Regional Business Manager, Sudano-Sahel Region at Wildlife Conservation Society

Regional Program Overview (https://www.wcs.org/our-work/regions/sudano-sahel):

The Sudano-Sahel Region presents unparalleled opportunities for WCS to play a direct role in saving some of the last remaining intact wildernesses on the planet and to contribute significantly to the security of people and wildlife. The savannas, forests, and wetlands of the region support key populations of endangered elephant, northern giraffe, lion, eland, chimpanzee, gorilla, bongo, and the second largest antelope migration on the planet. Hundreds of bird species occur in the area, including shoebill and crowned crane. Communities also depend on the land for their livelihoods through pastoralism, agriculture, fishing, and hunting. WCS has a significant presence in the Sudano-Sahel region, with a strong conservation history and proven success in protected area management. We work actively to support local livelihoods, develop conservation-security partnerships, enhance anti-trafficking activities, and to implement our policy and scientific programs. The Sudano-Sahel Business Manger reports to the Regional Director of the WCS Sudano-Sahel Region. Secondary report to the Director of Operations of the Africa Program. This position will be based out of the WCS office in Nairobi, Kenya and involve regular travel to WCS country offices within the region (including Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ethiopia) (approximately 30% of time traveling).

SUMMARY OF POSITION FUNCTION:

The main purpose of this role will be to oversee the budget and finances of the region, and to provide direct support to the Regional Director in managing the operations of the Regional Program. The Regional Business Manager will continually assess and document the financial health of the Regional Program, develop both short and long term financial plans for the Region, and work with the Regional Director and associated Country Program staff on grant management and fundraising. S/he regularly provides reports for management in the region and headquarters.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Financial Management and Planning: Ensure Regional Director has the financial information they require to manage and fundraise for the Region; Provide monthly key performance indicators for each country and all multi-country grants; Work with Regional Controller to resolve any issues with finances in the Region; Annual presentation of short and long term financial plans for each country with detailed variance analysis on prior plans; Report regularly to headquarters about the financial state of the Region.
• Budget Leadership: Manage and maintain the Regional Program budget; Lead the annual WCS budgeting process for all countries in the Region; Responsible for working with Country Finance teams to understand and report on full program costs; Serve as the budget lead for regional grants; Review country budget adjustments, budget to actual reports, and ensure regular and timely budget updates.
• Proposal Review: Working in coordination with NY grant departments, contribute to the development of and approve all proposal budgets from the Region – ensure budgets are covering costs and are contributing to strengthening the Regional Program; ensure budgets are in line with long-term financial plan for the Region; ensure budgets are developed in compliance with WCS policies and undergo appropriate reviews.
• Grant Management: Ensure regional grant administration is on track; Coordinate preparation of financial reports for regional grants; Review and approve grant financial reports prepared by Country Programs; Support Country Programs in understanding WCS grant management processes, systems, tools and donor compliance requirements.
• People Management: Work with Regional Director to manage regional staffing; Oversee HR issues in the Region; Support the recruitment and training of grant/finance/administration staff as needed.
• Fund Raising: Work with the Regional Director and Country Directors in the region to design, develop and implement fundraising strategy for the region.
• Perform other duties as determined by the Regional Director.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The successful candidate must have strong interpersonal skills and display evidence of good leadership, business partnering and influencing skills. S/He must have excellent written and oral communication skills and be comfortable participating both as an effective contributor, leader and listener in group settings. S/He must be well organized, self-motivated, resourceful, effective and efficient at coordinating multiple resources to get things done, with attention to detail; can work on multiple tasks at multiple levels and switch between them; can foresee and plan around obstacles.

• Bachelor degree required, MBA preferred. Related program of study such as finance, accounting, economics or business highly preferred.
• Proven financial management experience in an international organization (5+ years) including staff management experience.
• Effective “roll up the sleeves” work ethic; Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse team. Must be solution-oriented, and have strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• English fluency and French fluency are required
• 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)
• Experience with grants management and grant reporting in a multi-funder environment required (experience with USAID, USFWS, EU, KfW, GEF and others a benefit).
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills and the ability to creatively contribute to thinking on regional issues
• Self-motivated and organized with attention to detail
• Must be solution oriented with excellent leadership and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse team, with attention to mentorship and professional development of finance staff