Switzerland for UNHCR

hires a

 Head of Finance & Operations

 

Contract Type: Permanent, 100%

Starting date: As of July 2026 

Department: Operations 
Level: Head 
Location: Geneva

Make your next job one with purpose

Do you believe in a world where everyone has a safe place to call home?
 

Switzerland for UNHCR (CH4U), the Swiss Foundation supporting the UN Refugee Agency, is looking for a Head of Finance & Operations that, under the guidance of the Deputy Executive Director and Executive Director, will be responsible for leading CH4U’s finance and core operations functions, ensuring strong financial stewardship, operational efficiency, organizational compliance, and fit-for-purpose systems and processes.

The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on oversight and is responsible for financial planning and analysis, accounting and treasury, reporting, internal controls, audit coordination, operational policies and procedures, and the smooth functioning of key support services. The postholder acts as a trusted business partner to the Deputy Executive Director, Executive Director and leadership team, contributing to organizational planning, decision-making, and risk management. As a member of the leadership team, this role contributes to the overall strategic direction of the foundation.

We are not just another nonprofit. We are part of a global humanitarian movement, working every day to support people forced to flee war, conflict, and persecution. And we need passionate people like you to expand our impact.

 

What you will do

As our Head of Finance & Operations, you will:

Strategic finance leadership

  • Lead CH4U’s financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and cash-flow management.
  • Prepare and oversee the annual budget process and multi-year financial projections in close collaboration with budget owners and leadership.
  • Provide timely, accurate, and decision-oriented financial analysis and reporting to the Executive Director, Board, and relevant UNHCR counterparts.
  • Advise leadership on financial risks, scenarios, resource allocation, and financial sustainability.
  • Support organizational decision-making through robust financial modelling, analysis, and recommendations.

Financial management, control and compliance

  • Ensure sound financial management across the organization, including accounting, treasury, internal controls, and statutory compliance.
  • Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closings and ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of financial records and reporting.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable Swiss legal and regulatory requirements, internal policies, donor restrictions, earmarking requirements, and relevant UNHCR frameworks.
  • Maintain and strengthen internal control systems, financial procedures, and approval workflows.
  • Monitor treasury and bank account management to ensure liquidity, security, and appropriate use of funds.

Accounting oversight and audit

  • Supervise the Accounting Assistant (direct report) and ensure high-quality accounting operations, including invoice processing, reconciliations, balance sheet follow-up, and transaction review.
  • Ensure accounting entries, reconciliations, and supporting documentation are complete and audit-ready.
  • Lead the preparation of statutory accounts and coordinate the annual external audit process, including planning, documentation, liaison with auditors, and follow-up on recommendations.
  • Oversee financial reporting to external stakeholders and ensure consistency across accounting, fundraising, and management reporting.

Reporting, systems and process improvement

  • Oversee the integrity and consistency of financial data across systems, including the ERP and interfaces with other relevant platforms such as the fundraising CRM.
  • Lead the optimization, implementation, and continuous improvement of finance and operations systems, tools, dashboards, and reporting processes.
  • Develop and maintain effective management information and KPIs to support operational and strategic decisions.
  • Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, automation, control, and cross-functional collaboration through process redesign and digitalization.

Operations management

  • Support the Deputy Executive Director on core operational support functions to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the organization.
  • Assist the Deputy Executive Director to ensure that internal policies, procedures, and operational practices are fit for purpose, documented, and consistently applied.
  • Supervise or contribute to the coordination of key operational service providers, including as relevant IT, legal, audit, insurance, facilities, and other external partners, working closely with Deputy Executive Director or Administrative & HR Assistant.
  • Help define or update frameworks for sound contract management, procurement practices, and operational risk monitoring.
  • Contribute to business continuity planning and organizational resilience.

Governance, risk and organizational support

  • Support the Deputy Executive Director, Executive Director and Board on financial governance matters through high-quality reporting, analysis, and documentation.
  • Maintain and strengthen risk management and internal control frameworks.
  • Contribute to organizational policy development and cross-functional planning.
  • Ensure that finance and operations practices support organizational growth, accountability, and compliance.

 

What You bring

We are looking for someone who has:

  • Minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience including several at management level  in finance, accounting, audit, business administration, or operations, including significant experience in a senior finance leadership role.
  • Proven experience in budgeting, financial planning and analysis, accounting oversight, cash-flow management, financial controls, and audit coordination.
  • Experience in a nonprofit, foundation, international organization, or similarly mission-driven environment highly desirable.
  • Experience managing or significantly contributing to systems implementation and process improvement projects, ideally including ERP environments.
  • Advanced post graduate degree or graduate degree with equivalent in experience to reach master level in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field
  • Strong strategic and operational finance capabilities, with the ability to move between high-level analysis and implementation detail.
  • Excellent analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills, with sound judgment and a high degree of reliability.
  • Strong understanding of internal controls, compliance, and risk management.
  • Ability to translate financial information into clear recommendations for non-financial stakeholders.
  • High ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines
  • Very clear and systematic thinking that demonstrates very strong judgment and problem solving competencies
  • High analytical skills
  • Highly organized, detail oriented and structured
  • High ability to lead and motivate a team for optimum performance
  • High written and oral communication and interpersonal skills in a fast-paced multi-cultural and multilingual environment 
  • High capacity to work autonomously as well as a team player
  • High ability to interact with internal and external stakeholders with high negotiation and advocacy skills
  • Capacity to lead the exploration of new areas of activities, challenging ideas and projects
  • High budget management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making and reporting 
  • Strong project management and systems mindset, with the ability to improve processes and drive change.
  • High level of integrity, discretion, accountability, and service orientation.
  • Knowledge, interest and a strong commitment to the mission and values of UNHCR and the cause of people forced to flee
  • Excellent command of English and French. German proficiency an asset
  • Excellent computer skills and knowledge of MS Office applications with master level in Excel

 

Why Join Us?

  • Work for a cause that truly matters

  • Collaborate with a motivated, supportive and mission-driven team

  • Be part of an agile and growing Foundation

  • Get exposure to international humanitarian operations

  • Enjoy a flexible and hybrid work environment

 

Apply Now

Ready to bring your talent to a mission that saves lives? Submit your CV, motivation letter, and relevant documents by 31 May 2026 via our recruitment page. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis — early applications are encouraged!

Switzerland for UNHCR is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds (including those who have personally experienced displacement) and are committed to supporting others forced to flee.