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The Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) is the secretariat of the EEA and Norway Grants, and is affiliated to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in Brussels.

We are looking for a motivated and qualified candidate to fill a vacancy in the FMO’s Finance and Control Unit within the Administration and Compliance Department.

The overall objectives of the EEA and Norway 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 funding period (2014-2021) totals €2.8 billion. The priority sectors in the period 2014-2021 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 around 75 employees comprising 20 nationalities. Our values are:

• Professionalism;
• Cooperation;
• Trust, responsibility and respect.

More information can be found on 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.

Division: Financial Mechanism Office
Category/Level: A4
Duration of Appointment: Fixed-term three years (renewable once if in the interest of the FMO)
Start Date: As soon as possible
Closing Date: 07-06-2020
Job Reference: VA 20/2020

Scope

The Financial and Control Officer is part of the Finance and Control unit. The unit comprises 7 members of staff.

The Unit provides financial, grant management and control expertise and supports in all aspects of programme management cycle of the EEA and Norway Grants and in financial procedures of the FMO. 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

• Contribute with financial and control expertise to programmes design, grant management, contracting, implementation, monitoring and reporting of programmes;
• Liaise with and provide the Beneficiary State authorities with financial and control guidance and assistance on programme implementation and grant management;
• Oversee the financial management and control of framework agreements with Donor Programme Partners in Donor Countries;
• Contribute to the development of the financial management and control framework and culture within the FMO and with external stakeholders;
• Where relevant, draft procedural notes or manuals;
• Where needed, attend and/or facilitate workshops on financial management and control in the FMO or in Beneficiary States; occasional oversee travels will be required;
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of the grant and financial management systems in the FMO;
• Verify and approve financial reports and request for payments;
• Oversee the development and implementation of the FMO budget and accounting activities;
• Coordinate audit activities of the FMO;
• Contribute to the implementation of the FMO’s risk strategy, including the assessment of programme risks;
• Draft various reports and analysis;
• Contribute to the development of the Finance and Control team by sharing experience and expertise.

The recruited candidate will be allocated some of the above responsibilities based on their experience and profile as well as the needs of the service.

Qualifications

Relevant University degree, Master’s level.

Experience

• At least 6 years of relevant work experience in grant management, financial management, audit or internal control;
• Experience in working in or with public administration or international organisations;
• Experience in working in a regulated environment is considered as an asset;
• Experience in working with EU and other international funding schemes is considered as an asset;
• Experience in developing and monitoring an organisation’s budget is an asset.

Knowledge

• Knowledge in grant management processes, financial management, internal control, risk management and budgeting;
• Knowledge of accounting and audit standards and practice; and
• Knowledge of the legal and financial requirements of publicly funded programmes/projects.

Skills

• 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;
• Team spirit and flexibility;
• Ability to analyse financial data;
• Ability to appreciate and follow priorities;
• High degree of organizational skills; and
• Comprehensive IT-skills, including very good knowledge of Excel and basic knowledge of accounting systems.

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: EUR 95'300.69

Appointments are normally made at step 1 of the grade. The Director of the FMO reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level different from that advertised. Through its recruitment policy, the FMO wants to ensure diversity in terms of gender, age and culture.

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 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.

In case there will be several equality qualified candidates the FMO may decide to establish a reserve list in order to fill positions that will become vacant next year. The inclusion on the reserve list does not guarantee an employment.

Interested applicants should apply online via the EFTA e-recruitment tool: http://jobs.efta.int/.

For further information on this post, please contact:

Mr Jean-Pascal Gabriel, Head of Finance and Control, jga@efta.int or +32 (0)2 211 18 81.

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 7 June 2020.

this job offer is not open for applications