Position: ACAPS Head of Finance

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer                                                        

Supervision of: Finance team (5 staff)                                                                       

Budget responsibility: Budget holder for all ACAPS budgets                              

Duty Station: The Hague, Netherlands                                                                    

Duration & contract type: 12 months, to be renewed, National 100%       

Starting date: 01.01.2025       

About ACAPS

Who we are 

ACAPS is an independent analysis provider. We are an independent analytical voice helping humanitarian workers, influencers, fundraisers, and donors make better-informed decisions and respond more effectively to disasters.

What we do 

We inform crisis response: We aim towards reshaping the humanitarian narrative by providing timely and independent needs analysis, data, training, and methodological tools while advocating for a more evidence-based response to crises.

We collaborate with honesty and Creativity: ACAPS maximises synergies with humanitarian responders, specialised analytical organisations, academic institutions, the private sector, and civil society and encourages them to implement a collaborative approach.

As humanitarian needs continue to rise steeply, there is an increasing parallel demand in the sector for high-quality, independent analysis to guide resource prioritisation and programmatic responses. ACAPS is uniquely positioned in the humanitarian architecture to respond to these challenges, operating as a global public good to the humanitarian sector by providing independent, multi-sectoral analysis to enable humanitarian stakeholders to better understand and address the needs of crisis affected populations across the globe.

ACAPS is currently at an exciting stage of its growth trajectory, with a fast-expanding decentralised global team. Due to an increased awareness of ACAPS value add to the humanitarian sector, ACAPS conducts analysis on crises in Afghanistan, Colombia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Ukraine, and Yemen with team members working within many of these countries. This is in addition to global teams providing analysis spanning over 150 countries and 100 active crises worldwide. ACAPS donor portfolio is also expanding, with current active funding from key institutional donors such as BHA, FCDO, SDC, GFFO, GAC, SDC, NMFA and others.

Initially hosted by the Norwegian Refugee Council, ACAPS is transitioning to an independent entity, registered in The Hague, Netherlands. The transition will be completed by December 2025. 

General Position Summary

In response to ACAPS recent team and portfolio expansion, and to support the transition towards independence, ACAPS is seeking a highly experienced and dynamic Head of Finance to oversee day-to-day finance functions for this exciting global project. This is a new role and as such will require an element of change management to establish this new function and guide the transition process. The successful candidate must be a seasoned professional who can hit the ground running, quickly see where financial systems and approaches can be improved and, where needed, support targeted change management initiatives. We’re looking for a leader with proven expertise in finance leadership and a solid ability to build highly effective relationships across teams.

With a strong background in overseeing finance, ideally for NGOs, the Head of Finance will work closely across ACAPS teams, ensuring effective connections between the finance team, our country level operations and our global analysis initiatives.

ACAPS values

ACAPS is a dynamic and independent organisation. We share and strive to maintain the values of agency, candour, integrity, diversity, evolution, ambition, and collaboration in everything we do. The post holder is expected to develop the position in line with these values. The ACAPS values live in the way we manage our teams, create our content and engage with stakeholders.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.

Essential Job Responsibilities 

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Head of Finance is a member of the 5-person Senior Management Team. This team has overall responsibility for leading, planning and managing the work and development of ACAPS.

The Head of Finance provides overall strategic leadership and direction for ACAPS global financial functions. The position’s holder provides effective and timely communication of critical financial information and recommendations regarding the financial results and condition of the organization, including relevant trends, forecasts, risks and opportunities to the CEO and the ACAPS Consortium. S/he will lead and supervise ACAPS finance team and drive continual improvements to our financial systems and approaches. S/he will perform effective risk management and plan the organization’s financial strategy, analyzing strengths and weaknesses and proposing solutions for financial success and sustainable growth.

Leadership

• As a core member of the Senior Management Team,
  • ensure effective leadership of ACAPS to plan, deliver and track its strategic objectives.
• Ensure that ACAPS continues to evolve as a high performing and resilient organisation with a cohesive culture.
• Continuously promote and champion humanitarian analysis.
• Lead ACAPS’ Finance Team.

Strategy delivery, monitoring, reporting, and compliance

• Support the development, implementation and evaluation of ACAPS’s Strategy 2020-2025 and contribute to the development of the new strategy.
  • Build/enhance financial systems and processes that ensure full financial control and sustainable growth.
  • Provide effective and timely communication of critical financial information and recommendations regarding the financial results and condition of the organization, including relevant trends, forecasts, risks and opportunities to the CEO and the ACAPS Consortium.
  • Ensure cash flow is appropriate for the organization’s operations.
• Propose innovative and future solutions to ACAPS, to ensure a transition towards a fully financial sustainable organisation.
• Plan the organization’s financial strategy, analyzing strengths and weaknesses and proposing solutions for financial success and sustainable growth.
• Direct and coordinate all financial activities for ACAPS. This will include:
• Develop and implement mechanisms for monitoring ACAPS finance goals and progress towards achieving them.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, donor requirements, and relevant legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Support the development and implementation of ACAPS’s mission, vision and values.

Team Management

• Provide leadership and management of the Finance team.
• Build and lead high-performing teams under the Head of Finance direct line management, providing guidance, mentorship, and direction to line reports, using a performance management system.
• Provide leadership and support to team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance and reach short, medium and long-term professional objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

Knowledge and Experience

• BSc/BA in Accounting, Finance or relevant field; MSc/MBA is a plus.
• More than 10 years’ experience as Head of Finance, finance officer or relevant role; financial experience within the humanitarian sector is a plus.
• Certified Public Accounting (CPA) is a strong advantage.
• In depth knowledge of donor financial law and auditing and risk management practices. Experience with a wide range of donors including institutional donors particularly USAID, FCDO and ECHO is a plus.
• Excellent knowledge of data analysis and forecasting methods.
• Strategic mindset that includes the ability to think long-term, apply critical analysis and develop forward facing solutions.
• Proficient in the use of MS Office and financial management software (e.g. SAP).
• Ability to lead diverse teams, handle negotiations and facilitate planning processes, including delicate transitions. Proven experience managing remote and dispersed teams.
• Understanding and experience of identifying and implementing improvements in finance systems with proven decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines.
• Exceptional written and interpersonal communication skills required. Strong emotional intelligence and coaching/mentoring skills.
• Fluency in verbal and written English is required.

Success Factors 

The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional leadership and diplomacy skills and be a superior communicator. S/he will have strong problem-solving skills and an analytical mind, a robust ability to quickly assess financial performance and identify areas for improvement/adjustment. The successful candidate will have strong emotional intelligence and, given the scale of change ACAPS is experiencing, will be a supportive leader with strong communication and coaching skills. S/he will be able to work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work environment.