Donor Finance Compliance and Audit Specialist (6 months)

Do you want to fight for equality? Tackling inequality at its roots, together with colleagues, our partner organizations and activists in more than 90 countries? To change the systems behind it, once and for all!

Oxfam Novib stands behind the people who stand up for equality. Together, we fight for a world where everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of religion, ethnicity, sex, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. A world where everyone feels safe; where income gaps are shrinking instead of growing, where climate change is tackled firmly. 

Equality is the common thread in our work, both internally and externally. We recognize that our team of colleagues can become even more diverse, and that only with a diverse team can we gain a broad perspective on the world. Therefore, we want to encourage everyone who is interested to apply. Our aim is to create an environment where colleagues feel welcome and diversity is embraced and celebrated.

Our aim is to build a team that offers a rich variety of perspectives, enabling us to achieve an inclusive and inspiring work environment.

Apply and become part of Oxfam Novib!

Description of the Department

The Finance and Operations Department has the core responsibility to deliver enabling operational services that help the organization achieve its impact goals and ensure that it fulfils its external regulatory requirements. The department consists of four functional units (ICT and Facilities; Integrity; HR, People and Culture; Corporate Finance, Quality and Control), one expertise unit (Project and Donor Compliance) and an Executing Affiliate (EA) unit (EA Global Business Support) where business support to our EA country offices are clustered.

Purpose of the Unit

As an expertise unit, the Compliance and Risk Support Unit covers the scope of governance, corporate, externally funded projects and country operations risk management and plays a critical role in the functioning of Oxfam Novib as an organization. CORE provides Oxfam Novib with project control, compliance oversight and an overall support function to Oxfam Novib’s externally funded project portfolio. In addition, the Unit is responsible for Oxfam Novib organizational integrated risk management framework (including risk register) as well as organization quality management system. The Unit is hosting the independent Internal Audit function that provides top management in the Hague and Countries of operations audit, controls and improvement on essential operational issues for the functioning of the organization. The Unit covers 80% of the second line of defense of Oxfam Novib and the third line of defense (Internal Audit).

Ultimately, the unit works on a risk-based approach to ensure that financial, reputational and operational risks are anticipated, mitigated or managed through appropriate processes and oversight mechanisms in place, adequate expertise and proactive risk identification.

The CORE unit plays a strategic role in advising the Board of Supervisors and the Board of Directors on risks as well as top management of country offices. The unit equally provides reassurances to management that Oxfam Novib is in control of its externally funded projects (+200 projects currently ongoing with a total amount of approx. 600 M EUR) and operations and that related risks are managed.

Job description

The purpose of the Donor Finance Compliance and Audit Specialist is to support project teams in the Hague and Country Offices all related aspects of donor compliance and grant and contract management from a financial and audit perspective. The position is intervening at all stages of Oxfam Novib Project cycle from the proposal submission to the project closure. The position is responsible to exercise a financial and budgetary oversight role to ensure adherence to donor requirements as well as Oxfam Novib standards and procedures. Ultimately, the purpose of the position is to ensure that risks are identified and managed during the implementation of projects to ensure the protection of Oxfam Novib reputation and prevent financial and operational damages.

Key responsibilities

The Donor Finance Compliance and Audit Specialist:

• Supports project teams on all related aspects of donor compliance and grant and contract management from a financial and audit perspective.

• Works with the project teams to identify, mitigate and follow up on compliance risks identified or encountered during the project implementation.

• Exercises delegated sign off on all donors’ contractual deliverables as per sign off procedure.
• Maintains accurate management information about the projects overseen using internal CORE reporting and monitoring tools. When required, produces unsolicited reporting on risks.
• Provides expertise knowledge on donor compliance requirement and best practices related to grant management.
• Performs donor funded projects pre-audits or spot checks to ensure compliance requirements are met. If required, leads or coordinates project audits when necessary.
• Develops donor finance compliance trainings, inception packages and ensures self-education on the donor regulations for which the position holds responsibilities.
• Drives continuous improvements in ways of working to ensure with a risk management mindset.

At Oxfam, we believe that every aspect of our work can lead to a positive outcome. If you have the same opinion, together with the ability to meet the challenges involved, this role offers scope for immense personal fulfilment as well as outstanding opportunities to develop your career.

Who are we looking for?

With a strong background in business administration, finance, accounting / auditing or other relevant social sciences. High level of knowledge on institutional donor financial requirements including new funding mechanisms.

You display excellent interpersonal, critical thinking skills and view of the big picture. Having a strong attention to detail, an analytical acumen, intellectual curiosity, creativity and a proven work ethic, you are always up-to-date about industry best practices with a how do we fix this attitude. You are able to handle requests from multiple sources, work on different projects and work effectively individually as well as across teams and in a multi-cultural environment, with a focus on promoting diversity and inclusivity.

You have both a business and risk mind coupled with an excellent writing skills and previous track records in process mapping related work.

With a strong commitment to Oxfam’s values, you approach work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude. This concerns a temporary role for a period of 6 months.

Furthermore, you have:

• Masters or HBO level of Education in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, Auditing
• 5 + years in donor compliance related activities or grant / project management and auditing.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, full professional mastery English. Dutch, French or other spoken languages in Countries of operations is an asset but not a requirement.
• Excellent stakeholder and relationship management.
• A proactive, problem solving and results-oriented mindset accompanied by an acute understanding of risks related to the implementation of donor funded projects. 
• High level organizational and time-management skills.
• High level of adaptation and flexibility and appreciation for multi-tasking.
• The position requires close teamwork and flexibility. Easiness to step in for and with colleagues depending on the needs. 
• You have a valid permit to reside and work in the Netherlands.

Working at Oxfam Novib

• All our work is guided by our core values: Empowerment, Accountability, Inclusiveness, Courage, Solidarity and Equality.
• At Oxfam Novib, we work according to the Feminist Principles - Oxfam Policy & Practice.
• Oxfam Novib is committed to offer you a motivating work environment at our offices in The Hague. We offer a one-year contract from start (including a 1-month trial period), with the possibility to extend.
• Oxfam Novib offers an attractive and honest benefits package, including a year-end allowance and yearly pay increase from the Collective Labor Agreement. Moreover, we offer complementary options to choose from. The salary range for this position is set in scale 9 with a salary range between €3.327,-  and €5.003,-  gross depending on experience, based on 36 hours a week.
• We are currently working hybrid (50% in the office in The Hague and 50% at home).
• At Oxfam Novib we prioritize our team’s mental well-being. We make sure to demonstrate care for our colleagues, as an organisation and at individual level. We also organise regular trainings and webinars related to many facets of mental and physical health, and offer access to free professional and confidential support for those who might need it, be it their personal or professional life. Learn more

Additional information

• Do you believe that this is the job you are looking for? Then we would love to meet you! Please send your resume and cover letter via our application portal.
• If you have any questions about the job description, please contact Julien Marx, Unit Manager, at Julien.Marx@oxfamnovib.nl
• If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Mariska Bodewes-van Es , Corporate Recruiter at mariska.bodewes-vanes@oxfamnovib.nl  
• Only applications received before the closing date June 15, 2025 and submitted via our application portal will be considered.
• This vacancy is open to both internal and external candidates, with priority given to internal applicants who are qualified or can develop quickly. We encourage growth and opportunities within our organization while warmly welcoming new talent with fresh ideas and expertise!
• Oxfam Novib seeks talented individuals who share our values and commitment to preventing misconduct. We maintain a strict policy against all forms of abuse, exploitation, power abuse, and financial misconduct, which is also integrated into our recruitment process. As part of a job offer, we request valid references, and candidates may undergo integrity screenings, including criminal record and financial background checks.
• Oxfam Novib reserves the right, to its sole discretion, not to make agreements regarding this job opening, make an agreement in a lower level, or make an agreement with an amended job description.
• Qualified candidates residing in the Netherlands or the EU/EEA, willing to relocate at their own expense, are encouraged to apply. Please note that Oxfam Novib cannot provide visa sponsorship.