About APOPO
APOPO is an international non-profit organization that saves lives by training animals to detect landmines, unexploded ordnance, tuberculosis, and other threats. For more than 27 years, we have worked alongside communities, governments, and donors to deliver safe, effective, and innovative solutions with lasting impact.
As APOPO continues to grow, so does the complexity of our donor portfolio. To strengthen our financial oversight and compliance, we are recruiting a Financial Controller – Grants & Compliance based at our headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium.
About the role
This is a new, full-time position based in Belgium, with travel to country programs when required.
You will play a key role in ensuring strong financial compliance across our donor-funded portfolio. You will work closely with the CFO, the finance team, and Partnership and Grant Managers, and collaborate intensively with program teams across multiple countries.
This role combines donor financial reporting, compliance oversight, proposal budget control, audit coordination, and financial risk management. It is ideal for a finance professional who understands donor-regulated environments and enjoys working across teams and cultures.
Key responsibilities
Donor financial reporting
- Prepare, review, and submit accurate and timely donor financial reports
- Ensure consistency between accounting records, financial reports, and narrative reports
- Analyze budget versus actual expenditure and prepare clear variance explanations
- Maintain and monitor the donor reporting calendar
- Coordinate with field finance and program teams to validate financial data
Donor financial compliance & follow-up
- Interpret and apply donor financial regulations (cost eligibility, exchange rates, indirect costs, procurement rules)
- Ensure expenditures comply with approved budgets, contracts, and donor rules
- Identify financial compliance risks and propose corrective actions
- Support and coordinate donor-required audits
- Follow up receivables in the CRM and act proactively to secure timely payments
Budget control for grant proposals
- Review and validate proposal budgets prior to donor submission
- Ensure coherence between budgets, narratives, and work plans
- Ensure compliance with donor regulations and APOPO internal policies
- Provide budget guidance to Programs and Innovation Development teams
- Support financial negotiations with donors when required
Financial monitoring of donor-funded projects
- Maintain project-level budget monitoring tools
- Monitor burn rates and flag risks of under- or overspending
- Support budget revisions, amendments, and no-cost extensions
- Participate in project review meetings
Internal coordination & capacity building
- Work closely with the Internal Financial Controller and Finance Department
- Train and support teams on donor financial compliance requirements
- Contribute to improving donor reporting tools and procedures
Contribution to financial risk management
- Identify financial risks related to donor contracts and funding mechanisms
- Strengthen internal controls related to donor-funded expenditure
Financial desk support
- Provide Finance Managers with up-to-date information on all incoming and outgoing payments;
- Ensure that payments are made from the correct accounts and received on the correct accounts;
- Troubleshoot payment-related issues between HQ and Program Accounts.
Values, ethics & safeguarding
- Act in line with APOPO’s mission, values, and Code of Ethics & Conduct
- Uphold APOPO’s safeguarding standards and report concerns through appropriate channels
- Fulfil safeguarding responsibilities relevant to the role
Your profile
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field
- Minimum 3 years of experience in donor-oriented finance roles
- At least 2 years of experience in donor financial reporting and grant management
- Proven experience in proposal budget preparation and review
- Experience working with institutional donors (e.g. EU, UN, FCDO, DGD or similar) is a strong asset
- Experience in the NGO sector is highly desirable
- Experience with ERP systems; knowledge of Odoo is a strong asset
- Strong analytical and organizational skills
- Comfortable working across cultures and programs
- Fluent in English and Dutch
What we offer
A full-time position based at APOPO HQ in Belgium, with travel to our country programs when required.
You will join a mission-driven international organization where financial compliance directly supports life-saving work. This role offers autonomy, responsibility, and the opportunity to strengthen systems that enable impact on the ground.
Start date: as soon as possible.
Location: This is a Belgium-based role, with regular presence required at APOPO Headquarters in Antwerp (minimum 2–3 days per week).
Travel to country programs may be required.
How to apply
Please apply through the application form and submit:
- Your CV (PDF)
- A 1-page motivation letter (PDF)
- Contact details of two professional referees
The closing date for applications is 22/03/2026. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Our commitment
APOPO is committed to safeguarding the well-being of all people and animals we work with. All staff are expected to uphold our safeguarding standards and contribute to a safe, respectful, and inclusive working environment.
APOPO is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds. Background and reference checks form part of the recruitment process.