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 partner
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
USAID’s Office of Food For Peace (FFP)
awarded a Mercy Corps-led consortium of Kenyan and international partners with
a five-year Development Food Security Activity (DFSA) in Turkana and Samburu
Counties. The Mercy Corps’ NAWIRI consortium brings together the global
leadership, research capacity, technical expertise, and implementation
experience necessary to partner with local institutions to test, adapt, and
scale evidence-based solutions. The program requires a robust county-centered
design with government leadership, active engagement from communities, the
private sector, and civil society. Together we will sustainably reduce
persistent acute malnutrition for vulnerable populations in Turkana and Samburu
counties.
The Mercy Corps Finance Department is
responsible for all financial functions in Nairobi and Maralal. This includes,
but is not limited to, 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 Chief of Party and the Field Team to ensure that financial
resources are utilized appropriately, efficiently, and effectively.
General Position Summary
The Finance & Grants Officer will
work under the direction of the Finance Manager and have oversight of the
Finance Assistant to ensure processing and recording of payment transactions
are done in timely and accurate manner. The Finance & Grants Officer is a
supervisory position and the expectation is for strong collaboration with all
team members (including program and operations departments), resolute fiduciary
responsibility of all financial resources and high professional standards with
a willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor
policies and procedures.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Financial management
- Work with Finance Manager and Field Director
to plan and implement systems for financial operations in accordance with
the Mercy Corps Field Finance Manual and donor regulations. This includes
systems for Cash Flow management, consolidation of accounting information,
internal controls, financial reporting, financial record keeping, grant
management and compliance.
- Perform financial review of purchase requests,
purchase orders, and payment requests to ensure compliance with MC
policies and procedures and donors grants and contracts requirements.
- Provide guidance, training, and consultation
on compliance with Mercy Corps policies and procedures as well as donor
compliance requirements to all staff and partners.
- Support the Finance Manager to improve and
enhance the efficiency of existing control systems and develop Standard
Operating Procedures for accounting.
- Supports field connection transaction entry
with the assigned batch
- Maintain the un-cleared cash advance file and
prepare past due advance reports
- Assist with audit related requirements (timely
documents retrieval, filing after audit completion, proving additional
assistance as necessary)
- Work with the program teams with field cash
reimbursements
- Perform regular and spot cash counts for the
Maralal Field office
- Ensure all finance documents are properly
labelled, filed and stored in a clear and easily accessible manner
following Field Finance Manual
- Submission of all original vatable invoices to
Nairobi for VAT claim on timely basis for VAT claim
- Ensure quality control of financial documents
for completeness and proper referencing before archiving
- Responsible for cash and bank vouchers filing,
statutory audit reports and other financial documents filing and
maintenance of filing system (Hard copy and electronic) according to MC
Procedures; manage finance archives and ensure monthly update of the Finance
archiving index
- Create and sustain a work environment of
mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
- Support an environment of cooperation and
collaboration that instills a high level of Team Spirit.
- Promote accountability, communicate
expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular feedback.
- Drive communication at all levels.
- Contribute to country team-building efforts,
help team members identify problem-solving options, take ownership and be
accountable.
- Any other duty as may be assigned
GRANTS MANAGEMENT
- Assist with follow up on sub-award compliance
issues and audits and document resolutions.
- Ensure proper organization of sub-award files
- Assist in sub award site audits and prepare
site visit reports
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 Beneficiaries
- Mercy Corps team members are expected to
support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. - Team members are expected to conduct
themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and
MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country
venues.
Supervisory Responsibility: None
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Finance Manager
– NAWIRI
Works Directly With: Field Director, Country Finance/Grants Teams, Program Teams, Implementing
Partners.
Knowledge and Experience
- A degree in accounting or a relevant business
field.
- Minimum CPA 3 or other relevant accounting
qualification.
- At least four years experience in accounting,
bookkeeping or cashiering, including experience with double-entry
accounting preferably in an international NGO.
- Familiarity with major international donor
rules and non-profit accounting.
- Familiarity with computerized, double-entry
accounting software.
- 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
- A successful Finance & Grants Officer will
be a strong team player, with good communication and interpersonal skills.
- S/he will have the ability to interact
effectively with team members and partners on the ground. S/he will have a
demonstrated ability to multi-task, delegate, make difficult decisions,
meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program
activities.
- The ability to build a strong cohesive team
and train both team members and counterparts will be a key output/success
factors of this role.
- S/he will have knowledge on the application of
best practices in basic financial management and knowledge of financial
management software.
- S/he will be flexible, thorough have the
ability to pay attention to details, proactively solve problems, follow
procedures, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with
team members and above all of high integrity.
How To Apply.
Applications done online.
Apply for Finance &
Grants Officer Job Mercy Corps here.
Applications should be submitted on or
before 30th April, 2020 and
will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be
contacted.
*Samburus are strongly encouraged to
apply
Mercy Corps does not charge any fees at
any stage of the recruitment and selection process.