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

Major Function

Have you ever dreamed of making an impact on the future of one of only four remaining intact temperate grasslands in the world, home to bison, black-footed ferrets, an array of grassland birds, and diverse communities? World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the global conservation organization, seeks a Program Operations Specialist to support its Northern Great Plains (NGP) field office located in Bozeman, Montana. The NGP program leads innovative work with public agencies, Native Nations, ranchers, and other partners to create a sustainable future for the Northern Great Plains. Under the direction of the NGP Field Program Operations (NFPO) Director, the NFPO Specialist is responsible for the financial management of specific projects/portfolios assigned to the role. The position manages the budgets, cost proposals, financial tracking, analysis and reporting, grants and agreements, and administrative functions for the assigned portfolio. This role ensures financial and administrative assistance to, and oversight of, program staff and grantees to ensure that budgets and agreements comply with WWF policies, procedures, systems, and donor requirements.

• Prepares, administers, and maintains budgets in assigned portfolio, ensuring that data is accurate and current. Assists with the consolidation of program-wide annual budgets. Reviews and monitors status of budgets and meets with Program Managers on a regular basis. Ensures spending levels are appropriate and coding is correct. Identifies problems and recommends corrective action and assists in the revision of budgets as necessary. Ensures organizational standards and guidelines are met.
• Leads cost proposal process for funding opportunities in coordination with Program, Development or Policy and Government Affairs Team. Assists program staff with development of proposal budgets. Updates Budgeting System to reflect anticipated funds. Works with program staff to draft agreement budgets and develop spending plans.
• Coordinates and prepares financial reports to restricted donors, ensuring donor requirements are met. Examines government financial reports prepared by Financial Reporting Team to ensure accuracy. 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. Produces budget vs actual reports for Program Staff managing budgets; participates in annual audits as needed.
• Conducts organizational risk assessments of grantees, performs site visits as needed, to ensure appropriate financial and administrative management systems are implemented to meet the level and complexity of funding. Works closely with Outgoing Agreements Associate Specialist (OATS) to manage the lifecycle of outgoing agreements under their respective portfolio. Ensures all WWF-issued agreements and payments are processed in a timely manner and in accordance with policies and procedures. Monitors agreement-related accounts to ensure payments are adequate and correct; reconciles conditional grants on a quarterly basis and compiles projections for Q4 accruals on conditional grants. Acts as an NGP liaison with General Counsel’s Office on the review of contracts within their portfolio. Collaborates with General Counsel’s Office and Program staff on developing custom contracts required to address ad-hoc program needs.
• In coordination with Program Operations and other HQ Departments, ensures the implementation and standardization of processes that support compliance, risk management, and internal controls. Maintains good working relationships with Program Operations unit and attends regular Program Operations meetings to stay abreast of evolving policies and operating procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

*Due to the holidays we will begging reviewing applications the middle of January*

• Must have Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years experience with finance fundamentals (business/public administration, project management, revenue tracking, budgets, grants, agreements, accounting, reporting, etc.)
• MUST be okay with periodic travel (2-3 times a year.)
• Local candidates preferred (open to remote for ideal candidate.)
• Experience with U.S. Government is highly desirable.
• Highly organized, detailed-oriented, strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Attention to detail, ability to prioritize and work accurately under time constraints.
• Excellent interpersonal skills:
  • Knowing when to use courtesy, tact and/or diplomacy to effectively communicate with all constituents.
  • Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a matrixed team environment.
  • Ability to set priorities, manage a multitude of details simultaneously in a fast-paced setting.
  • Experience working with Adaptive, Smart Simple and Workday systems a plus.
  • Experience working in a multi-cultural setting.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team and with remote colleagues.
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Ability to perform business travel 2-3 times annually.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:
  • COURAGE – 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.
  • INTEGRITY – 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.
  • RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
  • COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

To Apply:

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #24064
• Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.