Consultant: Regional Strategic Finance Support and Proposal Development
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.
Mercy Corps currently works in ten countries in Asia. The MC Asia regional management team faces a capacity gap when it comes to strategic financial planning, budgeting and forecasting beyond the business-as-usual support needs provided by headquarters; and requires surge capacity for new business development support and gap-filling.
Finance departments at the country level are responsible for accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting and grant financial management and compliance. These departments ensure compliance with donor regulations, as well as internal policies and procedures, and provide timely reports and assistance to program teams. However, while country -level finance managers are generally able to provide this type of routine support to programs and operations, critical moments of the program cycle require additional capacity and a strategic viewpoint.
Purpose / Project Description:
MC Asia requires a dedicated resource to provide strategic financial analysis to the regional management team, as well as country teams as needed. This will create opportunities for deeper engagement with the regional portfolios and provide additional oversight to quickly address critical funding issues and risks. This strategic financial analysis will inform country and regional leadership on the financial implications of different planning scenarios, support in business development, identify capacity gaps and decision making to ensure that the regions remain financially healthy.
After an initial assessment, and in consultation with the regional management, the Consultant will prioritize select country programs based on timeliness of program needs and financial risks. For Asia, special emphasis will likely be placed on Afghanistan, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Timor Leste and Nepal and regional financial support needs and new business development. For selected priority countries, the consultant will:
● Maintain regular communication with country finance teams and diagnose and flag any critical issues that may negatively impact portfolio financial health.
● Review current country operations and support cost budgets, and review current cost allocations on existing grants, according to Mercy Corps Cost Allocation Framework.
● Conduct a financial analysis of the overall grant portfolio against different planning scenarios to identify staffing and operational funding shortfalls, or opportunities for savings.
● Provide recommendations on optimal restructuring options based on the financial analysis of different planning scenarios.
● Analyse and support the country program financial forecasting process to enhance effective grant BvA management and accurate quarterly country financial forecasts, as requested.
● Document and report out any observations of internal controls, finance functions, grant, financial management procedures, structure gap as noticed while performing other duties.
● Provide country teams with hands on capacity (remote or in person) during periods of staff turnover /increased workload.
● Provide other financial support within an agreed overall number of days in consultation with the Deputy Regional Director, Operations.
Deputy Regional Director, Operations
Consultant Deliverables:
1. Lead / guide / support budget process / preparation for any major new grant proposal applications as needed in coordination with the country management.
2. Overall portfolio financial analysis that clearly articulates funding gaps and recommendations to address them and mitigate financial risk, and recommendations for cost savings where appropriate.
3. As requested, review, build or improve country operations and support cost budgets.
4. Analyze and support the country program financial forecasting process to enhance effective grant BvA management and accurate quarterly country financial forecasts, as requested.
5. Document and report out any observations of internal controls, finance functions, grant financial management procedures, structure gap as noticed while performing other duties. Provide overall recommendations on systems improvements.
6. Regularly coordinate with Deputy Regional Director, Operations, country directors, finance managers and other relevant HQ support staff to identify in advance any significant financial / control risks / funding gaps requiring mitigating action.
7. In coordination with Asia Deputy Regional Director, Operations and International Finance, provide remote or in country coverage for FM/FD during periods of identified risk/capacity gaps.
Timeframe / Schedule:
The consultant will work from 1 August 2024 through June 30, 2025 on an ad-hoc basis. A detailed work plan is left to the discretion of the consultant in consultation with Deputy Regional Director, Operations.
The Consultant will report to:
Deputy Regional Director, Operations, Asia
The Consultant will work closely with:
Deputy Regional Directors, Country Directors, Operations Directors, Finance Managers/Directors, Regional Finance Manager, International Finance (MCG and MCE), RPT, NI team.
Required Experience & Skills:
- Minimum ten years’ experience in international finance, non-profits preferred.
- Strong finance background and analytical skills.
- Knowledge of MC systems and structures and grant financial management and compliance.
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
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 team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. 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.