Head of Finance

Lead EFTA’s Finance: own the end-to-end cycle, modernise processes, guide strategic financial decisions, mentor a small team, and ensure clear, trusted reporting across three duty stations.

The Administration Division in Brussels provides administrative management and services to optimise the working environment. Acting as a strategic internal partner to the organisation, the Division provides services in HR, Finance, IT, Facilities and Security to all three EFTA duty stations.

The Head of Finance leads the Finance unit within the Administration Division and holds end-to-end ownership of the Secretariat’s financial cycle across all three duty stations. The Head of Finance also delivers financial budgeting services to the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO).

Alongside the Director of Administration, the Head of Finance plays a leading role in modernising EFTA’s financial processes, including adopting new tools and AI-enabled ways of working.

• Own the full annual financial cycle: budget planning, performance plan, external audit, result reports and financial statements, prepared in accordance with IPSAS.
• Lead financial reporting, analysis and advice to the Budget Committee, Member States and the Secretary-General, including forward-looking analysis and guidance on costs and investments.
• Represent Finance in management meetings and contribute to Secretariat-wide strategic decision-making.
• Responsible for the day to day interpretation and execution of EFTA’s Financial Regulations and Rules and works with the Head of HR to ensure consistent application of the Staff Regulations and Rules on salaries, allowances, benefits and expenses.
• Oversee and work hands on with budgets, accounting, controlling, travel and expenses, payroll, procurement, insurances and the staff savings fund across the three duty stations.
• Assisting the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO), legally part of EFTA, in all financial matters concerning their administrative budget and expenses.
• Lead, coach and develop the Finance team, and build strong working relationships with IT, HR, other Heads of Unit and the Secretary-General’s Office.
• Take a leading role in modernising financial processes, systems and controls.
• Collaborate closely with the Secretary-General’s Office on preparation for the Budget Committee, Deputies and Council, and on financial communication with Member States.

Required qualifications and experience

• Master’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business administration or a related field.
• Substantial leadership experience in a finance function, with a proven ability to combine strategic leadership with operational delivery.
• Minimum 8-10 years’ relevant professional experience, including in-depth proven experience in financial accounting and controlling.
• Experience with reporting under IPSAS or IFRS accounting standard.
• Familiaritywith financial systems modernisation, digital tools and the application of AI in finance.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to present complex financial information clearly and with foresight to senior decision-makers.
• Extensive experience in preparing budgets and managing budget compliance.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Desirable

• Experience in an international organisation or public-sector finance environment.
• Experience engaging with governance bodies such as budget committees or boards.
• Experience overseeing payroll, procurement or multi-location finance operations.
• Knowledge of French and/or Dutch.

Personal qualities

• A strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to have an overall view of the organisation’s financial situation.
• A collaborative team player who invests in building strong connections across the organisation.
• Comfortable moving fluidly between strategic discussions with senior management and operational detail.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to organise, motivate and work in a team curious about technology and open to new ways of working.

Employment Terms:

EFTA has a dynamic and diverse work environment with the opportunity to work in a team of highly qualified people. Here you will be part of an organisation based on professionalism, cooperation, trust, responsibility and respect. Through its recruitment policy, the EFTA Secretariat wants to ensure diversity in terms of gender, age and culture.

EFTA also offers:

• International career and learning opportunities

• An inclusive environment with high regard for cultural differences

• Competitive benefit package (salaries are exempt from income taxation)

• Generous holiday scheme including a Christmas closure period

• Medical, life and disability and travel insurances

• Savings fund to assist with retirement planning

• Flexible working arrangements

• Language training expenses

EFTA offers a fixed term three years. If considered desirable and in the organisation’s interest, an additional three-year contract may be offered. Appointments are normally made at the first step of the grade. The Secretary-General reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level different from that advertised. Through its recruitment policy, the EFTA Secretariat wants to ensure diversity in terms of gender, age and culture.

Grade: A5
Annual starting salary experience: EUR 135,583.8

EFTA is an international organisation, and the salaries and related payments are normally exempt from income taxation by the EFTA Member States and in the host states of the EFTA duty stations. Depending on the candidate’s family status, benefits and allowances may apply.

This position is only open to nationals of all the EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). Applicants must apply via the EFTA e-recruitment tool.

Deadline for application:Sunday, 10 May 2026 (midnight CET).

Department

Administration

Role

Head of Finance

Locations

Brussels

Remote status

Hybrid

Yearly salary

€135,583.8

Employment type

Full-time

Employment level

Professionals

Salary range

Appointments are normally made at the first step of the grade. The Secretary-General reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level different from that advertised.

About EFTA

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is the intergovernmental organisation of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, set up for the promotion of free trade and economic cooperation between its members, within Europe and globally.

Founded in 1960

Co-workers 90