Project Controller International Programs – PAX

The Project Controller will be part of the Project Control team and will work closely with the International Programming team. Colleagues are based in South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Iraq and the Netherlands.

What will you do?

You will ensure strong financial control and management for the portfolio of complex donor-funded projects and you will facilitate international programming by bridging between realities in our project countries and international control at the HQ level. You will be a strategic partner to the Program team, while ensuring donor compliance and meaningful accountability to diverse stakeholders. You will play a role in strengthening the capacity of our international offices in Iraq, Burkina Faso and South Sudan through coaching, collaboration and oversight. Further, you will work to strengthen systems where needed, provide checks and balances, facilitate audits internationally, and support project leads and civil society partners in quality implementation.

Who are they looking for?

They are looking for a proactive and experienced controller who combines strong financial expertise with interpersonal skills. You are able to work effectively across different teams and cultures, while helping to manage accountability between partners, PAX and its donors. You are a systems-oriented person with sufficient flexibility to deal with a variety of contexts and deadlines during the year. The ideal candidate has a demonstrated ability to coach finance and control colleagues internationally and is willing to travel to our offices in conflict-affected areas.

Responsibilities

• Develop and monitor project budget and financial performance
• Prepare financial reports for internal and external stakeholders
• Support and provide capacity building to project teams and international offices in budget planning, forecasting, (partner) monitoring and decision making
• Ensure compliance of project expenditures with donor regulations
• Lead and support project audits
• Identify financial risks and propose corrective actions.
• Contribute proactively to the improvement of the financial processes, systems and internal controls.
• Act as focal point for local office for payments, reporting and audits. and provide support regarding payments.

Education
A Bachelors or Masters degree in finance, accounting, controlling, economics or a related field.

Experience and skills

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience as a Controller in a project environment, ideally with an international NGO
• Experience supporting and facilitating international offices
• Experience with grants and donor reporting (e.g. Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs is an advantage
• High attention for detail, strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• The ability to work collaboratively with non-finance colleagues, such as project managers and program teams
• Experience with financial systems
• Advanced capability with Excel
• Strong communication skills

Languages

• English professional proficiency is required
• French, Arabic, and/or Dutch are desirable

What do they offer?

• An accessible workplace in a vibrant area in the heart of Utrecht
• An interesting position in a dynamic, informal and internationally oriented work environment
• Start date as soon as possible
• Appointment for 32 hours per week (0,89 fte), initially for 12 months with possible renewal
• Salary is based on or equivalent to the PKN Collective Labour Agreement salary scale 10 (depending on experience)
• 8% holiday-allowance and 8,3% end of year bonus
• Full reimbursement of commuting expenses, 2nd class public transport
• Flexible working hours and the possibility to work partially from home