Relaunch : Director of Administration Ref UfMFT202511

Union for the Mediterranean; Barcelona; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Director of Administration at Union for the Mediterranean leads Finance, Central Support Services, Contracts & Procurement, Grants & Funds Management, and IT, reporting to the Deputy Secretary General – Administration. The role ensures robust accounting, budgeting, payroll, procurement, and reporting with accuracy, compliance and transparency.

Ideal candidates hold a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or Economics, with extensive senior leadership experience in

Qualifications

• 16+ years of progressively responsible professional experience relevant to the duties of the position, including at least 8 years in senior managerial roles
• Experience in managing administrative services with budget responsibility and strong governance knowledge
• Knowledge of accounting standards (IFRS/IPSAS) and financial reporting for institutional donors
• Experience working in EU institutions or agencies and familiarity with EU financial systems (highly desirable)
• Experience overseeing multidisciplinary corporate functions such as contracts and procurement, grants and funds management, IT, logistics or facilities

Responsibilities

• Lead development, implementation, and monitoring of financial strategies, policies, and procedures in line with EU regulations and donor requirements
• Oversee all financial operations including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, accounting, treasury, payroll, and procurement
• Provide strategic financial analysis and advise senior management on risks, governance, and resource allocation
• Define the department’s work programme in alignment with UfM strategy
• Ensure adequate resources and people to implement activities and achieve goals
• Act as UfM Accounting Officer ensuring accuracy and integrity of financial operations and reporting
• Ensure IT infrastructure and ICT operations meet organizational needs and security standards
• Oversee CSS Unit for logistics, event coordination, mission management, and facility operations
• Report to the Secretary General and participate in the Management Committee
• Engage with Member States, donors, auditors, and institutional bodies on financial and administrative matters
• Lead performance management of Finance, CSS, Contracts and Procurement, Grants & Funds Management, and IT teams

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Analytical thinking

People management

Communication

Planning and organizing

Education

Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics or related field

Professional accounting qualification (ACCA/CIMA/CPA) desirable

Job description

Job Title: Director of the Administration Department

Ref.: UfM/FT/2025/11

Department: Finance, Legal & Administration Department

Reports to: Deputy Secretary General – Administration

Deadline to apply: XX October 2026 (midnight, Central European Summer Time – CEST, GMT/UTC+2)

Staff category and conditions:

• Post Classification: CS1.1,Step 1 ( Director)
• Contracted Staff as per UfM Staff Regulations and Implementing Rules
• Fixed-term contract of 3 years as per Staff Regulations and Implementing Rules of the Staff Regulations, 6 months’ probation period

SUMMARY

The Director of Administration is responsible for the overall leadership and effective performance of the Administration Department, in accordance with Section IX of the Statutes of the Secretariat. The role ensures that the organization’s accounting systems, financial and procurement processes, and reporting mechanisms meet the highest standards of accuracy, compliance, and transparency, applying deep technical and procedural expertise in line with institutional regulations, delegated authorities, and internationally recognised financial and accounting standards. The Director provides strategic leadership to the department’s core functions—Finance, Central Support Services (CSS), Contracts and Procurement, Grants & Funds Management, and Information Technology—ensuring that each team delivers professional, efficient, and mission-aligned support services across the UfM. The Director of Administration reports directly to the Deputy Secretary General of Administration and is a member of the UfM Management Committee.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of comprehensive financial strategies, policies, and procedures in line with organizational goals, EU financial regulations, international accounting standards (e.g., IPSAS), and donor requirements.
• Oversee all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, accounting, treasury management, payroll, and procurement.
• Provide strategic financial analysis and advise senior management on administrative, financial, and institutional risks; governance frameworks; internal control systems; and resource allocation to support informed decision-making.
• Define the department’s work programme in collaboration with the various Units, ensuring alignment with the UfM strategy.
• Ensure that the Department has the appropriate resources and people to implement its activities and achieve organizational goals.
• Oversee the organization’s financial management, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and integrity in all accounting operations in accordance with applicable regulations and internal governance frameworks.
• Ensure the implementation of agile processes and digital tools within the department, fostering a culture of continuous improvement to effectively support the organization’s activities.
• Drive continuous improvement of financial workflows, procedures, and systems to maintain operational excellence.
• Act as the UfM Accounting Officer and ensure the accuracy, completeness, transparency, and integrity of financial operations, accounting systems, and institutional reporting, in accordance with applicable institutional rules and internationally recognized accounting standards.
• Ensure that the IT infrastructure and up-to-date technology meet the organization’s needs, and that ICT operations—including maintenance of information systems, infrastructure management, helpdesk coordination, and security coordination—are implemented.
• Ensure that the CSS Unit provides agile support to all departments and divisions in logistics, event coordination, mission management, and facility operations, ensuring a functional and safe workplace.
• Report regularly to the Secretary General, including on the implementation status of ongoing projects, and provide strategic briefings and policy inputs on administrative, financial, and governance matters.
• Actively participate in the Management Committee and provide all required information and input.
• Carry out any other duties assigned by the Deputy Secretary General, including representing them in meetings and conferences, preparing notes, talking points, or speeches, and undertaking any other tasks within the scope of your competencies.
• Engage with Member States, donors, auditors, and other institutional bodies on financial and administrative matters, and represent the UfM at senior-level institutional meetings and forums.
• Ensure performance management of teams—Finance, CSS, Contracts and Procurement, Grants & Funds Management, and IT—by setting objectives for direct reports and evaluating their contributions to departmental goals.
• Motivate and support team development by promoting training and professional growth opportunities within the organization.
• Act as a driver of change within the organization.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS:

• Be a national of a UfM Member State (https://ufmsecretariat.org/who-we-are/member-states/)

Academic Background:

• Master degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics or any related fields.
• Professional accounting qualification (e.g. ACCA, CIMA, CPA, Certified Public Accountant) is highly desirable.

Experience & Knowledge

• A minimum of 16 years of progressively responsible professional experience relevant to the duties of the position, including at least 8 years in senior managerial or leadership roles overseeing administrative services, financial operations, or corporate services, with direct line-management responsibility for multidisciplinary teams and accountability for complex budgets.
• Management: Demonstrated experience in managing administrative services, including budget responsibility, with a strong grasp of institutional governance and internal control frameworks, in managing complex budgets and financial reporting for institutional donors
• Experience with audit management and risk assessment.
• Accounting Expertise: Proven in-depth technical knowledge of accounting principles and procedures (e.g., Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, IFRS and or/IPSAS), including oversight of accounting systems, validation of financial processes, accounting policies and preparation of financial statements, ensuring compliance with applicable accounting standards and institutional rules.
• Audit & Risk Management: Experience with audit management and risk assessment.
• Institutional & EU Financial Knowledge (Highly desirable): Experience working in EU institutions or Agencies, with familiarity in EU financial systems, programme structures, and financial management standards
• Experience working in an EU institution or agency, an international organisation, or a comparable public-sector or institutional environment.
• Knowledge of and/or practical experience applying PRAG is highly desirable.
• Experience overseeing multidisciplinary corporate functions such as contracts and procurement, grants and funds management, IT, logistics, facilities or event management is highly desirable.
• Knowledge and/or work experience in Mediterranean countries is an advantage.
• Communication & Institutional Representation: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to represent the organisation at senior levels, engage effectively with institutional stakeholders, and promote a culture of accountability and service excellence.
• Analytical & Decision-Making Skills: Strong ability to assess complex financial data, exercise sound judgment, support high-quality financial reporting and decision-making.
• Leadership and people management skills: ability to give directions, take decisions, manage and motivate people effectively
• Planning and organizational skills;
• Service-oriented and results-driven attitude.

Additional desirable experience and competencies:

• Knowledge and/or work experience in Mediterranean countries is an advantage