Project Controller – Europe/Western Balkans

The Olof Palme International Center (Palme Center) is a Swedish non-profit organisation that supports partner organisations that work for human rights and peace. The Palme Center is part of the Swedish labour movement with headquarters in Stockholm. Through our development projects, we seek to empower people to change their societies and thereby their own lives. This is achieved through support to social movements, trade union organisations and political parties, as well as to other popular movements.

Short description of the setup of Western Balkans:

Currently we have programmes in Albania, Bosnia&Hercegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia

Local offices in Tirana-Albania, Pristina-Kosovo and Belgrade- Serbia

The OPC Balkan programme is based on the Olof Palme International Center’s regional strategy and is focused on the following main areas of work:

• socio-economic and labour rights
• citizen participation in decision-making processes
• transparency and anti-corruption
• progressive policy development

Responsibilities

The Project Controller will be part of the Palme Center’s Finance- and Europe Team with colleagues in different parts of Europe and with head office in Stockholm/Sweden and reports to Head of Finance.

The Project Controller will be responsible for the financial duties of the projects. This consists of making sure that the administrative procedures regarding agreements, budgets, register in the internal systems, reconciliations etc are made on time and reported to the Regional Controller. The Project Controller will also be responsible for the financial management of the local offices.

Detailed responsibilities:

• Responsible for the financial management of the local offices within the region.
• Responsible for the collaboration and coordination of our accounting firms within the region to ensure compliance with local accounting and tax regulations.
• Responsible for that the financial procedures and other administrative routines at the offices are maintained and developed in collaboration with the regional team and finance team.
• Submit monthly information on the outcome of administrative costs concerning budget (and other requested financial information) to the head office.
• Prepare the offices annual accounts under instructions from the head office.
• Oversee the organisation’s financial operations and ensure timely and accurate financial reports and practices including cash management, payroll, financial disbursements, ledgers, audit, etc.
• Ensure that all financial reporting is completed on time and submitted to the head office; this includes:

Overall:

• Ready to participate in relevant meetings at the head office as well as in regional activities when necessary.
• Ready to assist in all the work of the finance department when needed.
• Will be responsible for the financial duties of the projects. This consists of making sure that the administrative procedures regarding agreements, budgets, register in the internal systems, reconciliations etc are made on time and reported to the Regional Controller.
• Responsible for establishing relevant agreements with partner/member organisations.
• Will be responsible for regular and ongoing collaboration with the Programme Managers regarding the projects´ financial development. This includes the control of projects´ finances, administration, and audit.
• Financial support and follow-up with partner organisations. The support consists of work with budgeting, reporting, meeting deadlines, master formats and templates, compliance financially and with the agreements.
• In a structured and documented way conduct financial monitoring on partner organisations (and if applicable member organisations) and following up on findings. This includes reporting to the Teams and involved colleagues, including the Regional Controller, on relevant issues for efficient and qualitative collaboration to ensure good structure and internal control in the projects.

Requirements

• Academic degree minimum of bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
• Minimum of 5 years in a similar position.
• Experience in working within non-profit organizations is preferred.
• Computer proficiency in MS Office and accounting packages.
• Strong organisational and communicational skills.
• Knowledge of statutory requirements.
• Excellent knowledge of English both written and spoken.
• You share the values of the organisation.
• Sound bookkeeping and financial administration skills.
• Attention to details.
• Be systematic and meticulous.
• Ability to plan the work properly and manage to meet deadlines.
• Able to work independently with limited supervision.
• Good decision making and problem-solving skills.
• Capacity to work developmentally and respectfully with partner organisations.
• Ability to work as part of several different teams.
• Reliable and trustworthy.

Submission of applications:

Interested candidates should submit their CV, a brief cover letter (no longer than one page) in English to the Olof Palme International Center by email to job@palmecenter.se

Questions regarding the position are answered by Roger Stålnacke, Head of Finance, roger.stalnacke@palmecenter.se

The deadline for applying is October 24, 2025. We handle the applications and interviews continuously.

Welcome with your application!