Finance officer | Afar

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 officer        

Duty Station: Afar/Semera

Open Position:  1

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The Mercy Corps Finance Department is responsible for all financial functions in Ethiopia, including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, and grant financial management and compliance.  The Mercy Corps 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 resources are used efficiently and effectively.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

Working in the Finance Department of Afar/Semera under the direction of Senior Finance Officer, the Finance Officer will assist in the accounting and documentation of all financial transactions in timely and accurate manner.  Finance Officer will be based in Afar/Semera; have shared responsibilities for the Afar/Semera Coordination office but with particular focus for the finance and accounting of Afar/Semera field office.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Ensure adherence of financial transactions of the Field Office to Mercy Corps financial policies & procedures, donor terms & conditions and Government policies.
• Maintains up-to-date and accurate recording of financial transactions on the day-to-day basis
• Record all Bank financial transactions of Afar/Semera Office regularly to Bank batch and reconcile bank balances.
• Ensure timely settlement of advances disbursed from Afar/Semera office.
• Ensure availability of budget in an approved grant   for every expenditure
• Analyze and code financial transactions per Mercy corps financial, procurement, personnel, and administrative policies and procedures, donor terms and condition, government regulations, and generally accepted accounting principles.
• Maintain proper and adequate documentation of financial transactions
• Assists and support program personnel in relation to handling financial aspects of program activities
• Assist the Senior Finance officer on a monthly submission of Field Office Financial reports to Head office.

• Prepare the monthly bank reconciliations
• Maintain the bank file, ensuring that all bank information is properly filed and updated
• Maintain the lease, rental, and preferred supplier agreements file and ensure timely settlement of obligations associated with these contracts
• Make sure that all supporting documentation is prepared and filed according to Mercy Corps procedures.
• Prepare scanned documents of vouchers and other supporting documents as required for the weekly financial review and posting
• Make sure that all supporting documents are stamped (paid stamp).
• Make ensure that the monthly VAT claims from USAID are compiled and sent to the Addis
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to positively acknowledge Mercy
• Any other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

ACCOUNTABILITY

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: The Area Manager based in Afar/Semera Office on daily management and Field Finance Manager based in Addis Ababa on technical issues and compliance matters.

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:    Head of Office, Project/program Managers, Senior Finance Officer, Finance Officers, and Assistants in Afar/Semera Field office

 KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Three or more years of accounting or bookkeeping experience, including experience with double-entry accounting.
• A degree in accounting or a relevant business field
• Strong computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel
• Familiarity with computerized, double-entry accounting software
• Strong organizational skills as well as attention to detail
• Excellent oral and written English skills
• Qualified women candidates are encouraged to apply

SUCCESS FACTORS:

A clear understanding of finance and procurement ethics as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential.  The ability to interact effectively with international and national staff members is required.  A demonstrated ability to work quickly and accurately, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary.

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 and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to 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.

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.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised. All applications must be submitted electronically including a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents.

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: 08 February / 4:00 PM