Finance and Administration Director - Land Border Programme

LocationNairobi, Kenya

Position StatusFull-time

Salary LevelRefer to the relevant salary scale)

About Mercy Corps

Program / Department Summary

General Position Summary

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Lead the complex, multi-year budgeting process at the start of the project and ensure its detailed updating each fiscal year. Built in inputs from a diverse array of program stakeholders including technical leads, country-level leads, international and local partners, and HQ and Regional support teams
• Establish proactive and robust systems for maintaining oversight of multiple countries, partners and separate awards throughout the duration of the project

• Develop and update annual fiscal year budgets with the programme Senior ProgrammeManager[JW1]and partners, and develop and implement budgeting and forecasting systems with the different project components and/or Awards. Review all financial plans and budgets, monitoring progress and changes. Flag issues and work to resolve with senior management
• Develop and oversee all financial and accounting systems, policies, procedures, and internal controls for the program, adapting them as necessary to meet changing regulations and best practices within each country of implementation. Establish efficient financial systems including internal audits, compliance, and risk management
• Oversee annual financial audits of the program and ensure that partners and subgrantees comply with all audit and financial review requirements. Prepare and execute action plans to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of finance and administrative operations and to mitigate operational and compliance risks
• Periodically assess the efficiency and effectiveness of finance and administration procedures in relation to the delivery of technical activities on time and at optimum cost
• Create and maintain systems to ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with program, FCDO and Mercy Corps’ needs.
• Ensure compliance with FCDO and Mercy Corps’ rule and regulations relating to finance, administration and sub-grant management

• Ensure recruitment is conducted in line with FCDO policies and with full approvals, where required
• Support the scale-up of activities, ensuring timely recruitment and onboarding

• Build and develop the capacity of the Finance and Admin teams, deepening the understanding of their roles and assisting with career development. Ensure team members have access to the information, tools and resources they need to improve performance & reach their 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.

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Supervisory Responsibility

Accountability

Reports Directly To:Senior Programme Manager

Works Directly With:Program technical leads; program partners and sub-awardees; HQ and Regional Finance teams; HQ and Regional Compliance teams; HQ and Regional Technical Support Unit members

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• A BA/S or equivalent in accounting or finance required; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 15 years of progressive financial management experience, including supervisory experience required.
• At least 4 years’ experience in grants management as well as an understanding of FCDO grant and contract regulations required. .
• At least 3 years’ international experience required; international INGO/PVO field office experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience and skill with budget preparation and analysis, financial reporting preparation and presentation and the proven ability to translate technical financial data into informative reports.
• Strong accounting skills and experience, including management of the general ledger, journal entries, payroll, payables and balance sheet.
• 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 Finance & Admin Director will combine strong technical skills and excellent coordination and management abilities. S/he will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage complex financial and administrative approaches, and will have proven experience with cross-cultural teams and capacity building, individual staff development, and strong mentoring skills. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. 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

This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya with potential travel to programme sites/border areas and additional programme countries (Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia). Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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.

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 Engagement and Effectiveness

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 committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

Safeguarding & Ethics

and have signed on to the

Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policiesand values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.