Senior Programme Finance Officer

Vacancy #: 7719 Unit: Global Programme Operations Unit - Malaga Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, Malaga, Spain Reporting to: Senior Manager, Programme Finance and Operations Work percentage: 100% Grade: P2 Expected start date: 23 November 2026 Type of contract: Max-term (up to 12 months with possibility of renewal) Closing date: 20 October 2026

BACKGROUND The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It harnesses the experience, resources, and reach of its more than 1,400 Member organisations and the input of thousands of experts.

IUCN is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.

Operating in more than 160 countries, IUCN supports conservation and sustainable development initiatives through scientific research, policy development, field programmes, partnerships, and grant-making mechanisms that enable investments in biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable development.

The Global Programme Operations Unit (GPOU) provides high-quality financial, operational, and administrative services that enable the effective design, implementation, monitoring, and delivery of IUCN's global conservation programme and project portfolio.

The Unit supports programme teams throughout the project lifecycle, including financial planning and analysis, budget development, donor compliance, contracting, procurement, project administration, financial reporting, and portfolio performance management. GPOU also leads business process improvements and systems initiatives aimed at strengthening financial stewardship, operational efficiency, and institutional accountability across the Secretariat.

Job Description The Senior Programme Finance Officer plays a key role in supporting the financial management and administration of assigned programme and project portfolios.

The position serves as a trusted finance business partner to programme managers and project teams, ensuring sound financial planning, donor compliance, effective resource utilisation, and accurate financial reporting. The incumbent will contribute to the development of financial tools, monitoring frameworks, management reports, and operational procedures that support evidence-based decision-making and effective programme delivery.

Working closely with Programme Finance Managers, Project Managers, regional finance teams, and implementing partners, the Senior Officer, Programme Finance supports project implementation across the full project cycle, from proposal development and contract negotiation through implementation, reporting, audit, and project closure.

Specific Responsibilities

Programme Financial Management

Serve as the finance focal point for designated programme portfolios, providing proactive financial guidance and support to programme managers and technical teams.

Support the preparation, consolidation, review, and monitoring of programme budgets, annual work plans, forecasts, and financial projections.

Monitor expenditure trends, commitments, and budget utilisation, analysing variances and identifying financial risks, opportunities, and corrective actions.

Support programme resource planning and cost recovery management, ensuring the appropriate allocation and recovery of direct and indirect costs.

Prepare financial analyses, dashboards, and management reports that support programme performance monitoring and informed decision-making.

Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and completeness of financial data across corporate systems and reporting platforms.

Promote compliance with organisational financial procedures, time recording requirements, cost allocation methodologies, and internal control standards.

Identify and escalationfinancial risks, compliance concerns, and operational issues in a timely manner.

Project Financial Management and Donor Compliance

Support project managers throughout the project lifecycle, including proposal development, budget preparation, implementation, reporting, audit coordination, and project closure.

Review project budgets and financial plans to ensure alignment with donor regulations, contractual requirements, and IUCN policies and procedures.

Support the financial management of projects funded by institutional donors, including the European Union (EU), BMUV/BMZ, bilateral and multilateral agencies, government institutions, foundations, and private sector partners.

Prepare, review, and validate donor financial reports, ensuring accuracy, completeness, audit readiness, and timely submission.

Monitor contractual financial obligations, reporting s