Vacancy #: 7496 Unit: Global Programme Operations Unit Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, Malaga, Spain Reporting to: Manager, Systems, Commissions & Programme Finance Work percentage: 100% Grade: I Expected start date: 01 March 2026 Type of contract: Fixed-term (up to 6 months) Closing date: 02 February 2026 BACKGROUND IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environmental and development challenges. It supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world and brings governments, non-government organisations, United Nations agencies, companies, and local communities together to develop and implement policies, laws, and best practices.
IUCN is the worldโs oldest and largest global environmental network - a democratic membership union with more than 1,300 government and NGO member organisations, and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries.
IUCNโs work is supported by more than 1,000 professional staff in more than 50 offices and hundreds of partners in the public, NGO, and private sectors around the world. The Unionโs headquarters are in Gland, Switzerland. JOB DESCRIPTION The Finance & Business Operations Intern will report directly to the Manager, Systems, Commissions & Programme Finance within the Global Programme Operations Unit (GPOU) and will work in close coordination with finance, procurement, and programme colleagues. The Finance & Business Operations Intern will provide essential administrative and operational support to financial admin procurement, expense claims, invoice processing, reporting, and documentation management processes.
The role contributes to the accuracy, timeliness, and compliance of internal and external administrative and financial workflows by ensuring complete documentation, effective coordination, and reliable support across day-to-day operations.
โข Provide administrative and operational support across financial admin procurement, expense claims, invoices, reporting, and documentation processes, including the preparation, follow-up, and tracking of Purchase Requisitions and Purchase Orders.
โข Collect, verify, organise, and maintain complete supporting documentation in line with internal procedures, ensuring accurate and well-structured electronic and physical filing systems.
โข Support the processing of staff expense claims and supplier invoices by checking completeness and accuracy, coordinating with staff, approvers, and finance colleagues to resolve missing information or discrepancies, and maintaining tracking lists to support timely processing.
โข Assist in the preparation of internal and external reports by compiling and consolidating financial and administrative data, ensuring consistency between reports and supporting documentation, and contributing to summaries, tables, and basic analyses.
โข Support internal and external audits, reviews, and donor reporting processes through timely retrieval and organisation of documentation and information.
โข Act as a point of contact for administrative queries related to financial admin procurement, expense claims, invoices, reporting, and documentation, proactively flagging delays, risks, or recurring issues to the supervisor.
โข Provide general administrative support to the GPOU finance and systems team and contribute to the continuous improvement of administrative workflows and documentation practices. REQUIREMENTS โข Currently enrolled in, or studying towards, a Bachelorโs or Masterโs degree in Business Administration, International Relations, Finance, Accounting, Management, law or a related field.
โข Previous experience supporting financial admin procurement processes, expense claims, invoice processing, reporting, or documentation management is an asset.
โข Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); familiarity with ERP systems (e.g. Microsoft Navision / Business Central) is an advantage.
โข Strong organisational skills with a high level of attention to detail and accuracy.
โข Ability to manage multiple administrative tasks, prioritise effectively, and meet deadlines in a structured and fast-paced environment.
โข Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
โข Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, demonstrating reliability and a proactive attitude.
โข Fluency in either English or Spanish, with a strong working knowledge of the other language; knowledge of French is an asset.
โข Attention to detail: Strong focus on accuracy in financial data entry and reconciliations.
โข Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with both internal and external stakeholders.
โข Time Management: Demonstrates excellent time management skills, consistently meeting deadlines.
โข Problem Solving: Proactive in identifying challenges and proposing solutions.
โข Working Visa for Spain 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.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the worldโs largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve peopleโs well-being.
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