Senior Specialist, Finance, Conservation - WWF International

Organization icon

WWF

Location icon

Zeist, Netherlands

Apply now

Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the Earth? Working at WWF could be your opportunity of a lifetime.

All around the world, people are waking up to the devastating impacts of climate change and nature loss. The situation today is worse than the darkest predictions of just ten years ago, pushing billions of people to the edge and threatening lives and livelihoods. At WWF, we are facing our biggest crisis – and our biggest ever opportunity – to create a better future for people & nature. With over 60 years of experience and an active presence in more than 100 countries, we work to achieve both on-the-ground and global policy action, from protecting and restoring species and their habitats, to transforming markets and policies toward sustainability. Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds & with a variety of expertise, ranging from conservation science & advocacy to HR and finance. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us tackle this enormous global challenge & drive the urgent conservation impact needed to restore our planet.


What We Do

We are an independent conservation organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and the ecosystem. From individuals and communities to businesses & governments, we are part of a growing global movement calling for bolder action on climate and nature, demanding that world leaders set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. WWF works to address the most dominant drivers of nature loss through system-wide changes in how food and energy are produced and consumed, and in how financial systems are structured. By implementing change in every country, we aim to drive visible and positive impacts on the ground, helping to restore nature in the most critical places around the world, from the Amazon to the Coral Triangle. Engaging everyone means addressing the barriers to participation faced by some groups in society, including local communities. Conservation will only be sustainable if it is owned by, and benefits, local people. That’s why Indigenous Peoples and local communities must be at the centre of action on climate and nature. WWF is committed to using its resources & global network to support these communities in creating together the most effective solutions where they live. Humanity is still in time, we have a clear pathway to solve this crisis. At WWF, we call on everyone to join the global movement, change how we live, and take action now.


WWF International global recruitment team are exclusively managing this vacancy. We kindly ask that you do not contact the local office on this position.


LOCATION: Flexible with preferred locations WWF INT HUBS


1 MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT

Enabling WWF mission delivery through the continuous pursuit of the optimum balance between efficiency and effectiveness with respect to internal systems, tools, and processes. This will be achieved via the delivery of a high standard of: strategic financial management, effective digital solutions, proactive risk management, quality guidance, advice, and communication of both regulatory and internal standards requirements all through an inclusive people-centered lens.


2 MAJOR FUNCTIONS

The Conservation Senior Specialist provides high-quality financial business partnering, analytics, and grant support to assigned WWF International Secretariat clients. The role supports effective decision-making through robust financial analysis, planning, forecasting, and reporting, and ensures strong financial stewardship, donor compliance, and long-term sustainability across the portfolio. They will be involved in all financial applications of the grant life cycle for assigned grant portfolio.


3 MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Finance Business Partner

  • Act as a primary finance contact for assigned Conservation Division clients, ensuring high-quality, customer-focused finance support.
  • Serve as a focal point for all financial and accounting work related to their assigned
  • WWF International Secretariat clients and grant portfolio. Liaise with other finance staff/functions to ensure all portfolio needs are met.
  • Develop a strong understanding of the business areas, strategies, and priorities of assigned clients.
  • Provide financial analysis, insights, and recommendations to support planning, prioritisation, and decision-making.
  • Advise Budget Holders on budget management, forecasting, and financial performance.
  • Support business cases and change initiatives through financial analysis and assessment of financial implications.
  • Contribute to building financial literacy among non-finance stakeholders through guidance and collaboration.

Planning, Forecasting, and Performance Management

  • Support annual business planning and periodic forecasting processes for assigned portfolios.
  • Analyse variances and performance drivers, ensuring assumptions are well understood and communicated.
  • Identify opportunities for sustainable cost optimisation and efficient resource allocation and bring those to budget holder’s and management attention as part of the business planning cycle, along with understanding and articulating the impact of reforms and their ultimate effect on the business.

Financial analysis and reporting

  • Prepare and review financial reports for management and donors, ensuring accuracy and compliance with approved budgets.
  • Provide clear and relevant financial information to support management reporting and decision-making.
  • Contribute to fundraising income reviews and support the development of appropriate project funding models.
  • Deliver actionable recommendations based on financial analysis.

Grant Support

  • Provide financial, accounting and grant support across the full grant life cycle, based on responsibilities split between finance departments.
  • Support donor compliance and adherence to internal and external financial requirements.
  • Coordinate with Grant Management and other finance colleagues to ensure consistent processes and controls.
  • Support audits and identify financial risks and appropriate mitigation actions within the scope of the Quality Assurance framework.

Other

  • Contribute to continuous improvement of finance processes, tools, and reporting.
  • Support automation, efficiency initiatives, and strengthening of financial controls.
  • Promote cost-effective practices and safeguarding of organisational assets.
  • Maintain a focus on long-term sustainability, leveraging effective cost-recovery practices.


4 PROFILE

Required Qualifications.

  • Hold a first degree or equivalent qualification and 5 year experience.
  • Demonstrated experience in analyzing large amounts of data and producing summaries that provide clear insights.
  • Financial Analysis skills and ideally from an FP&A background.
  • Experience in assisting with business cases and modeling is desirable.

Required Skills and Competencies.

  • Commercial in their approach to finance, balanced with a clear understanding of the non-financial objectives of the Division.
  • Financial Leadership to understand the bigger picture and align financial priorities.
  • Effective decision-making and financial problem-solving skills.
  • Strong collaboration skills to effectively work with staff across various WWF
  • International departments, including different units in Finance.
  • Adaptability and flexibility to efficiently work in complex and unique circumstances.
  • Able to influence the behavior of senior managers to ensure they deliver the expected financial performance for their area of responsibility.
  • Good at networking, both internally and externally, and building relationships at all levels of the organization.
  • An excellent communicator, particularly when dealing with complex financial information and a non-financial audience.
  • Able to work autonomously across a large and complex organization.
  • Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.


5 WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal.

Frequently interacts with Sr. Leadership, Regional Leadership and teams, and finance teams across WWF International.


External.

Liaises with consultants,other finance professionals in the INGO sector, and auditors.


Please upload your covering letter and CV in English. Priority will be given to applications with both documents indicated.


Deadline for applications: 7 October 2026


Work permit restrictions may apply.


Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.


At WWF, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where every individual feels valued and respected. We believe that a diverse workforce will help us to achieve our mission to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing fair and unbiased consideration for all candidates regardless of their background. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and join us in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.