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 present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. With the launch of Mercy Corps Global Strategy, Pathway to Possibility, the country office is poised to operationalize its three-year strategy with a vision to enhance the resilience of climate- and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. In Ethiopia, our strategy focuses in the four outcome areas: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use. Currently, we operate in six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Ethiopia. Working with a diverse base of donors that includes United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (UN), JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations, Mercy Corps Ethiopia empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good.

Position Title: Finance Intern

Duty Station: Gambella

Open Position: 1

Duration of Internship: 3 months

Safeguarding Risk Level: High

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Mercy Corps Ethiopia seeks enthusiastic, intelligent, and ambitious female graduate and post-graduates who are passionate about international development. This position will provide the intern an opportunity to develop their professional skills and expand their knowledge of market-based and community-driven development while supporting Mercy Corps Gambella Field Office Finance Department. This internship will also support the country office’s efforts towards improving female recruitment and retention.

The intern will be provided with technical guidance in Finance and coaching in women’s empowerment and professional skills from a Mentor. At the beginning of the internship period, the intern will receive orientation on Mercy Corps’ mission, vision, strategy, and programming. She will work with her mentor on professional skills development goals, and activities and responsibilities related to achieving these goals; she will also work with the Finance Officer on technical skills development goals, and activities and responsibilities related to achieving these goals.

At the end of the internship period, the combined professional and technical skills development plan will be the milestones against which the internship will be evaluated and will be the basis of a strong recommendation letter for future employment. The intern will also be interviewed to assess the degree to which the internship period helped her to achieve her professional goals.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of the internship, the intern will have developed the following knowledge and experience:

•  Understanding of daily finance routine works in the finance department,

•  Understanding of the importance of Finance management for an organization,

•  Understanding of professional filing of finance documents,

•  Understand statutory finance requirements and payments.

•  Knowledge of soft skills required to professional success in an increasingly competitive market.

•  Increased self-awareness, confidence, and assertiveness

DELIVERABLES: (describe any tangible and measurable result or outcome to complete the project or part of a project):

•  Support the finance department on day-to-day finance routines (non-cash management),

•  Scan and copy finance documents as required and for use in the finance department,

•  Properly file finance documents in chronological order in professional filing system.

•  Prepare summary of statutory obligations/taxes and pension and submit for review by finance officer.

•  Assist in facilitation and payments of training/workshop for participants.

•  Organize requests coming from various departments and submit for review of Finance Officer,

•  Perform any other similar tasks that may be assigned by the supervisor in finance office department.

Job Requirements

IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:

•  BA in Accounting/Finance from a recognized college/university.

•  One letter of recommendation from a university/Higher Institution on the candidate’s personal integrity and sense of responsibility.

LIVING CONDITIONS: The internship should be based out of the intern’s home location.

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.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

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

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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

How to Apply:

All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. All applications, including a CV, three references, and all applicable official papers, must be sent electronically using THIS LINK

NOTE: All interns must be active at a university or recently graduated (within about 1 year).

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: 15 November 2024