Head of Finance

Required qualifications and experience

• Master’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business administration or a related field.
• Substantial leadership experience in a finance function, with a proven ability to combine strategic leadership with operational delivery.
• Minimum 8-10 years’ relevant professional experience, including in-depth proven experience in financial accounting and controlling.
• Experience with reporting under IPSAS or IFRS accounting standard.
• Familiaritywith financial systems modernisation, digital tools and the application of AI in finance.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to present complex financial information clearly and with foresight to senior decision-makers.
• Extensive experience in preparing budgets and managing budget compliance.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Desirable

• Experience in an international organisation or public-sector finance environment.
• Experience engaging with governance bodies such as budget committees or boards.
• Experience overseeing payroll, procurement or multi-location finance operations.
• Knowledge of French and/or Dutch.

Personal qualities

• A strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to have an overall view of the organisation’s financial situation.
• A collaborative team player who invests in building strong connections across the organisation.
• Comfortable moving fluidly between strategic discussions with senior management and operational detail.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to organise, motivate and work in a team curious about technology and open to new ways of working.

Employment Terms:

EFTA has a dynamic and diverse work environment with the opportunity to work in a team of highly qualified people. Here you will be part of an organisation based on professionalism, cooperation, trust, responsibility and respect. Through its recruitment policy, the EFTA Secretariat wants to ensure diversity in terms of gender, age and culture.

Benefits

• International career and learning opportunities
• An inclusive environment with high regard for cultural differences
• Competitive benefit package (salaries are exempt from income taxation)
• Generous holiday scheme including a Christmas closure period
• Medical, life and disability and travel insurances
• Savings fund to assist with retirement planning
• Flexible working arrangements
• Language training expenses

EFTA offers a fixed term three years. If considered desirable and in the organisation’s interest, an additional three-year contract may be offered. Appointments are normally made at the first step of the grade. The Secretary-General reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level different from that advertised. Through its recruitment policy, the EFTA Secretariat wants to ensure diversity in terms of gender, age and culture.

Grade: A5
Annual starting salary experience: EUR 135,583.8

EFTA is an international organisation, and the salaries and related payments are normally exempt from income taxation by the EFTA Member States and in the host states of the EFTA duty stations. Depending on the candidate’s family status, benefits and allowances may apply.

This position is only open to nationals of all the EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). Applicants must apply via the EFTA e-recruitment tool.

The preferred starting date is as soon as possible.

Deadline for application:Sunday, August 2nd 2026 (midnight CET).