The “Financial Officer for International Cooperation” professional training course is designed to develop a highly sought-after role within NGOs, equipping participants with the skills necessary for the administrative management of development and emergency projects.

The course, entirely taught in Italian, follows a technical-practical and highly professionalizing approach, and is led by seasoned humanitarian professionals with extensive field experience worldwide.

The program includes 140 hours of live online classes, conducted Monday through Friday, offering an engaging learning experience facilitated by experienced instructors.

The training, which involves both individual and group learning, is closely monitored and supported by a dedicated Course Coordinator.

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• understand the role and main responsibilities of the Financial Officer in international cooperation projects, supporting the administrative, accounting and financial management of the project in compliance with organisational procedures and donor rules;
• understand and use the main economic, financial and accounting tools of the project, including budgets, accounting systems, contracts, expense documentation, financial reports and forecasting tools, contributing to the correct reporting of resources;
• understand administrative control and compliance processes, including procurement procedures, fraud prevention, administrative and financial auditing, and security aspects, working under the supervision of senior project figures.

• Role and responsibilities of the Financial Officer: skills and responsibilities in the administrative and financial management of projects.
• Accounting and accounting systems: overview of general accounting and double-entry bookkeeping, chart of accounts, accounting records, cash/bank/project reconciliations, co-financing and shared costs management, use of software tools.
• Project contract and budget: contract structure, management rules, types of costs, sustainability strategies, donor budget formats.
• Partners and operating procedures: types of partners and partnerships, co-financing, purchasing procedures and purchasing plan.
• Logistics and operational tools: stock management, inventory, vehicle fleet, management tools.
• Accounting management and forecasting tools: use of IT tools for the management, control and accounting and financial reporting of projects, integrating data analysis, co-financing and shared expenses, and supporting the use of forecasting tools for expenditure planning.
• Economic-financial management and compliance: economic and financial management of the project, documentation supporting expenditure, administrative and financial audits, prevention of illegal activities.
• Human resources and security: selection and management of project personnel, security management.

The course is open to individuals interested in pursuing careers in international cooperation as financial administrators (project administrators, base administrators or country administrators, as well as logisticians).

Applicants should:

• be fluent in Italian and proficient in French and/or English;
• be at least 23 years old;
• high school diploma in subjects related to the course;
• write fluently and have a good oral knowledge of English and French;
• be free from other coursework or training that would conflict with the course schedule;
• demonstrate strong motivation for working in development or emergency situations, and be inclined to work in developing countries with long stays abroad;
• be inclined to work in multicultural teams;
• have good ability to cope with potential stress generated by the activities and the work environment;
• be flexible adaptable, dynamic;
• have organizational, planning and problem-solving skills and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

The course lasts approximately 140 hours, divided into 18 modules delivered online in asynchronous format, with at least 80% attendance required.

Additionally, there are several hours of asynchronous individual or group work, with an estimated commitment of about 2 hours per day, totaling approximately 6 hours daily (4 synchronous and 2 asynchronous) from Monday to Friday.

The course lasts approximately 140 hours, divided into 18 modules delivered online in asynchronous format, with at least 80% attendance required.

Additionally, there are several hours of asynchronous individual or group work, with an estimated commitment of about 2 hours per day, totaling approximately 6 hours daily (4 synchronous and 2 asynchronous) from Monday to Friday.

Course fee: €976.

The course is co-financed by COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale, with no reimbursement of expenses during training.