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.           

 GENERAL POSITION 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.

 Working in the finance unit, under the direction of the Jijiga Head of Office and Addis Ababa based Field Finance Manager, the Senior Finance Officer will ensure the accuracy and completeness of the Jijiga Field office accounting records, compliance to Mercy corps policies and procedures, donor terms and conditions, and applicable government regulations and will have primary responsibility for managing the monthly accounting cycle. The post holder should be forward looking, self-driven operating under minimum supervision, and critical thinker in the team.  Furthermore, considering the various expected systemic changes in future, the post holder should be forward looking, able to develop/train herself/himself easily, change oriented and able to quickly settle in the new system.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

 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 HOOs and country office

1. Oversee cash management, banking, payroll, budget monitoring, annual inventory, receivables, and payables.

2. Ensure daily compliance at the field level with Mercy Corps policies and procedures as well as donor and government regulations

3. Plan and implement systems for financial operations in the Jijiga 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.

4. Monitor budget spending to ensure compliance with budget and to prevent overspending or underspending.

5. Maintain banking relations and plan and monitor field offices cash flow requirements to ensure the smooth implementation of field office programs.

6. Supervision and evaluation and daily management of the  finance officer.

7. Oversee weekly and monthly cash count with the assistant finance officer

8. Manage the month end accounting close process, ensuring the accuracy and completeness and consistency of journals and all supporting documentation in the field offices.

9. Ensure compliance with Mercy Corps’ procurement policies and procedures for all goods and services procured at field offices.

10. Prepare month end balance sheet account reconciliations

11. Coordinate the preparation and ensure the on-time submission of the monthly reporting package.

12. Oversee the maintenance of all accounting records, ensuring that records are complete, accurate and safeguarded

13. Assist in the training and support of the Finance officer and Assistant finance officer in field offices, including answering daily questions, training new hires, making field visits, etc.

14. Provide financial review task on the source documents based on the limit set in the Authority Matrix

15. Review the bank batch transitions recorded in the system by the Finance Officer.

16. Ensure that the Jijiga Field office is consistently implementing internal audit recommendations and the Addis Ababa based compliance team monitoring visit recommendations.

1. Performs review of new personnel recruitment requests and personnel action form

       1.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.

1. .  Perform any other similar tasks that may be reasonably assigned by the line manager/supervisor in any one of the four components above.

 Do This

 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.

Strategy & Vision

·       Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.

·       Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.

·       Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support. 

GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

·       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.

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.

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.

Job Requirements

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

 ·       Four years and more progressive experience in the non-profit organization and mainly experience gained in the INGO is required.

·       Experience in managing USAID, EC,BHA and other private donor grants at least for two years

·       Masters/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.

How to Apply

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised.  All applications submitted to the Mercy Corps office or electronically include a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents. Applications will not be returned and will not be retained for future recruitment efforts.  In order to ensure fairness to all applicant’s personal inquiries are not permitted.

 Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.

 “Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and    diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 17 October 2022/ 4:00 PM

Submit your CV, three reference and all relevant official documents via email: et-recruitment@mercycorps.org or through post Mercy Corps Recruiter Addis Ababa: P.O. Box 14319, Arbaminch: P.O. Box 33, Jijiga: P.O. Box 225, Negelle Borena: P.O. Box 116, Dire Dewa: P.O. Box 974

 Note: Please make sure that you mention the position title in the subject line of your email application