Position: Regional Business Center Finance and Administrative Officer
Organisation: REDI – Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative
Duty station: Skopje, North Macedonia
Reports to: Financial Manager and to the Regional Business Center Coordinator-North Macedonia
Type of contract : Full-time
1. Background
REDI's primary objective is to enhance Roma inclusion in the Western Balkans and Türkiye by expanding socio-economic opportunities. This is pursued through two specific outcomes:
- Enhanced Roma-owned business growth and innovation: by providing training, financial support and networking opportunities, REDI aims to boost the growth and innovation of Roma-owned businesses, increasing their economic resilience and contribution to the local economy.
- Strengthened multi-stakeholder collaboration on Roma inclusion initiatives: REDI seeks to improve the coordination and effectiveness of Roma inclusion efforts by fostering partnerships among governments, civil society organisations and international agencies, ensuring that resources are used effectively and that policies are inclusive and sustainable.
Role of the Regional Business Centers Finance and Administrative Officer
Within this context, the Regional Business Centers Finance and Administrative Officer plays a key role in overseeing both the financial and the administrative aspects of the Regional Business Centers. The Officer manages the budget, ensures compliance with donor (including EU) requirements, provides financial oversight, and keeps the administrative, logistical and documentation systems of the Centers running smoothly. The role ensures that REDI's financial and administrative operations are aligned with its objectives and that funds are used transparently, efficiently and with maximum impact for Roma entrepreneurs and communities.
2. Objective
The Regional Business Centers Finance and Administrative Officer is responsible for comprehensive financial and administrative management of the Regional Business Center. This includes budgeting, financial reporting, procurement, compliance, administrative support, documentation management and logistics. The Officer supports and guides the field team, ensuring that financial and administrative practices are consistent and adhere to REDI policies, donor requirements and national legislation in each country of operation.
3. Key Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain budgets in close coordination with the Regional Business Centers Coordinator, the Financial Manager and other key stakeholders.
- Monitor budget execution, ensuring that expenditures are in line with approved budgets and eligible under donor rules.
- Prepare budget forecasts, adjustments and reallocations as necessary, providing timely recommendations to the Regional Business Centers Coordinator and the Financial Manager.
- Support teams in understanding and adhering to financial guidelines and budget constraints.
- Oversee financial operations and transactions, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
- Coordinate the preparation and submission of financial reports to donors, management and stakeholders according to the agreed schedule, including the collection and verification of staff timesheets.
- Process payments to suppliers, consultants and, where applicable, grant/financial-support beneficiaries, ensuring complete supporting documentation.
- Reconcile bank and cash accounts regularly, identifying and resolving discrepancies promptly.
- Ensure that all financial records are organised, accessible and compliant with organisational and donor policies.
- Plan and carry out procurement of goods, services and works for the Regional Business Center in line with REDI's procurement rules and applicable donor procedures (e.g. EU PRAG).
- Prepare tender documentation, requests for quotations, evaluation reports and contracts, and maintain complete procurement files.
- Maintain the supplier database and monitor contract execution and deliveries.
- Ensure that all financial and administrative activities comply with organisational policies, donor requirements and local regulations in each country of operation.
- Lead preparation for financial audits and expenditure verifications, ensuring that all documentation is available and audit-ready.
- Address audit findings by implementing corrective measures and improving processes as needed.
- Stay informed of changes in financial regulations, donor rules and best practices.
- Identify financial and operational risks and develop mitigation strategies together with the Financial Manager.
- Monitor and control project expenditures to prevent overspending or misallocation of resources.
- Safeguard project assets, including cash management, inventory control and procurement processes.
B. Administrative Responsibilities
- Organise and maintain the administrative systems of the Regional Business Center, including physical and electronic filing, archiving and document retention in line with donor requirements.
- Draft, register and track official correspondence, contracts, agreements and internal memos.
- Maintain registers of contracts, partnership agreements and beneficiary agreements, and monitor their deadlines and renewals.
- Keep an up-to-date inventory and fixed-asset register, including labelling of equipment and EU visibility requirements where applicable.
- Support recruitment processes for staff and consultants (vacancy announcements, application screening, interview logistics, contract preparation).
- Maintain personnel files, timesheets, leave records and attendance in compliance with labour legislation and donor requirements.
- Support onboarding of new staff on REDI's administrative and financial procedures.
- Organise logistics for trainings, workshops, networking events, business fairs and partner meetings (venues, catering, transport, accommodation, participant lists and signature sheets).
- Manage travel arrangements for staff and participants, including travel authorisations, per-diem calculations and the settlement of travel expenses.
- Ensure that all event and travel documentation (agendas, attendance lists, photos, invoices) is complete for reporting and audit purposes.
- Provide administrative support to calls for applications and financial-support schemes for Roma-owned businesses, including the receipt and registration of applications and the preparation of beneficiary agreements.
- Verify beneficiaries' supporting documents and financial reports and maintain beneficiary files.
- Support the Regional Business Centers Coordinator with data collection for monitoring and reporting.
- Communicate financial and administrative information clearly to non-financial stakeholders, including project teams, donors, partners and beneficiaries.
- Collaborate with the Financial Manager and the wider REDI team to ensure alignment between financial management, administration and project objectives.
- Provide financial and administrative input into project proposals, reports and strategic planning.
4. Qualifications and Experience
4.1 Education
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration or a related field. A master's degree or professional certification (e.g. ACCA, CPA, certified accountant) is an asset.
4.2 Experience
- Minimum 3 years of experience in financial management and/or administration, preferably in an international development or civil society context.
- Proven experience in managing finances and administration of donor-funded projects, ideally multi-country EU-funded projects.
- Demonstrated expertise in budgeting, financial reporting, procurement and compliance management.
- Familiarity with EU financial and procurement rules (e.g. PRAG) is a strong advantage.
4.3 Skills and Competencies
- Strong financial analysis and budgeting skills, with the ability to interpret financial data and make informed decisions.
- Excellent organisational and multitasking abilities, with strong attention to detail.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the MS Office package; experience with accounting software is an asset.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to explain financial and administrative procedures to non-financial staff and beneficiaries.
- High integrity and ethical standards, with a commitment to confidentiality and compliance.
4.4 Languages
- Fluent written and spoken English and Macedonian
- Knowledge of Romani is an asset.
4.5 Commitment to Roma Inclusion
Understanding of and commitment to Roma inclusion, equality and non-discrimination. Experience working with Roma communities or Roma-owned businesses is an asset.
5. Deliverables
- A comprehensive budget execution and financial plan, updated as necessary.
- Timely and accurate procurement and financial reports, including monthly, quarterly and annual statements.
- Audit-ready financial, procurement and administrative records, with successful audit and verification outcomes.
- Well-maintained administrative systems: filing and archive, contract and asset registers, personnel and timesheet records.
- Efficient logistics and complete documentation for events, trainings and travel.
- Regular performance evaluations and capacity-building plans for the Financial and Administrative Assistants.
6. Performance Evaluation
The performance of the Regional Business Center Finance and Administrative Officer will be evaluated on:
- Accuracy and timeliness of financial reports, procurement and administrative documentation.
- Effective budget management and alignment with REDI's objectives.
- Compliance with organisational policies and donor requirements.
- Efficiency and quality of administrative and logistical support.
- Successful support to the local teams in the Regional Business Centers.
- Stakeholder satisfaction with financial and administrative management and communication.
7. Application Process
7.1 Application Submission
Applications should be submitted by e-mail to [најави се за да го видиш е-маилот] , with the subject line: Regional Business Centers Finance and Administrative Officer.
7.2 Required Documents
- A detailed CV outlining your educational background, professional experience and key achievements.
- A cover letter (maximum 2 pages) explaining your suitability for the position and your motivation for applying.
- Contact information for at least one professional reference (optional).
7.3 Deadline for Applications
Applications must be submitted no later than 13.11.2026
7.4 Selection Process
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview, which may be conducted online or in person and may include a practical test.
- Final selection will be based on qualifications, experience and fit with the project team and objectives.
7.5 Equal Opportunities
REDI is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and non-discrimination. Qualified Roma candidates, and in particular Roma women, are strongly encouraged to apply.