Deputy Chief Financial Officer & Financial Controller

Location: GWPO Headquarters, Windhoek, Namibia

Reports to: Director – Finance, Administration & Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Team: Finance & Administration

Grade Range: P3–P4

Application Deadline: 11 June 2026

INTERNAL RECRUITMENT 

BACKGROUND

The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is an international institution with a unique model comprising an intergovernmental organisation, the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO), and a global network of more than 2,800 partner organisations. GWP was founded in 1996 with the support of the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency with a mission to support countries in the sustainable development and management of water resources at all levels.

In 2002, the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) was established as an intergovernmental organisation with a mandate to serve as the global secretariat of GWP and support the worldwide GWP Network in pursuit of its mission and vision of a water secure world.

For more than two decades, GWPO and the GWP Network have been at the forefront of promoting integrated water resources management and strengthening water governance globally. GWP comprises 13 Regional Water Partnerships and 77 Country Water Partnerships operating in more than 180 countries. Since 2014, GWP has directly and indirectly supported investments and strengthened water governance and policy frameworks in more than 90 countries.

In 2025, GWPO and its GWP Network launched a Global Transformation Agenda on Water Investments. Under the GWP Strategy 2026–2030, GWPO is undertaking a profound institutional transformation to accelerate mobilization and deployment of finance at scale, strengthen water governance, and promote sustainable, climate-resilient, and equitable development.

This bold new chapter includes strengthened partnerships with G20 countries, multilateral development banks, global climate finance institutions, the private sector, and regional financial and economic institutions to scale up impact. It also includes establishment of GWPO’s innovative Dual Headquarters anchored in the Global South, while offering an opportunity to visionary States and governments around the world to join the organisation — a historic opportunity to renew global water cooperation and be part of the world’s first Global South anchored intergovernmental architecture on water investments.

POSITION PURPOSE

The Deputy Chief Financial Officer & Financial Controller supports the Director – Finance, Administration & Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in the operational leadership, financial control, compliance oversight, and implementation of GWPO’s global financial management systems across the GWPO Secretariat and the GWP Network.

The position serves as GWPO’s operational Financial Controller and is responsible for financial consolidation, accounting controls, operational financial management, treasury coordination, payroll oversight, donor financial compliance, grant management oversight, audit support, staff financial entitlements administration, and financial reporting across designated programmes and regional portfolios.

The role focuses primarily on operational finance, accounting oversight, financial reporting quality assurance, budget implementation support, liquidity monitoring, treasury operations, payroll administration, corporate finance operations, and financial control systems, while the Director – Finance, Administration & CFO retains overall strategic, institutional, fiduciary, and corporate financial leadership responsibilities.

The Deputy Chief Financial Officer & Financial Controller serves as a key operational financial focal point for Regional Water Partnerships (RWPs), Country Water Partnerships (CWPs), host institutions, implementing partners, and projects. The incumbent provides financial analysis, technical guidance, operational support, fiduciary oversight, and capacity strengthening across GWPO’s decentralized operational architecture.

The position provides operational leadership of the Finance & Administration support functions and coordinates day-to-day financial management activities across GWPO operations and designated regional portfolios.

The Deputy Chief Financial Officer & Financial Controller reports directly to the Director – Finance, Administration & CFO and works closely with programme teams, regional teams, project managers, finance staff, auditors, host institutions, funding partners, pension providers, insurance providers, payroll service providers, and corporate service providers.

Certain operational responsibilities may be exercised directly or through delegated supervision and coordination of finance, payroll, treasury, grants management, and administrative personnel within the Finance & Administration function.

The Deputy Chief Financial Officer & Financial Controller may serve in an acting capacity during temporary absences of the Director – Finance, Administration & CFO, within delegated authority.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Control, Treasury Operations and Financial Management

The Deputy Chief Financial Officer & Financial Controller shall:

• Serve as GWPO’s operational Financial Controller responsible for financial consolidation, financial controls, reconciliation oversight, operational treasury coordination, and financial reporting quality assurance across designated regional and programme portfolios;
• Support the CFO in operational financial management, financial planning, financial reporting, and compliance oversight;
• Manage day-to-day financial operations for GWPO and provide operational financial support to Regional Water Partnerships and designated programmes;
• Coordinate consolidation of financial statements, liquidity monitoring, multi-currency cash flow management, and foreign exchange exposure monitoring across GWPO operations and designated regional portfolios;
• Prepare and monitor institutional and regional cash flow forecasts, liquidity projections, funding utilization trends, and financial forecasts to support effective financial planning and treasury management;
• Monitor regional liquidity positions and support recommendations relating to cash flow allocations and funding requests;
• Oversee operational reconciliation and monitoring of GWPO bank accounts, cash balances, bank reconciliations, and related treasury transactions in accordance with internal financial controls and delegated authority;
• Support implementation and operationalization of the GWPO-GWP Network Integrated Financial Management and Reporting System (NIFMARS);
• Establish and maintain effective financial management controls and operational procedures across designated portfolios;
• Serve as authorized operational focal point for supplier and financial master data management within approved financial systems and delegated authority;
• Coordinate and oversee payroll administration processes, payroll reconciliations, and salary-related financial controls in accordance with GWPO policies, staff rules, applicable tax obligations, and approved compensation frameworks;
• Support administration and financial coordination of staff benefits, including pension arrangements, medical insurance, life and travel insurance, staff entitlements, and related financial obligations in accordance with GWPO policies and contractual frameworks;
• Support financial administration and processing of internationally recruited staff entitlements and mobility-related benefits, including installation grants, relocation support, home leave, education-related entitlements, and separation-related payments in accordance with applicable GWPO policies and contractual provisions;
• Coordinate financial administration and reconciliation processes relating to pension contributions, insurance schemes, and staff benefit providers, and support maintenance of accurate related financial records;
• Support implementation and operational oversight of GWPO’s Grant Management Policy, grant administration procedures, and financial compliance mechanisms across GWPO-led and jointly delivered programmes;
• Support operational implementation and monitoring of GWPO’s joint delivery and cost recovery framework across GWPO-led and jointly delivered programmes, including tracking of financial allocations, delivery shares, management fees, and cost recovery flows between GWPO and Regional Water Partnerships;
• Support implementation of cost recovery systems, financial reporting structures, and financial process harmonization;
• Coordinate and operationally manage the annual budgeting cycle in collaboration with programme teams, regional hubs, and the CFO;
• Prepare financial forecasts, expenditure analysis, and budget monitoring reports aligned with the phased implementation of the GWP Strategy 2026–2030;
• Support operational implementation of financial risk mitigation measures and internal control systems;
• Continuously identify and support implementation of improvements to financial systems, operational workflows, reporting quality, and service delivery.

 

Financial Reporting, Financial Analysis and Operational Performance Support

• Facilitate and quality assure timely financial reporting from assigned Regional Water Partnerships and projects;
• Coordinate quarterly financial reporting processes with Regional Water Partnerships and designated programmes, including review, reconciliation, consolidation, variance analysis, and follow-up on reporting quality and compliance issues;
• Consolidate regional financial reports and prepare summary financial analysis for management review;
• Reconcile regional reports, liquidity reports, budget follow-up reports, payroll reports, and treasury reports;
• Prepare quarterly financial briefs, expenditure analyses, budget variance reports, and treasury summaries;
• Prepare and submit donor financial reports and internal financial reports in accordance with applicable standards and timelines;
• Monitor financial performance across assigned programmes and regional portfolios;
• Work closely with programme and Network Operations teams to strengthen integration between financial reporting, operational performance monitoring, and results reporting systems;
• Maintain updated records of financial contacts, auditors, payroll providers, insurance providers, pension providers, and financial reporting systems across designated regions and projects.

 

Fiduciary Compliance, Audit and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with applicable GWPO financial rules, donor agreements, financial procedures, and operational financial guidelines;
• Ensure compliance with applicable IGO financial rules, donor regulations, and host country financial requirements relevant to assigned operational portfolios;
• Support fiduciary compliance assessments, donor due diligence processes, and financial risk mitigation measures across GWPO-led and jointly delivered programmes;
• Support financial due diligence assessments, fiduciary risk reviews, and financial capacity assessments for Regional Water Partnerships, Country Water Partnerships, host institutions, implementing partners, and other entities prior to grant disbursement or contractual engagement by GWPO;
• Support financial and fiduciary assessments associated with Regional Water Partnership accreditation, hosting arrangements, institutional capacity reviews, and operational compliance processes;
• Coordinate internal and external audits and support timely implementation of audit recommendations;
• Coordinate collection, consolidation, quality assurance, and submission of regional and project financial statements, audit reports, payroll records, pension reconciliations, and supporting documentation for preparation of GWPO consolidated annual financial statements and institutional audits;
• Support coordination and quality assurance of regional and project audit submissions and follow-up actions;
• Liaise with external auditors in relation to donor-initiated audits and annual audit processes;
• Follow up on audit findings and support implementation of corrective measures;
• Support maintenance of financial risk registers and financial compliance monitoring systems.

 

Donor, Project and Host Institution Support

• Participate in assessments of Regional Water Partnership host institutions and self-hosting arrangements in relation to financial management capacity;
• Review donor agreements and support alignment of programme financial management systems with donor requirements;
• Review project proposals, financial models, and programme budgets and provide operational financial analysis and recommendations;
• Support financial structuring and operational financial coordination of jointly delivered programmes and investment-oriented initiatives involving GWPO, Regional Water Partnerships, host institutions, and strategic partners;
• Support programme teams and regional teams in budget preparation, financial planning, and financial compliance matters;
• Anticipate and support management of operational financial implications arising from organisational, donor, programme, or staffing changes.

 

Capacity Development, Network Financial Governance and Support

• Provide technical guidance, operational support, and financial training to regional and country teams;
• Coordinate and support training, orientation, and technical guidance for GWP global and regional finance teams on GWPO financial policies, fiduciary frameworks, financial procedures, grant management requirements, cost recovery mechanisms, donor compliance standards, NIFMARS, payroll administration requirements, staff benefits administration, and integrated financial reporting procedures;
• Support strengthening of financial governance, fiduciary standards, and financial management practices across the GWP Network in alignment with GWPO policies and institutional standards;
• Support strengthening of financial management capacities across the GWP Network;
• Provide guidance and technical support to finance staff, consultants, and operational teams;
• Support supervision and coordination of grants, budgeting, accounting, treasury, payroll, and financial support personnel assigned to the Finance & Administration function;
• Contribute to development of financial guidelines, templates, tools, and operational procedures;
• Support a culture of continuous learning, service orientation, accountability, and financial integrity across the organisation.

Leadership, Corporate Services and Team Support

• Provide day-to-day operational leadership and technical supervision to finance staff and consultants supporting GWPO finance and administration functions;
• Support operational coordination of GWPO corporate services functions related to finance administration, payroll administration, staff financial entitlements, vendor coordination, treasury support, and related operational support services;
• Support effective coordination and collaboration within the Finance & Administration Team;
• Contribute to continuous improvement of financial systems, operational efficiency, and service delivery;
• Represent the Finance & Administration Unit in internal task forces and operational coordination processes;
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director – Finance, Administration & CFO.

 

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

The Deputy Chief Financial Officer & Financial Controller will be evaluated against:

• Effectiveness and robustness of financial management controls across assigned regions and projects;
• Quality, timeliness, and accuracy of financial reporting, consolidation, reconciliations, and analysis;
• Effectiveness in budget monitoring, liquidity management, cash flow management, treasury coordination, payroll administration, and financial forecasting;
• Timeliness and quality of donor financial reporting;
• Effectiveness of regional financial consolidation and reporting systems;
• Operational support to implementation of NIFMARS;
• Effectiveness of operational implementation and financial monitoring of joint delivery and cost recovery mechanisms across assigned portfolios;
• Accuracy and timeliness of payroll administration, staff financial entitlements processing, and related reconciliations;
• Audit coordination outcomes, including timely submission of documentation and resolution of audit findings;
• Level of fiduciary compliance with donor agreements, financial guidelines, and internal policies;
• Contribution to process improvements, operational efficiency, and strengthening of the Finance & Administration function.

 

CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

Core Values

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity

 

Core Competencies

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Planning and Organizing
• Accountability
• Client and Partner Orientation
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Technological Awareness
• Analytical Thinking
• Sound Professional Judgement

 

Functional Competencies

• Financial management and reporting;
• Financial control and treasury operations;
• Budget planning and financial forecasting;
• Payroll administration and staff benefits coordination;
• Fiduciary compliance and audit coordination;
• Financial risk management and internal controls;
• ERP, enterprise financial management, and integrated financial reporting systems;
• Portfolio-based financial management and cost recovery coordination across decentralized delivery structures;
• Ability to operate in complex multi-country and multi-partner environments;
• Strong stakeholder engagement and operational coordination skills.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Advanced university degree in accounting, finance, business administration, economics, or related field;
• Professional accounting qualifications (CPA, ACCA, CIMA, CA or equivalent) is highly desirable.
• At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, financial management, treasury operations, payroll administration, audit, grant management, or fiduciary compliance;
• Experience in international organisations, development finance, donor-funded programmes, or multi-country operational environments is highly desirable;
• Experience supporting donor compliance and financial reporting for multilateral or bilateral funded programmes;
• Experience managing payroll administration, treasury operations, staff benefits coordination, or financial reconciliations in international or multi-country environments is desirable;
• Experience working with ERP, enterprise financial management, payroll, and integrated financial reporting systems;
• Demonstrated experience in financial analysis, budgeting, audit coordination, treasury coordination, grant management oversight, payroll administration, and operational financial management.

 

Skills and Attributes

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines;
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural and matrix-management environments;
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy;
• Excellent command of written and spoken English. Working knowledge of French, Spanish, or other UN languages is an advantage;
• Strong proficiency in financial systems, spreadsheets, payroll systems, and modern office technologies.