Portfolio Assistant, ESARO (GEF and GCF)

About the role

IUCN is hiring a Portfolio Assistant for its ESARO (GEF and GCF) portfolio in Nairobi. The role supports the Regional Portfolio Manager, the Portfolio Officer and the MFU Senior Finance Officer with financial reporting, budgeting, audits and year-end closing for GEF and GCF projects.

Key responsibilities

• Review financial reports submitted by implementing partners, keep a consolidated calendar of reports and record expenditures in the IUCN financial system
• Support periodic review of GEF/GCF projects and their financial performance, and help reconcile projects and prepare financial closure
• Provide financial information and analysis to the Portfolio Manager and Portfolio Officer
• Assist in preparing GEF/GCF project budgets, ensuring they follow IUCN and GEF/GCF guidelines, and facilitate planning and procurement
• Record expenditures under GEF Project Preparation Grants and GCF Project Preparation Facility, and guide use of budgeting tools and finance checklists
• Maintain a calendar of audit reports, ensure timely submission, and help review audit reports and highlight issues
• Support year-end closing, including implementing partner accruals for GEF/GCF projects
• Perform other administrative or financial tasks assigned by the line manager

Required profile

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related field
• At least 7 years of full-time professional experience in Finance, Accounting or Project Finance Management
• Experience managing the finances of a donor portfolio with many projects in an international, multicultural setting
• Excellent written and spoken English; French or Portuguese is an asset
• Knowledge of and experience with IUCN or similar international organisations; knowledge of the Adaptation Fund, GEF and GCF is an asset

Required skills

• Proficiency with accounting software (ERP/SAP strongly preferred)
• Word, Excel and online collaboration tools (OneDrive, Dropbox, Microsoft Teams)
• Comfort with digital finance and reporting tools, and willingness to use AI-enabled tools carefully