Head of Unit-Finance and Contracts Ref.UfMFT202608

Job Title: Head of Unit-Finance and Contracts
Ref.: UfM/FT/2026/08

Location: Barcelona, Spain (on-site)
Department: Finance, Legal & Administration Department
Reports to: Director of Administration Department
Deadline to apply: 12 October 2026 (midnight, Central European Summer Time – CEST, GMT/UTC+2).

Staff category and conditions:

• Post Classification: CS2. 2, Step 1 (Head of Unit)
• Gross Salary: 69,358 €
• Contracted Staff as per UfM Staff Regulations and Implementing Rules
• Fixed-term contract of 3 years as per Staff Regulations and Implementing Rules of the Staff Regulations, 6 months’ probation period

Official Call and application: The information below summarises the main responsibilities and requirements of the position. The complete and official Call for Candidatures, including the full Job Description, eligibility conditions and application instructions, is available on the UfM website: https://ufmsecretariat.org/work-with-us/vacancies/

SUMMARY

The Head of Finance manages the activities and teams of three units: Finance, Procurement and Contracts, and Grants and Funds Management. The position provides operational leadership across these functions, translates organisational financial priorities into operational plans, allocates resources effectively, and ensures the timely and accurate delivery of financial, procurement, contractual, grants, and funds management services.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Financial Leadership and Planning

• Advise the Director of Administration and senior management, as appropriate, on Finance and Contracts matters, including financial planning, budgetary discipline and resource allocation.
• Lead long-term financial planning and annual budgeting.
• Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with UfM priorities.
• Oversee Treasury, Procurement, Accounting, Planning and Monitoring, including effective internal controls; and translate financial priorities into the Unit’s work programme and operational delivery.

Team Leadership and Operational Management

• Manage the Finance and Contracts Unit; identify staffing and operational needs; allocate resources; and ensure timely and accurate financial services.
• Lead, develop and supervise staff; distribute tasks; set priorities, objectives and performance expectations; manage performance; and support professional development.
• Foster a results-oriented, accountable and client-focused environment; monitor service levels and take corrective action; coordinate financial and accounting processes with the Accounting Officer; and promote cross-functional collaboration across Units, Departments and Divisions.

Financial Systems, Internal Controls and Compliance

• Implement financial rules, policies and procedures in compliance with the UfM’s financial regulations, delegated authorities and internal-control and legal frameworks, ensuring compliance with contractual and legal obligations.
• Apply accounting and internal-control principles in accordance with IFRS and/or IPSAS; review accounting and financial-system reports; and oversee data-entry controls and financial-information integrity.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and implementation of recommendations; establish early-warning mechanisms for budget variances, expenditure risks and compliance or reporting delays; and initiate corrective action.

Budgeting and Financial Analysis

• Coordinate the preparation, monitoring and analysis of budgets and financial plans with Departments and Divisions; analyse expenditure, contracts and grants; and provide projections and recommendations supporting budgetary discipline and cost-effective resource use.
• Develop the annual operating budget with departmental management, including the financial aspects of programme planning, salary recommendations and other administrative actions; and provide stakeholders with current budget, expenditure and forecast information.

Treasury and Cash Management

• Oversee treasury operations, cash management, banking arrangements, receipts and payments, ensuring the security of funds and appropriate financial controls.
• Manage bank relationships, accounts and services, including signatory mandates, access rights and documentation; ensure secure and timely transactions, payments and transfers in line wi