Project Financial Manager

COSPE, an organization committed for over 40 years to international cooperation, social justice, and migration, is seeking a Project Financial Manager to be based in Tunis (Tunisia)-preferable option - or Florence (Italy).

Role Description:

The selected candidate will be responsible for ensuring the administrative and financial management of the following multi-country projects funded by the Interreg NEXT MED programme:

• YOU(th)CARE 4 Planet - Youth Green Initiative for change, to be implemented in Italy, Tunisia, Egypt and Greece with COSPE as applicant and five partners involved.
• Gov4GreenMed - Inclusive Governance Models 4 a Greener Transition in the Mediterranean, to be implemented in Spain, Italy, Tunisia, Jordan, Türkiye with COSPE as partner for activities to be implemented in Italy and Tunisia.

The selected candidate will report to the Head of Institutional funded projects office. In performing the assigned tasks, he/she will collaborate with projects coordinators, will be supported by accounting and financial staff present in the countries, and will coordinate with COSPE’s administrative desks at the central office in Italy. Throughout the project cycle, he/she will ensure compliance with contractual requirements and COSPE’s internal procedures as per quality system.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Ensure the preparation and regular updating of internal tools for financial management and reporting of assigned projects, including memos, guidelines, and templates; provide training and ongoing support to COSPE and partners staff on project financial management and reporting to ensure compliance with donor rules.
• Supervise, in collaboration with the project coordinators, the financial plans and authorize the transfers of funds to partners and COSPE offices in the intervention countries.
• Collaborate with the project coordinators to prepare and update the procurement plan, provide assistance and supervision to COSPE staff in the intervention countries for procurement processes; manage directly the procurement for goods and services contracted by COSPE’s office in Italy; ensure COSPE offices in the intervention countries maintain an updated inventory of projects assets.
• Supervise the accurate monthly record of financial movements in the accounting system, as per COSPE’s internal procedures.
• Verify the validity of accounting and administrative documents from COSPE and partners for financial reporting purposes and ensure their proper digital filing.
• Develop appropriate tools for carrying on, in collaboration with the respective project coordinators, the financial and economic monitoring of assigned projects at both consolidated level and by components (partners and COSPE); propose corrective actions in case of deviations from the budget and promptly report any financial or management risks.
• Plan financial reporting for assigned projects in coordination with the project coordinators and the Institutional funded projects office staff in Italy; prepare financial reports according to the requirements and timelines set by the donors and COSPE, including direct management of audits by external auditors and upload in donors’ platform.
• Collaborate with the project coordinators in drafting budget amendments and preparing the budget for co-financed projects.
• Support the project coordinators in managing relationships with donors or coordinators on financial and administrative matters.
• Prepare and monitor work plans related to the implementation and reporting of assigned projects in coordination with the administrative and financial staff in the countries; facilitate information exchange and the sharing of best practices through periodic meetings.
• Participate in the coordination activities of the Institutional funded projects office and collaborate to disseminate information and instructions related to internal processes to the in-country staff of assigned projects.
• Perform any other tasks related to their area of competence as requested by the supervisor (head of the Institutional funded projects office.

Requirements:

• Degree in economics or equivalent experience in the administrative and financial management of international projects.
• At least 5 years of experience in administrative and financial management of development cooperation projects.
• Thorough knowledge of the management and reporting requirements of the Interreg NEXT cooperation programmes for 2021-2027, European Union external action (PRAG) and Italian Agency for Cooperation and Development.
• Experience in financial planning, control, and management of complex partnerships within multi-country projects/programs; experience coordinating project audit preparations.
• Proficiency in accounting principles and excellent command of financial management tools and accounting software.
• Excellent command of English and French. Knowledge of Italian is desirable.
• Strong organizational and logistical skills; proactive and constructive problem-solving attitude.
• Experience in training staff, including project partners, on donors’ requirements for project management and reporting.
• Relationship-building skills with partners, suppliers, and institutions.
• Ability to work in a team and collaborate in multidisciplinary and intercultural contexts.
• High motivation for COSPE’s mission and strong adherence to COSPE’s values: Cooperation, Respect, Consistency, Professionalism, and Creativity.

Offer

Contract: consultancy contract under Italian national framework agreement, if applicable.
Compensation: commensurate with the candidate’s actual experience, considering skill levels, previous work experience, and specific qualifications.
Duration: 12 months, renewable.
Start date: indicatively from 01/09/2025.
Location: Tunis (Tunisia), preferable option, or Florence (Italy), with possible monitoring missions in the intervention countries. The final location will be assessed based on the selected profile and compatibility with the administrative and logistical requirements of the role.