We are looking for an experienced leader with a proven track record of both financial management and change management, as well as high integrity and a strong commitment to society!

The organisation is currently in a development phase, both in Sweden and internationally. We are now seeking a new CFO to succeed our current CFO, who is moving on to new challenges after nearly 6 years.

This position offers a unique opportunity driving development and ensuring a long-term sustainable, transparent, and strategic financial management in a complex and project-driven organisation.

The CFO is part of the management team and is responsible for the finance function and reports directly to the Executive Director.

Areas of responsibility

• Provide financial strategy recommendations to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors.
• Oversee and manage the processes for budget, forecast, and result improvements.
• Lead and mentor a diverse team of finance professionals.
• Identify and address potential financial risks for the organisation.
• Oversee all financial decisions, such as budgeting and auditing.

Background and experience

• Relevant academic degree in economics, accounting, finance or equivalent.
• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience within finance, of which min 3 years in the role of CFO or other equivalent leadership roles within finance.
• Strategic height combined with operational ability – confident managing both strategical and operational perspectives.
• Strong leadership skills leading and developing financial functions, including personnel responsibility.
• Solid experience of financial management in project-driven organisations, preferably in the non-profit sector or other operations with external funding (e.g., public funding or foundations).
• Experience of working with budget and forecast processes, monitoring, analysis and reporting to various stakeholders, including the board and external financiers.
• Good understanding of regulations and requirements linked to external financing and grants (e.g. from Sida or the EU).
• Experience of change management and development of financial models.
• Experience of working in an international context and/or with international partners is an asset.
• Interest in new technology, especially linked to AI, automation and digitalization of financial functions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in both Swedish and English.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint – confident in creating analyses, reports, and presentations.
  

About the employment

This is a full-time permanent employment with 6 months probationary employment, starting in August 2025 or according to agreement. Please apply as soon as possible as we recruit on an ongoing basis, but no later than June 8, 2025. As an organisation, we strive for diversity, and we see your background, experience and personality as a contribution to the organisation. You will be based in our headquarters in Stockholm.
In this recruitment, Civil Rights Defenders collaborates with Alumni. For more information, please contact Sofia Tennek, Sofia.tennek@alumniglobal.com.

About us 

Civil Rights Defenders is a politically and religiously independent international human rights organisation. We defend people’s civil and political rights in some of the world’s most repressive regions. We partner with and support human rights defenders in more than 200 organisations in 30 countries on four continents. Together with our partners, we hold those in power accountable when people’s civil or political rights are violated. We also act as Sweden’s civil rights watchdog.  

Civil Rights Defenders has around 70 staff members working in various functions towards our vision - a world of democratic societies in which we all enjoy our civil and political rights. Our headquarter is located in Stockholm, and we have eight branch-offices around the world. Learn more about our work at crd.org.