The Finance and Contracts Specialist provides finance/accounting and contracts related services to Global Science and manages the finances and contracts of the Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP). Global Science is the Conservancy’s centralized research unit that drives synthesis and creation of new evidence around linkages between conservation and human well-being. Lead Scientists and other science staff in Global Science drive primary research and synthesis at the leading edge of use-driven science, probing for solutions to joint global challenges for nature and people. We also cultivate and engage world-class universities in partnerships that help bring global expertise in diverse disciplines to our conservation challenges.
SNAPP brings together multi-disciplinary groups to tackle the most pressing issues facing people and nature. SNAPP envisions a world where protecting and promoting nature works in concert with improving human well-being and sustainable development. A partnership between The Nature Conservancy, the Wildlife Conservation Society and the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis at UC Santa Barbara, and involving over 200 institutions, SNAPP is a first-of-its-kind collaboration delivering evidence-based scalable solutions to global environmental challenges. Visit www.snappartnership.net to learn more.
The Finance and Contracts Specialist is responsible for the financial management and reporting; accounting; grants administration; or similar financial and contractual activities related to SNAPP. This includes collaborating with partners on annual budget development, multi-year forecast and oversight of all financial information, including the accounts payable and funds received. The Finance and Contracts Specialist proficiently administers and maintains finance/accounting activities in accordance with TNC policies and procedures and best practices in financial/organizational management. The Finance and Contracts Specialist supports the Global Science Finance Manager to respond to complex employee/management/external partner questions and problems for a satisfying multi-organization collaboration. The Finance and Contracts Specialist is able to effectively articulate relevant legal concepts and internal policies and procedures to others in non-technical language and s/he has a solid understanding of the concept of legal liability and risk management.
The Finance and Contracts Specialist reports to the Global Science Finance Manager and is a key member of the Global Science Operations Team, supporting a geographically dispersed team of 25+ staff. S/he will work closely with Program/Project Managers as well as Legal and Finance colleagues.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Fosters a resilient culture of inter-organization financial information sharing.
- Collaboratively prepares financial reports to partners and the SNAPP Board and manages the overall finances of SNAPP in coordination with the partnership finance representatives.
- Proficiently manages processes for contract drafting, review and execution for SNAPP.
- Generates and analyzes monthly financial reports and data from the general ledger and other ad hoc financial reports, such as Labor Distribution Reports, tracks spending rates and works closely with staff to ensure appropriate time allocations.
- Prepares accounting forms and reports, such as journal entries, cash receipt recordings, and adjustments, including payment of invoices and might include review of expense reports.
- Works toward meeting the strategic priorities of the program by developing and coordinating imaginative tactics for approved plans and completing day-to-day tasks.
- Ensures programmatic commitments, TNC policies and procedures, financial standards and legal requirements are met and managed for compliance.
- Acts independently on assigned tasks and exercises sound judgement based on analysis and experience, seeking consultation with Global Science Finance manager and SNAPP Director, as appropriate.
- Supports the Global Science Finance Manager with other priority needs on an as-needed basis
- Experience with relational databases.
- Technical experience with managing grants award accounting issues.
- Experience using accounting and financial reporting systems.
- Experience with government regulations related to grants and contracts.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and/or multi-cultural experience appreciated.
- Excellent analytical and quantitative skills.
- Non-profit accounting experience preferred.
- Experience in manipulating, analyzing and interpreting data from across departments and organizations.
- Advanced expertise in Microsoft Excel and QuickBooks.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- MBA, CPA and/or CIA may be preferred.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.