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 collaborate to put bold solutions into action, helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.
To create a better world, 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 operational in Pakistan since 1986, when we began responding to the Afghan refugee crisis in Pakistan. Over the next 15 years, we primarily supported Afghan refugees and their hosting communities. Since the beginning of 2000, Mercy Corps has worked with Pakistani communities, and governmental and non-governmental partners to increase access to quality health care, livelihoods, and education, and has helped communities recover from natural disasters/emergencies.Mercy Corps has implemented over $140 million of humanitarian and development programs in Pakistan, with a focus primarily on public health including maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH), primary healthcare, malaria control, nutrition as well as emergency health interventions, with a wide geographical coverage. All programs are designed and implemented jointly with the national Ministry of Health, provincial Departments of Health, and key vertical programs such as the National and Provincial Tuberculosis Program, Lady Health Workers (LHW) Program, MNCH Program, and the target communities. Mercy Corps has been a Principal Recipient of Global Fund to Fight against AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) for tuberculosis grants since 2007. Mercy Corps is seeking a qualified Finance & Compliance Director for the anticipated $50-100 million, five-year, USAID-funded TB program in Pakistan. Offer contingent on securing donor funding and approval.
General Position SummaryThe Finance & Compliance Director (FCD) is a member of the project senior management team and part of the Mercy Corps Finance Pakistan Department. As such, they are responsible for all aspects of financial management of the overall project, 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 Chief of Party (CoP) and is responsible for all financial functions, including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting and grant financial management and compliance. The FCD is also responsible for all aspects of compliance with local legal, regulatory and statutory requirements. The FCD provides timely assistance to the CoP, partners and the project team to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently and effectively.
Essential Responsibilities
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
- Work with the CoP to manage and maintain budgeting including master budget, gap analysis, cost coverage and allocations. Advise the CoP and Project Management on key decisions based on financial analysis.
- Ensure effective, transparent use of financial resources in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.
- Maintain banking relations and plan and monitor country cash flow requirements to ensure the smooth implementation of the programme.
- Produce management reports and financial scenarios to inform strategic decision-making.
- Lead development and production of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports in line with donor requirements.
- Develop annual fiscal year budgets with the CoP, develop, and implement grant budgeting and forecasting systems.
- Ensure quality assurance of other finance team members, especially in financial management.
PROJECT COMPLIANCE
- Lead legal and operational financial tracking for the consortium.
- Prepare and ensure timely submission of country-level government reports.
- Ensure compliance with related local laws, with support from HQ Legal team and local legal advisors. Ensures that relevant country level exemptions and legal requirements are met.
- Responsible for review of project contracts and in consultation with HQ legal team and the CoP.
- Day to day support to the operational structure of the project
- Help identify efficient and effective solutions to issues while ensuring compliance with Mercy Corpsโ policies and donor regulations; facilitate the achievement of project objectives; coordinate closely with HQ compliance teams.RISK MANAGEMENT
- Collaborate with country departments to ensure that adequate financial risk management policies and procedures are in place for project design and implementation.
- Collaborate with the CoP and country leadership to support preparedness and response to major disruptive events.
Supervisory ResponsibilityDirect Reports: Project Finance Team, Partner Finance & Compliance Focal points
Accountability Reports Directly To: Chief of PartyWorks Directly With: Project Management Team, Steering Committee, Mercy Corps Country Director and Director of Programmes, Director of Finance, Mercy Corps Finance and Operations teams, consortium partner focal points. Coordinates with HQ International Finance.
Accountability to Participants and StakeholdersMercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our programme 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.
Knowledge and Experience
- A BA/S or equivalent in accounting or finance required; advanced degree preferred.
- At least 7 years of progressive financial management experience.
- At least 5 yearsโ experience in grants management as well as an understanding and experience of USAID and/or other donor regulations required.
- 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 organisational skills, including managing staff in remote locations.
- Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
- Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organisational and prioritisation skills.
- Excellent oral and written English skills required;
- Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
Success Factors The successful candidate will have an ability to interact effectively across international and national programme and finance teams successfully. S/he will be able to support programmatic objectives with timely and meaningful financial information, have a demonstrated ability to multitask, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing programme 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 and Compliance 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 ConditionsThis position is based in Islamabad, Pakistan with significant travel required to programme locations across the country.
Ongoing LearningIn support of our belief that learning organisations 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 organisation 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.
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, colour, 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, programme 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. 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.
- A BA/S or equivalent in accounting or finance required; advanced degree preferred.