Vacature CFYE Financial Manager – Maternity Cover, Netherlands. (Internal staff are encouraged to apply).

Project Overview and Role:

The Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE) is a 7-year and €134 million programme funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that aims to create a prosperous future for 230,000 young women and men in the Middle East, North Africa, Sahel & West Africa and Horn of Africa regions. The Fund will be supporting initiatives in 12 focus countries that will offer youth, in particular young women, opportunities for work that is demand-driven and productive, offering a stable income and safe working conditions, and that is contributing to their personal development and social protection.
Private sector, civil society and knowledge institutions will be invited to submit proposals geared to scalable solutions for creating more and better jobs and income generating opportunities for youth. Solutions will in particular focus on an integrated approach that addresses the shortcomings on the demand side (jobs) and supply side (skills) and bridging the mismatch between these two in the labour market.

Job Overview:

The Financial Manager will work with the team leader, project manager and project director as well as the corporate financial management team in the oversight of the Challenge Fund’s financial reporting and financial system administration. Using strong communications skills and analytical analysis the Financial Manager will develop and maintain positive relationships with colleagues, partners and clients.
The role will be responsible for the oversight on all project finance and accounts, budgets for accuracy, creating budget narratives, researching cost information and responding to financial requests as needed.
Note that this role is offered on a temporary maternity cover basis for 8 months and will conclude on the return of the current postholder.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

A) Overall Financial Management:

- Liaising closely with Project Management team, the Challenge Fund team leader, Fund Management team and corporate financial management team;
- Ensuring Profit and Loss, balance sheet and headcount plans are accurately recorded in the system;
Performing monthly forecasts and project financial analysis;
- Oversight on month-end procedures in line with corporate financial calendar, and manage submissions of fund requests to the client;
- Establishing budget baseline and performing statistical trend analysis;
- Maintaining overview of programme expenditure against programme work plan and budgets, variance analysis;
- Maintaining a rolling cash flow projection;
- Manage relationship with auditors for the project, and prepare and provide all necessary documentation;
Ensure the appropriate use of programme codes and the up to date documentation and reconciliation of programme expenditure and accruals;
- Prepare financial reports required by the client.

B) Project Finance and Fund Management:

- Reviewing grant recipients’ financial reports for accuracy;
- Ensuring all grant funds are achieving value for money and being spent in accordance to Fund Agreements;
- Reviewing finances of proposal budgets and providing constructive feedback;
- Providing guidance to the relevant staff of partners on effective financial management;
- Support program staff in grant revisions, cost extensions, no-cost extensions, budget realignments, and other as required;
- Overseeing all financial and grant management responsibilities including funds disbursement, funds transfer requests and acquittals, and financial reporting.
- Ensure that all financial transactions are done with integrity and cost effectiveness and are necessary for the purpose of achieving the programme goals.

C) Business Development / Other:

- Providing ongoing financial training and support to team members;
- Provide input and support business development of the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment as required;
- Participate in ensuring and monitoring the data-driven approach of the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment; and
Other duties as assigned.

Reporting Requirements:

The role will directly report to the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment Team Leader and will work closely with other members of the Challenge Fund team and the Financial Management team in London.

Required Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements:
- Relevant qualifications in the area of financial management, financial audit or a related field.
- Demonstrated relevant work experience, preferably in a financial management or financial audit related position.
- CA or CPA or master degree in finance and/or accounting is preferred.
- Available for at least 32 hours per week.
- Willing to travel internationally as required.
- The roles is based in the Netherlands. Only EU citizen or candidates eligible to work in the Netherlands are requested to apply (NB. Visa sponsorship is unfortunately not available for this position).

Core Competencies:
- Knowledge and understanding of grant mechanisms, including fiduciary risk management;
- High level of attention to detail and accuracy;
- Good organisational and planning skills and the ability to balance multiple projects and deadlines;
- Sound problem solving and decision-making skills;
- Advanced Excel skill level, preferably also in Power Query and Power Pivot;
- The ability to pursue, adapt, and lead change, and demonstrate flexibility in response to changing business environments;
- Developing and using collaborative relationships;
- Ownership of learning and striving to develop own knowledge and capabilities to support the organisation's success;
- Fluency in English required and Dutch fluency is preferred;
- Knowledge of COBRA, PM Compass, CER systems would be advantageous;
- Good cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills and able to interact professionally with culturally and linguistically diverse staff, clients and consultants.

How to Apply:

Interested and qualified candidates are kindly invited to submit a cover letter and resume (both in English) no later than 22 May 2023. In your cover letter please reflect on your motivation for wanting to work on the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment. Please be aware that applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We reserve the right to close this recruitment process before the confirmed closing date.  Should you wish to apply you are kindly advised to submit your application as soon as possible.
Initial employment will be for a period of 8 months and is on a maternity cover basis.
All staff are required to adhere to the Palladium Code of Conduct. Recruitment is subject to successful completion of all applicable background checks, including references and criminal records checks.

Company Overview:

About Palladium - Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value.  We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people's lives.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse.  All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.