Finance Manager

NPA has been implementing humanitarian relief, long-term development, and humanitarian disarmament programmes in Iraq since 1995. Our work is organised around the six strategic priorities: democratisation, stabilisation, protection, locally led development and crisis preparedness, and enhanced resilience, environmental protection and climate adaptation, and organisational systems and capacities development with the overall goal of contributing toward a more democratic, prosperous, safe and environmentally resilient Iraq.

We are seeking a new Finance Manager for our Iraq Programme. This is an exciting senior position with broad responsibility for leading and strengthening financial management across one of NPA’s largest and most complex country operations. The country portfolio covers large scale mine action operations as well as a broad partnership based civil society programme. The role requires a capable leader who can develop and maintain an integrated financial management framework that supports both direct implementation and partnership‑based programming. You will lead all financial management functions, including budgeting, accounting, reporting, risk management, audits, grant compliance, liquidity management, and partner capacity strengthening.

What we offer

• Strategic Leadership Role: A unique opportunity to lead the financial management of two major programme portfolios and harmonise systems, procedures, and accountability frameworks.
• High-Level Influence: As a member of the SMT, you will shape strategic decisions, risk management, cost-efficiency, and long-term financial sustainability of NPA Iraq.
• Impact on Localisation: Position the finance function as a key driver of localisation, partner capacity strengthening, and transparent resource management.
• Professional Growth: Exposure to diverse donor portfolios (Norad, EU, USG, Dutch MFA, etc.), complex operations, and cross-departmental collaboration.
• A position open for both national and international candidates.
• Attractive Benefits, including annual leave and other entitlements governed by the Special Agreement for Employees Posted Abroad or by Iraqi National Labor law (depending on the country of resident of the selected candidate.)

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• 8–10 years of progressive financial management experience within international NGOs, including at least 5 years in senior management or supervisory roles.
• Proven experience managing finances for both direct implementation and partnership-based programmes.
• Demonstrated success in integrating or harmonising systems and compliance frameworks across multiple portfolios.
• Strong knowledge of donor compliance and reporting requirements: Norad, NMFA, SIDA, EU, UN, USG, ECHO, Dutch MFA, etc.
• Excellent understanding of internal controls, risk management, audits, and financial accountability systems.
• Strong financial planning, budgeting, reporting, and grant management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and build capacity of finance and non-finance staff in diverse contexts.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with proven capacity to manage competing priorities under tight deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and training skills.
• High ethical standards, integrity, and a commitment to accountability and organisational values.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, challenging, and multicultural environment.

As a person, you identify with the competencies for managers in NPA:

• Integrity: Ethical decision-making and honesty. Managers embody our values and ensure employees follow ethical standards.
• Trust: Build and maintain reliability. Create a safe space for expression and development. Balance trust and control, delegate wisely, and encourage learning.
• Openness: Foster innovation and development through effective communication and inclusion of relevant skills.
• Accountability: Achieve results with employees through clear direction and goals, balancing strategic initiatives with operational tasks. Provide feedback and hold everyone accountable for performance and work calmly under pressure in stressful and hazardous conditions.

Responsibilities

The Finance Manager is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and strengthening a robust financial management system that safeguards NPA’s resources through strict controls, accurate reporting, and unwavering compliance. The role bridges departments, builds coherence across diverse implementation approaches, and ensures that NPA Iraq remains competitive, accountable, and adaptive in a rapidly changing environment.

• Lead the preparation, review, and monitoring of NPA and project budgets, including proposals, forecasts, and cost allocations to ensure grant compliance and strategic resource utilisation.
• Maintain a transparent, accurate, and compliant accounting and internal control system aligned with NPA policies, donor regulations, and national legal requirements.
• Oversee liquidity and cashflow management, ensuring accurate forecasting, effective currency and bank management, and strong institutional relationships.
• Lead timely and accurate monthly and annual financial closures, donor reporting, and external audits, ensuring implementation of audit recommendations.
• Conduct and support partner identification, assessments (PFAT), and capacity strengthening through hands-on mentoring and training.
• Provide leadership to finance teams across Baghdad and sub-offices, setting objectives, fostering teamwork, and building a forward-looking and highly skilled finance function.
• Collaborate closely with programme teams and budget holders to deliver timely budget variance analyses, support corrective actions, and facilitate evidence-based decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with national taxation and financial regulations (GoI/KRG), and monitor contextual risks including political shifts, security dynamics, and inflation.
• Drive the integration of financial systems across MAD and DHC portfolios, ensuring harmonised standards, consistency, and operational efficiency.