Human Rights Watch is an American-founded international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights.

Summary

• The Finance Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a Finance Manager in Europe to provide support to the Finance Division with accounting and accounts receivables.
• The Finance Division is led by the CFO, supported by the Global Controller, and is responsible for providing financial management, implementing financial strategy and maintaining the fiscal integrity of Human Rights Watch (HRW).
• This full-time position will be based in one of HRW’s European offices (Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, London, Stockholm) and will report to the Global Controller, based in New York.
• The successful candidate may have the option to work remotely. We aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both the recruitment for and onboarding of this position.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee and maintain accounting of all HRW organization-wide revenue and contributions receivables;
• Reconcile the financials with the CRM system (Salesforce) and Development Department income tracking records;
• Review or prepare recorded/posted transactions of all HRW European entities;
• Oversee the timely and accurate fiscal year closings for all HRW European-wide external reporting and coordinate with closings worldwide;
• Manage local annual fiscal audits for HRW European entities as applicable;
• Establish and maintain relationships with vendors (accounting, payroll, pensions, banking and auditing) and negotiate to get the best rates for these services in Europe;
• Manage procedures for granting of funds between all European charities and coordinate consistency where possible with the worldwide procedures;
• Work with Operations Administrators and when needed, provide training on basic accounting concepts, so that they can assist in bank reconciliations, journal entries and analysis;
• Propose accounting policies and procedures for European based entities to the Global Controller and take the lead in its implementation and consistency with HRW worldwide;
• Work with headquarters and Operations staff to ensure that cash flow, budgeting and forecasting in all European locations is budgeted and monitored appropriately;
• Strengthen HRW’s transaction mechanisms while ensuring the required internal controls and compliance (e.g., IFRS, IAS local regulations and taxation);
• Deliver outputs in a timely manner while maintaining consistency with the agreed strategy and priorities of the Finance Division;
• Produce reports and recommendations following internal audits or public-sector audits;
• Operate in compliance with organizational policies and procedures; and
• Perform additional responsibilities as required.

Qualifications:

Education: Chartered Accountant, or equivalent work experience, or a bachelor’s degree in Accounting is required.

Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of experience with progressively complex responsibility in the accounting field is required.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

• Proven track record of all aspects of accounting, including general ledger, journal entries, budgets, account analysis, financial statements, and other accounting functions, is required.
• Solid understanding of statutory requirements, legal procedures (audits, taxes, etc.) and government regulations in Europe is required.
• Solid experience in developing systems, policies, and internal controls related to accounting and finance is required.
• Experience managing accounting in an organization with a complex structure in multiple global locations is required.
• High degree of proficiency in a computer-based accounting system and Excel is required; prior experience with not-for-profit software such as NetSuite is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical, problem solving and creative skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment are required.
• Excellent time-management skills and ability to prioritize tasks while maintaining a strong attention to detail are required.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate well at all levels of the organization and with staff at remote locations are required.
• Strong oral and written communications skills in English and French are required; proficiency in another language is desirable.
• Prior experience working in nonprofit/NGO financial operations is desirable.