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Position title:
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Finance Officer
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Reports to:
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Finance Manager
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Location:
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Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
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Position managed:
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N/A
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Country Program/Sector:
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WCS Mongolia Program
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Scope:
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WCS Mongolia Program
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Position type:
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Full-time
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Organization Background:
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a U.S. non-profit, tax-exempt organization founded in 1895, dedicated to saving wildlife and wild places through science-based solutions and conservation actions. With more than a century of experience, WCS has established itself as the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, achieving innovative and impactful results at scale. Today, WCS operates programs across the entire ocean and more than 3 million biologically critical square miles in nearly 60 countries. Over the years, WCS has played a pivotal role in establishing more than 150 protected areas worldwide. Our work is built on a unique foundation: Global reach across continents and ecosystems; Best-in-class science to discover and guide conservation strategies; On-the-ground protection in collaboration with local and Indigenous communities; Inspiration through education at our world-class zoos and aquarium; Policy influence and partnerships to leverage resources for systemic change. WCS combines biological knowledge, cultural understanding, and partnerships to ensure that vibrant wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with governments, NGOs, industries, and communities, WCS applies this knowledge to address species, habitat, and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life for rural populations whose livelihoods depend directly on natural resources.
Established in Ulaanbaatar in 2003, WCS Mongolia has spent more than two decades working to conserve the country’s wildlife and ecosystems. The program applies a science-based, landscape-level approach to support the protection and restoration of Mongolia’s ecological integrity. WCS Mongolia works in partnership with government agencies, local communities, NGOs, and the private sector to advance biodiversity conservation, maintain ecological connectivity, and support sustainable land use. Its work spans wildlife research and monitoring, protected area management, community-based conservation, policy engagement, infrastructure planning, One Health, and climate change adaptation. In 2024, WCS Mongolia launched its five-year strategy to 2030, structured around three priorities: enhancing ecological function, ensuring functional connectivity, and strengthening climate resilience. These guide efforts to safeguard Mongolia’s ecosystems over the long term.
Job Summary:
The Finance Officer provides day‑to‑day operational finance support to the WCS Mongolia Program by processing financial transactions, maintaining accurate documentation, and supporting compliance with WCS policies and donor requirements.
Reporting to the Finance Manager, the role focuses on execution and record‑keeping, ensuring that financial data is complete, accurate, and well organized. The Finance Officer works closely with the Finance Specialist and Finance Manager to support donor reporting, audits, and internal controls, while operating under established review and approval processes.
This Job Description is progressive in nature and shall be reviewed and amended from time to time to meet the program needs.
Major Responsibilities:
1. Financial Operations- 30%
- Prepare daily payment documentation using SAP JV templates, ensuring accurate application of WBS codes, grant codes, employee codes, and budget lines.
- Submit financial transactions to the Finance Manager for review and approval prior to system upload.
- Manage petty cash operations, including cash counts, replenishment, and maintenance of complete supporting documentation.
- Prepare bank transactions and coordinate required signatures in accordance with internal controls.
Financial Reporting & Donor Support- 30%
- Support donor financial processes by organizing, scanning, and maintaining financial documentation for donor missions, spot checks, quarterly reports, and audits.
- Support with monthly field advance clearances and ensure completeness of supporting documentation.
- Ensure all invoices, receipts, and financial records are filed systematically and are readily retrievable.
2. Budgeting & Planning Support- 10%
- Support budget monitoring at the transaction level by ensuring expenses are accurately coded and aligned with approved budgets.
- Flag variances, coding issues, or potential budget concerns to the Finance Manager for review.
- Support with cost allocation accuracy in line with WCS and donor requirements.
3. Internal Controls & Compliance- 10%
- Ensure that all financial transactions comply with WCS policies and donor regulations, including documentation and cost allocation standards.
- Maintain orderly, accurate, and secure financial records in both paper and electronic formats.
- Support internal and external audits through timely provision of documentation.
4. Asset & Operational Finance Support-20%
- Maintain and update the office asset register and inventory records, including annual physical counts and disposal documentation.
- Monitor vehicle logbooks and calculate monthly fuel usage to support cost control.
- Track and reconcile payments for utilities, rent, insurance, customs, and other recurring services to prevent overdue payments.
Job qualifications:
Education
- Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
Experience
- A minimum of 2–3 years of relevant work experience in finance, accounting, or bookkeeping.
- Experience working in an NGO, donor‑funded project, or international organization is an advantage.
- Practical experience handling payments, petty cash, bank transactions, and financial documentation.
- Experience supporting audits or donor financial reviews is desirable.
Additional requirements:
Technical Skills & Knowledge
- Basic to intermediate knowledge of accounting principles and financial procedures.
- Familiarity with financial documentation requirements and internal control practices.
- Experience using accounting or ERP systems (SAP experience is an advantage).
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and standard office applications.
- Understanding of basic budget coding, cost allocation, and expense tracking.
Competencies
- High attention to detail and strong organizational skills, with the ability to maintain accurate financial records
- Ability to apply established financial procedures and ensure compliance with organisational and donor requirements.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a structured and timely manner. .
- Good communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with both finance and non-finance colleagues within the programme and globally.
- Strong sense of accountability, integrity, and confidentiality, in handling financial information.Language Skills
- Fluency in Mongolian is required.
- Intermediate English language skills, sufficient for understanding financial documents and internal communication.
Travel
- Travel to work in other locations, districts, and provinces as required, including at short notice and for extended periods (approximately 5% of working time).
Application process:
- Please submit your completed application by including (all in one pdf file);
1) CV in English,
2) With a one-page cover letter in English explaining your interest and suitability for this position,
3) Along with diploma copies, and
4) One reference letter provided by previous line managers;
- The subject line of your email submission with “Application – Finance Officer [Candidate Name]” and interested applicants should submit the application to the following email address: hrmongolia@wcs.org
- Applications should be sent on or before 17:00 Ulaanbaatar time, Sunday, 17 of May 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted;
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia Program
201 San Business Center, Amar Street-29, Small ring road, Sukhbaatar district, Ulaanbaatar 14200, Mongolia. Tel: +976-11-323719