Finance and Compliance Senior Manager - Cash Consortium of Sudan (CCS)

Nairobi

Organization: Mercy Corps
Location: Nairobi
Grade: Senior level - Senior
Occupational Groups:
- Legal - Broad
- Banking and Finance
- External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
- Cash-Based Interventions
- Climate Change
- Ombudsman and Ethics
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: Closed

Description

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Risk Level:☐Level 3☐Level 2 ☐Level 1

(Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.

Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned non-direct contact with children.

Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data)

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.

The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary)

Mercy Corps’ Sudan crisis response seeks to meet the humanitarian needs of vulnerable Sudanese and other conflict-affected people across the country. Mercy Corps Sudan is recognized as a leader in market systems, agricultural, and food security and building on this experience, the MC Sudan humanitarian program will layer in resilience and other program activities where appropriate and feasible to do so. Assistance is delivered with a focus on needs, in partnership with local actors and civil society.

The Cash Consortium of Sudan (CCS) is a collaborative platform to advance a progressive vision of the potential of cash assistance to transform humanitarian response and recovery in partnership with vulnerable conflict-affected populations. CCS’ initial funding portfolio for 2024 is $50M USD with funds from ECHO, and FCDO; the partnership sees significant opportunity to grow in 2025, both through increasing funds from its original donor base as well as attracting additional donors. CCS is led by Mercy Corps, building on its global experience and learning on leading cash consortia in multiple country contexts, as well as general expertise in cash coordination and breadth of technical resources. International partners include Acted, CARE, CORE, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), each of which bring strong cash and complementary technical competencies, as well as expansive operational coverage in Sudan. The CCS also includes eleven Sudanese NGOs as partners in alignment with global aid sector commitments to enhance the prominence of local actors in driving humanitarian response and recovery. IMPACT is a non-implementing partner dedicated to Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning. IMPACT will support quality data systems and an objective evidence base that will be essential to CCS’ accountability and adaptive management to refine programming approaches to enhance impact as the Sudan crisis context evolves. The CCS will work closely with other consortia and actors in Sudan to deliver an effective CVA response for communities affected by the crisis.

The core pillars of the CCS response include: 1) basic needs through cash assistance both at the community level through Group Cash Transfers (GCTs) delivered to Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), as well as at the household-level through Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA); 2) strengthening market systems to ensure resilience of key market actors and supply chains as well as strengthening the availability and affordability of key commodities; 3) strengthening capacity of local partner organizations with an emphasis on accompaniment and mentorship; and 4) generation of learning and evidence to inform broader response efforts.

The Position (General Position Summary)

The Finance and Compliance Senior Manager is a member of the CCS Secretariat team, and is responsible for managing the financial, compliance and operational aspects of budgets and subawards issued by Mercy Corps as prime for the CCS. S/he will also lead efforts to enhance capacity of subrecipients as needed to meet finance and compliance requirements of CCS donors. S/he works under the direction of the CCS Chief of Party, with a dotted technical line to the Mercy Corps Sudan Finance Director. S/he will work closely with members of the CCS Secretariat team; Mercy Corps Finance Team; Partner Finance Teams, Mercy Corps Operations team; MCG/MCE HQ Compliance.

Essential Job Functions

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

● Work with CCS Secretariat leadership and partner stakeholders to develop a master consortium budget and cost model for use across new proposal development exercises.

● Lead budget development for new funding opportunities; including creation of templates, guidance for partners to complete their budgets, review and compilation of multiple partner budgets in alignment with CCS and donor requirements.

● Lead tracking on burn rates across consortium partners through regular financial reporting; work with CCS Secretariat leadership and partner stakeholders to ensure appropriate spending and proactively raise concerns for timely problem solving.

● Track cost-efficiency and recommend measures to increase cost-efficiency over time.

● Provide financial reviews and tracking for CCS Secretariat payments.

SUBAWARD MANAGEMENT

● Ensure efficient and timely development of new subaward agreements in coordination with CCS partners and Mercy Corps US/UK/Europe HQ teams.

● Lead pre-award financial review and other due diligence of proposed subrecipients.

● Draft (when delegated by HQ), oversee and ensure subaward agreements are executed, in consultation with the relevant program manager and MC HQ department and in compliance with the relevant donor’s terms and conditions.

● Support timely subaward modifications as needed (for example to support additional allocations from the CCS Secretariat to the relevant partner for use of the CCS Common Fund), in consultation with relevant CCS partners and Mercy Corps US/UK/Europe HQ teams.

● Manage subawards in accordance with Mercy Corps’ Subaward Financial Management Manual.

● Ensure subrecipient reports are timely; review financial reports for correctness and completeness

● Develop subrecipient monitoring plans, conduct financial monitoring and prepare financial monitoring visit reports.

● Process subrecipient payments in consultation with the relevant program manager and Finance department.

● Responsible for subrecipient financial close-outs, including ensuring that all requirements of the subaward agreement have been met and that subaward funds have been properly settled.

COMPLIANCE

● Provide guidance on CCS and donor compliance requirements both proactively and in response to requests from partners; follow up on all subrecipient compliance issues, audits and document resolutions.

● Assist subrecipients, as needed with subrecipient prior approval, waiver and other compliance requests to Mercy Corps.

CAPACITY BUILDING

· Develop the capacity of the Secretariat team as well as partner INGO/NGO focal points as needed

· Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.

· Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback

· Assist the program team with assessing subrecipient organizational needs, so that the subaward process strengthens the ability of subrecipientsto meet world class standards.

· Develop training and capacity building activities for subrecipients to strengthen their ability to apply for, receive, and manage subawards related to finance and compliance.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

· Interface with the (donor) representatives to convey information about programs as appropriate.

· Participate in sharing best practices with NGOs and governmental agencies.

· Consistently demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure, even under difficult circumstances.

· Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.

· Demonstrate an awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs.

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 towards 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.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Chief of Party, Cash Consortium of Sudan

Works Directly With: CCS Secretariat team; Mercy Corps Finance Team; Partner Finance Teams, Mercy Corps Operations team; MCG/MCE HQ Compliance.

Knowledge and Experience

· A BA/S or equivalent in accounting or finance required; advanced degree preferred.

· At least 5 years of relevant field or management experience of complex, multi-dimensional programming including administering small subawards in an international environment.

· At least 4 years’ experience in grants management as well as an understanding of USG, EU, UK and UN regulations preferred.

· At least 3 years’ international experience required; international NGO field office experience is preferred.

· Demonstrated experience and skill with administrating solicitations for subawards, assessing potential subrecipients and the proven ability to oversee a team that is responsible for monitoring subrecipients.

· Strong skills and experience working with donors to obtain approvals and waivers as necessary for compliance with donor regulations.

· Prior management experience and strong organizational skills.

· Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.

· Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills.

· Excellent oral and written English skills required.

· Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.

· Previous experience in insecure environments

Success Factors

The successful candidate will have an ability to interact effectively across international and national program teams successfully, both in a managerial as well as training capacity. S/he will be able to support programmatic objectives with timely and meaningful financial information, have a demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. S/he will be a creative problem solver. An impeccable professional standard of finance and procurement ethics and the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential. The Finance Manager must be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya. It requires up to 25% travel to support consortium programming and operations in Sudan. This may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Team Efficiency and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different 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

This vacancy is now closed.