Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.
Program / Department Summary Mercy Corps has been present in Niger since 2005 and in Burkina Faso since 2016. Its interventions in Niger and Burkina Faso are focused on improving food security, economic recovery, social cohesion, livelihoods, nutrition, governance and emergency response outcomes. Our work in these areas contributes to communitiesโ resilience to shocks and stresses and enables them to achieve long-term, inclusive and equitable development. Its main strategic mission is \"to support vulnerable and/or at risk populations to improve their lives, recover from shocks and exclusion while empowering them to secure viable opportunities for a more resilient and sustainable livelihood economy. Currently, Mercy Corps Niger and Burkina Faso implements more than 17 developmental and humanitarian assistance programs/projects with an overall budget of more than 70 million USD. In Niger, Mercy Corps implements its programs in the regions of Tillabery, Maradi, Zinder, Tahoua and Niamey with field offices located in Filingue, Maradi, Tahoua, Abala and Tillabery. In Burkina Faso, Mercy Corpsโ work involves promoting communitiesโ resilience in the fight against hunger, youth entrepreneurship and employability and social cohesion. It also enhances collaboration, learning and adaptation of approaches between implementing partners of USAID-funded programs and projects. In Burkina Faso, Mercy Corps has offices its main office in Ouagadougou and currently operates in three field areas including Kaya, Fada and Ouahigouya with a possible establishment of a new area field in Bobo Dioulasso.
The position The Finance & Compliance Director is a member of the senior management team and leads the Finance Department. S/he is responsible for all aspects of financial management of the country program, working collaboratively to ensure compliance with Mercy Corps internal policies and procedures as well as donor regulations. S/he works under the direction of the Country Director and is responsible for all financial functions in Niger & Burkina Faso, including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting and grant financial management and compliance. The Finance & Compliance Director, in support of the Program Department, provides timely reports and assistance to the Country Director and the Program team to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently and effectively.
Essential Job Responsibilities
STRATEGY & VISION
Accountability Reports Directly To: Country Director Works Directly With: HQ Regional Finance Officers, HQ Program Officers, Operations Director, Program Directors, country coordinator/Burkina Faso, Program Managers, Process Analyst Specialist
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.
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills 7+ years of progressive financial management experience is required, including supervisory experience required previously as Finance Director. BA/S or equivalent in accounting or finance is required. An advanced degree is preferred. At least 4 years of experience in grants management as well as an understanding of donor regulations is required (particularly USAID and DFID). At least 3 years of international experience is required; international NGO or business โข 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. Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel. Prior management experience and strong organizational skills. Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment. โข Previous experience in insecure environments Excellent oral and written French & English skills required. Success Factors The successful candidate will have an ability to interact effectively across program and finance 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. 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 Director 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 Finance Director will be based in Niamey, Niger with regular field travel. Staff have good access to essential services, such as medical care, electricity, water, etc. This position requires up to 20% of travel by road or air to field locations in relatively secure environments but climatically harsh conditions. The position is accompanied and is eligible for R&R but not hardship pay. 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. Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corpsโ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
Ongoing LearningIn 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 & InclusionAchieving 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 worldโs 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 OpportunityMercy 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 & EthicsMercy 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.