Purpose of the role

Project Description

The GEF PRICELESS Project seeks to increase legal protection for the Philippines Rise Marine Resource Reserve (PRMRR), formally listing this marine protected area under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System (ENIPAS). The PRMRR will be overseen by a permanent Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), which will be in a position to harmonize conflicting mandates and agendas between the various institutions currently tasked with govenance. The GEF PRICELESS project will also address key data and information gaps to enable appropriate management, including gaps relating to key biodiversity, fisheries/resource uses, and associated threats. This will enable the PAMB to execute the necessary protected area enforcement and awareness-raising efforts, and thus foster enhanced appreciation for the value of PRMRR biodiversity and marine resources and compliance with laws and regulations. Management grounded in robust data and information will also facilitate fishing communities’ access to benefits from sustainable fishing and alternative livelihoods. Finally, the GEF PRICELESS project will provide a model for the Philippines and elsewhere for achieving offshore marine resource and ecosystem protection targets, including those related to biodiversity within the CBD, and add a large, highly biodiverse and unique ecosystem to the world’s Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) and Ecologically or Biologically Significant Area (EBSA) systems.

Purpose of the Role

A Finance and Admin Assistant is in charge of keeping track of the ZSL Philippines Project finances and admin identified under her responsibility. He/ She enters data into databases, prepare financial statements, process invoices, and support Project Team members throughout the project.

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Provide comprehensive admin support to the project team and head office, including but not limited to filing, documentation, asset inventory, procurement coordination, and general compliance.
  • Maintain safe custody of cash, conduct monthly cash counts, and reconcile petty cash with zero unexplained variances.
  • Post timely and accurate transactions, liquidations, and adjustments in QuickBooks in line with cut-off schedules.
  • Prepare monthly bank reconciliations, petty cash cash certificates, and required schedules for month-end files.
  • Compile and submit monthly financial reports to the Finance Manager, Project Manager, and Country Director as required.
  • Organize and archive financial and project records (soft and hard copies) to audit-ready standards.
  • Support statutory and project audits by preparing schedules and providing complete supporting documentation.
  • Manage staff cash advances end-to-end: tracking, follow-up, and review of liquidations for donor allowability and completeness.
  • Enforce monthly deadlines and escalate risks to timelines based on the relevant finance memo.
  • Review invoices, purchases, and subcontractor payments for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with donor and organizational policies.
  • Provide logistical and office support (supplies, vendor coordination, bookings, and records), ensuring cost-effectiveness and documentation.
  • Serve as the H&S focal point for the project site—monitoring, follow-up, and reporting (e.g., PPE, checklists, typhoon protocol sop’s); risk assessments and final decisions remain with the PM and HR.

This job description is designed to outline a range of main duties that may be encountered. It is not designed to be an exhaustive list of tasks and can be varied in consultation with the post holder to reflect changes in the job or the organization. 


About You

The successful candidate should have the following qualifications:
  • A degree holder in accounting, management, or finance related field of study.
  • With at least two (2) years of experience in finance and admin work as well as procurement. 
  • Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail.
  • With experience and knowledgeable in general ledger transaction posting.
  • Capable of writing technical reports and creating equivalent presentations.
  • Proven ability to work effectively with teams and senior managers.
  • At least 1 year of experience in project organization, budgeting, and forecasting. 
Desirable: 
  • Experience on the use of QuickBooks is an advantage.
  • Experience in budgeting and forecasting is a plus. 
  • Preferably, but not necessary, with previous experience in non-government organizations (NGO) settings and natural resource conservation and management programs.
  • Able to demonstrate high accuracy and attention to detail with reference to written communications, whether in the form of documentation or call logging.
  

ZSL is committed to conservation led by those who know their environments best. We work hand in hand with local communities and conservationists around the world, united in our mission to protect wildlife and power sustainable solutions globally.

We encourage applications from members of the communities we work with, and from those who share our passion for conservation and collaboration. At ZSL, we value respect, local knowledge, and shared purpose, together, we can make a real difference for wildlife,  people and planet.

 

About Us

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.  

In 2010, the ZSL-Philippines Country Office was established as a duly accredited non-government organization registered under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a local branch of a foreign charitable institution registered in UK and holds its primary office in Iloilo City.

Project Staff Base

The successful candidate shall be based at ZSL Philippines field office in Ortigas, Manila with corresponding fieldwork and travel to target project sites and the opportunity to visit other ZSL Philippines project sites.

Vacant Position

1 Vacancy

What do we offer? 

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits which include the following:

  • Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct.
  • Holidays – 15 days paid annual leave during each 12-month period worked, plus national and public holidays as per the Labor Laws of the Philippines
  • Sick Leave- ZSL Philippines showcases a 6 week generous leave compensation for each staff that ensures enough recovery for those who are with illness. 
  • 13th Month Pay
  • Wellbeing – ZSL provides medical health insurance (HMO) for the staff  and 3 of his/her dependents (spouse & children).
  • International accident insurance coverage.
  • Paid Maternity leave and paternity leave aside.
  • Monthly communications allowance
  • Chances for travel to ZSL project sites across the country as well as to our international offices. 
  • Staff Emergency Loan Fund benefit after 6 months. 

 

NB: We reserve the right to close our advertisement early or extend the advertising date until a suitable candidate has been found.

What our team say...

Other jobs like this

Similar

PROJECT MANAGER

Careers Site Advertising End Date
28 Mar 2026
All Locations
Philippines
All Departments
International field programmes
Advertising Salary
Php 80,000- 92,000/month
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
On-site
Global Conservation and Field Programmes
Contract length
Initial 12 months and possible extension till end of project
Careers Site Advertising End Date
28 Mar 2026
All Locations
Philippines
All Departments
International field programmes
Advertising Salary
Php 30,000-35,000/month
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
On-site
Global Conservation and Field Programmes
Contract length
Initial 12 months and possible extension till end of project
Careers Site Advertising End Date
06 Apr 2026
All Locations
London Zoo
All Departments
Fundraising
Advertising Salary
£40,000 per annum
Vacancy Type
Permanent
Hybrid
Enabling Functions and Professional Services
Careers Site Advertising End Date
30 Mar 2026
All Locations
Head Office (Regents Park)
All Departments
UK conservation programmes
Advertising Salary
£31,941 per annum (FTE)
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
Hybrid
Global Conservation and Field Programmes
Contract length
3 years
Careers Site Advertising End Date
11 Mar 2026
All Locations
Whipsnade Zoo
All Departments
Commercial operations (including retail and admissions)
Advertising Salary
£12.60 per hour
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
On-site
Conservation Zoos
Contract length
7 months
Careers Site Advertising End Date
11 Mar 2026
All Locations
Whipsnade Zoo
All Departments
Commercial operations (including retail and admissions)
Advertising Salary
£12.60 per hour
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
On-site
Conservation Zoos
Contract length
7 months
Careers Site Advertising End Date
18 Mar 2026
All Locations
London (All)
All Departments
Communications
Advertising Salary
£37,264.50 per annum
Vacancy Type
Fixed Term
Hybrid
Enabling Functions and Professional Services
Contract length
15 months