Application Guide

How to Apply for Project Accountant / Project Reporting Specialist

at Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute

🏢 About Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute

The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute is a globally recognized research institution focused on improving health in low- and middle-income countries through research, services, and education. Working here means contributing to meaningful global health projects that have real-world impact, with the flexibility of a remote position that still connects you to international teams.

About This Role

This Project Accountant/Project Reporting Specialist role involves managing multi-currency project accounts and coordinating financial reporting across international project offices and partners. You'll ensure financial compliance for global health initiatives, directly supporting project managers with budgeting and audits, making you a critical link between financial accuracy and project success in diverse locations.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing financial reports from project partners in Africa or Asia, converting currencies for interim accounts, coordinating with project managers on quarterly budget adjustments, and communicating with both German-speaking headquarters and French/English-speaking field offices. You'd balance routine accounting tasks with solving unexpected reporting issues from international locations.

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🎯 Who Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Is Looking For

  • A business economics graduate with 3+ years experience who can independently prepare accurate multi-currency project accounts and year-end closings
  • Someone with in-depth accounting knowledge who can establish accounting systems for overseas project offices and coordinate audits across different countries
  • A highly organized professional fluent in French and English (with strong German skills) who can manage financial reports from international partners while supporting project managers
  • A motivated self-starter with mental agility to handle quarterly budgeting, interim accounts, and regular coordination with both internal teams and external stakeholders

📝 Tips for Applying to Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute

1

Highlight specific experience with multi-currency accounting and international financial reporting, as this role requires preparing accounts in various currencies for global projects

2

Demonstrate your language proficiency clearly - list French as fluent, English as fluent, and specify your German level (B2/C1/etc.) since this is crucial for coordination with Swiss headquarters

3

Provide concrete examples of establishing accounting systems for remote offices or partners abroad, not just general accounting experience

4

Emphasize experience with project-based accounting in research, NGO, or international development contexts rather than just corporate accounting

5

Show how you've supported project managers with budgeting and financial reporting in previous roles, as this is a key responsibility mentioned in the job description

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience with international project accounting and multi-currency financial management', 'Specific examples of coordinating financial reports from overseas partners or establishing accounting systems abroad', 'How your language skills (French, English, German) enable effective communication with global stakeholders', 'Your motivation for contributing to global public health projects through precise financial oversight']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Swiss TPH's current global health projects and initiatives in low-income countries
  • → Swiss accounting standards and how they might interact with international project reporting
  • → The institute's organizational structure and how project teams collaborate across different regions
  • → Switzerland's role in global health funding and how financial reporting fits into donor requirements

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through your experience preparing multi-currency project accounts and handling currency conversions
2 Describe a time you had to establish accounting procedures for a remote office or international partner
3 How would you coordinate financial reporting from partners in different countries with varying accounting standards?
4 What challenges have you faced in project audits, particularly with international components?
5 How do you prioritize when supporting multiple project managers with quarterly budgeting while maintaining regular accounting duties?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with only corporate accounting experience without demonstrating project-based or international accounting background
  • Overstating language proficiency - they specifically need fluent French/English and good German
  • Focusing only on technical accounting skills without showing ability to support project managers and coordinate with diverse stakeholders

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute!

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