Project Finance Lead

Req # 296

Location: Tanzania Country Office – Dar es Salaam

Reports to: Head of Finance and Administration

Supervises: Senior Project Finance Officers

Grade:

Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the Earth? Working at WWF could be your opportunity of a lifetime.

All around the world, people are waking up to the devastating impacts of climate change and nature loss. The situation today is worse than the darkest predictions of just ten years ago, pushing billions of people to the edge and threatening lives and livelihoods. At WWF, we are facing our biggest crisis – and our biggest ever opportunity – to create a better future for people and nature.

With over 60 years of experience and an active presence in more than 100 countries, we work to achieve both on-the-ground and global policy action, from protecting and restoring species and their habitats, to transforming markets and policies toward sustainability.

Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from conservation science and advocacy to HR and finance. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us tackle this enormous global challenge and drive the urgent conservation impact needed to restore our planet.

What We Do

We are an independent conservation organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and the ecosystem. From individuals and communities to businesses and governments, we are part of a growing global movement calling for bolder action on climate and nature, demanding that world leaders set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. WWF works to address the most dominant drivers of nature loss through system-wide changes in how food and energy are produced and consumed, and in how financial systems are structured. By implementing change in every country, we aim to drive visible and positive impacts on the ground, helping to restore nature in the most critical places around the world, from the Amazon to the Coral Triangle.

Engaging everyone means addressing the barriers to participation faced by some groups in society, including local communities. Conservation will only be sustainable if it is owned by, and benefits, local people. That’s why Indigenous Peoples and local communities must be at the centre of action on climate and nature. WWF is committed to using its resources and global network to support these communities in creating together the most effective solutions where they live.

Humanity is still in time, we have a clear pathway to solve this crisis. At WWF, we call on everyone to join the global movement, change how we live, and take action now.

Mission of the Unit

To ensure efficient, transparent, and cost-effective operations that support WWF Tanzania’s conservation objectives and compliance with both organizational and statutory requirements.

Major Function

The Project Finance Lead provides strategic and hands-on financial leadership to all WWF Tanzania donor-funded projects. The role ensures strong financial planning, project performance monitoring, donor compliance, risk management, and high-quality financial reporting, while supporting technical teams in effective budget execution.

The role leads a small team responsible for project finance oversight (but not accounting or grants management functions). This includes budget control, expenditure monitoring, burn rate analysis, donor reporting coordination, audit support, cash-flow planning, and strengthening project staff capacity in financial management.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Lead development and consolidation of project budgets, revisions, annual plans, and forecasts.
• Ensure alignment of budgets with donor rules, WWF standards, and project workplans.
• Support cashflow planning, scenario analysis, and structured budget reviews with technical teams.
• Enforce the no-cash no-spend and prudent cash management principles across all projects.
• Upload approved project budgets into financial systems and maintain updated budget structures.

Financial Monitoring, Analysis & Reporting

• Conduct monthly budget vs. actual (BVA) sessions with project teams and document actions.
• Prepare monthly/quarterly financial performance dashboards for management.
• Coordinate preparation of donor financial reports (financial analysis only, not accounting).
• Generate portfolio-level spending trends, burn rates, and risk alerts for senior management.

Donor Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure adherence to requirements for USAID, EU, NORAD, SIDA, WWF Network, and other donors.
• Review financial aspects of procurement, budget reallocations, and cost eligibility.
• Identify and communicate financial risks early, with recommended mitigation plans.

Internal Controls, Systems Strengthening & Capacity Building

• Build financial management capacity of Technical Leads and field teams.
• Support alignment of project structures and codes within WWF financial systems.
• Strengthening coordination between Finance, Procurement, Operations, and M&EA

Audit Support & Performance Assurance

• Coordinate statutory and project audit preparations and timely provision of documentation.
• Support management in drafting responses and implementing audit recommendations.
• Track and ensure non-recurrence of past audit issues.

Team Leadership

• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance oversight to the Project Finance Officers
• Ensure high-quality standards in financial analysis, reporting, and compliance work.
• Set annual work plans and KPIs aligned to WWF objectives.

Profile

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Commerce, or a related field.
• CPA-T / ACCA preferred.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in project financial management in an international NGO.
• Strong understanding of multi-donor requirements
• Advanced financial analysis and reporting skills.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and coaching capabilities.
• Excellent Excel skills and proficiency with financial systems.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills in both English and Kiswahili.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Proven coordination, organizational, and planning abilities.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration.

Working Relationships

Internal:

• Head of Finance & Administration
• Project Managers and Technical Teams
• Procurement, Operations, M&E, and Senior Finance Team
• Senior Management Team (as needed).

External:

• Donor representatives (on compliance and reporting matters)
• External and internal auditors
• Partners during project-level audits or financial reviews

Please upload your covering letter and CV in English. Priority will be given to applications with both documents indicated.

Deadline for applications: 13th February 2026

Work permit restrictions may apply.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

At WWF, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where every individual feels valued and respected. We believe that a diverse workforce will help us to achieve our mission to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing fair and unbiased consideration for all candidates regardless of their background. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and join us in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Job Details

Job Family: Operations

Job Function: Finance (Operations)

Pay Type: Salary

Employment Indicator: Fixed Term Contract