Head, Global Programme Operations Unit

Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Location: Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland

Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer

Work percentage: 100%

Grade: M1

Expected start date: 01 March 2025

Type of contract: Max-term (24 months with possibility of renewal)

Closing date: 01 January 2025

BACKGROUND

The Global Programme Operations unit (GPOU) provides high quality and efficient financial and administrative services to support IUCN project and programme delivery. These services include, amongst others, leading in financial planning, budget development, contracting (with donors, implementing partners and consultants), procurement, donor reporting, project audits and cost centre management. The unit is also responsible for administration and operations workflows, and for leading systems and processes initiatives that lead to greater operational efficiency in the areas of project finance and administration across the Secretariat.

JOB DESCRIPTION

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Develop and agree the strategy of the GPOU with the Chief Financial Officer and Directors and define the scope of work accordingly.
2. Determine and agree the service offering and develop a Service Level Agreement in consultation with programme managers.
3. Set key performance indicators that are aligned with the Service Level Agreement, manage unit performance to ensure that service levels are achieved or exceeded.
4. Build relationships with programme managers and other stakeholders to ensure that services are focused, demand driven and that concerns are promptly addressed.
5. Ensure compliance with relevant IUCN procedures in areas such as project budgeting, cost recovery, procurement, time recording, contract management, thereby ensuring integrity of financial information and operational processes.
6. Provide fiduciary oversight over contract implementation – both donor contracts and implementing partner contracts – ensuring financial contractual conditions are met.
7. Monitor project and cost centre budget performance and deficit risk and alert programme/project managers accordingly.
8. Provide donor reporting services, including preparing and issuing complete and accurate financial reports in accordance with contractual requirements, invoicing and follow up of amounts due.
9. Ensure financial and technical/activity reports are consistent.
10. Provide technical expertise to programme managers and regional counterparts on major donor contracts; ensure donor requirements are reasonable and push back where necessary.
11. Manage and co-ordinate GPOU staff worldwide to optimise the use of available resources, provide a consistent service, ensure full cost recovery consistently based upon donor rules.
12. Build skills and competencies of unit staff through coaching, training and by providing opportunities for development by exposing staff to new areas of work.
13. Lead and drive improvements in business processes and procedures in the areas of programme finance and administration.
14. Develop and maintain standard donor reporting templates, contract verification checklists and budget guidelines for use across the organisation.
15. Manage the budget of the unit, ensuring full cost recovery of the unit, whilst also ensuring value for money.
16. Take responsibility for the timely and accurate preparation of the project portfolio part of IUCN’s annual budget.
17. Highlight and contribute to the mitigation of reputational and implementing risks in programme delivery via regular progress meetings with project managers and reviewing the projects in deficit reports.
18. Ensure donor audits are completed on time, with no disallowed costs.
19. Train and coach global programme managers in project financial management.
20. Participate in building capacity in regional and country offices in the areas of project/programme financial management.

REQUIREMENTS

• Chartered Accountant or equivalent
• 5-10 years’ experience in grants management; donor reporting, financial planning (including resource planning), project budget preparation and review, donor contract review and negotiation, driving full cost recovery on restricted grants
• High level of accuracy, good negotiation skills, team management experience
• Familiarity with ERP systems, time recording and EPM tools, Excel, PowerBI and other relevant software
• Audit experience

SALARY

The gross annual salary for this position is between CHF 134’355 and CHF 167’944, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax. While this is an indicative amount effective as of the current date, changes may occur as per IUCN’s compensation practices without prior notice.

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the „Apply“ button. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.

About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together. Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards. IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development. Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.

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