Job Title: Head of Unit-Finance and Contracts

Ref. UfM/FT/2026/08

Department: Finance, Legal & Administration Department

Reports to: Director of Administration Department

Deadline to apply : 26 August 2026 (midnight, European time, CEST, GMT+2 ).

Staff category and conditions :

- Post Classification: CS2. 3- Head of Unit, Step 1
- Gross Salary: 61,200 €
- Contracted Staff as per UfM Staff Regulations and Implementing Rules
- Fixed-term contract of 3 years as per Staff Regulations and Implementing Rules of the Staff Regulations , 6 months’ probation period

SUMMARY :

The Head of Unit for Finance and Contracts manages the activities and team of the Finance & Contracts Unit, ensuring alignment with sound financial management principles, legality and regularity of operations, and the UfM´s internal control framework. The position oversees operational and strategic financial functions including budgeting, accounting, treasury, procurement, and financial reporting. It ensures appropriate segregation of duties and contributes to internal control mechanisms. The role involves direct collaboration with the Accounting Officer and other relevant stakeholders to safeguard the organization’s financial integrity and ensure effective resource use in support of the Secretariat´s strategic goals.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Management and Coordination:

- To assist and advise the Deputy Director of Administration and the organization on all Finance & Contracts matters.
- Provide strategic oversight of Treasury, Procurement, Accounting, Planning and
- Monitoring, including implementing effective internal control systems.
- Manages long-term financial planning processes.
- Ensures the proper management of the Finance and Contracts Unit, ensuring the identification of the needs of the Units and requirements to achieve its objectives.
- Ensure task distribution, set priorities and objectives for Unit staff and manage their performance.
- Lead long-term financial planning and annual budgeting processes.
- Partner with the Accounting Officer to coordinate interconnected financial and accounting processes.
- Promote cross-functional collaboration, through regular consultations with other units and Divisions.
- Foster a result-oriented, accountable, and client-focused work environment.
- Other duties assigned by the Deputy Director of Legal & Administration.

Financial Systems and Compliance:

- Oversee the implementation of financial rules and procedures in compliance with UfM´s financial regulations.
- Ensure the conformity of financial activities and operations with applicable contractual and legal obligations.




- Implement principles of accounting and internal controls in line with IFRS or IPSAS standards.
- Monitor and review accounting and related system reports for accuracy and completeness.
- Supervise data entry and the integrity of financial information systems.
- Coordinate internal and external audits, ensuring prompt implementation of audit recommendations.
- Implement early warning mechanisms and periodic alerts to highlight budget variances or emerging spending risks.

Budgeting and Financial Analysis:

- Coordinate with Divisions/Departments on the preparation and monitoring of budgets and financial plans.
- Analyze and review expenditures and contracts and grants from a financial perspective in conjunction with relevant Divisions/Departments.
- Provide financial projections and recommendations to ensure budgetary discipline.
- Develop the annual operating budget and consult and in collaboration with departmental management on the fiscal aspects of program planning, salary recommendations, and other administrative actions.
- Maintain and disseminate clear budget visibility and availability by sharing up-to-date budget data and forecasts to internal stakeholders.

Financial Reporting and Monitoring:

- Ensure effective security and control and reporting of funds and expenditures, allocated to the organization and all necessary internal and external administrative functions related to the efficient expenditure, supported by accurate documentation.
- Compile and analyze financial information to prepare entries to accounts, such as general ledger accounts, and oversee all transactional records.
- Coordinates the preparation of financial statements, financial and periodic informative reports and ad-hoc reports.
- Prepare and review budget, revenue, expense, payroll entries, invoices, and other accounting documents.
- Develop and manage robust cash flow forecasting tools.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

- Be a national of a UfM Member State (https://ufmsecretariat.org/who-we-are/member-states/)

Academic Background:

- University degree(s) in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or Auditing. A Master’s degree in a related field is required.

Professional Requirements:





- A Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience relevant in finance, accounting budgeting, or contracts management, specifically within international organisations and/or international development agencies.
- Proven experience in financial accounting and production of financial statements is mandatory.
- Solid knowledge of and proven experience applying IFRS or IPSAS accounting standards.
- Experience in auditing is considered a strong asset.
- Minimum 5 years of experience managing Projects, Finance and Contracts, and Team supervision.
- Experience in managing procurement and contracts with service providers.
- Familiarity with International Financial Regulation and EU Regulatory frameworks.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement policies and manage unit-level operations.

Competencies:

- Excellent team management, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Proven ability to manage staff, empower others, communication and foster collaboration across departments.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to make sound judgements while strictly complying with impartiality and confidentiality obligations.
- Proven ability to deliver results under pressure and to manage multiple priorities.
- Capacity to translate feedback into improvements and foster a client-focused, results-oriented work environment.
- Ability to reprioritize and adapt tasks to ensure timely delivery and address resource constraints

Additional desirable experience and competencies:

- Knowledge and/or work experience in Mediterranean countries is an advantage

LANGUAGES SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:

- Full proficiency in English and in another working language of the UfM (Arabic or French).
- Knowledge of Spanish is considered an asset but not required.

Submission of applications:

Candidates must complete the online application form and upload the following documents in English and in PDF format only:

- A detailed CV, clearly outlining relevant education and professional experience.
- A motivation letter, mentioning the position applied for and including the candidate’s full postal address.

Both files must include the candidate’s name in the file name, for example: “Name Surname – CV” and “Name Surname – Cover Letter”.

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