Finance Officer

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Department

The Mercy Corps Finance Department is responsible for all financial functions including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, and grant financial management and compliance. The Mercy Corps Finance Department ensures compliance with donor regulations as well as Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures. In its role as a support to the Program Department, the Finance Department provides timely reports and assistance to the Country Director and the Program team to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently and effectively.

General Position Summary

Working in the Finance Department under the direction of the Finance and Compliance Manager, Finance Officer will assist in the processing and recording of payment transactions in a timely and accurate manner.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Finance

• Responsible for counter check of payment documents ensuring that supporting documentation corresponds to the payment request, calculations are correct, and that payment request is duly signed as per the AAM level.
• Process mobile bank transfers.
• Process purchase invoice transfers.
• Enter Purchase Invoices into Navigator.
• Prepare and filing of monthly PAYE for National and expatriate staff/ Uploading PAYE and NITA for Expatriates in Navigator on a monthly basis.
• Monthly amortization of prepaid expenses.
• Prepare Bank Reconciliations for the accounts managed by other staff (field offices).
• Assist with review and preparation of monthly and quarterly Balance Sheet reconciliations.
• Assist with audit related requirements.
• Assist in payroll preparation.
• Archiving of finance documents as per the FFM.
• Assist in month close procedures.
• Ensure financial records are kept up to date with the latest transactions and changes.
• Responsible for fixed asset register and inventory.
• Responsible for counter check of payment documents ensuring that supporting documentation corresponds to the payment request, calculations are correct, and that payment request is duly signed as per the AAM level.

Program Support Operations:

• Ensure that MC financial systems are efficient, and funds promptly transferred to the field offices. Provide regular review of field operations to ensure cost-effectiveness and provide guidance on improved operational practices for value-for-money.
• Travel in all field locations and support with review of documents on quarterly basis
• Capacity building of staff on basic bookkeeping and coding.
• Review of BVA’s with the teams in the field.

Staff Management, Professional Development and Team building

• Create a work atmosphere conducive for professional growth and development of personnel at all levels by implementing and ensuring all staff are effectively using the performance planning and management system, establishing performance expectations, and regularly providing constructive feedback.
• Promote accountability by conducting staff annual performance reviews with direct supervisees and ensuring that supervisory staff do the same.
• Contribute to country team building efforts and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
• Capacity building of all staff on all Donor regulations and Compliance.

Organizational Learning

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports directly to: Senior Finance officer

Works directly with: Program Directors, Program Managers, Country Finance/Grants Teams, Program Teams, Implementing Partners and P&C and Operations departments.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Two or more years of financial management and accounting.
• A degree in accounting or a relevant business field is desirable.
• CPA IV or equivalent
• Strong computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel
• Accuracy in the processing of cash transactions, mathematical aptitude, and attention to detail
• Excellent oral and written English skills.

Success Factors

The Finance Officer will have proven abilities in analytical and reporting skills with sound judgement regarding budget, financial analysis and management of program issues. He will have the ability to communicate and interact effectively across diverse program teams and support programmatic objectives with timely and meaningful information.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.