Field Finance Coordinator | Addis Ababa

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. Our vision is 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. Our strategy focuses on the four outcome areas of: 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 the regional states of Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Sidama, Southern Ethiopia, Tigray and Addis Ababa city administration 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.

Position Title: Field Finance Coordinator

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Open Position: 1

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 Finance Department ensures compliance with donor regulations as well as Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures. In its role as a support to the Program Department, the Finance Department provides timely reports and assistance to the Country Director and the Program team to ensure that financial and finance linked resources are utilized efficiently and effectively.

Working in the finance unit, under the direction of the Field Finance Manager, the Field Finance Coordinator will be responsible for the day‑to‑day routine tasks of the Field Finance and MIS supervision role as well as monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting. She/he is expected to produce reliable, accurate and timely financial report/information for all stakeholders involved. The post holder should be forward‑looking, self‑driven, operating under minimum supervision, and a critical thinker in a senior management role. Furthermore, considering the various expected systemic changes in future, the post holder should be forward‑looking, change oriented and able to develop/train the team capacity in the changing environment.

Travel: 20% travel to the project sites directly managed by Mercy Corps as well as by sub‑grantees. The two main objectives of the travel are 1) Capacity Building 2) Compliance and Monitoring (internal audit nature) of donor rules as well as MC internal policies and procedures.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Compliance Monitoring (35% of time)
• Financial Accounting and Budgeting (30% of time)
• MIS supervision (35% of time)
• Ensure that field/area level‑based budget holders are familiar with the detailed Mercy Corps internal policies and procedures and ensure the implementation.
• Assist the Field Finance Manager in monitoring the implementation of internal audit recommendations and ensure that all the required recommendations are implemented consistently.
• Ensure that host government compliance rules, such as tax, pension, provident fund, VAT, and other similar items are consistently implemented and assist the area finance officers in the implementation of this regulation.
• Make periodic review of all compliance matters for the field offices and present key issues in the monthly finance team meeting.
• Ensure that all payment documents have the relevant checklist, which ensures attention to detail, and the checklist is signed off by the appropriate finance officers and support service officers.
• Ensure that all monthly financial diaries are kept to an adequate standard, and we are meeting the set deadline. Flag any deviations or difficult circumstances ahead of time.
• Ensure that all the Navigator GL register vouchers from the area‑based Finance Officers are accurately coded, the supporting documents (invoice, receipts, etc.) are sufficient, in line with MC internal control procedures, donor requirements and satisfactorily presented.
• Support the Field Finance Manager in all of A‑133 audit requirements, external statutory audit and donor audit needs.
• Based on the Authority Matrix, ensure that all financial reviews to be done by the Field Finance Coordinator have been executed to the standard level.
• Perform regular review of documents and post transactions in the Navigator finance system.
• Work with the Field Finance Manager and Accounting and Reporting Manager to ensure that balance sheet reconciliation is performed every month/quarter and present a detailed analytical report of the balance sheet figures.
• Regular review and posting of journals for area offices assigned to the Field Finance Coordinator.
• Support any internal and external audit works by providing filtered system information as required.
• Ensure that all Field connect system users are using the right re‑class batch and reference number for all current or prior period adjusting entries.

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.

Influence & Representation

• Interface with 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.

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, all team members are expected to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members 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.

Reports Directly To: Field Finance Manager

Works Directly With: Finance Department, Operations Department, Program Managers, MCG/MCE HQ Compliance, and others.

Knowledge and Experience

• Five years and more progressive experience in the non‑profit sector, mainly in the INGO context is required.
• Mandatory experience in managing USAID, EU, UN & SIDA grants for at least two consecutive years.
• First degree or preferably Master’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance or a 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.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Prior grant management experience will be a plus.
• Excellent oral and written English skills.

Success Factors

• Must be confident, self‑starter, an independent thinker and have strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills; team oriented.
• Good computer skills (especially Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook).
• Ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel; demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse group of people.
• High professional standard of administration ethics and willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to multi‑task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and appropriate flexibility.
• Emotional maturity and physical stamina.
• Demonstrated experience in managing matrix reporting.

Willing to travel to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites (20%+ of time).

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

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.

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.

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 will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e‑learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Deadline for all applications: 14 July 2024 4:00 PM