Finance Officer - EU Initiatives

Finance Officer - EU Initiatives

Validity

Budapest, Hungary

Role summary

The post holder will hold overall responsibility for ensuring effective financial administration of Validity’s EU co-funded initiatives in close cooperation with members of the EU programs team. This is a full-time post for a finance professional who will have a key role in developing and maintaining effective financial control and reporting procedures for multiple consortium projects where Validity is the lead partner, or as a co-beneficiary. The ideal candidate will have a professional finance and/or accounting qualification, be experienced in project- and grant-based financial administration, and have a demonstrated track-record in effectively administering international initiatives comprised of multiple co-beneficiaries.

A highly-organised and methodical individual is sought to keep track of spending on EU co-funded grants, drawing on their strong knowledge of eligibility criteria for EU funding, possessing a keen attention to detail, and holding a strong sense of accountability. They will provide ongoing monitoring and reporting on project budgets including consolidated consortium-level analyses, assist in the preparation of forecasting, budget consumption and amendment requests, and will act as the contact point for Validity staff and partners on fulfilment of contractual funding requirements.

Hours: Full-time (40hrs per week)
Salary range: EUR 2,000 – 2,600 gross per month (dependent on experience)
Location: European Union, with a preference for Budapest, Hungary. Hybrid or remote options will be considered for exceptional candidates
Line Manager: Programmes Manager
Key liaisons:

• Validity Finance Manager;
• Validity Project Managers (EU co-funded initiatives);
• Finance departments of co-beneficiary organisation (across EU countries);
• Validity contracted accountants and book-keepers, external auditors, etc.

Staff supervision: None

Role Description

• Responsible for all aspects of financial administration of Validity’s EU co-funded initiatives (CERV and JUSTICE 2021-2027 Programmes), including the creation and maintenance of internal processes for booking and monitoring Validity and consortium-level spending, evaluating costs against approved grant budgets, collating and controlling required supporting documentation;
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date financial records using Microsoft Excel-based tracking systems, liaising with Validity’s bookkeepers and finance team, reconciling data from Validity’s accounting system with grant-based tracking systems, bank statement, etc.;
• Developing strong and effective working relationships with finance and administrative staff from Validity’s partner organisations on EU co-funded initiatives, acting as a point of contact for finance-related queries, collecting and controlling financial reports and supporting documentation on an ongoing basis, and working with colleagues to identify and rectify any issues;
• Ensuring smooth progression of contracting, invoicing and payment processes in relation to services for EU co-funded projects, in accordance with EU financing rules and Validity’s Finance Policy, confidently liaising regularly with Validity’s staff, contractors, suppliers, partners, volunteers, banks, and others, as required;
• Handling and processing human resources-related documentation including timesheets, contracts and amendments, and preparing correspondence to donors as needed.
• Assisting booking of travel, accommodation and event-related logistics as requested, and processing expense claims;
• Contributes to the work of preparing internal financial reports and donor reports in a variety of formats, and regular financial routines including month-end and year-end closing and reconciliation;
• Organising and filing documentation in Validity’s physical and electronic finance and administration files (SharePoint);
• Contributing to financial and administrative aspects of new project applications;
• Other tasks commensurate with the role.

Person Specification

Note: Candidates must hold the right to reside and work within the European Union.
Preference will be given to people who self-identify as having a disability.

Qualifications and experience

• Finance or accounting qualification, or Chartered Accountant;
• University degree (B.A. or higher) in relevant subjects (e.g. administration, finance, management, European studies, or other courses related to this profile);
• Proven experience of financial administration of one or more EU co-funded consortium projects;
• Experience with CERV and Justice 2021-2027 programmes is a plus;
• A minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience, preferably in an international environment.

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• Commitment to Validity’s mission, vision, values and goals;
• Excellent spoken and written English; Hungarian language skills desirable;
• Strong attention to detail, excellent financial literacy, and highly organised;
• Advanced Excel skills, and confident user of IT systems including Word, Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, etc.. Experience using Serpa (Hungarian accounting software), or similar, an advantage;
• Respectful, clear and professional communication at all times. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a can-do approach, including when working remotely;
• Able to work well in a team, as well as independently, with the ability to effectively manage a range of competing priorities;
• Responsible, accountable and takes pride in completing tasks to a high professional standard;
• A proactive, solution-oriented and resourceful individual, who can take the initiative and approach challenging situations constructively and calmly;
• Proactively seeks information, guidance and clarifications when required. Willing to invest in professional development, learning new skills and actively seeks feedback.

Review period: Initial probationary period: 3 months.
Thereafter: Annual appraisal.

For further information, see Validity’s Human Resources Policy.

How to apply

• Applications should be comprised of a motivation letter of no longer than two pages (Times New Roman, 10 px, single-spaced), outlining how the candidate meets the person specification for the post. A comprehensive CV and copies of certificates and professional memberships should be attached;
• The motivation letter should clearly specify the applicant’s telephone number and email address, and provide the names and contact details of two professional referees who can comment on the candidate’s suitability for the post, one of whom must be the candidate’s current or most recent employer;
• Completed applications should be sent by email to: jointheteam@validity.ngo, with the subject line “Application – Finance Officer, EU initiatives”;
• Deadline for applications: Friday 10 February 2023, 17:00 CET (Central European Time).

Please note

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted;
• Partial and incomplete applications cannot be considered;
• Persons with disabilities who fulfil the post requirements will be prioritised and are encouraged to apply;
• Candidates who require reasonable accommodations for any stage of the recruitment process may email jointheteam@validity.ngo.

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