Branch Head (Finance and Accounting)

Schedule: Full-time

Post Context

Headquarters Allied Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFCNF) provides a resilient, static Joint headquarters to plan, prepare and conduct operations across all domains in peacetime, crisis and conflict, in order to support NATO’s three core tasks, at the Joint Operational level, as directed by SACEUR.

The Finance Directorate (J8) is responsible for all financial management operations and the correct application of all appropriated and non-appropriated funds approved for use by JFCNF.

The Finance and Accounting Branch is responsible for all financial and accounting activities related to international, multi-national credits, NATO Security Investment Programme (NSIP) projects and reimbursable activities.

The incumbent is responsible for directing and managing daily operations related to finance and accounting services needed by JFCNF HQ, ACO delegated budgets, reimbursable activities, NATO Security Investment Programs (NSIP), agreed SLAs requirements and AOM’s budget when acting as reach back.

Principal Duties:

Is responsible for the effective oversight and control of the accounting and financial reporting consistent with the NATO Accounting Framework and IPSAS, the NFRs/FRPs and all other applicable rules and regulation.

Develops and promulgates financial and accounting instructions within the guidelines set forth in the NFRs/FRPs, NATO policies, ACO directives IPSAS, NATO Accounting Framework, and ACO FINAC CAC policies.

Is the adviser to the HQ Financial Controller on Finance and Accounting matters.

Responsible for ensuring that requested commitments are within the appropriation and contract authorities.

Responsible for authorizing expenditures in execution of each commitment following the confirmation and certification by the requirement holders.

Coordinates at HQ level the financial end-of-year closure and prepare a complete set of Financial Statement on accrual basis in accordance with NAF and IPSAS for the Financial Controller certification and further consolidation at ACO corporate level.

Establishes and maintains comprehensive accounting records of all assets and liabilities for the HQ.

Responsible for the performance of periodic control of assets data managed by the Property Accountable Officers (PAO), and production of ad-hoc reports related to property assets register and other financial report in accordance with the requirement set by the NFRs/FRPs, NATO Accounting Framework (NAF), ACO CAC Policies, and other applicable ACO Directives.

Member of the Property Survey Board (PSB), reviewing the justifications and supporting documentation of the proposed PP&E write-offs. The PSB provides its recommendation and the method of disposal.

Coordinates with the Corporate Accounting Management section within CAC, ACO fixed assets accounting guidelines IAW IPSAS and NAF.

Responsible for reviewing the assets’ data reported by the PAO in the ROS for the value of the assets and further submission for write-off approval.

Liaises with NATO entities and other ACO commands for financial transactions.

Responsible for ensuring effective and efficient travel management services for personnel travelling on official duties. Advises the other stakeholders within the command for all aspects related to the administration of the travel service.

Contributes to the revision of the ACO financial business processes improving the use of automated system within the organization and focusing on the potential benefits.

Responsible for the proper management of all the reimbursable activities including the compliance with the related regulations and safeguarding the international funding of the organization.

Responsible for the control and validation of the HQ monthly payroll and proper recording of the related expenditures.

Initiates and influences internal controls mechanism in line with the ACO Financial Control Framework and in accordance with NFRs/FRPs, ACO Directives and Policies and IPSAS.

Coordinates with the ACO Corporate Accounting and Control (CAC) Branch on best practices for financial internal control and compliance within the Finance and Accounting area of responsibility.

Contributes to the planning and performance of internal reviews of procedures to ensure that controls are adequately designed and operating effectively.

Liaise with the internal and external auditors for reports of financial and performance audit of JFCBS HQ and programmes, including coordination of the follow-up on all audit recommendations, in close coordination with the corporate office (CAC).

Manages, and supervises the work programme of the branch by maintaining and updating detailed processes and procedures; prioritizing, assigning and guiding individual responsibilities; developing needed expertise and knowledge; evaluating performance; and identifying opportunities for improvement.

Provides accounting advice in relation to reimbursable services for external NATO HQs, Agencies, and other organisations on the basis of service level agreements (SLAs).

Proactively participates in defining, mitigating and managing the risks within the functional area of responsibility in the Finance Directorate/J8 and actively contributes to implementing and maintaining the internal control framework of the Finance Directorate/J8.

Legally accountable for the propriety of financial transactions and proper execution of financial obligations arising from contracts signed in the name of HQ. Responsible for authorizing all payments to be made on behalf of the HQ.

Hold delegated authority to commit the organization to funding obligations, approving commitments up to EFL level 2B for JFCNF budget and level C for AOM budget.

Authority to task and intervene to adjust the day-to-day work priorities of the assigned functional area staff.

Essential Qualifications

University Degree in finance, accounting, business administration, economics, public administration, management or related discipline and 6 years post related experience, or Higher Secondary education and completed advanced vocational training in that discipline leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation with 6 years post related and 2 years function related experience.

At least 5 years of experience in organization engaged in financial management functions, coupled with at least 2 years experience in supervision and direction of staff.

At least 2 years of experience in the preparation of a complete set of Financial Statements in a commercial/public organisations.

Practical experience with automated accounting systems and office automation software packages.

Language

English - SLP 3322 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

Desirable Qualifications / Experience

Experience as Chief Accountant, finance and accounting officer in major international/multi-national organization. Experience of more than 7 years in financially related field, with a minimum of 7 years in a management position.

4 years experience and knowledge in IPSAS and/or IFRS.

Experience in business process reengineering or change management is an asset.

Familiarity and hands-on experience in operation of automated financial systems in use in NATO military headquarters. A thorough understanding of NATO financial regulations and procedures.

Attributes/Competencies

Personal Attributes: Must have analytical skills and a broad experience in NATO finance and funding in order to recommend optimum solutions to a variety of Finance related issues. Independent judgement is required in the analysis of non-recurring and changing issues. The formulation of recommended solutions includes the application and modification of existing procedures, as well as the development of new procedures and directives/supplements. Requires to have leadership qualities and the ability to foster teamwork. He/she must be aware of management concerns (management identification) and be able to appreciate and exercise the appropriate controls to ensure that assigned goals are reached within the parameters established by applicable regulations and policy (management control). Exercises judgement and critical thinking in advising the Financial Controller on Finance and Accounting matters. Planning and organisational skills, to assess the workload, prioritise tasks and organise staff and services to meet deadlines. High work standards and management control techniques should characterise the incumbent’s performance with regard to ensuring the implementation/application of NATO directives, local supplements, other relevant regulatory documents to the work of the Finance and Accounting Branch. Critical thinking, attention to detail, and analytical skills in proposing the adaptation of existing rules or creation of new procedures to comply with new situations, such as crisis operations and out-of-area operations. Integrity and communication skills, both oral and written, are integral to the principal duties of this post.

Professional Contacts: Advises the FINCON on finance and on financial accounting procedures. Internal co-ordination with other divisions at various levels to include Chief of Staff. External co-ordination with ACO and subordinate commands at Head of NATO body and various leadership levels. Negotiations and consultation with Host Nations (i.e. MOD’s, Treasuries, Ministry of Labour) at Secretary level for financial and economic liaison. Close liaison with the staff of ACO Corporate Accounting and Control Branch in ACO. Represents JFC HQ in ACO working groups. Represents J8 in various working groups as deemed appropriate by the FINCON. Internal contacts at all managerial levels of the command ranging inclusive of Division Head and up to Chief of Staff level. External contacts include higher headquarters, NATO working groups, other headquarters, including Host Nation Ministerial Representatives. As part of meeting the operational tasks and responsibilities of the Allied Joint Force Headquarters the incumbent will be responsible to develop and maintain contacts, with regard to financial obligations, with partnership Nations through the Force Generation Process. This could include representation on stakeholders forums or meetings representing both the HQ and NATO interests. Internal and external contacts are for information, negotiations and discussions.

Contribution To Objectives: Makes a significant direct contribution to the work and objectives of the Financial Resources Branch. Recommends course of action on the implementation of accounting, financial and IPSAS policies. Develops, implements and manages policies in own area of professional competence. The incumbent also contributes to the development of objectives by proposing local accounting policies and training programmes aimed at improving the quality and performance of the accounting and financial management staff. The successful planning and execution of the international budgets are an important contribution to the Command’s objectives. The incumbent plays a major role in this process and the performance impacts on the division, command and region achievements and helps the FINCON in establishing financial objectives for the Command.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Directs and supervises the work priorities of the branch, providing professional guidance and instruction to assigned staff. Duties include leading and coaching; explaining or demonstrating work functions; counselling and motivating, assigning and reviewing work; ensuring health and environmental safety; maintaining and adjusting work schedules; assessing performance and initiating disciplinary action, and/or implementing new or changed work procedures.

Security Clearance

The successful applicant will be required to apply for and receive a NATO SECRET Security Clearance prior to final confirmation of contract and commencement of employment.

Contract

Serving NATO International Civilian staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.

Newly recruited staff will be offered a three-year definite duration contract.

Notes for Candidates

The JFC Norfolk Career Site gives full details on the eligibility criteria and application processes to be adopted by all candidates. However, candidates should particularly note:

Please answer each of the pre-screening questions completely in English. Expressions such as: “please see attached CV, please see annex, please see enclosed document, etc” are not acceptable; this is a cause of immediate rejection of the application.

Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section of your application form, which should be populated with details of your career to date and educational achievements and certifications as they relate to your application.

The candidature of NATO redundant staff at grade G20 will be considered with priority.

NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. NATO reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at NATO’s sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion, and strives to provide equal access to employment, advancement and retention, independent of gender, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, cultural background, sexual orientation, and disability. NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all member Nations and strongly encourages women to apply.

This vacancy will close on 12 June 2025 @ 17:59hrs (EDT)/11:59hrs (CEST).