Regional Finance Officer - MENA

Scope: MENA region

Reports to: Regional Finance Manager (RFM), dotted line to Team Lead Finance & Admin

Duration: until March 31st 2026, renewable based on funding, need and performance

Location: Hague, The Netherlands

Hours per week:  20 hours (2.5 days) per week

Start date: As soon as possible

Deadline: August 27th 2025

ABOUT HIVOS

Hivos works for a world where people can realize their full potential, unleashing their ingenuity and creativity to build fair, just and life-sustaining societies for themselves and generations to come. Our mission is to amplify and connect voices that promote social and environmental justice and challenge power imbalances. We particularly empower marginalized rightsholders to raise their voice and demand freedom of choice. Our 5 strategies for change are: Supporting frontrunners; Multi-actor initiatives; Influencing policies; Moving the Middle; and Local Ownership.

For more information about Hivos’ strategy and impact areas, refer to the following link: https://hivos.org/document/strategic-compass-2021-2024-concise-version/

JOB CONTEXT 

The role of the Finance Officer will be twofold: 1. to support finance tasks as it relates to the healthy functioning of the MENA hub, including assuming related administrative tasks to that end. This requires close collaboration with Hivos finance team at the Global Office in the Hague, the MENA finance team, and the MENA Regional Director; 2. to support MENA finance team in training, advice and guidance to be full compliance with donor and Hivos procedures; and cover absences and work overload as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Optimization of financial accounting system

• Contributes to improving the financial accounting system

Financial management

Manages and maintains the financial registration systems and processes such that:

• Explaining detailed and summary trial balances generated from system correctly, on time and in full;


• the records of financial transactions, including the payroll records, is audited;


• outstanding items are kept to a minimum and are explained to the extent that they are still present;


• the systems and processes contribute to monitoring and achieving the financial targets.


• Bank reconciliations & compliance with local laws (Tax, Social security etc.) in each operational country is ensured.

Financial reporting

• Prepares the periodic financial information and reports to the Regional Finance Manager such that: discrepancies compared with the budget and previous periods are analyzed and explained and effective liquidity management can be conducted.

Participatory assessment

• Assesses financial-administrative aspects of organizational level and joint plans, in line with requirements and procedures, and prepares feedback and advice for improvements.


• Participates in assessment teams, bringing in their specific financial-administrative knowledge.


• Reviews partner assessments with Regional Finance Manager and discuss a capacity building plan, where needed

Quality improvement

• Advises and supports the overarching management team about the improvement of formats and ways of working, in order to enhance accounting and reporting methods and capabilities on both the organization and the individual level.


• Participates or leads queries or investigations related to identified cases of irregularities or fraud.

Donor Reporting & Audit Support

• Prepares financial reports for external auditors and donors and supports institutional and project audits as required.

Systems support (All Solutions)

• Enters all relevant financial data into the project administration system

Office & administrative management & other support

• Inducts, trains and supports other finance staff as requested.


• Supports MENA Finance Officers with project partners, if needed.


• Supports/leads on other programs when there is work overload and covers absences for other finance staff within MENA as needed.


• Supports financial and administrative tasks related to smooth functioning of country and regional operations, as may be requested


• Other MENA-specific tasks as requested by MENA Regional Finance Manager & Team Lead

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or related field.


• At least 5 years of relevant working experience, several years of which in accounting, with NGO experience


• Substantial experience supporting and/or leading an audit.


• MENA experience is a strong advantage.


• Knowledge and experience working on programs funded by at least two key donors (EU, Dutch Ministry, US government, NORAD, to name a few).


• Experience working with colleagues and partners from a diverse background, and culture (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a core priority area for Hivos).


• Fluent in spoken and written English is mandatory, with working knowledge of Arabic, and/or French a plus.


• High level of computer literacy with sound knowledge of financial accounting software and complex spreadsheet packages.


• High level of professionalism; takes initiative; high integrity; collaborative; communicative; flexible; positive attitude, team player and culturally sensitive.


• Highly structured and organized; analytical; results-oriented; strong attention to details and accuracy; multi-tasker; able to meet deadlines; ability to prioritize competing priorities; can work independently & remotely with teams; and ability to manage heavy workload and stress.

What we offer

We offer a stimulating work environment in a professional international organization with very dedicated staff. 

We offer a contract until March 31st 2026 at 20 hours per week (55.56%), over 2.5 days per week, based on Hivos Global Office labor conditions. The gross salary ranges from €3.148,40 to €3.757,56 per month based on a 36-hour work week (100%). Contract renewable depending on performance.

We provide a laptop and travel expenses according to our commuting policies, as well as participation in our pension fund. Hivos additionally works according to a 50/50 schedule, which means you may work from home during half of your contract hours

Want to apply?

Please apply by August 27th, 2025, by clicking on the “Apply here” button. Both a letter of motivation and resume/CV (max. 2 pages) in PDF format need to be submitted in English. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Candidates are expected to provide a clear track record in their CV and description in cover letter that matches the requirements of the position elaborated above.

Kindly note that candidates should have a valid permit to work in the Netherlands. A relocation package will not be offered

Hivos reserves the right to close the position before the application deadline if a suitable candidate is identified. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

If you are selected for the final stage of the selection process, please note that professional references and a certificate of conduct (VOG) will be requested due to our Safeguarding Policy. Exceptions will only be made, if there is a local legislation prohibition or when the candidate is unable to obtain such a certificate due to activities on LGTBIQ+ and Human Rights. We may check social media – unless applicants state they do not wish us to do so. Accuracy of information in the curriculum vitae will also be checked.