Regional Finance Manager – Tunisia

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.

Regional Finance Manager

The Regional Finance Manager (RFM) is responsible for ensuring strong and consistent financial management of SPARK’s FEMFOCUS programme in Tunisia and Morocco. The RFM oversees programme finance operations, financial reporting, sub-grant financial management and compliance with SPARK and Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) requirements, and provides programme management with clear and timely financial information.

The RFM is based in Tunis and works across the FEMFOCUS programme in Tunisia and Morocco. The position reports administratively to the Regional Programme Director and technically to the Head of Finance. The RFM directly supervises the Senior Finance Officers and Senior Partnerships & Sub-grants Officers in Tunisia and Morocco, and works closely with the Programme Managers, Finance Controllers and the HQ finance team.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

The responsibilities and tasks include, but are not limited to:

Financial Management, Planning and Reporting

• Coordinate and ensure the quality and timely completion of programme budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes, working closely with the Regional Programme Director, Programme Managers and Senior Finance Officers;
• Consolidate and review country-level budgets and forecasts, analyse budget versus actual expenditure, identify significant variances and financial risks, and provide the Regional Programme Director and Programme Managers with timely financial advice;
• Coordinate the preparation of programme financial reports and ensure consistency between accounting records, approved budgets, forecasts and reported expenditure;
• Ensure programme costs, staff costs and shared costs are correctly allocated and supported by appropriate documentation;
• Oversee programme cash-flow requirements and funding needs in coordination with the Head of Finance and country teams;
• Provide financial analysis and advice to programme management on budget use, financial risks and corrective actions.

Financial Operations and MFA Compliance

• Oversee day-to-day programme finance processes in Tunisia and Morocco, including payments, advances, settlements, accounting entries, reconciliations and financial closures, ensuring they are completed accurately and on time;
• Ensure financial transactions have the required approvals, supporting documents and audit trail before processing, in line with SPARK procedures, delegated authorities and applicable MFA requirements;
• Ensure consistent application of programme financial procedures across both country teams, including payment processes, document retention, cost allocation and financial filing;
• Ensure expenditure is eligible, correctly allocated to the programme budget and supported by adequate documentation in accordance with the grant agreement and applicable MFA financial and compliance requirements;
• Review significant or higher-risk financial transactions in accordance with SPARK’s approval matrix and delegated authority, and ensure identified issues are resolved before processing where required;
• Ensure the Senior Finance Officers carry out timely accounting, reconciliations and routine finance processes, and follow up on outstanding issues;
• Ensure financial records and supporting documentation are complete, organised and readily available for donor reviews, audits and internal controls;
• Keep the Regional Programme Director and Programme Managers informed of significant financial compliance issues, delays, risks or irregularities requiring management attention.

Partner and Sub-grant Financial Management

• Oversee the financial management of FEMFOCUS sub-grants and ensure financial review and disbursement processes are applied consistently in Tunisia and Morocco;
• Ensure appropriate financial due diligence and financial capacity assessments are completed as part of partner selection and contracting processes;
• Guide the Senior Finance Officers and Senior Partnerships & Sub-grants Officers in the financial review of partner budgets, financial reports, supporting documentation and disbursement requests, and review higher-value or higher-risk cases as required;
• Ensure partner disbursements are processed only after the required financial and contractual conditions have been met;
• Monitor significant partner financial risks, compliance issues and outstanding actions, and ensure appropriate follow-up and escalation;
• Support practical financial guidance and capacity strengthening for partners where recurring weaknesses or compliance gaps are identified.

Audit, Risk and Internal Control

• Ensure the programme maintains effective financial controls and that identified financial risks are documented, followed up and escalated where necessary;
• Coordinate programme financial preparation for external and donor audits and ensure requested financial documentation is complete and available;
• Coordinate timely follow-up of finance-related audit findings and agreed corrective actions with the relevant country and HQ teams;
• Work with the Finance Controllers and Head of Finance on control findings and financial risks while maintaining the Finance Controllers’ independent review and sampling role;
• Support periodic reviews of programme financial processes and propose practical improvements where gaps or recurring issues are identified.

Team Management and Coordination

• Directly supervise the Senior Finance Officers and Senior Partnerships & Sub-grants Officers in Tunisia and Morocco, ensuring clear work allocation, consistent application of procedures, quality of outputs and timely delivery;
• Provide day-to-day guidance, coaching and performance feedback to the staff under the RFM’s supervision;
• Coordinate closely with the Programme Managers on country financial management and sub-grant implementation, while keeping the Regional Programme Director informed of programme-level financial performance and risks;
• Maintain a strong technical working relationship with the Head of Finance and ensure FEMFOCUS finance processes remain aligned with SPARK-wide financial policies, systems and requirements;
• Promote consistent finance and sub-grant practices across the Tunisia and Morocco teams and facilitate coordination between programme, finance, partnerships and control functions.

Requiriments and Skills

• Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in finance, accounting or financial management, including experience with donor-funded programmes or international NGOs;
• Bachelor degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a related field. A relevant professional qualification or Master degree is an asset;
• Strong practical experience in budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, accounting and financial analysis;
• Experience with financial management of grants or sub-grants, including partner financial review, disbursement and compliance processes;
• Experience supporting external audits and responding to audit findings;
• Good knowledge of institutional donor financial compliance, eligible cost, documentation and internal control requirements. Experience with Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) funding is a strong asset;
• Experience using accounting systems and strong Excel skills. Experience with Exact Online is an asset;
• Experience supervising and coaching finance and/or grants staff;
• Ability to review financial information accurately and identify issues requiring follow-up;
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage deadlines across two country teams;
• Clear communication skills and ability to work closely with programme and finance colleagues;
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly between Tunisia and Morocco;
• Full professional proficiency in English;
• Professional proficiency in French and/or Arabic is strongly preferred;
• Experience working in Tunisia and/or Morocco is an asset;
• High level of integrity, accuracy and confidentiality.

SPARK Offers

• A remuneration based on SPARK’s function grid and relevant experience;
• Training and professional development opportunities;
• Full-time employment contract, subject to applicable local conditions and programme funding;
• A challenging and responsible position in an international working environment;

How to apply?

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents (in English & French):

• 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 20th October 2026 through https://vacancy.spark-online.org/Tab1/LoadProfile/715 .

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. As interviews may take place before the closing date, early applications are strongly encouraged.

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.