Finance Officer for the Department for Theology, Mission and Justice (DTMJ)

Place of assignment: Geneva, Switzerland

Starting date: ideally 1 September 2026

Contract period: open-ended contract

Work time: 80 %

Average travel days per year: little with less than 7 days per year

Organizational Context

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a global communion of churches representing over 77 million Christians in 99 countries. Working from its Geneva Communion Office and through a worldwide network of member churches and World Service programs, the LWF engages in theological reflection, leadership strengthening, advocacy, gender justice, diakonia, and humanitarian response. The LWF Strategy 2025–2030 commits the communion to sustainability, stewardship, and mission-integrated accountability in service of member churches and the communities they serve.

Purpose

The Department for Theology, Mission and Justice (DTMJ) is the LWF's primary department for supporting the presence, witness, and mission of member churches globally. DTMJ develops theological reflection, addresses theological challenges facing churches today, and supports LWF member churches in holistic mission, diakonia, and action for justice. DTMJ works with a diverse range of international donors and ecumenical partners across multiple program cycles and reporting frameworks.

Position Environment and Dimensions

DTMJ is seeking a Finance Officer to support and coordinate the financial management of the department. Working closely with the DTMJ Director, the Management Team, and the LWF Communion Office Finance Team, the Finance Officer ensures compliance, accountability, transparency, and stewardship of resources entrusted to DTMJ.

The role also contributes to the department's resource development efforts — preparing high-quality financial data to support donor engagement, grant applications, and fundraising initiatives in collaboration with Program Executives and in alignment with the LWF's overall resource mobilization strategy.

This is a substantive, embedded role requiring both technical financial competence and the relational intelligence to work effectively across a complex, multi-donor, multi-program environment. The position is offered at 80% with potential for expansion of responsibilities and work time subject to review.

Required Qualifications

University degree in accounting, finance, economics, or business administration, or equivalent professional qualification.

Professional accreditation (ACCA, CMA, CPA or equivalent) is an asset.

Fluency in English. Working knowledge of French or German is an asset.

Additional Study and Experience

Minimum 5 years of experience in accounting, finance, or financial management in an NGO, international organization, or corporate environment, preferably in a faith-based or ecumenical context.

Experience with international donors and grants management, including multi-currency financial environments and donor compliance frameworks.

Strong financial reporting and data management skills, with a consistently high standard of accuracy and proficiency in Sage accounting software or a similar ERP system; experience with Sage is a strong asset.

Familiarity with digital finance tools and emerging technologies, including AI-assisted data analysis and automated reporting, with the ability to evaluate and adopt new tools that improve financial management efficiency.

Knowledge of the development, humanitarian, or advocacy sector; familiarity with faith-based and non-profit organizational cultures is an asset.

LWF Core Skills

Analytical thinking - Level resource

Initiative – Level advanced

Achieving results - Level resource

Accountability - Level resource

Working effectively with others - Level resource

Learning and Continuous Improvement – Level advanced

LWF Required Skills

Financial reporting and audit – Level resource

Communication and stakeholder coordination – Level advanced

Systems and data management (Sage, Excel) – Level resource

Donor compliance and grants management – Level advanced

Resource development support – Level advanced

Budget management and monitoring – Level resource

Main duties

Budget Management and Monitoring

Prepares the annual Working Budget in collaboration with the Office of General Secretary (OGS) Finance Team, PMER, and the DTMJ Management Team.

Prepares quarterly budget monitoring reports, imports budget data into Sage, and maintains Sage report templates in coordination with the central Finance Team.

Financial Reporting

Prepares and submits finance reports and income schedules for the Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PME/PMER) process.

Drafts budget variance narratives for DTMJ program areas and prepare year-end Communion Office Finance Reports, including Budget Reports and Council Reports, in coordination with the OGS Financial Controller and the Director.

Inputs data into the Sage system and generates regular financial reports for the Director, program leads, and budget holders.

Resource Development Support

Prepares accurate, well-narrated financial data to support grant applications and donor proposals, in collaboration with Program Executives and in support of LWF's broader resource mobilization initiatives.

Monitors funding trends and gaps across DTMJ programs and provides the Director and Management Team with forward-looking financial intelligence to inform fundraising strategy and donor engagement.

Provides costing support for new project and program budget development, including overhead recovery calculations, personnel cost estimates, and identification of funding gaps.

Administrative Finance and Organizational Development

Manages monthly income coding and reconciliation across all DTMJ programs and projects, ensuring alignment with donor agreements, exchange rates, and bank confirmations.

Reviews and approves departmental payments in the Mammut banking system, verifying compliance with LWF policy, supporting documentation, and payee accuracy.

Provides orientation and capacity support to DTMJ program staff on donor financial policies, compliance requirements, and financial reporting. Promotes improved financial systems and procedures within the department.

Annual Financial Closing and Compliance Support

Supports the DTMJ annual closing process (January–March), including review of unspent balances, carry-forward compliance, suspense account clearance, and closure of cost centers, in coordination with the OGS Finance Team.

Provides technical support during preparation of audit schedules and financial documentation for external audits and addresses observations raised in audit management letters.

Supports interim audit processes, including uploading Sage trial balances and general ledger data, and providing supporting documentation for payment vouchers and journal vouchers.