ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we collaborate to put bold solutions into action – helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within now and for the future.

Program / Department Summary 

Mercy Corps works in places of transition, where conflict, disaster, political upheaval, or economic collapse present opportunities to build more secure, productive, and just communities. Providing emergency relief in times of crisis, we move quickly to help communities recover and build resilience to future shocks, and promote sustainable change by supporting community-led and market-driven initiatives. Recognizing both the great potential and the complex challenges faced by the Middle East, since 1989 Mercy Corps has been implementing a range of humanitarian assistance and development programs tailored to the specific needs of the region and of those communities where we work. Mercy Corps has worked across Iraq’s 18 governorates since 2003, implementing relief and development programming, more than a third of which has focused on the specific needs of refugees and displaced persons. Mercy Corps Iraq current goal is to work with new and existing civil society, public and private sector partners to meet immediate and long-term needs by strengthening communities’ ability to rebuild amidst increasing crisis. Mercy Corps Iraq focuses on (1) a reliefto-resilience pathway to meet the needs of conflict-affected communities leveraging agency expertise in conflict management and civil society development (2) a humanitarian response that empowers conflictaffected populations to meet their own needs (3) partnering with conflict-affected adolescents to address their diverse needs, promoting leadership and linkages with civil society.

General Position Summary 

Working in the Finance Department under the direction of the Senior Finance Manager and working closely with other MC Iraq finance staff, the Accounting Specialist will ensure the accuracy and completeness of Mercy Corps accounting records and will have primary responsibility for managing the monthly accounting cycle .

Essential Job Responsibilities: 

• Daily management and supervision of the of Senior Finance Officer –Baghdad, Senior Finance officer Erbil.
• Managing accounting activities for North and South Iraq.
• Working closely with Finance staff in North and South, provide them with the required support, guidance, and advice by building a strong communication across MC offices in north and South of Iraq.
• Review the monthly bank reconciliations.
• Develop and maintain relationship with bank(s) in Erbil, Mosul, Baghdad.
• Post daily transactions in Mercy Corps accounting software system “Navigator” for North and South.
• Responsible to fund requests North, South offices for both Operation and program needs.
• Provide Financial Review of payment requests and expense reports (travel expense reports and operational expense reports) for accuracy and completeness (per policies and procedures), ensuring expense reports fully approved before payment as in line with country AAM threshold.
• Main focal point of the procurement software “Prosource” and responsible to review and reconcile invoice/transactions in the system in timely manner.
• Participate or assign other staff in tender opening as finance observer to ensure that all procedures and policies are implanted correctly.
• Review monthly amortization entries of prepaid accounts.
• Review monthly payroll for All-MC offices based on information provided from HR.
• Maintain benefits accrual documentation and prepare monthly benefits accrual data entries.
• Review and assign month end balance sheet account reconciliations included but not limited to IC, Prepaid , amortization , accrual and all other accounts as required to senior officers .
• Other month close tasks as assigned, including submission of required month end supporting documentation, Navigator reports, etc
• Running/Processing and posting End Month allocation reports.
• Submitting Monthly End package to HQ and make sure all documents are uploaded and up to date.
• Monitor advances/ advance ageing report.
• Responsible to monitor payments tracker for all MCIQ offices.
• Work closely with senior finance Officers in both locations North and South offices to ensure that all documents scanned on time and archived as per Mercy Corps policy and field finance manual.
• Responsible to lead the audit process, work with the staff to prepare, collect and a respond to audit inquiries.
• Work with the senior finance manager to assist in preparing all data and documents that related to MC year end closure.
• Build finance staff capacity and improve their skills and knowledge.
• Conduct him/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not to jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Assist to prepare Annual Financial Report to DNGO for KRG and South central.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Senior Finance Officer-North and Senior Finance Officer-South

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Senior Finance Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Finance team, Procurement, Administration and Logistics Team, Program team.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Four or more years of accounting or bookkeeping experience, including experience with double entry accounting.
• A degree in accounting or a relevant business field
• Strong computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel
• Familiarity with computerized, double-entry accounting software
• Strong organizational skills as well as attention to detail
• Excellent oral and written English skill.
• Experience in supervising staff.
• Excellent skills in Excel and other MS office.
• Experience in NGO field.

Success Factors:

A clear understanding of finance and procurement ethics as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy.

Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential. The ability to interact effectively with international and national staff members is required. A demonstrated ability to work quickly, accurately, meet deadlines, and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary. Recognition of and discretion in the sensitivities of the program is of crucial importance.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCES:

Successful candidates should meet the education and experience requirements in the position descriptions for the vacant positions and should have a strong and demonstrated knowledge to the related position, good written and spoken English, computer Skills and local languages.

S/he must be self- motivated, creative, tolerant, and able to work in difficult, stressful environments and follow procedures. S/he must respect diversity and gender equality at the workplace.

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability and transparency to its beneficiaries and to international standards guiding relief and development work.

Interested candidates should submit their CVs to the email address below:

[email protected] . Any Resume will be sent without mentioning the job applied for in the subject line will not be considered.

ALL APPLICATIONS/ CVs SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY MAY 29, 2024 AT 4:00PM

 Potential candidates for the post will be contacted for an interview and processed according to Mercy Corps Human Resources policies and procedures. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for potential interview. Any documents submitted will remain with Mercy Corps and will not be returned to candidates.

Female Candidates are encouraged to apply for This Position.  Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global Impact.

Mercy Corps Iraq offers a variety of arrangements that enable women to excel in their careers.

Mercy Corps Iraq ensures a safe and inclusive working environment for women and men through field security training and measures to provide secure working arrangements on-site and in the office.