Senior Officer, Head of Finance

Are you passionate about contributing to an ambitious international organization dedicated to fostering free trade and economic integration? The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is seeking a dynamic individual to join as Head of Finance. As a key member of the team, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with many stakeholders. 

Our Brussels duty station is based in the brand-new EFTA House, which also hosts 2 of our sister organisations: EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA), and the EEA and Norway Grants (FMO). 

This position is open only to nationals of the EFTA Member States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland). 

Division                                                                   

Administration

Location

Brussels

Category 

A5/1

Type/Duration of Appointment                        

Fixed term of three years. If considered desirable and in the interest of the organisation, an additional three-year contract may be offered.

Start Date

1 March 2025

Job Reference

VA 15/2024

Scope 

EFTA is recruiting a Senior Officer to become Head of the Finance department within the Administration division which is predominantly based in Brussels and provides internal services and support to the whole organisation. 

The Head of Finance reports directly to the Director of Administration, leads a team of three staff members. The team is committed to excellence in its deliverables and responsibilities and works closely together with HR, IT and building services. The position entails working hands-on with budgets, accounting, controlling, financial reporting and forecasting, procurement, expense management, cash management and payrolling. 

S/he is responsible for the day to day interpretation and execution of EFTA’s Financial Regulations and Rules and works with the Head of HR to ensure consistent application of the Staff Regulations and Rules on salaries, allowances, benefits and expenses.

S/he will be responsible for supporting EFTA´s management in liaising with national administrations at the duty stations, representing EFTA Member states, as well as with external service providers and auditors.

Main tasks include: 

• Managing and performing all financial reporting activities of EFTA;
• Leading the budgeting process, providing strategic financial insights to support decision making;
• Monitoring financial performance against budget, identifying and addressing variances;
• Acting as the primary point of contact for external auditors and EFTA´s board of auditors;
• Liaising with chosen investment banks on the staff savings fund;
• Liaising with insurance companies for all insurances for staff and the Secretariat;
• Reviewing and proposing updates to the Financial and Staff Regulations and Rules;
• Operating as adviser in larger purchases and making sure that these are made in accordance with EFTA’s procurement rules;
• Assisting the Financial Mechanism Office, legally part of EFTA, in all financial matters concerning their administrative budget and expenses.

 Essential Qualifications and Skills 

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or other relevant fields;
• Minimum 8-10 years’ relevant professional experience in the public or private sector including in-depth proven experience in financial accounting and controlling;
• Experience in a managerial position, preferably in an international organisation or a national administration;
• Extensive experience in preparing budgets and managing budget compliance;
• Experience with reporting under IPSAS or IFRS accounting standards;
• Sound knowledge of and experience in using at least one accounting software package;
• Excellent command of written and spoken English (EFTA’s working language) and the ability to draft financial reports and other documents clearly and concisely;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Detail-oriented with the ability to have an overall view of the organisation’s financial situation;
• Strong communication, interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to organise, motivate and work in a team;
• Excellent command of MS Excel, experience with MS Dynamics 365 Finance and Power BI (Power Query, Power Pivot, etc.) would be an advantage.

Ideal Skills

• Experience with payrolling;
• Experience in framework / programme-based budgeting would be an asset;
• Experience in public procurement would be an asset;
• Knowledge of French and/or Dutch would be an asset.

Employment Terms 

As an organization committed to diversity, we understand the transformative power of varied perspectives. We invite you to bring your unique insights and innovative ideas to the table, contributing to a more inclusive and progressive future.   

EFTA has a dynamic and diverse work environment with the opportunity to work in a team of highly qualified people. Here you will be part of an organisation based on professionalism, cooperation, trust, responsibility, and respect.   

EFTA also offers:   

• International career and learning opportunities.  
• An inclusive environment with high regard for cultural differences.  
• Competitive benefits package (salaries are normally exempt from income taxation; additional benefits and allowances may apply).  

 Grade: A5/1 

Annual starting salary: EUR 123,576

Appointments are made at the first step of the grade. The Secretary-General reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level different from that advertised.   

EFTA is an international organisation, and the salaries and related payments are normally exempt from income taxation by the EFTA States and the host states of the EFTA duty stations. Depending on the candidate’s family status, benefits and allowances may apply. 

This position is open only to nationals of the EFTA Member States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland).

Applicants must apply via the EFTA e-recruitment tool: https://jobs.efta.int/home.html

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

For further information on this post, please contact:

On substance: Ms Thorunn Ragnarsdottir, Director Administration

Process and technical issues: HR Support.

Deadline for application: 27 October 2024