1.COOP
COOPI Cooperazione Internazionale is a secular and independent Italian humanitarian organization that fights all forms of poverty to improve the world. Founded in 1965, COOPI is currently present in 33 countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East, with both emergency and development projects carried out by expatriate staff—an average of over 270 people per year—and national staff. The main institutional funders are the European Union (ECHO and INTPA), UN agencies, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), local authorities, and other European governments.
2. COOPI in Colombia
Since 1999, COOPI has been present in Colombia, supporting communities affected by armed conflict and natural disasters. As part of its work, COOPI, together with HIAS, HI, and the Fondazione L’Albero della Vita, have formed the URABÁ-PAÍS consortium, within the framework of the project: “URABÁ-PAIS Project: Protection, humanitarian assistance, and socioeconomic integration for migrants, refugees, and victims of the conflict in the Department of Antioquia, Colombia,” funded by the Italian Agency for International Development Cooperation (AICS).
The project will be implemented in the Urabá Antioqueño region, specifically in the municipalities of Necoclí, Turbo, and Apartadó. The project seeks to contribute to improving the living conditions of the transit population and local communities that are victims of the internal armed conflict, strengthening social cohesion and peaceful coexistence in the border territories of the Gulf of Urabá, Colombia. The main results include: i) the distribution of humanitarian assistance, ii) the provision of basic health services, and iii) the development of actions that strengthen the social and economic cohesion of communities.
3. Position Description
For the development of this project, COOPI is seeking a Project Administrator to coordinate the administrative and financial management of the Urabá País project. The candidate will work in person in Urabá, Antioquia, with travel to Bogotá, ensuring proper financial execution and compliance with the administrative procedures required by AICS and in accordance with COOPI’s procedures. Their responsibilities will include financial planning, documentation of all transactions, and preparation of the required administrative reports to ensure transparency and compliance with donor criteria.
4. Duties and Responsibilities
Financial Management of the project
- Ensure the efficient, transparent, and compliant use of the project budget, ensuring compliance with AICS and COOPI regulations;
- Prepare and execute periodic financial plans and accounting management of the project in close coordination with the Project Coordinator and under the supervision of the Country Administrator;
- Ensure compliance with the contractual conditions imposed by the Donor;
- Use COOPI’s financial tracking tools to plan and update expenses;
- Verify the correct registration and eligibility of expenses incurred;
- Verify consistency between the planned budget and actual execution, alerting to possible deviations and proposing adjustments when necessary;
- Ensure that expenses are properly documented and supported with receipts, invoices, and supporting documents, in accordance with required procedures;
- Coordinate with the financial teams of the implementing partner organizations to ensure harmonization and consistency of administrative procedures;
- Provide training to field teams in administrative and financial matters when required, as well as to project partners.
Human Resources Management
- Oversee the administrative and human resources management of staff recruitment;
- Ensure technical support to the project manager for the correct application of COOPI and Donor procedures, Colombian legislation, and compliance with the current salary schedule (in collaboration with the Country Manager);
- Participate in the decision-making of administrative measures adopted in collaboration with the coordination;
- Verification and supervision of vacations taken by national staff;
- Support and evaluation of national staff.
Preparation of financial reports and project audits
- Prepare all financial reports in accordance with COOPI and Donor procedures, respecting contractual deadlines;
- Process all documents required by the headquarters or coordinate accounting, financial or human resources management;
- Organize, with the project manager, any Country Administration supervision mission and/or audit;
- Implement internal control mechanisms to minimize financial and administrative risks;
- Support the consolidation of financial and administrative documentation for internal and external audits;
- Coordinate with project partners the timely and accurate delivery of financial reports to ensure cash flow for each project component.
5. Requirements
Essential requirements – 30 points
- University education (bachelor’s or postgraduate degree) or an equivalent combination of experience and training in the field of economics and finance, development cooperation or international relations, obtained at least 3 years ago – 10 points
- At least three years of experience in the administrative and financial management of international cooperation projects, with responsibilities for results and reporting – 10 points
- Knowledge of administrative and financial management of projects funded by AICS and/or other international donors – 6 points
- Mastery of the Office suite and the main communication and computing programs and tools – 2 points
- Experience in managing/supervising and evaluating staff, as well as in relationships with donors, other agencies and partners – 2 points
Desirable requirements – 10 points
- Other qualifications obtained in the field of international cooperation are considered an added value – 2 points
- Knowledge of the English language is desirable – 2 points
- Experience in Colombia, preferably in Urabá and/or in conflict or post-conflict contexts, is desirable – 6 points
Relevant skills
- Excellent organizational skills, flexibility, strong spirit of initiative and autonomy at work, pragmatism;
- Stress resistance, ability to work under pressure and with imposed deadlines;
- Ability to work in sensitive and complex political and security contexts and in a multicultural environment;
- Excellent listening, negotiation and communication skills;
- Interest and motivation to work for an NGO while respecting its values and principles.
How to apply
Please send your resume, academic and employment documents, and cover letter to seleccion.colombia@coopi.org. The call for applications opens on October 16, 2025, and the deadline for receiving applications is October 23, 2025. Any applications received after 11:59 PM on this date will not be considered. Only those shortlisted will be contacted or responded to.
Applications that do not meet the above requirements will not be considered in the selection process.
To apply for this position, please see the full Terms and Conditions at the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z89bJ0-f6kz1P_vKZUw47jCRayu4DVdQ/view?usp=sharing