Financial Controller

Closing: 11:59pm, 12th Apr 2026 CEST

About Us

Sunrise International is a proud member of The Sunrise Project network.

As a global network, we believe that a diversity of experiences and perspectives will help us build stronger strategies, teams, and movements. We are committed to building an inclusive and supportive workplace and encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds, including First Nations people, people of colour, people living outside major cities, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, and LGBTQIA+ people. Find out more here.

About The Role

The Financial Controller is responsible for leading the core accounting operations of Sunrise International, ensuring robust financial controls, high-quality reporting, and compliance with Dutch accounting standards. Beyond maintaining strong financial stewardship and safeguarding assets, the role plays a critical part in enabling effective decision-making across the organisation.Working closely with program teams and leadership, the Financial Controller translates financial data into clear, actionable insights, supports dynamic forecasting, and helps ensure resources are aligned to strategic priorities. The role brings a forward-looking lens to financial management, strengthening transparency, improving financial systems and processes, and embedding a culture of informed, values-aligned decision-making across Sunrise International.

About you 

You are a values-led finance leader who thrives in dynamic, mission-driven environments. You bring deep technical accounting expertise alongside strong strategic and systems thinking. 

You are confident operating at both strategic and transactional levels, able to engage others on financial sustainability and risk, while also strengthening controls, improving forecasting processes and building staff financial literacy. You are an excellent communicator who translates complex financial information into clear, accessible insights. You build trust across diverse stakeholders and approach everything you do with empathy, clarity and integrity. You enjoy working across all of finance—from strategic planning to hands-on operational tasks—and take pride in getting the details right.

You have a deep commitment to climate justice and have experience developing and implementing strategies to reduce environmental impact, and promote equity and justice through operational systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Overall financial management of Sunrise International including financial analysis and reporting, forecasting, cash flow, audit, grants and contract administration, and management of external service providers.
• Lead the ongoing forecasting process and collaborate with network colleagues to continually improve financial planning systems and processes to enable the board and senior managers to plan with clarity and confidence;
• Develops financial reports for the board, senior managers and budget holders in a way that clearly communicates key information in simple ways;
• Actively partner with executive and director level stakeholders across Sunrise International;
• Reviews grant agreements and funding contracts to ensure financial risk is understood, reporting obligations are clear, and compliance with ANBI requirements is maintained;
• Support timely and accurate donor financial and grant reporting, collaborating with the partnership teams
• Ensures smooth and well-controlled invoicing, payment and cash management processes, maintaining strong internal controls while enabling efficient operations; 
• Directly support or step into core financial operations when needed (e.g. payments, reconciliations, month-end), especially during periods of change or system transition.
• Represent Sunrise International in the project team that implements our new procure to pay system. In the interim period before system implementation, ensures purchasing and payment workflows are clearly documented, consistently applied and continuously improved.
• Develops, implements and maintains financial policies and practices to ensure sound financial management, good governance and compliance with relevant accounting standards;
• Oversees the independent audit and tax reporting for Sunrise International;
• Conducts in-depth analysis and recommendations relating to the financial impact for scenarios as identified;
• Ensures compliance and risk management across purchasing and contract fulfilment processes.
• Nurtures a vibrant and inclusive team culture and supports team members to unleash their potential.
• Aligns operational strategies and OKR’s with our organisational values and mission.  

Required Skills and Experience    

• Relevant accounting/ financial control qualifications such as ‘RA/RC’ or equivalent; 
• Significant experience as a senior level financial management professional in a similar role;
• Proven experience in business partnering, collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive strategic initiatives and achieve organisational goals.
• Ability to communicate complex financial information in simple ways to people who do not have a financial background;
• Keen analytical problem-solving skills to support sound decision making
• A high degree of flexibility with a demonstrated track record of working well in small teams in a fast-paced environment;
• A high degree of emotional intelligence and excellent interpersonal communication skills;
• A passion for action on climate change and a commitment to social justice, equity and inclusion.

Desirable Skills and Experience   

• Experience in the financial management of complex granting arrangements in a non-profit

Job Requirements

• You must have full working rights in the country in which you will be working. The Sunrise Project is unable to sponsor applicants for employment visas.
• Employment background checks are required.
• Previous employment reference checks will be required for successful applicants.
• Attend local in person partner actions.
• Intermittent travel with advanced notice may be required.
• Available to work across global time zones. 

How Sunrise Supports its Staff

The Sunrise Project is committed to a workplace where staff can do their best work and grow professionally. The following provisions apply pro rata for part-time or fixed-term staff. 

• Statutory benefits and entitlements of the country in which you are employed.
• Sunrise may provide additional benefits, where in-country entitlements are less than our standard package, where applicable including:
• Generous vacation leave 
• Birthday Leave 
• Cultural and Solidarity Leave 
• Paid Parental Leave that is gender-neutral & inclusive of all types of families, incl. Parental Return To Work & Keeping In Touch Program
• Life Leave (up to 40 days p.a. for significant personal reasons)
• Cultural Leave
• Workspace Benefits incl: A Macbook, initial €2,000* for home workspace & IT equipment + €800* every 2 years + up to €75/mth phone/data/internet (equivalent local currency)
• Shared office support

Additionally we offer:

• Flexible Working Policy
• VIDA - An AI tool to support your health and wellbeing
• Regular all-org and team meetings & retreats
• Learning & Development Program incl. a professional development budget for every staff member
• Coaching & manager support with regular 1:1 meetings
• Annual performance & development reviews with 360 feedback
• A co-developed work plan to ensure clarity on your role & key responsibilities
• We provide our staff with a voice on issues that concern them via consultation, caucuses, working groups, and surveys.

How to apply for this job

We recognise that discrimination and structural barriers shape access to formal education and experience. We assess candidates on the full range of skills and knowledge they've developed throughout their life — not just paid roles. For this reason, we evaluate applicants through responses to application questions. Please do not submit a cover letter.