Grants Manager, Biodiverse Landscape Fund (BLF), Mesoamerica & WC

Job title: Grants Manager, Biodiverse Landscape Fund (BLF), Mesoamerica & WC

Company: Wildlife Conservation Society

Job description: DepartmentGLOBAL CONSERVATIONJob DescriptionPosition: Grants Manager, Biodiverse Landscape Fund (BLF), Mesoamerica & W. Caribbean ProgramReports to: Regional Grants Manager, Mesoamerica and Western Caribbean and BLF Project Director Coordinates closely with BLF Project Director (for technical and programmatic alignment)Location: Mesoamerica, preferably in Guatemala City, Guatemala; Tegucigalpa, Honduras; or Belize City, Belize.Division: Mesoamerica and Western Caribbean Region, Global Conservation Program.Position Type: Full TimeInternal Coordination: BLF regional team, Mesoamerica regional team, HQ, country Finance Managers, country grants managers, technical coordinator of the project, Office of General Counsel, Director of Operations for the Americas, regional controller, other finance and administrative teams at the WCS headquarters.Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is an international non-governmental organization based at the Bronx Zoo in New York City that works to save wildlife and natural landscapes and meet global conservation challenges in more than 60 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.WCS is organized into a set of regional programs, including the Mesoamerica and Western Caribbean region. This encompasses programs in Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua and Cuba, as well as collaboration with partners in other countries in the region, and the implementation of cross-cutting conservation initiatives focused on marine issues, wildlife trafficking, health, working with local communities, climate change, and the conservation of the five great forests, among others. The Mesoamerica program has projects funded by private donors, various U.S. government agencies, foreign government agencies (such as the United Kingdom), and multilateral agencies, such as the European Union and the Green Climate Fund.WCS submitted a proposal for a $20 million, 7-year project funded by the United Kingdom’s Biodiverse Landscape Fund (BLF) designed to generate positive impacts in People, Nature and Climate within three specific areas of Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, and El Salvador. These targeted “sub-landscapes” include: 1) the Maya Forest of Guatemala’s northern Department of Peten and Belize; 2) the Trifinio forest of El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala, and 3) the Moskitia forest of Honduras and Nicaragua. The project will support rural forest communities, rural women, and indigenous populations to increase the sustainability of natural resource use and ensure improved human wellbeing, while delivering reductions in habitat degradation and greenhouse gas emissions. WCS will assemble a consortium of national and international partners and work with WCS country programs to implement activities and ensure local adoption of project approaches.To support this regional program, WCS is looking for a dynamic, well-organized, detail-oriented, team player, hard-working and committed individual to oversee the administration of grants, donations, contracts, among others, in the region.Description:While the BLF Grants Manager coordinates closely with the BLF Project Director to ensure technical alignment and support project execution, the formal supervisory and reporting line is through the Regional Grants Manager. Any performance evaluations, HR processes, or supervisory decisions will be led by the Regional Grants Manager in coordination with project leadership.This position reports to the Regional Grants Manager and BLF project Director. Will liaise closely with regional and country technical and financial teams, as well as with technical and financial teams of our local partners, in the case of sub-agreements or sub-contracts. The BLF Grants Manager may be expected to travel to WCS country offices within the region, and to WCS headquarters in New York.Under the direct supervision of the Regional Grants Manager and in close coordination with the BLF project director, the Grants Manager BLF will continuously monitor and evaluate the implementation status of designated WCS grants and contracts, acting as the focal point for the management of regional grants and contracts throughout the life cycle of the project, as needed. S/he will be especially responsible for the financial monitoring and evaluation of the project “Resilient and Biodiverse Landscapes of Northern Mesoamerica”, funded by the United Kingdom’s Biodiverse Landscape Fund (BLF).S/he will be responsible for generating and providing timely, accurate financial and programmatic data to the Project Manager. This information will support informed decision-making for adaptive management and strategic adjustments to project implementation.Responsibilities:BLF Grant management:

• Lead the review of any grant and contract agreements, including amendments, in coordination with the regional team and WCS legal department.
• Ensure full understanding, implementation and compliance with WCS and donor policies, procedures, guidelines and requirements by WCS teams, including procurement and contracting processes.
• Continuously monitor, evaluate and communicate the status of the financial execution of the BLF grant, in accordance with the approved budget, pointing out risks and proposing mitigation actions as necessary.
• Maintain up-to-date grant and related contract data in WCS financial systems.
• Coordinate the preparation and timely completion of financial reports prior to submission to NY for signature and approval, and any other report required by the Regional Grants Manager or other regional team including BLF project director.
• Ensure the compilation, proper filing, and availability of the necessary back-up documentation or means of verification for grant expenses to support compliance with WCS and donor requirements.
• Design and implement internal monitoring and auditing activities to ensure financial compliance and accountability across country offices and implementing partners, in alignment with donor requirements and organizational policies.
• Support external grant audits in coordination with the Regional Grants Manager and Regional Controller.
• Support country grant managers to ensure that implementing partners comply with the terms and conditions in their contracts.
• Lead continuous training and capacity-building efforts for country offices and implementing partners to ensure effective use of project templates and compliance with evolving donor requirements and reporting standards.
• Actively participate in meetings with the donor, providing relevant administrative and financial updates, clarifications, and feedback as needed to support transparent communication and informed decision-making.
• Other responsibilities, as required and assigned by the Regional Grants Manager.

Subaward management:

• Support in the evaluation and financial and risk monitoring of subawards signed within the framework of the BLF grant.
• Carry out the necessary monitoring and follow-up to ensure proper coordination and adequate implementation by the project´s implementing partners, based on the approved annual operational plans.
• Ensure that partners have full understanding, implementation and compliance with donor policies, procedures, guidelines and requirements.
• Lead the proper preparation, review, management and monitoring of subaward agreements in accordance with all WCS and donor requirements.
• Other responsibilities, as required and assigned by the Regional Grants Manager.

Other responsibilities:

• Participate in relevant internal meetings and collaborate with WCS administration and finance teams, collaborating with staff from other global regions, the Americas program, and NY headquarters, sharing and building on lessons learned.
• Any other activity assigned by the Regional Grants Manager.

Qualification RequirementsMinimum requirements:The BLF Grants Manager must have strong interpersonal skills and demonstrate the ability to coordinate, persuade, inspire, motivate and lead. S/he must have excellent oral and written communication skills and be comfortable in coordinating and/or contributing to diverse team meetings. Must be an organized, active listening, self-motivated person who uses resources effectively and efficiently, and is able to manage competing priorities. Must be analytical and detail oriented, with the ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, with a high level of organization and planning. Must be solution-oriented and have strong problem-solving skills. Serious work ethic, proactive and willing to work with and for the team.

• A professional with completed university studies in the areas of business administration, finance, accounting, economics or related areas is required.
• A minimum of four (4) years of general experience, working in NGOs, preferably in multinational projects or multi- country grant management.
• Experience managing large grants (over $1 million) and proven knowledge of compliance with grant conditions and contracts, preferably with DEFRA, U.S. Government agencies, Green Climate Fund, European Union, among others.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in project management, with a focus on administrative and/or financial follow-up (full cycle: from proposal development to close-out).
• Fluency in Spanish and advanced level of English is required.
• Excellent computer skills, in particular MS Office (advanced MS Excel skills required) and knowledge of accounting and financial reporting software (SAP or equivalent).
• Sincere interest in environmental issues related to conservation.
• Availability to travel at least 10% of the time.

#LI-JV1If you are interested in this opportunity and meet the required qualifications, please apply by following these two steps: * Complete the mandatory form available at the following link: https: s.gle/Y37kQMZKmunwHWLA7 (copy the link and paste it in your browser).

• Click “Apply” via LinkedIn on this post.

Application deadline: July 10, 2025.Please note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.Opportunity TypeGlobal Conservation Full-TimeSalary RangeCompetitive salary commensurate with experienceDate Posted28-May-2025

Expected salary:

Location: Ciudad de Guatemala

Job posting date: Fri, 30 May 2025 07:22:14 GMT

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