Finance Manager, Goma

Location: Goma, Republic Democratic of Congo  

Reports To: Finance Director 

Direct Reports: Kinshasa and Goma Finance Staff 

Start Date: 1st October 2024 

Organization Background: 

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding, and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat, and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources. 

Job Summary 

The Finance Manager reports to the country Finance Director. S/he is responsible for all accounting systems for Kinshasa and Goma offices.  

Responsibilities 

Staff Management 

• Directly manages the accounting team in Kinshasa and Goma. 

• When requested, replace sites Heads of Finance during their absence. 

• Provides training to administrative/finance and technical staff in finance and accounting policies and procedures. 

Accounting 

• Reviewing daily accounting and supporting documents for all transactions in the JV Upload before posting to the SAP system to minimize errors.  

• Participate in the preparation and supervision of the monthly and annual financial closing and ensures timely reconciliation. 

• Follow-up with employees and tracking open mission and other advances. 

• Follow-up and ensures monthly reconciliation of balance sheet accounts and accrual accounts. 

• Assist the Finance Director to prepare the monthly Pooled Cost allocation.   

• Ensures that all local tax laws and regulations are strictly adhered to with taxes paid to tax authorities as prescribed by law.  

• Ensure completeness and compliance of documentation on all financial transactions. 

• Ensure implementation of a proper physical and electronic filing system of financial documentation 

Budget and grant management 

• Assist the Finance Director in the management of funding agreements providing regular and adequate indicators to monitor the financial health of the mission.  

• Assist the Finance Director on financial reports preparation.  

• Ensure the corrections and adjustments (in SAP) resulting from recommendations and observations made during the budget follow-up and financial reports. 

• Assist the Finance Director in working with project managers and field-based accountants to generate financial reports. 

Treasury and cash management 

• Conduct weekly petty cash verification for Goma office. 

• Prepare monthly bank reconciliation for Kinshasa and Goma bank accounts.  

• Ensure electronical filing of all cash counts and bank reconciliation.  

Audit, compliance and documentation. 

• Manage accounting archives and setting up a clear physical and electronic archiving system.  

• Ensure completeness and compliance of documentation on all financial transactions. 

• Assist in the preparation of documents required for audits. 

• Follow up of audit recommendations to ensure findings are closed as per the schedule. 

• Other duties, as assigned by the Finance Director.

Requirements  

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting major preferred.  MBA, CPA, or other equivalent certification a plus. 

• Demonstrated ability in the development and implementation of financial policies and procedures. 

• French and English language fluency.   

• Significant experience with the financial management of government and agency grants and contracts, experience with US Government grants and EU a plus. 

• At least five years of experience, with at least 3 years managing a financial area for an international corporation or not profit organization. 

• Excellent computer and systems skills required with respect to MS Office applications (advanced skills in MS Excel required) and major financial accounting and reporting software (SAP or equivalent) 

• Willingness to travel to field sites. 

• Experience working in a developing country setting. 

• Good communication skills, both written and verbal, as well as strong analytical skills.  

• Proven managerial skill and ability to work in a team setting within an organization. 

  How to apply 

  Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, skills and experience, should apply through the application tab below by September 16, 2024, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis .

   WCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value.

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