources and global network to support these communities in creating together the most effective solutions where they live.
Humanity is still in time, we have a clear pathway to solve this crisis. At WWF, we call on everyone to join the global movement, change how we live, and take action now.
1 MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT
Enabling WWF mission delivery through the continuous pursuit of the optimum balance between efficiency and effectiveness with respect to internal systems, tools, and processes. This will be achieved via the delivery of a high standard of: strategic financial management, effective digital solutions, proactive risk management, quality guidance, advice, and communication of both regulatory and internal standards requirements all through an inclusive people-centered lens.
2 MAJOR FUNCTIONS
The Senior Regional Specialist will provide analytical support to their assigned region to ensure that WWF International Country Offices have long-term growth and sustainability, best practices are implemented, and all assets are safeguarded. The position will act as a thought partner with the Country Office Finance team. They will provide Financial leadership around cost sustainability, grant management life cycle, and analytics to empower decision-making and provide surge capacity when needed.
3 MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Business Partnering
● In collaboration with the Head, Finance Business Partner, Congo Basin ,establish a strong financial business partnering culture.
● Provide an excellent customer-centric finance business partnering service to Country Office Finance teams.
● Developing a deep knowledge of the Country Office business areas, their needs, and priorities, ensures that leaders understand the financial implications of decisions and available choices.
● Identify and coordinate financial capacity building to Country Finance team members including professional development support and mentoring.
● Participate in the recruitment and performance management support of Country Office Finance roles.
● Provide thought partnership, analytics, and problem-solving support to Country Office Finance teams to help foster sound decision-making.
● Provide financial capacity building to non-Finance Leaders across Country Offices to build and develop financial literacy.
● Supporting the construction of business cases through financial challenges and the identification of implications of options considered.
Planning
● Lead the planning, forecasting, and monitoring processes for their business area.
● Identifying sustainable cost reallocation or savings targets and initiatives as part of the business planning cycle, along with understanding and articulating the impact of reforms and their ultimate effect on the business.
Financial analysis and reporting
● Acting in an intelligent customer role to actively work with the business to understand cost drivers and performance priorities and interpret data to support business decisions
● Provide and present relevant and accurate financial information related to their business area to various stakeholders.
● Provide recommendations based on analysis of financial information
Other
● Supports continuous improvement of processes about respective Country Office Finance deliverables.Supports the development and enhancement of Finance’s
output, aiming to increase automation, improve efficiency, and strengthen controls.
● Ensure a cost-effective environment that eliminates waste, and safeguards assets
● Maintain a focus on long-term sustainability, leveraging effective cost-recovery practices
● Provides surge support to Country Office finance teams as needed. Must be able to travel to on-site locations and provide gap support where needed
4 PROFILE
Required Qualifications:
● Hold a first degree or equivalent qualification and/or be an ACCA, CIMA, ACA, or equivalent qualified accountant and 5 years experience.
● Demonstrated experience in analyzing large amounts of data and producing summaries that provide clear insights.
● Financial Analysis skills and ideally from an FP&A background.
● Experience in assisting with business cases and modeling is desirable.
● Fluency (spoken and written) in French
Required Skills and Competencies:
● Commercial in their approach to finance, balanced with a clear understanding of the non-financial objectives of the Region
● Proficiency in French and English
● Effective decision-making and financial problem-solving skills
● Strong collaboration skills to effectively work with staff across various WWF Country Offices
● Adaptability and flexibility to efficiently work in complex and sometimes unique circumstances
● An excellent communicator, particularly when dealing with complex financial information and a non-financial audience
● Able to work autonomously across a large and complex organization.
● Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration
5 WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Internal:
Frequently interacts with Country Office Finance teams and Sr. Finance Business Partner, Regions. Will also work with non-Finance Country Office teams, regional teams, and other units in Finance.
External:
Liaises with consultants, other finance professionals in the INGO sector, and auditors.
Please upload your covering letter and CV in English. Priority will be given to applications with both documents indicated.
Deadline for applications: 14 August 2025
Work permit restrictions may apply.
Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.
At WWF, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where every individual feels valued and respected. We believe that a diverse workforce will help us to achieve our mission to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing fair and unbiased consideration for all candidates regardless of their background. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and join us in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Other details
- Job Family Operations
- Job Function Finance (Operations)
- Pay Type Salary
- Employment Indicator Open Ended Contract