Finance and Control Officer

We are looking for a strong Finance and Control Officer to join the Finance and Control unit in the FMO.  

The overall objectives of the Grants are to reduce economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area (EEA) and to strengthen bilateral relations between the Donor States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and the 15 Beneficiary States (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Malta, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia).

The Grants are based on a programme model where the Beneficiary States are responsible for the programmes and for projects implemented under the programmes. A few programmes, notably regarding Civil Society, Regional Cooperation and Decent Work, are operated by the FMO.

The allocation for the current seven year funding period totals €2.8 billion. Negotiations are under way between the Donor States and the EU on a new funding period.
The priority sectors in the current funding period are:
• Innovation, Research, Education and Competitiveness;
• Social Inclusion, Youth Employment and Poverty Reduction;
• Environment, Energy, Climate Change and Low Carbon Economy;
• Culture, Civil Society, Good Governance and Fundamental Rights and Freedoms;
• Justice and Home Affairs.

The FMO offers an international, stimulating and diverse workplace, with a current staff of about 70 employees comprising about 20 nationalities. Our values are:
• Professionalism;
• Cooperation;
• Trust, responsibility and respect.

For more information, please check our website at: www.eeagrants.org.

The position is open to nationals of the EEA EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and to nationals of the Member States of the European Union.

Scope

The Financial and Control officer is part of the Finance and Control unit. The unit comprises approx. 8 members of staff.

The Unit is responsible for the overall financial and control activities of the FMO. This includes budget management, accounting and financial reporting, grant management and control expertise and supports in all aspects of programme management cycle of the EEA and Norway Grants. It supports the whole FMO and works closely with the Beneficiary States for the development, implementation, monitoring, reporting and closure of the programmes.

The Financial and Control officer reports to the Head of Finance and Control.

Responsibilities and tasks of the Finance and Control unit:
• Oversight of the development and implementation of the FMO budget and accounting activities;
• Oversight of the overall financial management and control of the Grants in the Beneficiary States;
• Preparation and revision of financial reports from/to internal and external stakeholders;
• Coordination of audit activities;
• Provision of financial and control expertise to programmes design, grant management, contracting, implementation, monitoring and reporting of programmes;
• Liaison with Beneficiary State authorities and provision of financial and control guidance on programme implementation and grant management;
• Oversight of the financial management and control of framework agreements with Donor Programme Partners in Donor Countries;
• Maintenance of the financial management and control framework and culture within the FMO and with external stakeholders;
• Drafting of relevant policies, procedural notes or manuals;
• Facilitation of meetings and workshops on financial management and control in the FMO or in Beneficiary States; occasional oversee travels will be required;
• Contribution to the development and maintenance of the grant and financial management systems in the FMO;
• Contribution of the implementation of the FMO’s risk strategy, including the assessment of programme risks.

The officer recruited will be allocated some of the above responsibilities based on his/her experience and profile.

Qualifications

Relevant University/higher education degree, minimum master’s level.

Experience

• At least 6 years of relevant work experience in the areas of responsibilities of the unit with preference for experience in public administrations or international organisations.
• At least 3 years of experience working with regulatory frameworks, such as with the European Institutions or other international funding schemes.
• Experience in providing technical assistance and/or capacity building to external stakeholders.
• Experience designing new regulatory frameworks and experience with closure of programmes/financing periods is considered as an asset.

Knowledge
• Knowledge of grant management is essential.
• Knowledge of the legal and financial requirements of publicly funded programmes / projects is essential
• Knowledge in financial management, budgeting, risk management and audit;
• Excellent command of MS Excel, and furthermore good knowledge of other Microsoft Office software (SharePoint, Outlook, Word and PowerPoint);
• Sound knowledge of and experience in using at financial and grant management systems.

Skills

• Ability to draft memos and policies and procedures in clear and correct English;
• Result-oriented approach, and a proactive and cooperative outlook;
• Ability to work independently and under pressure;
• Ability to communicate in writing and verbally financial and control related issues in a clear and constructive manner;
• Demonstrate flexibility and team working attitude;
• Ability to extract and analyse data from grant management and accounting systems.
• Ability to appreciate and follow priorities;
• High degree of organizational skills.

Languages

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (the working language of the FMO);
• Knowledge of another EFTA/EU language is an asset.

Employment Terms

Grade: A4
Annual starting salary: 108,329 EUR

Appointments are normally made at step 1 of the grade. The FMO reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level different from that advertised.

The FMO is an employer dedicated to the principles of diversity and equal opportunities. We select our staff without discrimination on the basis of age, gender, religion, ethnic origin and culture, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, pregnancy or family responsibilities.

We offer a very interesting and challenging position in a dynamic and diverse environment and the opportunity to work in a team of highly qualified people. Salaries and related payments are normally exempt from taxation by the EFTA Member States and, as regulated in headquarters agreements, in the EFTA host states. Depending on the candidate’s family status, benefits and allowances may apply.

For further information on this post, please contact: Mr Jean-Pascal Gabriel, Head of Finance and Control, jga@efta.int or +32 (0) 470 991 967. For information regarding recruitment process please contact Ms Vera Medinskaya, Head of Administration and HR Unit, vme@efta.int or +32 (0)2 211 18 60.

Please note that only applications received via our web tool will be considered.

Deadline for submission of application: 4 June 2023.

Please note that the interviews will take place late June or early July 2023.
Starting date: October 2023 or as agreed.

Apply here