Finance and Administration Officer, Tanzania
Vacancy #: 7582
Unit: ESARO Tanzania ( Finance admin and IT)
Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location: Tanzania Project Office, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
Reporting to: Finance and Administration Manager, Tanzania
Work percentage: 100%
Grade: P1
Expected start date: 01 May 2026
Type of contract: Fixed-term (up to 24 months)
Closing date: 17 April 2026
BACKGROUND
THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION
BACKGROUND:
The IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) operates in twenty-four countries in the Horn of Africa, east Africa, southern Africa and the Western Indian Ocean. The ESARO region is extremely rich in biodiversity with high number of endemic species and the largest remaining populations of iconic wildlife left on the continent. ESARO’s Programme focuses on biodiversity conservation through a diverse portfolio of projects and programmatic initiatives ranging from activities at the level of individual protected areas to shaping regional policy on biodiversity conservation. ESARO defines and delivers on its programmatic priorities in collaboration with IUCN members, commissions and other strategic partners.
IUCN’s Tanzania Country Programme is currently implementing a project called “PAMOJA TUHIFADHI BAHARI YETU – with a short form Bahari Yetu”. This is a 4-year project (2024 – 2028) with the overall goal of improving environmental protection and biodiversity conservation of the coastal and marine ecosystems in Tanzania. This project is funded by the European Union through the ‘Blue Economy for job creation and climate change adaptation programme’: a 110 M EUR programme that aims to contribute to a climate resilient Blue Economy on the Tanzanian coastal cities and ecosystems. The project is implemented in parts of the Mtwara, Coastal and Dar es Salaam regions and Unguja Island in Zanzibar. The project consists of four components:
i Protection of Marine Resources Biodiversity,
ii. Strengthen Community-led Management of Coastal Forests,
iii. Combat plastic litter in marine and estuary water bodies,
iv. Improve institutional capacities for research, monitoring, surveillance and management of coastal and marine resources.
The Finance and Administration Officer will be required to support the delivery of growing IUCN’s work in Tanzania. The position will be based in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania with frequent travel to project sites in mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
JOB DESCRIPTION
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Finance and Administration Officer will provide effective and efficient finance and administrative support to the COR Programme team. She/he will be responsible for smooth operations of related systems within the Programme and will work closely with the Finance and Administration team to ensure that project development and implementation is aligned with related policies and donor rules, and payments are requested and processed on time in accordance with allocated budgets. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with IUCN and donor programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of effective internal control systems.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
Under the guidance of the Finance and Administration Manager, the responsibilities of the Finance and Administration Officer are to support the Finance and Administration Manager with but not limited to the following:
Financial Management;
Assist in ensuring that that all staff in the Tanzania Office follow financial policies and procedures.
Manage day-to-day accounting services including accounts payable, accounts receivable, accounts and inter-company accounts
Responsible for preparing vouchers and recording the transactions into the accounting system in the right period and ensuring documentation is updated.
Reconcile balance sheets accounts monthly and upload the relevant reports to NAV
Assist with preparation of financial management and project financial reports.
Monitoring cash flow, managing petty cash and bank accounts.
Ensure that all projects in the Tanzania office are implemented with sound financial and administrative practices.
Maintain thorough documentation of all financial transactions.
Participate in project budget preparation.
Participate in various projects Audits
Carry out other duties as may be assigned or required.
General Administration;
Oversee the procurement of goods and services and usage and maintenance of all equipment including vehicles in the Tanzania Office
Supervise the activities of administrative staff and ensure appropriate training for the team in order to obtain quality services
Maintain an updated inventory of fixed Assets owned by the office/projects, account for depreciation in accordance with IUCN Policies
Maintain and up-to-date standard consultants’ contracts and perform checks on all consultants’ contracts.
Work with the Head of Office and the Regional Human Resources Manager in the development and implementation of operational and human resources procedures ensuring IUCN complies with all local labor laws and all staff are registered with the appropriate authorities as needed
Ensure effective HR Administration support in the Tanzania Country Office
Process local payroll and benefits and ensure statutory deductions are in compliance with local tax authorities.
REQUIREMENTS
• POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Education;
First degree in Accounting, Finance, Management or related field.
Relevant professional qualification in accounting – CPA, ACCA level II, CIMA preferred.
Work Experience;
At least five (5) years’ work experience in a similar position, preferably in an international organization or the NGO/development sector.
Prior experience in a similar role with a recognized regional or international development agency is highly desirable.
Experience in project administration including the sound knowledge of finance, procurement, administrative practices and project reporting.
Experience of working with Enterprise Resource Planning software is highly desirable. Exposure to/ familiarity with Microsoft Dynamic NAV ERP system will be a distinct advantage.
An excellent understanding of the Administration and Human Resources functions and practices
Familiarity with the Tanzania tax regulations and NGO regulatory framework
Must be a highly motivated and results-oriented individual who is able to work independently.
Excellent interpersonal skills and a strong team player with proven communication and diplomacy with the ability to work effectively with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams with sensitivity and respect for diversity
Sound organizational skills and ability to prioritize and deliver assignments as required and ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines.
Commitment to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development.
Fluency in both written and spoke English and Kiswahili a must.
Able to travel when required.
Core Competencies;
Transparency: Able to build trust and contribute to informed and responsible decision making by carrying out the work of IUCN in a transparent manner; provides clear guidance to ensure that objectives and desired measurable results are understood by members of the team.
Inclusiveness: Understands and accepts cultural diversity, and provides a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multiethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
Professionalism: Promote the organization’s interests, objectives and values in a diligent and professional manner.
Accountability: Takes responsibility for individual and collective actions, promotes the IUCN One Programme approach.
Functional competencies;
Adheres to IUCN ESARO core values of Transparency, Inclusiveness, Professionalism and Accountability.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, modern office methods, practices, and procedures with a proven ability to edit and proofread.
High proficiency in working with relational databases, Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, as well as Adobe PDF.
Ability to establish and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with staff, board and committee members, vendors, volunteers, the general public, and outside organizations.
Proven ability to follow deadlines, accuracy and attention to detail.
Demonstrated ability to work with limited supervision to prioritize tasking and manage workflow in a high-pressure environment.
Excellent time management and ability to adhere to deadlines.
Excellent interpersonal skills and a strong team player with proven communication and diplomacy with the ability to work effectively with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Committed to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development.
APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
