Mercy Corps
Vacancy Announcement: Finance Intern
About Mercy Corps: Mercy Corps is a non-profit,
non-governmental organization based in Portland, Oregon in the United States of
America doing humanitarian, relief and development work globally.
Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided
more than US$1.95 billion in assistance to people in 107 nations. Supported by
headquarters offices in North America and Europe, the agency’s unified global
programs employ 3,700 staff worldwide and reach nearly 16.7 million people in
more than 40 countries.
General Program Summary: Mercy Corps’ AgriFin Program seeks to address the inclusion gap
for smallholder farmers who lack access to affordable, accessible,
demand-driven products and services that drive higher productivity and income
for farm families.
The AgriFin program utilizes 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 leveraging digital 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 digitally-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.
Our project goal is for smallholder
farmers to gain full access to impactful, demand-driven, technology-enabled
financial products, tools, channels and knowledge that significantly increase
farm productivity and family income, delivered by vibrant ecosystems of diverse
service providers.
Program operations are taking place
five countries anchored around a central “Hub” office in Kenya, expanding to
serve Tanzania, Zambia, Nigeria, and Ethiopia, with potential to expand to
other Mercy Corps countries, globally.
The AgriFin program operates in five
African countries (Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia and Nigeria) 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, with the goal of bringing services to one
million smallholder farmers.
We are presently looking for a
committed and dynamic graduate trainee to take up the position of a Finance Intern.
General Position Summary: The Finance intern will support the work of Finance functions of
the AgriFin Program Office in Nairobi. Working closely with Program, Operations
and Finance, the Finance intern is instrumental in supporting program
activities through his/her services.
The intern will work under the
supervision of the Finance Manager
Internship Assignment Responsibilities:
1. Assist in developing and
maintaining an effective filing, archiving and record keeping systems both
(hard copy & electronically) according to MC procedures.
2. Prepare photocopies and scans of
vouchers and other supporting documents required for HQ and donor reporting.
3. Assist in ensuring proper
documentation of payment vouchers and all other supporting documents.
4. Assist in ensuring efficient,
timely and accurate recording, payment and tracking of accounts payable.
5. Assist in management of the office
cash and office cash levels as per the office Cash Management Policy.
6. Maintain the cash advance tracking
sheet, follow up on un-cleared advances and ensure advances are reconciling
with general ledger records.
7. Assist in preparing and processing
bank payments via checks.
8. Assist in preparing payment
vouchers ensuring proper documentation and recording to accounting system on
daily basis.
9. Assist in monthly amortization
entries of prepaid accounts, account maintenance and reconciliations as part of
month end closeout process.
10. Assist with audit related
requirements.
11. 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.
12. Other duties as assigned.
Learning Objectives:
The intern will:
·
Gain experience in Finance and
accounting Processes
·
Gain experience in time management
·
Learn communication skills
Reports Directly To: Finance
Manager
Supervisory Responsibility: None
Works Directly With: Operations
and Program Team
Knowledge and Experience:
·
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or
any related field
·
CPA (II) qualification will be an
added advantage
·
A good team player
·
A good sense of humor
Success Factors: The ideal
candidate will have a strong curiosity for understanding. S/he will be an
excellent communicator, multi-tasker, and able to work in ambiguous situations.
S/he will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and
stressful environments and follow procedures.
S/he will be a team-player with a
positive attitude toward problem solving and conflict resolution. The
successful candidate will be focused on team-building; be a strategic thinker,
have strong skills in project management and maintain a sense of humor.
Mercy Corps interns and volunteers
represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and 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
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the
above required qualifications and experience should submit a cover letter,
detailed curriculum vitae (CV) listing three professional referees (including a
recent supervisor) to afa-hr@mercycorps.org on or before Tuesday 26th May 2020
by 5.00pm.
The email subject line must clearly
show the job title.
Applications without the right
subject heading will be automatically disqualified.
Please do not attach anycertificates.
(Applications will be reviewed on a
rolling basis. We will only get in touch with shortlisted candidates)
NB: Mercy Corps AgriFin Program does
not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process
