Programme Accountant

Overview

Contract Duration:
Initial contract of 2.5 years up to 30 September 2028, with possibility of extensions

Your role

You will be responsible for managing the finances and reporting of European Commission (EC) funded programmes which ECMWF participates with, with emphasis and responsibility for the Destination Earth Initiative and the Space for Early Warning in Africa (SEWA) programmes, ensuring compliance with the respective contribution agreements and the ECMWF financial regulations and general accounting principles including IPSAS.

The role will report to the Senior Programme Accountant and be part of a highly-motivated and competent team managing the EC funded programmes of ECMWF.

About ECMWF

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is a world leader in Numerical Weather Predictions providing high-quality data for weather forecasts and environmental monitoring. As an intergovernmental organisation, we collaborate internationally to serve our members and the wider community with global weather predictions, data and training activities that are critical to contribute to safe and thriving societies.

The success of our activities depends on the funding and partnerships of the 35 Member and Co-operating States who provide the support and direction of our work. Our talented staff together with the international scientific community, and our powerful supercomputing capabilities, are the core of a 24/7 research and operational centre with a focus on medium and long-range predictions. We also hold one of the largest meteorological data archives in the world.

ECMWF has also developed a strong partnership with the European Union and has been entrusted with the implementation and operation of the Destination Earth Initiative and the Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring Services of the Copernicus Programme and the Space for Early Earning in Africa (SEWA) Programme
. Other areas of work include High Performance Computing and the development of digital tools that enable ECMWF to extend provision of data and products covering weather, climate, air quality, fire and flood prediction and monitoring.

Our vision:
The strength of a common goal
Our mission:
Deliver global numerical weather predictions focusing on the medium-range and monitoring of the Earth system to and with our Member States

ECMWF is a multi-site organisation, with its headquarters in Reading, UK, a data centre in Bologna, Italy, and a large presence in Bonn, Germany, as a central location for our EU-related activities. ECMWF is internationally recognised as the voice of expertise in numerical weather predictions for forecasts and climate science.

Your responsibilities

• Lead on the development and production of statutory and ad-hoc reporting as required under the Destination Earth and SEWA Contribution Agreements.
• Collaborate with external and internal stakeholders, and auditors and expertly manage queries from the European Commission regarding accounting transactions relating to the programme services.
• Responsible for the forecasting and budgeting process of both Destination Earth and SEWA programmes, covering both in-house cost and third-party activities and provide variance analyses to be shared across the organisation as well as liaising with budget holders.
• Ensuring compliance with external and internal rules and regulations, with a willingness to explain and educate others as required.
• Managing the cash-flow forecast, including the production of regular cash flow projections for both programmes, ensuring the integrity and efficiency of cash management.
• Providing financial evaluations of procurement bids for carrying out operational services for EC funded programmes, including the ongoing monitoring of the financial performance of existing contractors.
• Specific areas of responsibility of the Financial Statement of Accounts prepared under International Public-Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
• Providing general support to the Finance Section.

What we are looking for

• Solution-oriented with a strong understanding of how to evaluate the financial, commercial, and strategic implications of ECMWF’s activities.
• Strong analytical skills for reviewing and evaluating financial positions and forecasts of large projects to provide financial insight to management.
• Ability to communicate complex financial concepts with colleagues that do not have a financial background and to develop a common understanding of the issues and potential resolutions.
• Capacity to manage a range of conflicting, and urgent issues to tight deadlines.
• Embrace change and continuously look to improve financial controls, processes and reports.
• Ability to work well across multi-disciplinary teams for successful project delivery.

Your profile

Essential criteria

• Relevant university degree (EQF Level
  7) and an internationally recognized professional accountancy qualification are required.
• At least 5 years proven experience in an accounting role with hands-on experience managing budgets and…