Project Finance Manager

Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable.  One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

The Nature Conservancy Africa program follows a holistic approach to protect vital lands and waters, transform the way natural resources are used and managed and inspire to equip others to contribute to the shared vision of a healthy and sustainable future for Africa’s lands, waters, wildlife and people. We use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.orq or follow @nature press on Twitter.

In Zambia, TNC has a primary geographical focus on the Greater Kafue Ecosystem (GKE). This is Zambia’s largest conservation landscape, a 66,000 sq. km complex of great biodiversity value, dominated by the 22,000 sq. km Kafue National Park and nine Game Management Areas (GMAs) under communal tenure that span an additional 44,000 sq. km. TNC is working with communities and diverse public and private stakeholders in and around this ecosystem to strengthen community tenure over natural resources, develop effective natural resource governance and management systems and create sustainable conservation and wealth generation models for the landscape.

The Project Finance Manager provides specialized finance/accounting-related services to TNC’s Zambia Program, supporting a USAID-awarded Cooperative Agreement. Works closely with the Senior Grants Specialist, USAID project Chief of Party and other technical managers to ensure technical deliverables are tied to financial reports. Reporting to TNC’s Lead Grants Specialist, the position is located in TNC’s Lusaka Office.

As a member of the project management team, the Project Finance Manager provides specialized services in the following areas for support to the Zambian USAID-funded project: Budget variance analysis and financial reporting; project accounting; and grants administration. The Project Finance Manager administers and maintains finance/accounting activities in accordance with GAAP, USAID guidelines and regulations, TNC policies and procedures and best practices in financial/organizational management.

• Responsible for the Project financial management and compliance with USAID rules and regulations.
• Supports and helps strengthen the management and administration of subawards made to partner organizations to ensuring compliance with USAID rules and regulations.
• Ensures TNC policies and procedures, USAID rules and regulations, financial standards and legal requirements are met and managed for compliance.
• Engages directly with USAID Zambia mission on all aspects of financial reporting and compliance as required.
• Develops and prepares financial reports and invoices.
• Drafts outgoing sub-award agreements using standard templates.
• Reviews internal and partner financial reports, including tracking and reporting leverage contributions.
• Presents Budget Variance Analysis and project pipeline reports to the technical teams every quarter.
• Assists with quality control review to ensure accuracy and full support in documentation for audit purposes.
• Ensures all payments presented for settlement are approved and fully supported with appropriate documentation.
• Works closely with the Senior Grants Specialist to ensure compliance with TNC and donor regulations.
• Provides financial management capacity building to project partners as needed.
• Resolves complex issues independently, cultivates the creative ideas of others, and innovates to find solutions to project challenges.
• Provides leadership in integrating financial management to support conservation objectives.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting or related field or a professional qualification in accountancy, such as ACCA, CPA, or CIMA.
• Must also be registered with the Zambian Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA).
• Experience with U.S. Government uniform guidance.
• Experience using accounting and financial reporting systems.
• Five years’ previous experience in managing public awards, overseeing procurement, administration, financial management and reporting.
• Experience with administration of grants and contracts.
• Experience with written, presentation, communication and organizational skills in English.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s Degree (or bachelor’s degree with five years of additional experience) in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field preferred.  Non-profit accounting experience preferred.
• At least five years of experience in financial management of large development projects/programs
• Knowledge and experience in federal rules and regulations specifically uniform guidance/2CFR 200 previous experience managing USAID cooperative agreements.
• Proven organizational skills
• Excellent analytical and quantitative skills
• Experience in analyzing and interpreting data
• Advanced expertise in Microsoft Excel
• Able to work under minimal supervision