Back Project Controller "Strategic Partnership Project"

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty. Together we save, protect and rebuild lives. And we won’t stop until every person on the planet can defeat poverty or any type of inequality or discrimination.We are an international confederation of 19 organizations (affiliates) working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries. All our work is led by three core values: Empowerment, Accountability, Inclusiveness. .

The Role:

As Project Controller and finance specialist, you are responsible for the comprehensive financial management of the Strategic Partnership project ‘Towards a Worldwide Influencing Network’. This project entails a partnership between Oxfam Novib, research organization SOMO and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and invests in peaceful and just societies by strengthening the advocacy and influencing capacities of local partners. You are part of the project management unit that operates from The Hague, while you oversee activities that are implemented by 17 country offices, over 100 partners and related units in the Netherlands and international Oxfam offices.

The Strategic Partnership project is a 5-year €77 million donor funded program in its final year of operation. As Project Controller, you are collaborating with and providing guidance to the financial officers in this broad network of actors to ensure quality implementation of the project’s financial administration and coordinate closure in this last phase – in accordance with Oxfam Novib and donor requirements. Your goal is to coordinate a coherent and accurate closure that facilitates a project audit by 1 August 2021. To achieve this goal, we are looking for an experienced financial manager and effective communicator.

Tasks and responsibilities

As part of the project management unit, also including a support officer, you will report to the project leader. You are responsible for:

• Appraisal and consolidation of financial data from 45 projects for overall planning and reporting;
• Sound financial administration in accordance with Oxfam Novib procedural framework as well as donor requirements;
• Coordinating the external audit process for the project
• Advice to the project leader based on financial analysis for financial management decisions focusing on budget control to ensure budget utilization and prevention of losses. This includes budgeting and timely adjustments in planning especially in view of COVID19 consequences;
• Providing financial strategic support to the Quality Finance and Control unit to allow for continuous improvements in the financial system and procedures as well as financial project management capacities aligned to the strategic direction Oxfam Novib is taking.
• Tasks will include coordination of financial reporting, financial control and monitoring of over 45 projects in coordination with the Quality, Finance and Control unit; direct financial administration for about 10 projects;
• Specific tasks relating to closure are developing work processes and procedures for project closure of 10 projects in 2020 and 45 in 2021 to ensure overall closure of approximately 250 sub projects.

Requirements for the job

You

• have HBO Bachelor level (Higher Vocational Education) or university degree in financial management, business administration, accounting, or other relevant discipline;
• have at least 5 years’ experience in financial management or financial controlling position in a project-based organization;
• have a comprehensive understanding of donor contract management, financial project management, sub-granting and contexts of operation in least developed, low and middle income countries;
• have work experience in a complex, networked international organisation;
• have excellent communication and social skills and are a team player;
• are willing to travel to different countries;
• are fluent in English and Dutch. Knowledge of French is an advantage.