Project Officer - Finance

IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental NGO in Cambridge is seeking a Finance Officer to oversee project financial management, reporting, and support donor audits. Ideal candidates should have a university degree or equivalent and accredited finance training. Strong skills in project accounting and Microsoft Excel are essential. This role provides an opportunity to contribute to global wildlife conservation efforts.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in project accounting, reporting and financial management.
• Strong MS Office skills with focus on intermediate to advanced Excel.
• Fluency in written and oral English is required.

Responsibilities

• Review and explain project balances on a monthly basis with Project Support Officers.
• Prepare project deficit/surplus forms and present to Chief Operating Officer quarterly.
• Update and maintain the Project Registry and Time Allocation sheets.

Skills

Project accounting

Reporting

Financial management

Intermediate to advanced Excel

Organizational skills

Communication

Education

University degree or equivalent

Accredited finance training (e.g. AAT)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

Vacancy #: 7396 | Unit: TRAFFIC International | Organisation: TRAFFIC International (TRAFFIC) | Location: TRAFFIC International, Cambridge, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | Reporting to: Financial Accountant | Work percentage: 100% | Grade: P1 | Expected start date: 09 October 2025 | Type of contract: Indefinite | Closing date: 24 September 2025

Background

TRAFFIC is a leading non-governmental organisation working to ensure that global trade in wild species is legal and sustainable, for the benefit of the planet and people. At a time of unprecedented biodiversity loss, TRAFFIC provides evidence, solutions, and influence to combat environmental degradation and ensure a nature-positive future. TRAFFIC International is a charity and limited company registered in the UK. TRAFFIC’s head office, based in Cambridge UK, provides worldwide leadership, coordination, cross-regional and corporate functions. The organisation focuses on preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable legal wildlife trade while working against unsustainable illegal wildlife trade, contributing to international conservation efforts through evidence-based research and policy recommendations. The salary range for this position is between £35,492 to £40,000 p.a. depending on experience and skills.

Responsibilities

• Project Finance
  • Review and explain project balances on a monthly basis with Project Support Officers
  • Prepare project deficit/surplus forms and present to Chief Operating Officer quarterly
  • Produce a monthly report of Project Budget expenditure variance analysis
  • Review project balances annually for foreign exchange write offs
  • Oversee the collation of monthly project cashflow projections in appropriate currencies
  • Contribute to and review the analysis of the project portfolio risk profile (ABC list) in budgeting and forecasting
  • Train Project Support Officers on finance processes
  • Quarterly review and variance analysis of global project management fees
• Cost Recovery
  • Review of Budgeted cost recovery rates from overseas offices and ensure rates are appropriate
  • Review actual cost recovery rates from overseas offices
  • Maintain monthly salary and social rates for the global office
• Project Audits
  • Support the Project Support Team in all donor audits ensuring all financial information is collated, checked and evidenced and be the point of contact for finance queries
  • Responsible for organising the annual US Government single audit
  • Prepare a reconciliation between actual charge out rates and budgeted charge out rates and advise finance of adjustment to be made
  • Work with Project Support Officers and Finance staff on compiling proofs of expenditure for audit
• Project Support
  • Update and maintain the Project Registry, Time Allocation sheets and other project information management data sources
  • Directly support the administration of a portfolio of low-risk projects and be responsible for contracting, invoicing and reporting requirements to donors
  • Assist in the support of other projects as instructed

Requirements

• Ideally educated to a university degree level, although not required
• Accredited finance training (e.g. AAT)
• Proven track record in project accounting, reporting and financial management
• Strong MS Office skills with focus on intermediate to advanced Excel
• Fluency in written and oral English
• Strong organizational and communication abilities, including attention to detail
• Ability to work independently with remote oversight and under pressure and to set own work priorities and meet deadlines
• Willingness and ability to travel globally, occasionally to less developed countries and remote locations
• Ability to work as part of a global team; occasional communications outside normal office hours may be required due to time zone coordination
• Eligibility to live and work in the UK without a work sponsored visa
• Relevant experience in project support for Government Aid Agency projects (USAID, DFID, GIZ, European Commission, DEFRA is welcome)

Applications

Applications should be submitted online through the HR Management System by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button. You will be asked to create an account and submit your profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date; the vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during DST). Only selected applicants will be contacted for interviews.

For other job opportunities, visit the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/