Project Accountant

The Transparency International Secretariat is currently seeking to fill the role of Project Accountant in the Finance Team.

Project Accountants work closely with project managers and partners (particularly TI National Chapters) to support the effective financial management of the many projects we run and build capacity in our National Chapters. This includes working with a diverse range of donors and fulfilling differing donor requirements, while also assisting TI National Chapters in developing efficient project financial management systems and working as a business partner with project managers and policy experts. The Project Accountant role therefore offers an exciting and challenging opportunity to learn and master all aspects of project financial management.

OVERVIEW OF KEY DIMENSIONS

Role Purpose: The Project Accountant is responsible for the day-to-day financial control within assigned projects, and provides financial management support to project staff. The Project Accountant coordinates the reporting of financial information for regular reporting of assigned projects to project stakeholders.

Team: Finance Team

Reporting Line: Head of Finance

Salary Band: Salary according to TI-S internal salary structure; for this position corresponding to band PF2 a salary starting EUR 42,000.00 gross per year depending on relevant experience.

Starting Date: as soon as possible

Contract Duration: Currently we can offer an employment contract limited for a duration of 2 years.

Working Hours: full time [100%; 40 hours per week]

Location: Transparency International Secretariat (TI-S), Berlin

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES OF THE ROLE

Based in the Finance Team and reporting to the Head of Finance, the Project Accountant will:

• Act as the focal point for financial management issues in assigned area, providing financial management support to assigned projects, programmes, teams and their staff
• Working closely with relevant counterparts, develop budgets, including relevant narrative reports; build accurate financial forecasts; monitor expenditure, budgets and cash flows to identify material issues as they arise and propose appropriate preventative interventions and solutions in a timely fashion
• Prepare financial reports to donors, ensuring their accuracy and timely completion; engage auditors on project audits
• Assess capacities at local level and build local capacities, including by training colleagues at country offices. International travel is envisaged for up to 10%
• Support preparation of monthly management accounts, monitoring project income and expenditure and providing accurate explanations for noted variances
• Independently or with the support of more junior colleagues, review incoming financial reports from project partners and relating supporting documentation to ensure compliance with donor requirements and measure performance against the project’s objectives
• Coordinate day-to-day processes to ensure key internal processes are completed in an efficient and timely manner, recommend changes and adjust as needed; ensure the operational efficiency and effectiveness of all project accounting procedures
• Maintain and implement project accounting systems including workflows, processes, controls and documentation
• Stay abreast of developments relating to the area of project accounting and be available to respond to on-demand internal and external stakeholder needs
• Respond to internal requests, analysing and providing solutions in a timely manner
• Coordinate and/or contribute to team projects and provide input on the development of strategies, policies and procedures, taking into account best practice
• Support clear internal communication on project finance across TI-S and the Movement
• Contribute to the overall functioning of the Finance Team providing proactive and ad hoc support where necessary

CANDIDATE PROFILE

In order to succeed in this role, candidates will need to meet the following:

• Qualified Accountant (e.g. ACCA, CIMA or ACA), internal auditor (IIA) or university studies in Accounting, Finance, Economics and/or Business
• 5+ years of relevant professional experience preferably in accounting, audit or financial management
• Expertise in financial management of donor-funded projects and/or with capacity building for small organisations an advantage
• Knowledge of MS Office; advanced skills in Excel and competence in PowerBI an advantage
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work against tight deadlines while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work both independently and within the Finance Team and with other teams
• Professional language proficiency in English required; additional languages, in particular German, French and/or Spanish, an advantage
• Good communication skills and ability to explain accounting and financial matters to non-financial staff
• Culturally sensitive and able to handle issues with diplomacy and to cultivate productive working relationships
• Commitment to the values and principles of Transparency International

WHAT WE OFFER

Joining the Transparency International Secretariat candidates can expect:

• the opportunity to become part of the global movement against corruption and make a positive contribution to the work of TI in the field of transparency and accountability working on a wide range of relevant and challenging issues
• a role with purpose, working in a team of engaged and enthusiastic experts in the field of anti-corruption, driven and united by the desire to fight corruption and achieve significant and large-scale replicable impact
• a dynamic, flexible and international working environment with peers representing 45+ different nationalities
• a high degree of collaboration and autonomy in a lean and agile organisation with streamlined decision-making processes and a shared leadership culture with servant leadership philosophy
• opportunities to learn and grow, including regular Show & Tell meetings and visits by external experts

Staff at TI-S enjoy a competitive compensation & benefits package designed for staff well-being and work life balance, incl.:

• a relocation package incl. sponsorship of work permit if needed and eligible
• financial contribution to German language classes
• generous time off with 30 days of annual leave per year and flexible working times around core hours
• remote-hybrid working model from within Germany
• the possibility of Work from Abroad for periods of time (currently for up to 10 working days at a time for a maximum of 20 working days per calendar year)
• Friday afternoons alternately free or meeting-free during the summer months
• Pluxee Restraurant Checks with plenty of options nearby the office for reduced prices for meals
• reduced membership fees with Urban Sports Club
• mental wellbeing and counselling support by OpenUp
• a centrally located office in a vibrant metropolitan city with excellent public transportation connectivity at the river Spree

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV and cover letter in English, merged into one PDF file, via our TI website Career Opportunities - Transparency.org clicking on the vacant position and the button ‘Apply Online’

Closing date for external applications is Friday, 15 November, EOD

Only applications duly completed and received through the online recruitment system will be considered.

Transparency International is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where diversity is valued and where there is equality of opportunity. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and therefore welcome and strongly encourage applications from qualified candidates of all regions, countries, cultures and backgrounds. Existing permission to work in Germany is not a selection criterion and TI-S supports successful candidates in the process for applying for a work permit, if needed and eligible.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis and we do not discriminate on the basis of national origin, race, colour or ethnic background, religious belief, sex, gender identity and expression or sexual orientation, marital or family status, age or ability. We kindly ask applicants to refrain from including in their application information relating to the above as well as from attaching photos.

DISCLAIMER

Please note that Transparency International does not charge any fees at any stage of its recruitment and selection process (whether at application, processing, testing, interviewing, traveling or otherwise), nor does Transparency International require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants. Transparency International will also not ask you to join any group or account on social media or elsewhere.

FURTHER INFORMATION

To learn more about Transparency International please visit our website and follow us on social media:

Website:       https://www.transparency.org

Twitter:          https://twitter.com/anticorruption

LinkedIn:       https://www.linkedin.com/company/transparency-international/

Instagram:    https://www.instagram.com/transparency_international/

Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/TransparencyInternational