Description

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. 

Program/Department Summary 

Mercy Corps, as a member of the Ukraine Cash Consortium (UCC) in partnership with the Norwegian Refugee Council and People In Need, is responding to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine by providing assistance to people impacted or displaced by the conflict. The UCC’s activities are designed to enable households to meet their basic needs and remain as safe as possible while supporting local markets during the crisis. In areas where markets remain functional the UCC will distribute multi-purpose cash assistance and where markets are heavily disrupted the consortium will provide direct-in-kind food, non-food, water, shelter and hygiene assistance. The Consortium will also be providing protection information to all groups impacted. The UCC is an initiative funded by the United States Agency for International Development / Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. 

General Position Summary 

The Finance Manager (FCM) reports to the Mercy Corps Finance and Compliance Director, working collaboratively to ensure compliance with Mercy Corps internal policies and procedures as well as donor regulations. The FCM will have primary responsibility for establishing and overseeing the subaward financial management and the overall budget obligations of the UCC response, along with the timely explanation of monthly results with stakeholders. The FCM will lead the financial and compliance review of potential subawardees, assist with the review of subaward agreements and budgets, assist partners with improving their financial and compliance systems, and maintain proper filing and tracking systems for UCC subawards. The FCM will work closely with UCC partners finance focal points by establish a Finance Working Group and support UCC partners in all aspects of financial and subaward management as it pertains to the UCC.  

Essential Job Responsibilities 

Budget & Subaward Management 

• Responsible for financial oversight and budget management of the UCC; 
• Initiate and lead the Finance Working Group of the UCC; 
• Support the UCC Management Team in Budget Vs. Actual projections; 
• Lead any potential budget modifications process with the UCC Management Team and UCC Partners; 

• Participate in the development of the overall programmatic strategy and the strategy for the subawards program; 
• Responsible for pre-award financial review and other due diligence of apparently successful applicants for main UCC partners, 
• Coordinate selection of subaward agreement type, draft subaward and negotiate subaward agreements with selected subrecipients; 
• Draft modifications to subawards, as needed; 
• Develop and conduct subrecipient financial and compliance training workshops for main UCC partners 

• Review subrecipient financial reports for correctness and completeness and ensure that reports are submitted on time for main UCC partners 
• Develop subrecipient monitoring plans, conduct financial monitoring of subrecipients and prepare financial monitoring visit reports for main UCC partners 
• Follow up on all subaward compliance issues and audits and document resolutions; 
• Maintain subaward files in accordance with the Field Finance Manual; 
• Process subrecipient payments and reconcile subaward financial tracking to general ledger reports; 
• Responsible for subaward financial close-outs, including ensuring that all requirements of the subaward agreement have been met and that subaward funds have been properly settled. 
• Provide compliance guidance and consultations to subrecipients on a demand-driven basis; 

Compliance 

• Ensure that subawards are executed in alignment with the prime award agreement and the applicable regulations, staying abreast of changes in regulatory environment related to donor/grant compliance; update procedures as necessary; 

• Identify and communicate compliance risks associated with program implementation; 
• Work with program teams ensure that program activities are designed to be compliant, while facilitating the achievement of the program objectives; 
• Prepare prior approval, waiver and other compliance requests to the donor;  
• Assist subrecipients, as needed with subrecipient compliance requests to Mercy Corps; 
• Prepare and maintain internal and donor compliance-related reports; 
• Ensure the subaward compliance tracker is up to date and reviewed with the relevant departments on a monthly basis; 
• Identify and communicate compliance risks associated with program/subaward implementation;  
• Work with program teams ensure that program activities are designed to be compliant, while facilitating the achievement of the program objectives. 

Security  

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country Senior Leadership Team / Risk Management Committee. 
• Support the risk management works with useful contributions to existing policies such as Visibility Guidelines, Social Media Guidelines.  
• Be aware and mindful or Mercy Corps position on impartiality within the conflict. Coordinate with the security team on reinforcing the agency principles to all team members.  

Responsibility 

Reports directly to: Director of Finance and Compliance.  

Works directly with: Consortium Director, Consortium Management Team, Country Directors, Sub-awards finance & Compliance Manager, PaQ & MEAL Managers, UCC Partners Finance Focal Points, Programmatic Managers, Mercy Corps HQ, Field Coordinators, Relevant Focal Points 

Knowledge and Experience 

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting or a related business field. Master’s degree preferred. 
• 5 years of subawards management experience 
• 2 years’ experience in the Finance Department of an NGO at mid/senior management levels. 
• Understanding of major international donor (EU, US) rules 
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel and Access.  
• Prior experience with computerized general ledger software, with preference for Navigator. 
• Strong analytical skills coupled with a solid understanding of grant management rules. 
• Excellent oral and written English skills. Russian, Ukrainian language skills are strongly preferred. 

Success Factors  

The successful candidate will have an ability to interact effectively across international and national 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, and 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 successful candidate 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 position is based in Lviv, Ukraine with the ability to implement the role 50% remotely. Accommodations are being defined and access to services – medical, electricity, water, etc is in place but may change depending on the situation. This position requires travel to surrounding countries, as security permits. Given the emergency context, this position requires exceptional work schedules, including evenings and weekends. 

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 and inclusion 

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people from different backgrounds, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we can better harness 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 brings their perspectives and authenticity, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. 

We recognize that diversity and inclusion are not achieved overnight, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to be more diverse, equitable, and inclusive than we are today. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Mercy Corps offers equal opportunity and does not tolerate discrimination on any grounds. We actively seek out people with diverse knowledge, perspectives and skills so that we can collectively be stronger and have a sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety in which all employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination based on race, skin 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 and ethics 

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that everyone we come into contact with through our work, whether they are team members, community members, program participants, or others, is treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the basic principles on the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse established by the UN Secretary-General and the IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment by or towards our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to behave professionally, respect local laws and customs, and adhere to Mercy Code of Conduct policies and values.