Head of Finance & Control

Organization: Spark Closing date: 9 Oct 2026 **Position:**Head of Finance & Control **Location:**One of SPARKs hubs: Haarlem (preferred), Tunis, Amman or Erbil. Hybrid home/office based. **Duration:**One year with possibility to extend and 3 month probation period **Expected Start Date:**November 1st, 2026 About SPARK SPARK is an international non-governmental organization dedicated to creating opportunities for young people in fragile and conflict-affected contexts through entrepreneurship development and higher education. By strengthening local ecosystems, supporting entrepreneurs, and building institutional capacities, SPARK contributes to inclusive economic growth and sustainable employment. Job Purpose The Head of Finance and Control is a member of SPARK’s Management Team and reports directly to the CEO. The role leads SPARK’s finance and control strategy, governance, and operational financial management to ensure strong financial health, compliance, and long-term sustainability. As a strategic partner to the CEO, Management Team, and Supervisory Board, the position provides high-quality financial insight, risk management, and decision support while strengthening financial systems and finance teams across the organization. Main Tasks and Responsibilities 1. Strategic Financial Leadership & Governance • Together with the CEO, leads on the finance and control strategy for SPARK • Advise the CEO, Management Team, and Supervisory Board on financial performance, risks, and opportunities • Lead multi-annual financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management • Maintain organizational risk oversight and mitigation measures • Ensure strong financial governance, internal controls, and regulatory compliance 2. Financial Management & Reporting • Oversee consolidated budgeting, financial reporting (including quarterly reporting to the Supervisory Board), and performance monitoring • Lead annual audits and statutory reporting (including VAT and regulatory submissions) • Manage banking relationships and organizational liquidity • Ensure timely, accurate, and high-quality financial information across SPARK. • Provide effective and timely communication of critical financial information and recommendations regarding the financial results and condition of the organisation, including relevant trends, forecasts, risks and opportunities, to the MT and the Supervisory Board 3. Systems, Processes & Financial Control • Strengthen and continuously improve financial policies, manuals, and control frameworks • Enhance financial systems (including Exact Online) and automate processes where possible • Improve cost allocation, monthly/quarterly closings, and balance sheet reviews • Drive strong management reporting and financial KPI tracking. • Guide and review all formal finance related procedures, safeguard proper alignment with other procedures and compliance within the organisation. • Ensure that SPARK meets critical regulatory and legal compliance benchmarks. 4. Financial guidance for new business development • Advise on financial sustainability, cost recovery, co-financing, cash flow and financial exposure. • Guide the financial structuring of major proposals, including cost allocation, consortium models and indirect cost recovery. • Provide financial and risk input to the Go/No-Go process, with final decision-making owned by the CEO. • Assess key financial, contractual, liquidity and co-financing risks. 5. People Leadership & Organisational Support • Lead and develop finance, accounting and control teams across HQ and regions • Strengthen financial capacity within programme and management teams • Support decentralized financial management while ensuring consistency and control • Enhance collaboration within the team and with other teams in the organization Profile and Requirements • Experience in the international development / development cooperation sector (NGO or comparable non-profit setting) • Track record working with institutional donors, particularly the EU and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BZ) — understands their financial and reporting requirements • Strong grasp of organizational financial health and compliance: knows what to steer on (liquidity, reserves, cost allocation, budget vs. actuals) and how to measure it (KPIs, financial dashboards, regular management reporting) • Experience managing external audits and statutory reporting • Proven people manager — able to lead, coach, and develop a finance team; doesn't need to be highly senior, but must be capable of confidently running the finance function • 5–7 years of relevant experience, including a period in a finance leadership role • Fluent in English. French or Arabic a plus. SPARK Offers • International and dynamic working experience; • Opportunity to take initiative and realise your ideas; • 32 – 40 hr employment contract; • Remuneration will be market-conform depending on location. How to apply How to apply? Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents (in English): • A cover letter outlining their motivation and demonstrating how their qualifications and experience meet the requirements of the position. • An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV), including the contact details of at least three professional references. Applications must be submitted no later than 9th October 2026 through https://vacancy.spark-online.org/Tab1/LoadProfileFromVacancy/704 Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. As interviews may take place before the closing date, early applications are strongly encouraged. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. SPARK is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage qualified women, persons with disabilities, and candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply. Recruitment and selection are conducted in accordance with SPARK's safeguarding, integrity, and equal opportunity policies. If you have not received a reply, we regret to inform you that we have continued with other candidates.