Finance & Control Manager

About the Dutch Council for Refugees

VluchtelingenWerk Nederland is dedicated to advocating for the interests of refugees and asylum seekers, from the moment they arrive in the Netherlands until they are fully integrated. With a network of thousands of volunteers and hundreds of staff members, we protect the rights of refugees and provide personal support, advocacy, and legal assistance.

During the merger, operations were centralized, which has provided a solid foundation within the organization. The challenge ahead lies in further shaping and implementing the transition. Service delivery is managed by the Director of Services and is organized around the former regions: North, East, South, Southwest, and West-Central. Although the headquarters is located in Amsterdam, not everyone works from this location. We have several regional “meeting locations” in Arnhem, Eindhoven, and Rotterdam, where we collaborate closely to strengthen regional connections.

Our organization is led by an executive director, who also serves as chair of the Executive Board. The Executive Board consists of the following departments: Operations, Services, and BKOD (Advocacy, Knowledge, and Service Development). The Finance & Control department is part of the Operations Management team. As Finance & Control Manager, you report to the Director of Operations and work closely with teams both within and outside the management team, such as Human Resources & Organization, Grants & Contracts, Facilities & Procurement, and IT.

The Position

As Finance & Control Manager, you will lead a team of 22 dedicated employees, divided into two teams:

• Finance Team (12.5 FTE):responsible for financial administration.
• Team Control (12 FTE):This is where the business controllers and group controllers are based.

The role is challenging and multifaceted. Your primary focus will be on managing, optimizing, and leveraging the financial and project administration systems. You are the driving force behind the financial and economic policy; you coordinate the planning and control cycle, including the budgeting process, risk management, and external annual reporting. You serve as the organization’s financial conscience and are closely involved in strategic decision-making, risk management, and audit processes.

You will be responsible for further professionalizing the financial, administrative, and control processes within the organization. This means you will work on automating the finance function and establishing a solid, future-proof planning and control cycle. You are also responsible for cost accounting-driven management information, monitoring liquidity, and overseeing the cost accounting methodology. Your role also requires you to serve as a solid strategic advisor to the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board. Furthermore, you will efficiently organize the financial and control processes and ensure clear, reliable reporting and external disclosures.

Our Challenges

We are facing a number of specific challenges where your expertise is invaluable.

• Digitalization and Automation:Enhancing our understanding and utilization of the capabilities offered by our ERP system (AFAS). In the coming years, we also plan to leverage the potential of generative AI in our administrative processes and financial analyses.
• Strengthening Collaboration:Promoting and facilitating collaboration with (regional) managers and fellow advisors on the Grants & Contracts team to strengthen our relationships with grant providers.
• Expanding the Business Control Function:Strengthening the position of the business control function within the organization and investing in the development of advisory skills within the team.

Your Role and Expertise

• Leading Finance and Control Teams:You have proven experience leading professionals and know how to connect, inspire, and develop people from diverse backgrounds. You are adept at adapting your leadership style depending on the situation, the relationship, and the task at hand. You are professional, collaborative, and committed.
• Policy Development and Implementation:You will develop financial, economic, and control policies; oversee the process related to multi-year plans and budgets; and ensure their implementation and follow-up. You will be responsible for the planning and control cycle and the management information system. In addition, you will handle financial reporting and provide reports to grant providers and other stakeholders. You will have final responsibility for the financial statements and serve as the primary point of contact for the auditor.
• Risk Management and Compliance:You oversee compliance with relevant laws and regulations and are responsible for financial risk management in relation to the management team, the board of directors, and the supervisory board. You monitor the organization’s financial ratios (such as the liquidity ratio, solvency ratio, etc.) and manage systems and procedures for internal control and risk management.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making and System Integration:You will lay the groundwork for data-driven decision-making through accurate management information and optimized systems. Experience with digital transformation is essential. Experience with AI is a plus. 

Who Are You?

You are a seasoned professional with a strong background in finance and business administration and extensive experience in planning and control, financial analysis, and reporting. In addition, you meet the following requirements in terms of experience, knowledge, and behavioral competencies. 

• Passionate Manager:You have experience in a similar role at a large organization; you are driven by your ambition to make a social impact. 
• Reflected in our Core Values: Solidarity, Professionalism, and Collaboration.
• Proactive and Pragmatic:You know how to take the initiative at the right moment, and you’re pragmatic at the same time. You know how to set priorities and are focused on collaboration.
• Excellent Communication Skills:A strong partner for the board and the directors. You are able to clearly communicate complex financial information and know how to engage various stakeholders in your vision. You know how to distinguish between main and secondary issues, and, guided by your vision, you are able to achieve set goals without alienating stakeholders.
• Change Management Skills:You are able to collaborate effectively with stakeholders, drawing on your resilience, strategic vision, and integrity, to inspire, develop, and guide them.
• Experience with ERP systems:Familiarity with AFAS is a plus.
• Interest in IT and AI:You have a strong interest in digitalization and can apply it to improve financial processes.

Given the composition of our team, we encourage applicants with a refugee or immigrant background to apply.

What Do We Offer?

A meaningful role where you can make a difference, with a competitive salary and attractive benefits:

• Salary: Classified under the Social Work Collective Bargaining Agreement in pay grade 13. The salary range is up to €8,691 based on a 36-hour workweek (2024 wage level).
• Individual Choice Budget (ICB), under which you accrue 16.5% of your gross monthly salary.
• A career budget where you contribute 1.5% of your gross monthly salary.
• Pension plan through the Healthcare & Welfare Pension Fund.
• Travel expense reimbursement.
• Opportunities for growth: Plenty of room for personal and professional development.
• Supportive Work Environment: You’ll become part of a mission-driven organization with dedicated colleagues.

Procedure

Are you interested in this position? The Dutch Council for Refugees is working with the executive search firm Colourful People on this recruitment process. Please email your resume and cover letter to Judith Gunneweg by December 12 (j.gunneweg@colourfulpeople.nl) or call her for more information (+31 (0)6 51 51 55 67). A reference check, a request for a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG), and verification of diplomas are part of the process. 

We would greatly appreciate it if you could share this great opportunity within your network

Schedule:

The deadline for applications isDecember 12, 2024. Interviews will be held during weeks 2 and 3 (2025).