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.
The Program
Mercy Corps in Europe (MCinE) is has grown rapidly both in terms of the volume of activity and its complexity. The International Finance team plays a critical role in sustaining and enabling this growth through the support it provides to country programmes and HQ departments.
The International Finance (IF) Department supports financial operations in MCinE country programmes throughout the world by working collaboratively with country finance staff and providing guidance in grant management, budgeting, accounting and other financial functions in accordance with Mercy Corpsโ internal policies and procedures as well as donor regulations. The IF Department ensures the timely, complete and accurate reporting of financial information from Mercy Corpsโ country offices and is responsible for ensuring that all financial reporting requirements to donors are met in a timely and accurate way. The IF Department also works closely and collaboratively with the Headquarters (HQ) Programme Team members in support of country programme objectives as well as the HQ Corporate Finance department in support of agency financial functions.
The Position
The Senior International Finance Analyst (SIFA) is the HQ finance team member charged with supporting a regional portfolio of countries, and ensuring that the financial reporting and compliance standards for European donor-funded projects are met throughout the region. The SIFA is responsible for supporting the country operations in adhering to internal and external policies and regulations through technical financial support in areas such as financial reporting, recruiting and training, communications, compliance, and adherence to budget.
As well as working closely with HQ Finance and Programme team members, and with various other HQ departments including Compliance, the SIFA will also liaise on financial matters with external stakeholders including European donors and partners.
With several yearsโ experience in this sector and in similar roles, the SIFA will have developed in-depth knowledge of donor regulations and procedures and technical knowledge of financial reporting and compliance. As an SIFA they will support junior International Finance team colleagues through mentoring and technical advice. The SIFA will also have line-management responsibilities within the team.
As part of the International Finance departmentโs commitment to continuous improvement, SIFAs are encouraged to be proactive and lead on projects aimed at streamlining processes or increasing efficiency. The SIFA also identifies finance-specific knowledge essential for other colleagues/departments and develops and delivers training and reference materials.
Essential Job Responsibilities
PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
The SIFA is the HQ point of responsibility for overall financial monitoring on grants for both external donor requirements and internal Mercy Corps policies and requirements. On award of a grant, design and develop coded budgets to meet grant needs and using financial system reporting tools, design and construct Budget versus Actual reports suitable for all stakeholders. Provide ongoing monitoring of grants through monthly budget versus actual reports to strict deadlines ensuring that all issues are highlighted and promptly communicated to stakeholders. Coordinate with the implementation team to ensure issues are being addressed on a timely basis. Prepare required reports to donor agencies (EC, ECHO, FCDO, etc) along with related supporting schedules and payment requests. Review budgets and advise the field on grant budget modifications required to reflect technical and implementation changes, ensuring any amendments are in accordance with donor requirements. Support country teamโs adherence to Mercy Corps internal policies and standards as well as adherence to Mercy Corpsโ Complex Programs management standards. In conjunction with the Compliance Team, maintain effective contact with Field Country Offices regarding financial reporting and grant regulations, advising and training. Serve on Complex Programme Boards within the portfolio, providing financial and compliance information to ensure issues are being managed or escalated as required. Monitor grant-level cash flow and submit funding requests to donor agencies on a timely basis as required by the grant agreement and MC internal procedures. AUDIT ASSISTANCE
Assist in preparation for the MCinE annual statutory audit, including input on International Finance issues such as project closures and co-financing and liaising with field offices to ensure sampled transactions are timeously received and submitted documentation is compliant. Advise field on country-level or donor-specific audits, including providing requested information and responses to audit queries and management letters. Monitor and support implementation of country action plans in the clearance of external or internal audit findings relating to the implementation of European grants.STRATEGY, PLANNING & LEARNING
Coordinate with peers to share knowledge and develop best practices for IFOs and country Finance Managers. Identify finance-specific knowledge essential for other teams and develop guidance for IFO team, field FMs and non-finance staff on relevant finance topics. Proactively lead on ad-hoc HQ projects aimed at streamlining processes or increasing efficiency and work with the HQ Corporate Finance team to develop, streamline and document policies and procedures.FIELD SUPPORT AND CAPACITY BUILDING
Serve as member of the hiring team and provide technical vetting of senior field finance staff. Travel to the countries being supported and provide technical financial support, training and oversight. Review and provide feedback on the country finance operations and MC and donor compliance. In relation to MCinE grants, monitor and report on field finance staff training needs and requirements ensuring areas identified are promptly addressed. Assist with the opening and closing of a country programme by providing financial guidance and assistance either from HQ or in the Field. Provide additional onboarding training to new senior finance staff on MCinE grant financial management and policies.TEAM MANAGEMENT
Manage, mentor and develop junior International Finance team members including International Finance Analysts. Monitor individual performance, providing the tools and information needed to work efficiently and successfully, and solve problems. Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews. Supervisory Responsibility
This role may be responsible for supervising 1 or 2 international Finance Analysts
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Director of International Finance
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 Qualifications & Transferable Skills
Degree in Accounting or Finance, part-qualified accountant or qualified by experience in a relevant field is required. At least 5 years of finance/management experience and 3 yearsโ experience in managing grants is required. Minimum 3 yearsโ experience working in an International NGO in a similar position is required. Demonstrated experience and skill with budget preparation and analysis, financial audits, financial reporting preparation and presentation and the proven ability to translate technical financial data into informative reports. Knowledge of rules and regulations governing the compliance/regulatory management of grants from donor agencies. Experience of computerized accountancy packages is required. Proficiency with MS Office software required (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) - with an advanced proficiency in Excel preferred. Business spoken and written English is required, with proficiency in a relevant second language considered an advantage. Experience managing or supervising team members is preferred. Experience of working in a field position is preferred.Success Factors
Highly analytical. Able to prioritise in a fast-changing environment and to work quickly and accurately under pressure. Able to build effective and lasting relationships with colleagues and external partners.