Are you a strategic finance professional who can lead financial systems and at the same time roll up your sleeves for daily operations? Do you thrive working closely alongside the WECF Director NL, turning numbers into clear insights, keeping the organisation financially healthy and sustainable, and building the capacity of the team around you? And do you bring the patience, flexibility, and passion needed to make a genuine difference in a mission-driven international network?
Since her establishment in 1994, WECF has grown from a small European women’s network into an international force for change, today connecting over 250 ecofeminist organisations in 70 countries, with an annual turnover of over €3 million and a growing portfolio of EU funded and privately supported programmes. We are now looking for a Finance Manager to help us build on this growth with the financial leadership and rigour it deserves, a trusted partner to the WECF Director NL: someone who thinks strategically and acts practically, who proactively surfaces financial risks and opportunities, and who keeps WECF’s financial health transparent and decision ready. As our programmes grow in scale and complexity, this role is critical, both for the internal soundness of the organisation and for our standing with members, donors, partners, and other stakeholders worldwide.
Who We Are
WECF is a unique international network of over 250 organisations across 70 countries, working to strengthen the role of women in all their diversity as leaders of change toward a more sustainable and equitable world. Through capacity building, advocacy, and action, we address climate change, environmental justice, and human rights, grounded in an ecofeminist approach.
Our programmes are predominantly EU-funded, supplemented by grants from private foundations. The Finance Manager sits at the heart of our Dutch entity (WECF NL, Utrecht), reporting directly to the WECF Director the Netherlands and connecting with our sister offices in Munich (Germany) and Annemasse (France)
What You Will Do
This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on financial management. You think ahead and act practically, steering the improvement of systems while staying close to daily operations.
1. Strategic Financial Leadership
You are WECF’s financial compass, working closely with the WECF Director NL to ensure the organisation is financially healthy, sustainable, and well-positioned for growing programme complexity.
- Strategic Partnership with the WECF Director NL: Work closely with the WECF Director NL to ensure financial health and sustainability; advise on financial strategy, compliance, and short- and long-term planning at both organisational and programme levels.
- Senior Leadership Contribution: Contribute to strategic consultations as part of the senior leadership team; attend Board of Trustees (BoT) meetings as required.
- Financial Sustainability: Proactively identify risks and opportunities; steer improvements to financial management and control systems as the organisation and its programmes grow in complexity.
2. Financial Management & Proactive Reporting
You keep the WECF Director NL and Executive Director informed, not just when asked, but ahead of time. You translate financial data into clear, decision-ready information.
- Proactive Financial Reporting: Prepare timely, accurate financial reports for the WECF Director NL, Executive Director and external stakeholders; flag risks, trends, or variances early so decisions can be made with confidence. Ensure annual financial statements are finalised on time.
- Budgeting & Planning: Coordinate and lead the development of the annual budget and multi-year financial planning, in close consultation with the WECF Director NL.
- Cash Flow Management: Monitor liquidity proactively and alert the WECF Director NL to any issues well in advance.
- Annual Accounts & Audits: Develop the annual financial statements and coordinate external financial audits, ensuring full regulatory compliance.
- Accounting Oversight: Provide oversight for the accuracy of all accounting, payroll, and banking transactions, and ensure timely submission of tax-related documentation.
- Financial Systems: Oversee and improve financial administration systems (Exact Online), ensuring scalability and accuracy.
- Grant & Donor Fund Oversight: Support the WECF Director NL, Executive Director and project coordinators with correct grant allocation, reporting, and compliance with donor requirements.
- Contribute to fundraising strategy: Support the preparation of budgets for proposals, financial analysis, funding gap assessments, and income projections to support grant applications and diversification of income streams.
3. Legal Affairs, Compliance & Policy
- Regulatory Compliance: Lead financial compliance with statutory regulations and requirements from donors; ensure adherence to Dutch, EU, and international regulations and tax obligations.
- Internal Controls: Develop and maintain robust control systems to protect the organisation’s assets, prevent fraud, and ensure financial accuracy.
- Policy Development & Review: Oversee the review, updating, and maintenance of financial policies and procedures across all WECF offices, ensuring consistency and transparency.
- Legal Liaison: Act as the internal point of contact for legal and compliance matters, collaborating with external advisors and the BoT.
4. Finance Team Leadership & Capacity Building
You are the head of the finance team — responsible not just for outputs, but for the growth, motivation, and engagement of the people in it.
- Team Leadership: Directly manage the finance team, including the Project & Finance Administrator; coordinate and distribute tasks, and be responsible for performance, training, and coaching.
- Annual Work Plans: Manage the development and implementation of financial strategy and annual work plans for the finance team, including progress and evaluation mechanisms.
- Board Engagement: Participate in the inter-office Joint Advisory Committee (JAC); prepare and present financial reports at BoT meetings and provide strategic input.
- Capacity Building Across WECF: Ensure that relevant training and coaching is offered to staff across all offices to maintain budget literacy and compliance.
5. Operational Support
- HR & Payroll: Support the Project & Finance Administrator in overseeing external payroll administration and employee benefits, in collaboration with the WECF Director NL.
- IT & Security: When needed, liaise with the Project & Finance Administrator and external technical partner on basic IT and security matters.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for a finance professional who combines strategic vision with operational rigour, someone who can steer the big picture and still step in where needed. You are proactive, clear, and a genuine partner to the WECF Director NL and a motivating leader to your team.
- Master’s degree in finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Several years of experience in financial management and operations leadership, preferably in the non-profit or international development sector.
- Proven ability to think and act strategically while remaining hands-on with daily financial operations.
- Strong expertise in budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance with Dutch and EU regulations.
- Hands-on experience with bookkeeping and financial systems, particularly Exact Online, and excellent Excel skills.
- Solid knowledge of Dutch accounting and annual reporting standards for non-profit organisations.
- Experience with grant financial administration and familiarity with donor compliance requirements.
- A proactive communication style: you keep the WECF Director NL informed without being asked, and you present financial information in a clear, decision-ready format.
- Comfortable working closely with senior leadership, you are a trusted advisor, not just a back-office function.
- Experienced people manager who brings out the best in a small team through coaching, trust, and clear direction.
- Patient, flexible, and calm under pressure, you understand that priorities shift in a mission-driven environment and you adapt without losing accuracy.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines independently.
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in all work outputs.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to collaborate across diverse, international teams.
- Good command of English is required; a working level of Dutch is a strong advantage.
- Genuine affinity with WECF’s mission of promoting gender equality, environmental justice, and sustainability.
- Valid work permit for long-term employment in the Netherlands.
Working Arrangements
This role is based at our Utrecht office, just a 5-minute walk from railway station Utrecht Vaartsche Rijn. Given the importance of direct collaboration, we ask that you are present in the office at least one day per week. The rest of the time you are free to work from home in line with WECF’s flexible working approach.
What We Offer
- A one-year contract (with a one-month probationary period), with the aim of a long-term collaboration.
- 32 hours per week with flexible working arrangements.
- A gross monthly salary of €5,500 (full-time), pro-rated to actual hours.
- A beautiful and inspiring workspace in central Utrecht, with hybrid working options.
- Pension scheme covering 50% of the total premium, full public transport commuting allowance (2nd class), and a home office allowance.
- Access to training and educational opportunities for professional growth.
- Regular check-ins with the Director NL, team building, capacity strengthening sessions and annual reviews.
- The opportunity to work alongside committed colleagues in Utrecht, Munich, and Annemasse, all united by a shared belief in a more just and sustainable world.
How to Apply
Send your motivation letter and CV by 15 July 2026 to wecfvacancyint@wecf.org with the subject line: WECF Finance Manager Application.
Interviews will take place in person at our office at Arthur van Schendelstraat 550, Utrecht. If you have any questions, please contact Christy at the email above, subject: WECF Finance Manager Question.
We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We believe a diverse team makes us stronger and better at the work we do.
For more information about our work: www.wecf.org
