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Position title: Project Finance Manager, WWF-Laos

Reports to: Head of Finance and Accounting, WWF-Laos

Location: Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR

The Project Finance Manager is responsible for the strategic and operational fiscal management of donor-funded projects, with a focus on GEF and other multi-donor initiatives. The role ensures compliance with WWF and GEF standards, supports robust financial planning and reporting, leads audit processes, and works closely with project teams to ensure sound financial delivery and sustainability.

Duties and Key Responsibilities

GEF and Multi-donor Program Oversight/ Project Financial Management

• Act as the finance lead for GEF-funded projects and assigned multi-donor projects, ensuring compliance with donor and WWF standards.
• Develop, monitor, and update project budgets and financial work plans; ensure expenditure aligns with approved budgets.
• Prepare and review accurate, timely financial reports (quarterly, annually) for donors and internal management.
• Provide financial analysis and advice to Project Managers to support decision-making.
• Lead the development of the Financial Operational guideline for use by implementing teams and partners – ensuring WWF processes aligns with donor requirements.
• Work closely with the Project Managers to make sure the project expenditure is in line with approved budget.
• Ensure accuracy and proper allocation of project transactions.
• Monitor fund flows, cash positions, and ensure sufficient liquidity for project implementation.
• Liaise with WWF-USA (GEF accredited agency), donors, and global teams for reporting and compliance.
• Oversee cost allocation processes, including staff timesheets.
• Coordinate project audits (kick-off, mid-term, closure) and implement recommendations.

General Finance Unit Oversight

• Support the Head of Finance and Accounting (HoFA) in meeting the WWF networks Finance reporting compliance including planning, budgeting, and financial forecasting.
• Lead capacity building for project teams and partners on financial systems, donor compliance, and reporting standards.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, including:
  1. Preparation of consolidated monthly financial reports for management.
  2. Delivery of financial analysis and insights to budget holders.
  3. Recording and management of incoming and outgoing grants in compliance with Swiss GAAP FER.
• Oversee financial systems and processes, including:
  1. Ensure data integrity and timely updates in Oracle and Grants Management System (GMS).
  2. Monitor project closure processes in GMS and related systems.
  3. Perform second-level approvals and oversee Accounts Payable module closing in Oracle.
• Manage staff cost allocation and budgeting support, including:
  1. Prepare salary matrix and oversee cost recovery planning.
  2. Support HoFA with budgeting tools (e.g., VENA) and coordinate with People & Culture team for accurate budget allocation.
• Collaborate with other units, including:
  1. Provide financial inputs for PMEL systems and NPO data entry.
  2. Track donor reporting schedules and monitor compliance.
• Strengthening internal controls and compliance, including:
  1. Conduct expenditure cross-checks and spot checks.
  2. Monitor adherence to WWF financial policies and address non-compliance promptly.
• Review and reconcile transactions, trial balances, and financial reports monthly.
• Ensure internal controls and WWF financial policies are consistently applied across all project sites.
• Monitor compliance and follow up on areas of non-compliance with relevant staff.
• Support the professional development of the project finance team and promote knowledge sharing.
• Recommend improvements in financial workflows to enhance efficiency and accountability.
• Ensure alignment and performance management of technical objectives on the Panda Path of the project finance officers.
• Act as a backup to the HoFA when required.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the HoFA.

Policies, Procedures, Manual and Financial Management:

• Develop and update financial policies and procedures to ensure consistency across projects.
• Monitor compliance with WWF financial policies and donor requirements, address non-compliance promptly.
• Provide training and guidance on finance policies and procedures implementation for staff and partners.
• Monitor the implementation of the finance and accounting systems, policies, and procedures to ensure that project managers and staff follow them.
• Ensure proper adaptation of WWF International Field Operations Manual to local context.
• Participate in field visits to review fiscal management, provide training, and follow up on recommendations.

Requirements Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting, Business Management, Business Administration, or in relevant fields
• Thorough understanding of international and local finance and accounting standards, preferably Swiss GAAP accounting for international not-for-profit organization
• 7 years of practical experience in finance and accounting management
• Basic knowledge of environmental and conservation issues in Laos is preferred.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Proficiency in accounting software (Oracle) is preferred.
• Advance or excellent proficiency in excel functions.
• Proficient in the English language both reading, listening and oral and written communication.
• Experience in implementing and monitoring the compliance of Finance System, policies, and procedures, preferably the context of an international organization.
• Experience of working in multi-cultural environment.
• Experience managing other staff members.
• Pro-active, creative, and willing to change for improvements.

Highly committed, willing to coach, and efficient/effective in responding correspondents

Working Relationships:

• Internal – WWF Network: WWF-USA (as the accredited GEF agency) on a regular basis. Other WWF National offices overseeing funding to WWF-Laos, WWF-Laos – HoFA, Conservation and Operations team, project teams
• External – Interact with donors, Government agencies at the central, provincial, district, and commune levels, as well as NGO partners, communities, and other stakeholders.

WWF’s Values and Behaviors:

• Adhere to WWF’s values: Courage, Respect, Collaboration and Integrity.
• Demonstrates WWF core value in action of working:
  • We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.
  • We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability, and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.
  • We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
  • We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power
    of collective action and innovation.

Contract Duration: WWF-Laos can offer you 1-year initial with possible extension with industry leading benefit and salary package and ample opportunity for professional development. For more information on our work in Laos, please visit: http://www.wwf.org.la.

How to Apply:

Please complete the application form by clicking this link: https://forms.office.com/e/V9kMKxHQLT Ensure you answer all questions in the system until you click on the submit button.

Submit your CV and Cover letter in English in PDF format to e-mail: jobs.laos@wwf.org.la and mention the position you apply.

Suggest to name the file of your CV and Cover letter with example below.

(example: Project Finance Manager, WWF-Laos_CV_Khamkeo Santiphab, Project Finance Manager, WWF-Laos_Cover letter Khamkeo Santiphab)

Deadline for applications: 16 January 2026. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

WWF does not charge or accept a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. WWF is committed to a fair, respectful, and inclusive work environment where every individual has equal opportunity to apply. Please indicate if you require accommodation for the application or interview process to jobs.laos@wwf.org.la