EU Project: “Preparatory phase for the establishment of a College of Europe campus in Tirana (Albania)” – Contract number: IPA 2023 444/251
Job Vacancy - Financial Officer (100% FTE) at the College of Europe in Tirana (Albania)
About the College:
Welcome to the laboratory of European integration!
The College of Europe, with its Bruges campus established in 1949 and its Natolin campus established in 1992, is the oldest postgraduate institute of European studies. Currently, the College of Europe hosts 340 students in Bruges and 120 students in Natolin. Students come from 50 nationalities every year and follow advanced Master’s programmes of 10-month duration in a residential format (“studying and living Europe together”).
In January 2024, in the frame of the EU Funded IPA Project: 'Preparatory phase for the establishment of a College of Europe campus in Tirana (Albania)’, the College expanded its reach by establishing a branch in Tirana, Albania, aiming to uphold academic excellence and strengthen regional ties. In this context we are seeking for a Financial Officer (100% FTE) who will play a crucial role in financial support, budgeting, and ensuring fiscal compliance with local financial regulations and laws. The successful candidate will be hired and contribute to the execution of the EU funded Project: “Implementation phase for the establishment of a College of Europe campus in Tirana (Albania)”, IPA 2024 455-237.
Criteria for the Position:
The ideal candidate should have:
- A Master's Degree in Finance/Accounting, from an accredited institution;
- Minimum 3 years of work experience in finance and/or accounting, preferably within the context of educational institutions or/and EU-funded projects;
- Familiarity with Albanian and EU financial regulations and reporting requirements;
- Expertise in financial planning, budgeting, and the establishment of financial system;
- Proficient in the use of financial software and accounting systems;
- Proficiency in Albanian and English is mandatory; French language skills are a plus.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills;
- Preferably, a good understanding of the College of Europe;
- Preferably, a good understanding of the higher education systems in Albania and/or the Western Balkans;
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team;
- A work ethic characterized by flexibility, reliability, and discretion in managing sensitive information.
Position Overview:
The Financial Officer will be responsible for:
- Financial support:
- Implementing effective administrative practices to safeguard the financial health of the CoET;
- Registration and monitoring of financial transactions, including revenue, expenses, and cash flow, to ensure accuracy and accountability;
- Budgeting and Financial Planning:
- Contributing to the annual budgeting process, in collaboration with the HoA and Project Management Team and relevant stakeholders, to align financial resources with organizational goals;
- Conducting financial analysis and forecasting jointly with the other responsible of services and HoA to support informed decision-making and resource allocation;
- Ensuring Fiscal Compliance with Local Regulations:
- Staying abreast of local financial regulations and laws to ensure the College's operations remain compliant;
- Liaise with the External Accounting Firm for implementing internal controls and procedures to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements;
- Acting as a Local Liaison for Financial Matters:
- Serving as the primary point of contact for financial inquiries and concerns within CoET;
- Collaborating with the Bruges Headquarters for Comprehensive Financial Management:
- Working closely with the financial team at the Bruges headquarters to align financial digital tools, processes and procedures with organizational standards;
- Providing support and expertise to headquarters staff on financial matters related to the Tirana branch.
Conditions offered:
- Employment contract under Albanian law;
- An excellent professional framework in a pleasant, challenging, international working environment;
- Opportunity to contribute to a major educational project for the Western Balkans region.
Application Process:
The application deadline is May 30th , 12:00 PM (Midday). Interested candidates should submit their CV and a Motivation Letter (max. 1 page) to info.hr.al@coleurope.eu If you have any questions, feel free to send them to the same email address.
Please state in the e-mail subject: Job Application_ Financial Officer _COET
Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview to assess their suitability for the role. The selected candidate will be notified and provided with further details regarding the contract and onboarding process. Please note that the College reserves the right to close the application process before the deadline in case of suitable applications.
Additional Information:
The Financial Officer will report to the Head of Administration, based in Tirana, while also engaging in technical consultations with Financial Department in Bruges.
The contract is expected to run until August 2025, with the potential for extension. The anticipated commencement is projected to be in early July 2024.
Join us in shaping the future of Europe!
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By submitting your application, you consent to have your personal data processed for the purpose of recruitment and the specific position you are applying for. You acknowledge that your data as well as data we receive from academic institutions we can contact for verification purposes, will be processed by the College of Europe, the members of the selection committee appointed by the College of Europe related to this recruitment process.
All information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and in line with the current data process regulations.
For more information on how we use the information you have provided and how to exercise your rights, please see our privacy notice for recruitment (https://www.coleurope.eu/privacy).
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The College of Europe is committed to equal treatment and opportunity. It aims to reflect the diversity of our society and to offer an inclusive work and study environment for all members of its community. Consistent with these goals, the Tirana campus has a zero tolerance policy for any acts against the dignity and integrity of individuals, whether in the form of discrimination, bullying, harassment, stalking, violence, or sexual misconduct.
Candidates are therefore recruited and selected on the basis of skills and experience, regardless of age, ability, ethnicity, class and background, political belief, race, religion, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, culture, or any other grounds.