Treasurer and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee

Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization. As a nonprofit, self-governed movement of over 63,000 dedicated professionals, it provides life-saving medical assistance to people affected by armed conflict, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and exclusion from healthcare. MSF’s work is guided by medical ethics and the principles of impartiality, independence, and neutrality.

People are our priority. At Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/Doctors Without Borders, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates, including individuals of all gender identities, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, ethnic backgrounds, religions, beliefs, social and marital statuses, people with different abilities, and all other diversity characteristics, as well as how these characteristics intersect.

MSF Netherlands and the Amsterdam Operational Center

MSF-Netherlands (MSF-NL) is one of the 28 MSF sections. It is the legal entity of the Operational Centre Amsterdam (OCA), a partnership between six MSF sections, whose medical humanitarian operations are carried out through OCA. From its headquarters in Amsterdam, MSF-Netherlands coordinates aid projects in more than 30 countries.  It supports global projects through direct operational support, recruitment, fundraising, and advocacy on humanitarian issues.

The statutory MSF-NL Board bears full and final responsibility for the overall management of MSF-NL. Board members ensure that executive operations are planned and implemented in accordance with the organization’s principles. They do so by overseeing the organization’s strategic development, approving the annual plan and budget, and ensuring that policies are implemented by executive management. Furthermore, the MSF-NL Board has delegated oversight of OCA operational activities to the OCA Council, a governance group consisting of the Council Chair, the Medical Committee Chair, and Board members with delegated voting rights from the partner sections: MSF Canada, MSF Germany, MSF Netherlands, MSF South Asia, MSF Sweden, and MSF United Kingdom.

Main responsibilities

The MSF-NL Treasurer is a member of the MSF-NL Board and the OCA Council. This is a key role in ensuring the responsible and effective implementation of the financial oversight responsibilities of the MSF-NL Board and the OCA Council. The Treasurer is specifically tasked with the following oversight activities:

• Oversees the annual financial statements and the budgeting and control cycle reports of MSF-Netherlands and the OCA, and therefore maintains relations with the external auditor and relevant MSF staff;
• Maintains high-level oversight of financial and risk management systems and procedures, as well as external accountability, ensuring they remain in compliance with current Dutch and MSF standards;
• Represents the Board and the Association by signing relevant legal documents, when acting together with at least one of the other three named Board members, namely the President, Vice President, and Secretary;
• Reviews and approves transactions, payments, and other contractual agreements as needed, in accordance with the relevant policies and regulations;
• The Treasurer regularly consults with the Director of Finance and Business Operations on matters related to finance, risk, governance and compliance, IT, procurement, and (internal) accountability. The Treasurer serves as the primary point of contact for the OCA Controller to communicate directly with the MSF-NL Board;
• Responsible for presenting the annual financial statements to the MSF-NL General Assembly;
• Chairs, prepares, and oversees reviews for meetings of the following committees: 
  • OCA Audit and Risk Committee (approximately six scheduled meetings per year);
  • MSF-NL Remuneration Committee (approximately four to six meetings per year).
• Attends the following meetings: 
  • MSF-NL General Assembly (one to two full-day scheduled events per year);
  • OCA Café (one to two full-day scheduled events per year);
  • MSF-NL Board meetings (approximately eight meetings per year);
  • OCA Council meetings (approximately five 2-day meetings per year); and
  • Optional: participation in the international Finance Audit and Steering Committee (FASC) (four meetings per year).

• As Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, ensures that the group fulfills its mandate as the technical, financial, and risk advisory group to the OCA Council and the MSF-NL Board. The chair is responsible for carrying out the “main responsibilities” as outlined in the Terms of Reference for the committee chair.
• Acts in a position of trust and fulfills the individual and collective responsibilities of the MSF-NL Board, including but not limited to: 
  • Determining policies, establishing financial guidelines, and bearing ultimate responsibility for the overall fundraising, administration, and expenditure of funds through the annual review of the organization’s audited financial statements.
  • Ensuring the principled implementation of MSF-NL’s strategic and activity plans.
  • Overseeing the quality standards and compliance of MSF-NL’s work in support of MSF’s medical humanitarian assistance.
  • Safeguarding the organization's image and identity.
  • Representing the MSF-NL Association and participating in governance platforms and activities within the broader movement, while ensuring executive engagement within relevant MSF platforms.
  • Ensuring the Association’s informed, vibrant, and dynamic involvement in the organization’s governance.
  • Ensure the accountability of the executive branch.

Profile

• A substantial and proven track record in overseeing large, complex, and international organizations, with a focus on finance and risk management.
• Experience as a senior executive in Finance or Business Operations, with in-depth knowledge of: 
  • Financial and risk management, and the broader administrative organization.
  • Dutch accounting practices, financial and risk management, and internal control frameworks, including but not limited to procurement, human resource management, and information technology.
  • Governance and compliance standards and challenges.
• Has no conflict of interest, such as working for any of the Big Four auditing firms that MSF-Netherlands uses, or being part of any major institutional donor auditing network.
• Willing to spend between approximately eight and twelve hours per week.
• Willing and able to be present at the Amsterdam office on a regular basis.
• Fluent in Dutch and English.
• Currently resides in the Netherlands.

Preferred:

• Experience with humanitarian aid and/or MSF's mission.
• A Certified Public Accountant or Certified Controller (or holder of an equivalent foreign degree) who is familiar with current Dutch standards and legislation regarding accountability and external reporting for nonprofit organizations.
• Familiarity with current Dutch standards and legislation regarding accountability and external reporting for nonprofit organizations, including the current state of affairs regarding fraud and corruption regulations, as well as knowledge of Dutch Accounting Standard RJ 650 and the Code of Good Governance for Charities.
• Familiarity with the structure and governance of MSF.

The position of Treasurer is unpaid, in accordance with the MSF-NL Articles of Association and Dutch charity regulations. However, expenses incurred will be reimbursed.

How do I apply?

You can apply for this position using the application form on the Colourful People websitetoupload your cover letter and resume, or by mail to w.voordendag@colourfulpeople.nl.

Please apply for this upcoming position byFriday, September 26. Interviews at MSF (or online) are scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, and Monday, October 13.