Senior Finance and Compliance Officer Job in Nairobi Kenya

Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. 

Driven by local needs, our programs provide communities in the world’s toughest places with the tools and support they need to turn the crises they confront into the opportunities they deserve. 

Mercy Corps is looking for committed and dynamic individuals to take up the following position.
 
Senior Finance and Compliance Officer – Nairobi
 
Program / Department Summary: The AgriFin Accelerate program will operate in three African countries (Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia) utilizing a market ecosystem approach, working with carefully selected partners to build sustainable models, where farm and crop management tools and financial services are "bundled" in affordable, unified platforms on mobile phone channels to promote mass uptake commercially. 

The program involves three interrelated components that seek to address low farmer productivity and capability, and improve institutional ability to deliver appropriate products and build ecosystems to drive scale. 

We work with farmers, banks, mobile network operators, MFIs, research institutes and other ecosystem players in well-defined partnerships to sustainably bundle services, leveraging the offer and outreach of all partners, while increasing the range of services, access points and value for farmers. 

The program works with partners to identify, prototype, test and scale successful mobile-enabled services for smallholders, with a key focus on expanding access to financial services, using a rapid iteration approach to product development and client-centric design techniques.
 
General Position Summary: Working in the Finance Department under the direction of the Finance and Compliance Director, the Senior Finance and Compliance Officer will ensure the accuracy and completeness of AgriFin accounting records and will have primary responsibility for managing the monthly accounting cycle.

Essential Job Functions:
  • Daily management of the finance officer(s) and the assistant finance officer
  • Oversee office cash count as required
  • Assist in the financial review of purchase requests, purchase orders and payment requests to ensure compliance with MC and donor policies and procedures, project budgets and compliance with donor regulations and local laws.
  • Manage the month end accounting close process, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the ledger, sub journals and all supporting documentation in all country offices.
  • Primary responsibility for maintaining the general ledger software files, including set up and maintenance of new project accounts, regular back-up of files, etc.
  • Review journals and upload data to the general ledger
  • Prepare adjusting entries and other final closing journal entries
  • Enter, post and maintain filing of monthly journal entries
  • Prepare month end balance sheet account reconciliations
  • Coordinate the preparation and ensure the on-time submission of the monthly reporting package to HQ
  • Oversee the maintenance of all accounting records, ensuring that records are complete, accurate and safeguarded
  • Set up and maintain the Finance Dept.’s grant files; maintain and distribute current copies of the approved coded budget to all relevant parties.
  • Assist in the preparation, maintenance and consolidation of office operational budgets and donor budgets.
  • Prepare the month end grant spending reports from the general ledger and HQ data.
  • Maintain the match documentation files and match tracking spreadsheets as applicable.
  • In coordination with Finance and Compliance Director, ensure compliance with local laws, Mercy Corps policies and donor regulations.
  • Assist in the training and support of the finance officers in AgriFin field offices, including answering daily questions, training new hires, making field visits, etc.
  • Monitor cash and bank balances and coordinate monthly cash flow requests from sub-offices; prepare consolidated country cash flow requests to HQ as required
  • Assist the Finance and Compliance Director in responding to audit inquiries
  • Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission
  • Other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility: Finance Assistant / Officer in Nairobi AgriFin Office.
 
Accountability
 
Reports Directly To: AgriFin Finance and Compliance Director
 
Works Directly With: HQ Finance Officer, AgriFin field finance staff and provides day-to-day support to all program and ops staff on AgriFin Program; close coordination with other Mercy Corps Nairobi finance staff.

Knowledge and Experience:
  • Three or more years of general ledger accounting experience is required.
  • A university degree in accounting or relevant accounting certification CPA, ACCA is required.
  • Two years’ experience in the Finance Department of an international NGO.
  • Familiarity with major international donor rules and non-profit accounting
  • Prior experience with computerized general ledger software
  • Strong analytical skills coupled with a solid understanding of grant management rules.
  • Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Excellent oral and written English skills
Success Factors:
  • The ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel is required. 
  • A demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary. 
  • A high professional standard 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 Senior Finance and Compliance Officer must be willing to travel to Mercy Corps AgriFin offices and project sites. 
Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience should submit a cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references (including a recent supervisor) to hrkenya@ke.mercycorps.org on or before Wednesday 25th February by 4.00pm. 

The email subject line must clearly show the job title and location they are applying for. 

Applications without the right subject heading will be automatically disqualified. 

Please do not attach any certificates.

(Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We will only get in touch with shortlisted candidates.)


NB: Mercy Corps does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.