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Position title:	Project and Finance Assistant (local hire only)
Reports to:	Lead Technical Advisor
Location:	Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Position managed:	N/A
Country Program/Sector:	WCS Mongolia Program
Position type:	Full-time, fixed-term (Maternity cover)

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.

WCS, Mongolia Program Overview:

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.

Project Background:

The GEF-funded project "Rehabilitating and conserving the mountain landscapes in the Khangai region of Mongolia for improved ecosystem services and community livelihoods" is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and executed by WCS Mongolia as the Operational Partner, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) and other relevant government agencies. WCS Mongolia is responsible for the day-to-day management of the project, ensuring technical implementation, operational oversight, and compliance with GEF and FAO policies and procedures, with the project scheduled to run from 2025 to 2030.

The project focuses on the Khangai region, a critical mountain landscape in Mongolia, with the goal of restoring ecosystems, enhancing ecosystem services like water and soil health, and improving the resilience of local communities through sustainable land management and climate adaptation strategies. It aims to improve livelihoods while addressing biodiversity conservation and the impacts of climate change.

The governance structure of the project includes a Project Steering Committee (PSC), which provides strategic guidance and approves work plans and budgets. FAO, as the GEF Implementing Agency, provides oversight and ensures the project adheres to GEF policies and technical, operational and financial standards. The Government of Mongolia plays a vital role in supporting policy alignment and facilitating implementation at both the national and local levels.

Job Summary:

The Project and Finance Assistant will provide project administration, financial, procurement and logistical support to the Khangai Project Management Unit (PMU). Reporting to the Lead Technical Advisor and working closely with the WCS Mongolia Operations and Finance teams, the position will support effective implementation of annual work plans and budgets, financial management, procurement, reporting, documentation, meetings and project logistics. The position will help ensure that project activities and expenditures are properly documented and implemented in accordance with WCS procedures and applicable FAO and GEF requirements. The position is a member of the Khangai Project Management Unit (PMU), operated by WCS Mongolia, and will work closely with the WCS Mongolia Finance and Operations teams.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Administrative Support (50%)

• Collaborate closely with the Lead Technical Advisor to support the day-to-day project implementation and coordination of project activities.
• Maintain and update project timelines, work plans, calendars, and deliverables in alignment with donor and national procedures.
• Track project milestones and support timely reporting, including progress updates and contributions to implementation reports.
• Organize and provide logistical support for stakeholder meetings, technical workshops, capacity-building activities, awareness events and training events.
• Support onboarding processes for new staff, consultants, and partners by preparing required documentation and orientation materials.
• Coordinate travel and logistical arrangements for project missions, events, and field activities.
• Maintain an organized record of project documentation, including contracts, reports, and correspondence.
• Assist the Lead Technical Advisor in monitoring consultancy contracts, sub-agreements, and deliverables.
• Provide administrative and technical support in preparing project documents, including meeting agendas, minutes, and follow-up communications.
• Support internal communications, coordination across project partners, and database management of stakeholders and project information.
• Monitor project timelines, cross-departmental dependencies, and deliverables on behalf of the Advisor using project management tools. 
• Assist the Advisor in gathering data and drafting technical status reports, presentations, and dashboards.
• Provide administrative and logistical support for project training and capacity-building activities.
• Provide general administrative assistance to other WCS Mongolia teams, fostering collaboration and consistency across programs.

2. Finance Management and Procurement (50%)

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records for the project, including processing of payments, invoice tracking, and expenditure monitoring.
• Support the preparation of project financial reports, expenditure summaries, budget forecasts and other financial information in coordination with the WCS Finance team.
• Assist the Lead Technical Advisor in preparing annual budgets, reviewing expense allocations, and proposing budget revisions or reallocations for approval by the Project Steering Committee and FAO.
• Support financial compliance, documentation, audit preparation and follow-up in coordination with the WCS Finance team.
• Support the collection, tracking and documentation of project co-financing contributions in coordination with the Lead Technical Advisor and WCS Finance team.
• Coordinate WCS procurement processes, including supplier setup, purchasing, and contract management, in line with donor standards. 
• Provide guidance and support to project staff on financial procedures, payment requests, travel expense claims, advance settlements, and supporting documentation requirements in accordance with WCS and donor policies.
• Support the preparation and maintenance of VAT-related documentation and records in coordination with the WCS Finance team and in accordance with applicable Mongolian requirements.

Job qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Environmental Studies, or a related field.

Experience

• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in project administration, logistics, or financial management, preferably within conservation, development, or donor-funded projects.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Finance, Environmental Studies, or a related field.

Additional requirements:

Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Strong organizational, coordination, and multitasking skills.
• Demonstrated experience in financial record-keeping, budgeting, and reporting. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and financial management tools.
• Fluency in Mongolian and good command of English (written and spoken).
• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally to field sites in remote locations.
• Commitment to WCS values, including respect, accountability, inclusion, and integrity.

Competencies

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team.

 

Travel

• Travel to work in other locations, districts, and provinces as required, including at short notice and for extended periods.

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 from a previous line manager;

• The subject line of your email submission with “Application – Project and Finance Assistant [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, 13^th of September 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