Marine and conservation programme administrator jobs

Who we are: Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT) is the only UK registered charity to focus exclusively on supporting the conservation and sustainability of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Our programmes respond to major threats to the Islands and the surrounding marine reserve including pollution, invasive species, overfishing and climate change. We take a ‘science to solutions’ approach, ensuring our programmes are based on robust science and result in solutions being implemented. We work in collaboration with an ecosystem of partners, taking a ‘grassroots to Government’ approach to ensure conservation solutions are co-designed, accepted, and effective. 

Job Overview: Galapagos Conservation Trust is seeking a proactive and detail-oriented individual to support our Financial Director and organisational teams. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in finance operations, a trustworthy problem solver with a can-do attitude, and the ability to manage multiple tasks with accuracy and efficiency. The successful individual will have strong interpersonal skills and be able to operate independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues across the organisation, supporting them with accurate financial insights and guidance.  

  Key Responsibilities: 

Financial operations and month end reporting 

• Manage the day-to-day transactional processing and reporting activities of the finance function, including but not limited to: 

• Income processing within subscriber and Xero 

• Payments and receipts 

• Monthly close process, ensuring all transactions are recorded accurately and completed within the month end timetable 

• Processing of monthly journals 

• Accruals and prepayments 

• Balance sheet reconciliations 

• Monthly financial reporting 

• Cashflow 

• Support the Ecuadorian financial reporting where needed 

• Departmental spend analysis for the Programmes, Operations, Fundraising and Communications teams 

• Monthly contractor cost reporting 

• Liaise with external accounting support for preparation of the quarterly management account pack 

• Support the programmes team with key finance files including but not limited to the PSP and project budgets 

Budgeting and forecasting 

• Support the Finance Director and SLT with budgets and forecasts at an organisational and departmental level 

• In close coordination with the Programmes team, support the financial aspects of partnership agreements/grant making 

• Maintain internal tools to help track secured funding vs forecast spend and help ensure data remains up to date 

• Monthly cashflow forecasting 

• Open, timely, and respectful, communication with team on financial status, challenges and problem-solving 

Database and data management

• Help ensure the accuracy and integrity of data in the finance and CRM systems. 

• Help ensure GDPR compliance across the organisation 

Cash Management 

• Process banking payments, ensuring all appropriate documentation and approvals are in place 

• Bank account management 

Governance and risk management 

• Support the design and implementation of effective quality controls to ensure compliance through manuals, policies, checklists, templates, and other tools 

• Support with the preparation of Board and Committee papers 

• Trustee liaison

Audit, grant applications and gift aid

• Support on all audits and statutory compliance in line with UK regulations and compliance requirements 

• Quarterly gift aid returns 

• Provide financial support for grant applications 

• Support the programmes team on grant audits 

Key skills and experience 

Must have: 

• Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent) 

• High quality analytical skills to be able to understand and analyse the financial data. 

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with a variety of stakeholders 

• Experience working within financial planning, accounting and analysis, providing budgeting and forecasting support for budget holders 

• Ability to work under pressure, managing competing deadlines

• Good knowledge of Microsoft applications, in particular Excel 

Desirable: 

• Experience working with Xero

• Charity sector experience or experience of grant-giving organisations 

Key information 

Place of work: Galapagos Conservation Trust office, central London (hybrid working with min.

2 days per week in the office). This is a UK-based role, please only apply if you

are legally entitled to work in the UK and can easily travel to our London office

                                       (near Waterloo). 

Hours of work: Full time (35 hours per week) 

Salary:£35k - £40k, 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays and day off for birthday 

Reports to:                 Finance Director

Closing Date:12 noon, 30 May 2025 

We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment. GCT welcomes applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, or any other protected characteristic. 

GCT politely requests no contact from agencies.