Finance Officer

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.

Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Currently in six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR) – Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driven by the mission to contribute the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus in promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.

Program / Department Summary

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 Corp’s internal policies and procedures.  As a support to the Program Technical 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.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage daily accounting and finance functions including proper analysis and documentation of financial transactions, timely recording of transactions, and periodic financial reporting to Program Coordinator and country office.
• Oversee cash management, banking, payroll, budget monitoring, annual inventory, receivables, and payables.
• Ensure daily compliance at the field level with Mercy Corps policies and procedures as well as donor and government regulations.
• Plan and implement systems for financial operations in the Konso Field office in accordance with the Mercy Corps Field Finance Manual and donor regulations, including systems for cash flow management, budgeting, consolidation of accounting information, internal controls, financial reporting, financial record-keeping, grant management and compliance.
• Monitor budget spending to ensure compliance with budget and to prevent overspending or underspending.
• Maintain banking relations and plan and monitor field offices cash flow requirements to ensure the smooth implementation of field office programs.
• Prepare the weekly and monthly cash count.
• Manage the month end accounting close process, ensuring the accuracy and completeness and consistency of sub journals and all supporting documentation in the field offices.
• Ensure compliance with Mercy Corps’ procurement policies and procedures for all goods and services procured at field offices.
• Prepare month end balance sheet account reconciliations.
• Coordinate the preparation and ensure the on-time submission of the monthly reporting package.
• Oversee the maintenance of all accounting records, ensuring that records are complete, accurate and safeguarded.
• Provide financial review task on the source documents based on the limit set in the Authority Matrix
• Ensure that the Konso Field office is consistently implementing internal audit recommendations and the Addis Ababa based compliance team monitoring visit recommendations.
• Performs review of new personnel recruitment requests and personnel action form
• 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.
• .  Perform any other similar tasks that may be reasonably assigned by the line manager/supervisor in any one of the four components above.

Team Management

• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
•  Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary. 

Finance & Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.

Influence & Representation

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

• Be a thought partner in the recruitment of diverse team and promoting inclusive and safe work environment including supporting early career team members to fulfil their professional goals)
• Lead by example to promote gender equal and inclusive workplace culture in a day-to-day interaction with team members, partners and program participants 
• Understand and aware GDI related priorities of the country office and contribute for the realization of priorities (continually work to understand and be aware of the gender diversity and inclusion priorities of the country office and contribute in the execution)
• Promote gender equal and inclusive workplace culture in a day-to-day interaction with a team member, partners and program participants.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

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: Project Coordinator of Konso Field Office on daily management and Field Finance Manager based in Addis Ababa on technical issues and compliance matters.
• Works Directly With: :  Mainly with the Abala Field office project Manager, the Abala Finance, Operation and HR, Field Finance Manager, Budget Holders, and various support service colleagues.

Knowledge and Experience

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Three years and more progressive experience in the non-profit organization and mainly experience gained in the INGO is required.
• Experience in managing USAID, BHA,EU, WFP and other private donor grants at least for two years.
• First Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or related discipline. Compensating Education + Experience can be considered.
• Demonstrated competency with computerized general ledger software.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly in Excel
• Prior management experience and strong organizational skills
• Excellent oral and written English skills.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

• Must be confident, self-starter, an independent thinker and have strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skill, team oriented.
• Good computer skills (especially Microsoft Excel, Work, and Outlook)
• Ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel is required; demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse group of people.
• High professional standard of administration ethics as well as willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary.
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral, are required.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and appropriate flexibility.
• Emotional maturity and physical stamina.