World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Sr. Specialist, Program Operations. 

The Sr. Specialist is responsible for the financial management of specific programs assigned to the role. The position will manage the budgets, cost proposals, financial tracking, analysis and reporting, grants and agreements, and administrative functions for the assigned portfolio.  They ensure financial and administrative assistance to, and oversight of, program staff and grantees to ensure that budgets and agreements are in compliance with WWF policies, procedures, systems, and donor requirements. 

Salary Range: $80,600 - $100,800

Reporting Structure: Reports to Sr. Program Administrator

Position Length: Regular, Full-time 

Location: Washington, D.C. (Hybrid work structure with minimum of 2 days a week in office)

Please note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.  In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  

• Manage annual budgeting process including long range planning and administering budgets, .
• Supports the  consolidation of program-wide annual budgets including monitoring budgets, producing budget reports, and preparing financial analysis and forecasting for entire program. . 
• Leads cost proposal for funding opportunities and supports development of proposal budgets.  Monitors the lifecycle of the financial progress of proposals throughout execution and close out.
• Coordinates and prepares financial reports to restricted donors.  Reviews and approves network and government financial reports prepared by Donor Reporting Team.  Reviews and analyzes all project financial reports to ensure compliance and notifies program staff of any problems or discrepancies and provides technical assistance to grantees in resolving problems.
• Manages the allocation of Programmatic staff time on awards, ensures accurate labor charging to donors and performs effort certification reclasses as necessary.
• Manages the lifecycle of outgoing agreements under their respective portfolio to ensure appropriate financial and administrative management systems are implemented to meet the level and complexity of funding to ensure compliance with donor funds.
• Monitoring agreement-related accounts and reconciling conditional grants on a quarterly basis and compiles projections for Q4 accruals on conditional grants.
• Recommends and implements departmental procedures and provides feedback on policies and operating procedures.   
• Maintains good working relationships and stays abreast of program issues to provide overall support to program initiatives.
• Partners with Program staff to support operational responsibilities and serves as a resource for financial and administrative policies
• Provides training and guidance to program staff and field staff on budget formulation, tracking and adjustments, expense accounting, financial analysis and reporting, and contract management. 
• Identifies training needs and facilitates contracts orientation and training for newly hired program staff, in coordination with other Program Operations staff.  
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Key Competencies

• Building Working Relationships: Much of the role in Program Operations is working between many internal stakeholders (ex. Program staff and Accounting).  It is essential that this person has strong working relationships as the partners are not within the department.
• Client and Constituent Focus: Understanding the needs of program staff, grantees, and donors to make project successful connecting to our internal controls paves the pathway for how to move forward. 
• Managing competing priorities: Having a well-developed sense of urgency vs priority vs risk is essential.  There are often many needs and wants and balancing that can be difficult.  It is very important for the person in this role to be able to do that.
• Ability to act independently: This role requires a lot of decision making and guidance and it can slow down the process to second guess and check every response.

• A Bachelor’s degree. Accounting, business, public administration, or related field preferred.
•  Minimum of 6 years of professional work experience. Strong project management experience overseeing financial and administrative activities. Familiarity with U.S Government funded/bilateral/multilateral projects is highly desirable.
• Strong organizational, quantitative, and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Excellent attention to detail, ability to prioritize and work accurately under time constraints.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with Adaptive, Smart Simple and Workday systems highly desirable
• Able to operate with considerable independence and discretion
• Experience with non-profit organizations.
• Position may require travel to field offices in US or overseas.
• Fluency in Spanish preferred.
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Identifies and aligns with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration
  • Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
  • Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
  • Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
  • Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

To Apply: 

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #26019

• Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone 

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.