Finance & Business Systems Specialist (Shared Services)

Hybrid / Remote

Full-time

Permanent employee

Your mission

Lead or significantly contribute to organisational system improvement initiatives,transformation programmes, and cross-functional system implementation efforts from afinance and business systems perspective.

The Finance & Business Systems Lead is responsible for the functional ownership, administration, and continuous improvement of finance systems and finance-relatedcomponents across business systems.

The role ensures that system structures, data, and configurations across finance and relatedsystems (including procurement, contract/document management, and HR systems whererelevant) are aligned with financial processes, controls, and reporting requirements.

About the role

The role works closely with Finance, IT, system owners, and operational stakeholders to shapeand strengthen finance and business system environments, ensuring that systems, controls,data structures, and user practices effectively support organisational processes, reporting,governance, and decision-making.

The role leads the functional co-ordination of system controls, user access governance, datastructures, and finance-related system frameworks across finance and related businesssystems, ensuring consistency, compliance, scalability, and effective organisational use.

What you will do

Act as the functional lead and organisational focal point for finance systems and financerelated components across business systems, ensuring that system structures,configurations, governance, and usage align with organisational processes, internal controls,reporting requirements, and strategic operational needs.
Administer and oversee the effective operation of finance systems (eg Unit4), includingdefining and maintaining user access models, roles, and permissions, and ensuring2 of 4appropriate segregation of duties, control frameworks, and compliance with organisationalpolicies across finance and related systems.
Lead the design, development, and maintenance of finance system architecture and datastructures, including chart of accounts, cost centres, and project and grant frameworks,ensuring scalability, consistency, usability, and alignment with organisational and reportingrequirements.
Ensure the integrity, consistency, and reliability of financial data across systems byestablishing and monitoring adherence to defined system structures and controls, andaddressing deviations where identified.
Provide functional leadership and oversight on finance and control-related aspects of otherbusiness systems (eg procurement, contract/document management, HR systems),ensuring that workflows, system controls, user access models, segregation of duties, andgovernance requirements are effectively designed, embedded, and consistently applied.
Lead cross-functional coordination with IT, HR, Procurement, Legal, and other stakeholdersto define, implement, and strengthen system controls, user access governance, datastructures, and finance-related system requirements across organisational systems.
Coordinate with Finance Operations, FP&A, and Finance Business Partners to ensure systemconfigurations effectively support financial processes, reporting, and decision-making.
Lead user engagement, training, and functional support across finance and related business systems, promoting effective adoption, controlled system use, and organisational understanding of system processes, controls, and structures.
Maintain documentation of system structures, processes, and user guidance, ensuringclarity, consistency, and accessibility.
Identify and drive improvements in system structures, data management, and processes,enhancing efficiency, usability, and alignment with organisational needs
Support decision-making processes by providingclear financial input and recommendations,ensuring implications, trade-offs, and risks are well understoodand appropriately considered.
Provide forward-looking financial input,including scenario analysis and financial modelling, to support planning, funding decisions, and operational adjustments.
Provide financial oversight and guidance on operational areas,including procurement,logistics, and broader supply chain activities, focusing on planning, internal controls, financial risks, system effectiveness, value for money, and compliance withorganisationalpolicies, procedures, and donor requirements.
Ensure that financial governance expectations are clearly communicated andconsistentlyupheld across assigned portfolios,reinforcing accountability for compliance withorganisationalstandardsand donor requirements.
Engage with operational functions,includinglogisticsand procurement,to reinforce the application of financial standards, internal controls, andorganisationalpolicies, and ensure risks and control weaknesses areidentified, addressed, and escalated whererequired.
Promote soundfinancial managementpractices across assigned portfolios,supporting stakeholders in applyingorganisationalpolicies, procedures, and standards consistentlyin day-to-day operations.
Identify,escalate, and follow through onfinancial risks and issues,working with stakeholders toensureappropriatemitigationactions are defined and implemented.
Ensure alignment between financial planning, funding availability, and operational delivery,highlighting funding gaps, constraints, and financial implications for decision-making.
Work closely with Finance Operations, FP&A, and Finance Systems functions, ensuring financial information is accurate, relevant, and effectively used to support organisational needs.
Support audit processes by ensuring system-related controls, data, and documentation are accurate, complete, and readily available.

ROLE-SPECIFIC OR CONTEXT RESPONSIBILITIES

The role operates across multiple systems and functions, supporting finance and finance related components of business systems, including procurement, contract management, and HR systems where relevant.
The role is expected to operate flexibly across organisational priorities, supporting systemrelated needs across countries, global functions, and partnerships.
The role requires periodic international travel to coordinate and support system implementations, strengthen user adoption, facilitate stakeholder engagement, and asses ssystem-related processes, controls, and data governance practices across the organisation.
Coordinate and facilitate engagement between finance, operational functions, IT, and system users to strengthen system governance, user adoption, and organisational consistency across business systems.
Provide functional support in environments with varying levels of system maturity, adapting approaches to ensure appropriate levels of control, usability, and data integrity.
Provide interim or targeted support to system-related challenges or gaps across the organisation to ensure continuity and effective system use.

Your profile

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE

Education	Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Information Systems, or a related field Professional qualification (e.g. ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) is an advantage
Experience	Minimum 5–7 years of relevant experience in finance systems, financial data management, or finance operations Experience working with ERP systems (eg Unit4) and supporting financial processes through systems Experience leading or coordinating finance systems implementations, enhancements, or cross-functional system initiatives Experience engaging with senior stakeholders and system users to support organisational adoption and process alignment Experience designing or strengthening system controls, workflows, and governance structures is desirable Experience managing system structures, master data, and user access in finance systems Experience working with stakeholders across finance and IT to support system use and improvements Experience supporting system implementations or enhancements from a functional perspective is desirable Experience working in complex, multi-entity or international environments is an advantage
Languages	Fluent in English (written and verbal) Dutch or other relevant languages are an advantage
(Technical) Knowledge	Strong understanding of finance systems and financial data structures Solid understanding of financial processes, controls, and reporting requirements Familiarity with procurement, HR, or other operational systems from a financial data and control perspective Experience with reporting tools (e.g. Excel, Power BI) and data handling 4 of 4 Understanding of internal control principles and system based controls Understanding of user access management, segregation of duties, and system-based control frameworks across finance and related systems Familiarity with procurement, contract management, or HR systems from a data, control, and governance perspective
Competencies	Strong analytical and critical thinking capability Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and effectively to non-finance stakeholders High level of accuracy and attention to detail Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities Ability to engage and guide stakeholders constructively across different functions and levels Sound judgement and ability to balance financial discipline with operational realities Proactive, solution-oriented mindset Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team

What we offer

Location : We work with global teams with team members being based in different locations. War Child is currently operates in: Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Colombia, DR Congo, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory, South Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Uganda, Ukraine (soon to be registered), and Yemen. Preference is given to applicants who reside and have valid working permits. War Child does not offer relocation.
Type of Contract : Local contract with salary and secondary labour conditions based on the in-country salary scale, local T&C's will apply.

Why You Should Apply

Meaningful Impact : Contribute directly to improving the lives of children and families affected by conflict through quality education and long-term, sustainable change.
Professional Growth: Join a dynamic organisation that values learning, innovation, and professional development, with opportunities for capacity building and growth through the role and War Child’s global network.
Global Reach : Play a key role in scaling a ground-breaking programme across multiple conflict-affected contexts worldwide.
Collaborative & Inclusive Culture : Work alongside passionate, mission-driven colleagues in a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace that prioritises safety, fairness and equal opportunity for all.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and cover letter in English through our career's website no later than 24/8/2026.

Please note that applications will only be accepted through our careers website. To ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process, applications submitted via email will not be considered.

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By submitting your application you certify that all of the statements made in your application are true, complete, and correct and are made in good faith. You understand that falsifying, misrepresenting or intentionally withholding information will be grounds for rejection of your application or withdrawal of any offer of appointment or, if an appointment offer has been accepted, this will be ground for employment sanctions, such as, but not limited to, instant dismissal. In addition, you understand that you need to submit a Criminal Record Certificate and that, if you fail to submit it, no employment relationship can be established.

Disclaimer

Only applications received via our website are processed.
If we appoint a suitable candidate before the given closing date, we reserve the right to remove the vacancy from our website before that date. In such a case, any responses received after that time are not processed.
It could be that during our selection process the closing date for the vacancy is extended. If so, and you have not yet heard from us, your application will remain active.

About us

The War Child Alliance is an international non-governmental organization committed to providing psychosocial support, child protection, youth empowerment programming and quality education to the children affected by armed conflict. We implement evidence-based interventions to empower key stakeholders—including governments, educators, caregivers, and communities—to foster children’s wellbeing, education, and self-determination. We work with global teams with team members being based in different locations. War Child is currently operates in: Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Colombia, DR Congo, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory, South Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Uganda, Ukraine (soon to be registered), and Yemen. We also have offices in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Learn more about War Child and our programmes https://www.warchild.net/

Safeguarding and Integrity
Our work with children and at-risk adults to keep them safe is the most important thing we do. We are committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults in all areas of our work. We have zero tolerance for any behaviours and practices that puts children and/or vulnerable adults at risk of abuse and/or harm. All (prospective) employees will be expected to be compliant with and sign up to our Child Safeguarding policy, our Code of Conduct and PSEA: Adults at Risk Policy. You can find the Child Safeguarding and Adults at Risk policy here: Integrity & Safeguarding - Home

Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) and Belonging (DEIB)
We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to ensuring that all our people and job applicants are treated fairly, irrespective of where, what or whom they were born, or of other characteristics. We want to offer a safe and inclusive workplace where all our people, especially those who are currently marginalised or underrepresented, can be themselves at work.