The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) is leading the implementation of the Restoration through Science-based Execution and Established Biodiverse Registry for Degraded Ecosystems in Protected Areas and Broader Landscapes in the Philippines (RESEEDPh) Project with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) as the Executing Agency Support Partner (EASP) and Conservation International as the Global Environment Facility Implementing Agency (CI-GEF). RESEEDPh is a 60-month GEF-8 initiative designed to reverse land degradation, strengthen ecosystem resilience, and improve sustainable land management in Catanduanes, Bohol and North Cotabato. The project integrates scientific innovation, community-based restoration, and policy alignment to address biodiversity loss, soil degradation, climate risks and unstable land use.

Scope of Work / Job Summary:

The Finance and Grants Manager (Deputy Finance Manager) plays a key technical role in ensuring strong financial management and high‑quality grant implementation across the RESEEDPh project. This position is central for maintaining the financial integrity of all project components and for supporting partners and grantees in meeting GEF, CRS, and CI‑GEF requirements. The role goes beyond routine finance tasks: it provides specialized technical guidance on grant execution, ensures compliance with donor rules, strengthens financial capacity of grantees, and safeguards the proper use of project funds.

The Finance and Grants Manager (Deputy Finance Manager) will lead financial tracking and reporting, oversee subgrant and contract financial performance, and verify that partners follow internal controls, procurement rules, co‑financing commitments, and documentation standards. This includes close, ongoing work with grantees to review financial reports, identify risks early, provide hands‑on support, and guide corrective actions. The position ensures that all grant agreements are implemented as planned and that technical results are supported by accurate, timely, and compliant financial processes.

This role is a key technical advisor to the Project Lead and grantees, helping them understand GEF financial structures, budget limitations, procurement rules, and reporting requirements. By providing coaching, monitoring, and capacity‑building, the Finance and Grants Manager (Deputy Finance Manager) helps partners improve their systems, strengthens grant performance, and ensures the project delivers strong, compliant results aligned with donor expectations.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

1. Technical Support on Grant Design and Implementation

• Provide technical guidance to grantees on how to design budgets, financial plans, procurement plans, and cost‑justification in line with GEF and CI‑GEF rules, project results framework and MEAL indicators.
• Review draft grant agreements, budgets, and workplans to ensure technical alignment with project objectives and donor requirements before approval.
• Support Component Leads to ensure technical outputs proposed by grantees are realistic, cost‑effective, and linked to budget lines.

2. Technical Oversight of Grantee Financial Systems

• Assess the adequacy of grantee financial systems, internal controls, and accounting procedures, and recommend improvements when needed.
• Conduct technical review of grantee supporting documents to verify eligibility, allocability, and reasonableness of costs in accordance with audit and internal control standards. 

• Deliver training and one‑on‑one technical support to grantees on GEF financial rules, procurement compliance, co‑financing tracking, and reporting requirements.
• Develop step‑by‑step technical guidance materials, reporting templates, and checklists to strengthen grantee financial capacity.

• Lead technical assessments of financial and operational risks related to grantees and propose mitigation measures for inclusion in risk registers and grant agreements.
• Monitor compliance with procurement thresholds, competitive procedures, and documentation requirements for each subgrant.
• Provide technical advice to resolve complex issues such as cost reallocations, procurement exceptions, VAT treatment, or FM questions.

• Review whether financial execution matches technical progress reported by grantees (e.g., outputs, activities, deliverables) in line with MEAL systems and reporting timelines.
• Validate that expenditures are consistent with technical implementation plans and procurement schedules through appropriate methodology.
• Provide recommendations to adjust budgets or technical plans when implementation gaps or risks are identified.

• Work closely with Component Leads to ensure financial and technical data are aligned when preparing GEF reports.
• Participate in technical meetings with grantees to review progress, implementation bottlenecks, and financial implications.
• Document and share best practices on financial and grant implementation across components.

Project Components and Outputs

Basic Qualifications: 

• B.A. degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent).
• Minimum of five years’ experience in a position with similar responsibilities, preferably with an international or local NGO, or a financial/banking institution.
• Knowledge of the relevant public donors’ regulations preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications. Knowledge of financial reporting software preferred.
• Knowledge of Budgeting and Financial Management, Financial Analysis and Reporting, Transaction Processing and Controls, and Grants Management and Compliance.
• Knowledge of Relationship Management, Partner Capacity Building, and Cultural Sensitivity.

Required Languages – Good written and spoken Filipino and English languages.

Travel -   Must be willing and able to travel up to 20%. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Knowledge of the relevant public donors’ regulations preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications. Knowledge of financial reporting software preferred.
• Knowledge of Budgeting and Financial Management, Financial Analysis and Reporting, Transaction Processing and Controls, and Grants Management and Compliance.
• Knowledge of Relationship Management, Partner Capacity Building, and Cultural Sensitivity.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to detect and report inconsistencies
• Accuracy and completeness with great attention to detail
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented
• Ability to work collaboratively

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)  

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.  

• Integrity  
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation 
• Builds Relationships  
• Develops Talent 
• Strategic Mindset 
• Accountability & Stewardship 

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal: Finance Manager, Accounts Payable Specialist persona, Co-Grant/Project Accountant persona, Program/Budget Managers (in terms of budget proposal review/Project expenditure reports), Compliance team (Internal Audit), and Supply Chain Management (SCM) Team.

External: External Auditors, Partners’ Staff.
 

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.