Purpose of the role
Project Description
The Philippine Rise Ocean Conservation Area (PROCA) project presents an opportunity for ZSL-Philippines to partner with the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), Fishery Management Area 1 Management Board (FMA1 MB) and Blue Nature Alliance (BNA) to catalyse the creation of approximately 150,000 km2 of new large scale MPA and measurably improve management of approximately 10,000 km2 of existing coastal MPAs by June 2027, through the following key interventions:
- EBSA to MPA Transition: Upgrade the Philippine Rise Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA) to a LSMPA through a structured stakeholder engagement process, zoning, management planning, and legal designation by June 2027.
- MPA Governance: Stand up an FMA1 Management Office by June 2027 and develop institutional and technical capacity in governing FMA1, including management of the existing coastal MPAs and the proposed LSMPA.
- Monitoring and Surveillance: Develop monitoring, control, and surveillance capabilities for the FMA1 Management that will benefit existing coastal MPAs and new offshore LSMPA.
- Sustainable Financing: Assess sustainable finance options for the long-term management of the offshore LSMPA by June 2025. A potential Phase 2 engagement will be developed upon legal designation of the Philippine Rise LSMPA focusing on advancing the implementation of the selected sustainable finance model.
Purpose of the role
The successful candidate will work directly with ZSL Philippines PROCA Project Manager and indirectly with ZSL Philippines Finance Manager, who will provide guidance on financial management relative to project planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and learning. In coordination with the DA-BFAR, FMA 1 MB, and ZSL Philippines/UK PROCA Project Team and reporting to the Project Manager, the post holder will deliver his/her responsibilities based on agreed upon approved project workplan and budgets to ensure accomplishment of project goals, and objectives.
His/her key responsibilities will focus mainly on keeping track of the project finances and budgets following ZSL and donor financial policies and procedures. S/He will process cash advances, payments, and invoices; verify staff liquidations; bookkeep transactions into ZSL’s financial system using Quickbooks, assist in the preparation of budget, forecast and financial report, and support the wider Project team throughout the accounting processes.
Key responsibilities
Following ZSL Philippines’ Project Scope of Work (SOW) s/he will:
Finance and Accounting
1. Safekeep of the project’s financial records, receipts, and related documents, e.g., cash advances and liquidation reports.
- Act as focal person for the disbursement of project funds and processing of liquidation.
- Account for and review staff cash advance requests and ensure timely submission of liquidation reports.
- Review staff cash liquidations, ensuring that expenditure is allowable according to ZSL policies and donor compliance.
- Review and validate purchases, including payments to subcontractors to ensure compliance with ZSL and donor requirements.
- Ensure invoices are paid on time and are supported by appropriate documentation for review and approval.
- Ensure accurate and on-time posting of financial transactions to online Quick Books following established cut off.
- File documentation appropriately and methodically within accounting system, soft copies and hard copies.
2. Responsible in the reconciliation of monthly and yearly transactions, and updating of internal financial system, e.g., Quick Books, and tracking of bank records.
- Ensure cash is held safely counted and reconciled monthly.
- Ensure funds are reconciled monthly, and that all outstanding checks are accounted for.
- Provide ZSL PH and UK Finance teams with relevant documents/schedules necessary for month end file.
- Stabilize the generation of Bank Reconciliation and Cash Certificates for Petty Cash Fund.
3. Assist the Finance Officer and/or Finance Manager in preparing the project’s monthly, quarterly, annual, and other financial reports needed by the Project Manager, Country Director, UK Finance teams, or donor.
- Generate financial reports in QB accounting system for ZSL-wide and Project reporting requirements.
4. Support the Finance Officer/Finance Manager in the preparation and submission of relevant documents during financial audit.
- Support statutory and project auditors by providing appropriate documentation to supporting accounting records.
5. Support the Project Manager and Finance Manager in project planning, financial forecasting, budget preparation and other ad hoc administrative, financial and accounting matters as requested by the former.
About You
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University degree in accounting, finance, business management, or related field of study
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With at least two (2) years of experience in accounting/finance work specifically in bookkeeping.
- Must have advance knowledge on the use of Quick Books accounting system.
- Strong organizational skills and high attention to details
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Preferably:
- With experience and knowledgeable in general ledger transaction posting
- Experience in projects funded by bilateral or multilateral donor organizations (e.g., USAID, EU, etc.) is an advantage
- Preferably, but not necessary, with experience in NGO settings and natural resource conservation and management programs
- Experience in financial planning/budgeting, forecasting and reporting, an advantage
- Proficient in the use of spreadsheet software, i.e., MS Excel
- Highly computer literate particularly in MS office packages (e.g., Word, Excel, Power Point, and MS Teams), and emailing
- Good communication and writing skills in Filipino and English
We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.
Project Staff Base
The successful applicant will be based in ZSL Philippines Tuguegarao Field Office, with occasional travel to project sites in Aurora, Cagayan, Isabela and Quezon provinces, and Metro Manila, and Iloilo Country office.
About Us
We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.
In 2010, the ZSL-Philippines Country Office was established as a duly accredited NGO registered under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a local branch of a foreign charitable institution registered in UK and holds its primary office in Iloilo City. Over the past 15 years ZSL-Philippines has gained ground in mangrove conservation ranging from in-situ rehabilitation projects, development of science-based planting protocols, reversion of abandoned, unproductive, and underutilized (AUU) fishponds, capacity building of local and national mangrove practitioners, and national policy advocacy on mangrove reversion and restoration of coastal greenbelts. Since 2013 ZSL-Philippines bolstered its work on seahorse conservation and locally managed marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Philippines especially in Danajon Bank, Bohol. MPA work expanded to other parts of the Visayas, and most recently in Siargao islands and Masinloc, Zambales. ZSL-Philippines implements freshwater conservation in northern Luzon particularly protecting the endangered Philippine eels from overexploitation. From 2018, ZSL-Philippines played an active role in the conservation of Palawan pangolins and its habitats, alongst side improvement of communities protecting them. The conservation of the endangered Mindoro tamaraw adds to its programme portfolio in 2023. To date, ZSL-Philippines has 36 staff based in its home and field offices and hubs: Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Tuguegarao, Siargao, and Masinloc with an annual budget of £200,000 per annum and supported with robust financial, human resources, and health and safety management systems.
What do we offer?
At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:
- Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct
- Holidays – 15 days paid annual leave during each 12-month period worked, plus regular and local holidays as per proclamation in the Philippines.
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Benefits- we cover all government mandated benefits from Philhealth, SSS, and HDMF as well as 13th month pay. Plus over 6 weeks of paid Sick Leave.
- Wellbeing –we provide HMO coverage to all staffs and three dependents as well as full accident insurance coverage c/o UK Headquarters.
- Communication and Meal Allowances subject to the needs of the project.
- Maternity leave, solo-parent, and paternity leave available as per Labor Law in the Philippines.