Financial Project Controller

Are you a financially sharp, detail-oriented professional who thrives in complex, multi-stakeholder project environments? As a Financial Project Controller at the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP), you are at the heart of financial planning, monitoring, and reporting for our water programmes.

You will oversee budgeting, financial reporting, compliance, and forecasting, while advising project managers and the leadership on financial performance and risk. Your work directly supports programmes that address global water challenges.

Our organisation

NWP is the network organisation for the Dutch water sector. The Netherlands has a rock-solid reputation when it comes to water. We believe this expertise can make a difference worldwide. For this reason, we facilitate the Dutch water sector in export opportunities, international cooperation and promotion. NWP has about 175 members, both commercial and non-profit members, ranging from water technology to water infrastructure, NGOs and Government. With these members, we create water impact worldwide. NWP creates added value every day for our and with our members.

NWP’s global ambition is to grow the international impact of the Dutch water sector on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We believe we can work towards a sustainable future where over nine billion people can thrive and live in balance with the earth’s resources. A future that is water-driven, for society as well as for businesses. We are a network-driven organisation with an entrepreneurial mindset. We celebrate diversity and inclusiveness in who we are, how we think and how we act. We aim for personal growth that aligns with both organisational and individual ambitions.

Your role

Project Financial Control & Reporting

• Monitor, validate and report on project and programme budgets.
• Consolidate monthly and quarterly reports and ensure accurate cost allocations.
• Coordinate and support external audits and financial reviews, ensuring the timely and accurate delivery of all necessary documentation.
• Act as a sparring partner to project managers by reviewing project budgets before they are submitted to clients.
• Ensure all project data is correctly entered into the system, with complete documentation and approved budgets to enable accurate tracking through Power BI.
• Prepare and distribute sales invoices for your own projects.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Prepare annual financial plans and support the strategic financial direction of NWP.
• Advise directors and project managers on forecasts, budget realignments, and expenditure control.
• Assist project managers with financial calculations and advise them on complex budgeting scenarios.

Financial Operations & Compliance

• Ensure timely sales tax returns, compliance with Dutch financial laws, and adherence to donor regulations.
• Maintain a solid internal control framework (AO/IC) and improve financial procedures.
• Check that administrative records are complete, including time entries and processed invoices.
• Process purchase invoices in Blue10 in the absence of the Finance Project Support Officer.
• Support HR with finance-related questions when required.

Proposal & Contract Support

• Review financial elements of project proposals and contracts.
• Ensure consistency with project budgets, donor guidelines, and internal standards.
• Review and analyse the financial terms of contracts and make recommendations where needed.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Liaise with funding bodies, auditors, and suppliers on financial matters.
• Represent finance in internal project meetings and ensure cross-departmental alignment.
• Proactively follow up with project managers to complete missing project data or documentation.

Team Contribution & Development

• Collaborate with the NWP team to make sure projects are on track, budgets are known, the progress is clear, and the reporting runs smoothly.
• Collaborate with the finance team to prepare year-end accounts.
• Support the internal audit process, ensuring smooth execution and follow-up.
• Take over when colleagues are absent (e.g. during team meetings or in relation to credit control) and assist in process improvements across departments, including financial systems and workflows.

Competencies

Financial Accuracy: Detail-oriented, analytical and structured.

Initiative & Ownership: Proactive in identifying risks and opportunities.

Communication: Effective with both internal and external stakeholders.

Decision-making: Confident in managing complex financial decisions.

Integrity & Accountability: Trusted financial stewardship with strong ethics.

Leadership (soft): Able to guide, coach, and collaborate across teams.

Team Contribution & Development: Contribute to the daily operations and continuous improvement.

What we offer

• The opportunity to make a real impact on international water projects.
• A diverse and supportive working environment with like-minded colleagues.
• Space to develop your financial expertise.
• Room for initiative to improve tools, processes, and services.
• A competitive salary and secondary benefits.
• A flexible and hybrid working culture (office in The Hague).

What we ask

• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Management or equivalent (University or University of applied sciences level).
• 5+ years of relevant experience in project-based financial control.
• Solid understanding of financial legislation, reporting standards, and audit processes.
• Familiarity with donor-funded projects and project finance (e.g. RVO, EU-funded).
• Fluent Dutch and English is a must.
• Proficiency in Excel and financial software (e.g. Exact online).