Programme Accountant

The role

We are looking to hire a Programme Accountant (A2) to join our Finance Section. You will be responsible for managing the finances and reporting of these externally funded programmes which ECMWF participates with, with an emphasis and responsibility for the Copernicus Project funded by the European Commission (EC) ensuring compliance with the respective delegation agreement and the ECMWF financial regulations. 

The role will report directly to the Senior Programme Accountant and be part of a highly motivated and competent team managing the EC-funded programmes of ECMWF.

About ECMWF

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is a world-leader in weather and environmental forecasting. As an international organisation we serve our members and the wider community with global weather predictions and data that is critical for understanding and solving the climate crisis. We function as a 24/7 research and operational centre with a focus on medium and long-range predictions, holding one of the largest meteorological data archives in the world. The success of our activities builds on the talent of our scientists and experts, strong partnerships with 35 Member and Co-operating States and the international community, some of the most powerful supercomputers in the world, and the use of innovative technologies and machine learning across our operations. 

ECMWF has also developed a strong partnership with the European Union and has been entrusted with the implementation and operation of the Destination Earth Initiative and the Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring Services of the Copernicus Programme. Other areas of work include High Performance Computing and the development of digital tools that enable ECMWF to extend provision of data and products covering weather, climate, air quality, fire and flood prediction and monitoring. 

ECMWF is a multi-site organisation, with a main office in Reading, UK, a data centre/ supercomputer in Bologna, Italy, and a large presence in Bonn, Germany. We appreciate the need for flexibility in the way our staff work and allow flexibility to staff to mix office working and teleworking for up to 10 days/month.

See for more info about what we do.  

Main duties and key responsibilities

• Lead on the development and production of quarterly, annual and ad-hoc reporting as required under the  Copernicus Contribution Agreement and collaborating with external and internal stakeholders, dealing with queries from the European Commission and having an expert knowledge in all accounting transactions relating to the programme services
• Lead the forecasting and budgeting process of the Copernicus Programme, covering mainly third party activities to provide variance analyses to be shared across the organisation as well as liaising with budget holders
• Ensure compliance with external and internal rules and regulations, and explain to  others as required
• Liaise with internal and external auditors and other external bodies in the area of responsibility
• Manage the cash-flow forecast, produce regular cash flow projections for the programme and ensure the integrity and efficiency of cash management
• Provide financial evaluations of procurement bids for carrying out operational services for EC funded programmes and monitor  the financial performance of contractors
• Cover specific areas of the Financial Statement of Accounts prepared under International Public-Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)
• Provide general support to the Finance Section

What we are looking for

• Solution-oriented with a strong understanding of how to evaluate the financial, commercial, and strategic implications of ECMWF’s activities
• Ability to communicate complex financial concepts with scientific and technical staff that do not have a financial background and to develop a common understanding of the issues and potential resolutions
• Excellent writing and presentation skills with an ability to explain financial issues in terms which are accessible and understandable to all
• Capacity to manage a range of conflicting, and urgent issues to tight deadlines
• Embrace change and continuously look to improve financial controls and processes
• Excellent communication skills, together with demonstrated experience of team working within projects
• Strong analytical and excellent organizational skills are essential

Education

• Relevant university degree (EQF Level 7) and an internationally recognized professional accountancy qualification is required

Experience, Knowledge and Skills 

• Strong demonstrated accounting experience ideally in the public sector and preferably in an international organisation
• Strong experience in financial aspects of contract management and in the financial evaluation of projects and programmes
• Experience of providing statistical analysis, for reporting for key decision- making, including the use of core accounting systems combined with report writers
• Demonstrated experience in developing and improving financial control processes
• Experience working in an international, multidisciplinary and multi-lingual environment
• Experience of working with the European Commission, its Agencies and intergovernmental organisations would be a strong advantage
• A good working knowledge and experience of using Business World (previously known as Agresso) would be an advantage
• Knowledge and experience of accounting using the IPSAS framework would be an advantage
• Excellent working knowledge at advanced level of MS-Office (Word and Excel)

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t feel you meet precisely all these criteria.

Candidates must be able to work effectively in English . A good knowledge of one of the Centre’s other working languages (French or German) is an advantage.

Other information

Grade remuneration:  The successful candidates will be recruited according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations. Full details of salary scales and allowances available on the ECMWF website at . 

Starting date:  1 March 2025

Candidates are expected to relocate to the duty station. As a multi-site organisation, ECMWF has adopted a hybrid organisation model which allows flexibility to staff to mix office working and teleworking, including away from the duty station (within the area of our member states and co-operating states).

Interviews by videoconference (MS Team) are expected to take place shortly after the closing date. 

Successful applicants and members of their family forming part of their households will be exempt from immigration restrictions.

Who can apply

Applicants are invited to complete the online application form by clicking on the apply button below.

At ECMWF, we consider an inclusive environment as key for our success. We are dedicated to ensuring a workplace that embraces diversity and provides equal opportunities for all, without distinction as to race, gender, age, marital status, social status, disability, sexual orientation, religion, personality, ethnicity and culture. We value the benefits derived from a diverse workforce and are committed to having staff that reflect the diversity of the countries that are part of our community, in an environment that nurtures equality and inclusion.

Applications are invited from nationals from ECMWF Member States and Co-operating States.  In these exceptional times, we also welcome applications from Ukrainian nationals for this vacancy.   Applications from nationals from other countries may be considered in exceptional cases. 

ECMWF Member States and Co-operating States are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.