Grants Finance Officer

IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law; Gland; Presencial; CHF 86.000 - 108.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law is seeking a seasoned grants financial manager to lead financial oversight across grant‑making programmes. You will ensure budgets, donor compliance, and timely reporting, collaborating with programme teams to safeguard financial integrity.

You will drive financial due diligence, risk assessment, audit readiness, and practical controls. You will maintain NAV/Business Central records, support grant lifecycle processes, and provide training to staff and

Formación

• Minimum five (5) years of relevant professional experience in finance, grants management, or donor-funded projects.
• Experience supporting grant-making programmes and managing grants through the lifecycle.
• Familiarity with bilateral/multilateral donor regulations and reporting requirements.

Responsabilidades

• Oversee grant financial management, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting.
• Ensure donor compliance, grant agreements, internal policies and procedures.
• Coordinate audits, financal verifications, and assurance activities.
• Maintain grants data in NAV/Business Central and related systems.
• Provide training on grants financial management and compliance.

Conocimientos

English proficiency

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Financial problem-solving

Communication skills

Educación

University degree in Accounting/Finance/Business/Economics

Professional accounting qualification (ACCA/CPA/CIMA/CA) desirable

Herramientas

Microsoft Dynamics NAV/Business Central

Power BI

Advanced Excel

Descripción del empleo

Job Description

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Grants Financial Management and Oversight
• Provide financial management support to assigned grant-making programmes and serve as the principal finance focal point for designated programme teams.
• Support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of financial management systems, procedures, and controls for grant-making operations.
• Monitor grant portfolios to ensure compliance with approved budgets, donor requirements, grant agreements, and IUCN policies and procedures.
• Support financial planning, forecasting, budget monitoring, expenditure analysis, and grant portfolio performance reviews.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of grant-related financial information within relevant financial and grants management systems.
• Monitor grant expenditure, commitments, and fund utilisation, identifying emerging financial risks and recommending corrective actions where necessary.
• Support the timely closure of grants and grant-making programmes, ensuring completion of all financial and contractual obligations.
• Grants Administration and Compliance
• Ensure compliance with donor regulations, grant agreements, internal policies, and applicable financial and administrative procedures throughout the grant lifecycle.
• Maintain effective oversight of grant documentation, financial records, agreements, reporting schedules, and audit requirements.
• Coordinate and monitor grant-related contractual processes, including internal agreements, grant agreements, implementing partner contracts, consultancy agreements, and amendments.
• Support the preparation, review, and maintenance of grant operational manuals, guidance documents, templates, and procedures.
• Provide guidance to programme teams and grantees on financial policies, procedures, eligibility rules, and reporting requirements.
• Ensure that grant management processes are implemented consistently and transparently across assigned programmes.
• Financial Due Diligence and Risk Management
• Conduct financial due diligence assessments of grant applicants and prospective grantees prior to grant award.
• Review organisational capacities, financial systems, governance structures, internal controls, and financial health of applicant organisations.
• Identify financial, operational, compliance, and fiduciary risks associated with grant recipients.
• Develop and recommend risk mitigation measures and monitoring plans for identified risks.
• Monitor grantee compliance throughout implementation and elevate significant concerns as appropriate.
• Contribute to the strengthening of risk management frameworks and due diligence methodologies for grant-making programmes.
• Budget Review and Financial Reporting
• Review and assess grant application budgets to ensure realism, cost-effectiveness, eligibility, and compliance with donor and IUCN requirements.
• Collaborate with programme technical teams during proposal evaluations to assess financial viability and budget quality.
• Review grantee financial reports and supporting documentation, providing feedback and recommendations as required.
• Support the preparation and consolidation of donor financial reports and management reports for grant-making programmes.
• Monitor reporting deadlines and ensure the timely submission of financial reports by grant recipients and programme teams.
• Produce financial analyses and portfolio reports to support programme management and decision‑making.
• Audit Coordination and Assurance
• Coordinate grant-related audits, financial verifications, and compliance reviews.
• Support the preparation and organisation of financial documentation required for audits and donor reviews.
• Liaise with auditors, programme teams, grantees, regional finance staff, and other stakeholders throughout audit processes.
• Track audit findings and support implementation of corrective actions and recommendations.
• Promote audit readiness across grant‑making programmes through effective record keeping and compliance monitoring.
• Systems, Processes, and Capacity Building
• Ensure accurate maintenance of grants‑related information within organisational systems including NAV/Business Central, Project Portal, Grants Portal, and other relevant platforms.
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of grant management systems, tools, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms.
• Support process improvement initiatives aimed at increasing efficiency, transparency, compliance, and financial accountability.
• Deliver training and capacity‑building support to programme staff, grant recipients, and other stakeholders on grants financial management and compliance requirements.
• Promote best practices in grant financial management throughout the Secretariat.

Other Responsibilities

• Contribute to cross‑functional initiatives and special projects undertaken by GPOU and the wider Secretariat.
• Undertake other responsibilities reasonably assigned by the Senior Finance Officer, Head of Global Programme Operations, or senior management.
• Support the achievement of broader departmental objectives and contribute to a collaborative and service‑oriented team culture.

Requirements

• Technical Competencies
• Strong knowledge of grant financial management, budgeting, financial monitoring, cost eligibility assessment, donor compliance, and financial reporting.
• Sound understanding of grant‑making processes and grant lifecycle management.
• Knowledge of financial controls, fiduciary risk assessment, internal control frameworks, and audit requirements.
• Ability to review and interpret grant agreements, donor regulations, and contractual requirements.
• Strong analytical and financial problem‑solving skills with the ability to identify trends, risks, and areas requiring corrective action.
• Core Competencies
• Excellent organizational and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and quality.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining effective collaboration across multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed teams.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain financial matters to non‑financial audiences.
• Proactive, results‑oriented, and solution‑focused approach to work.
• High standards of integrity, professionalism, confidentiality, and accountability.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and respect for others.
• Education
• University degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• A recognized professional accounting qualification (e.g. ACCA, CPA, CIMA, CA, or equivalent) is highly desirable.
• Additional qualifications in grants management, project management, auditing, compliance, or risk management would be an advantage.
• Professional Experience
• Minimum five (5) years of relevant professional experience in finance, grants management, project finance, donor‑funded projects, or financial administration within an international organization, NGO, development agency, foundation, or similar environment.
• Demonstrated experience supporting grant‑making programmes and managing grants throughout the grant lifecycle.
• Experience conducting financial due diligence, risk assessments, and compliance reviews of partner organizations or grant recipients.
• Experience reviewing and assessing project and grant budgets.
• Experience preparing or reviewing donor financial reports and coordinating grant‑related audits.
• Familiarity with bilateral and multilateral donor regulations and reporting requirements.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders, including programme teams, grant recipients, implementing partners, consultants, and donors.
• Experience working in multicultural and geographically dispersed environments.
• Knowledge of conservation, international development, humanitarian, or environmental sectors would be an asset.
• Language Skills
• Excellent command of written and spoken English is essential.
• Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is highly desirable.
• Additional language skills relevant to IUCN's global operations would be considered an asset.
• Computer and Technical Skills
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including financial analysis, complex formulas, pivot tables, data validation, and financial reporting.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
• Experience using ERP and financial management systems, preferably Microsoft Dynamics NAV and/or Business Central.
• Familiarity with grants management platforms, project management systems, and workflow management tools.
• Strong capability in financial data analysis, reporting, and dashboard development.
• Experience working with databases, reporting tools, and business intelligence applications (e.g. Power BI) would be an advantage.
• Ability to quickly learn and effectively use new systems and digital tools.
• Preferred Profile

Preferred Profile

A finance professional with strong grants management experience who combines technical financial expertise, donor compliance knowledge, risk assessment capabilities, and strong stakeholder engagement skills to ensure the effective stewardship of grant funds and the successful delivery of IUCN's conservation programmes.

Salary

The gross annual salary for this position is between CHF 86'330 and CHF 107'913, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second‑pillar pension, and before tax. While this is an indicative amount effective as of the current date, changes may occur as per IUCN's compensation practices without prior notice. The same applies to other organisations hosted by IUCN.

Applications

The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/