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.

The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary) 

Mercy Corps is present in the DRC since August 2007 with a current workforce of more than 300 national and expatriate employees and operational presence in Goma and Beni (North Kivu Province), in Bunia (Ituri Province), and in Tshikapa, Kalonda West and Ndjoko Punda (Kasai Province), and representation in the capital city, Kinshasa. As a leading NGO in DRC working with more than 40 partners in 2024, Mercy Corps reached 2.12 million people in North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Kasai with integrated programs that ensured equitable access to improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in humanitarian and development settings; supported a comprehensive, rapid response to ongoing humanitarian needs; promoted economic and livelihood development to strengthen food security and resilience; as well as institutional capacity strengthening and social cohesion to foster peace and good governance. 

The Position (General Position Summary)

Reporting to the Country Director, the Finance Director is a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) responsible for ensuring the integrity, transparency, oversight, and sustainability of the country program’s financial systems in alignment with Mercy Corps’ global standards and donor requirements. S/he provides strategic leadership and direction for all financial management functions including financial planning, budgeting, accounting, award and sub-award management, payments and banking, payroll, and internal / donor reporting processes that enable strategic decision-making and efficient resource allocation across a large and dynamic portfolio. 

The Finance Director leads efforts to strengthen financial analysis, forecasting, and risk management practices to support adaptive management and long-term mission sustainability. They ensure rigorous compliance with internal controls, local laws, and donor regulations while promoting flexibility and innovation in financial management practices. The incumbent works closely with program, operations, and ethics teams to ensure strong financial management and accountability at all levels, fostering a culture of stewardship, learning, and continuous improvement.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

STRATEGY AND LEADERSHIP

• Provide strategic financial leadership aligned with Mercy Corps DRC’s country strategy and long-term sustainability goals.

• Lead the development of multi-year financial and budget frameworks that enable effective scenario planning and adaptive management.

• Advise the Country Director and SMT on financial trends, risks, and opportunities to guide strategic decision-making.

• Strengthen financial governance and accountability mechanisms across departments and field offices.

• Build the capacity of finance and non-finance teams to understand financial information as a decision-making tool.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING

• Oversee all aspects of financial operations of the Country Office, including accounting supervision, and treasury management, ensuring strong internal controls, compliance, and sound cash flow management.

• Lead the annual and grant budgeting process in collaboration with programs and operations, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and donor requirements.

• Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting to management, donors, and HQ. 

• Guide and supervise forecasting, expenditure tracking, and variance analysis to enable proactive course correction.

• Oversee the consolidation of financial data and ensure transparency in cost allocations and funding utilization.

• Oversee financial monitoring of subgrantees in close collaboration with Program Directors and Finance Managers.

COMPLIANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT

• Ensure compliance with Mercy Corps’ internal policies, donor regulations, and local laws while supporting program agility and contextual responsiveness.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external audits; ensure timely implementation of recommendations.

• Lead proactive financial risk management, including liquidity, currency, and contextual risks affecting operations.

• Promote ethical financial practices and strengthen accountability systems throughout the mission.

TEAM LEADERSHIP AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

• Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse finance team across multiple offices, fostering an environment of excellence and integrity.

• Set clear expectations, monitor performance, and support staff development through coaching and continuous learning. 

• Promote collaboration between finance, programs, and operations to enhance financial partnership and strategic alignment.

REPRESENTATION AND EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

• Represent Mercy Corps DRC in financial discussions with donors, partners, and government authorities.

• Strengthen relationships with banks, auditors, and regulatory bodies to ensure smooth financial operations and compliance.

• Support partner organizations and subgrantees in developing robust financial management capacity. 

SAFEGUARDING

• Actively learn about safeguarding and integrate safeguarding principles into day-to-day work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work. 

• Practice the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.

• Encourage openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• Direct supervision of finance operations managers and controllers

• Matrixed supervision (with base managers) of field-based finance teams. 

ACCOUNTABILITY

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 QUALIFICATION & TRANSFERABLE SKILLS 

• University degree (or equivalent) in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or related field. Advanced degree preferred.

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive financial management experience, including at least 5 years in international or humanitarian settings.

• Proven experience in strategic financial planning, forecasting, and risk management.

• Proven experience in award management with a strong understanding of donor regulations including USG, FCDO, EU, ECHO, UN, World Bank, among others.

• Strong accounting skills and experience, including management of the general ledger, journal entries, payroll, payables and balance sheet.

• Demonstrated success in managing complex budgets and translating data into actionable insights.

• Advanced computer skills and mastery of Microsoft Office 365 applications, particularly Excel.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and mentoring skills.

• Fluency in English and French required.

 SUCCESS FACTORS

The most successful Mercy Corps team 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.  The successful Finance Director will be a strategic thinker with strong analytical and adaptive leadership skills capable of making and implementing difficult decisions. They will demonstrate the ability to navigate volatility and uncertainty with sound judgment, balancing compliance with flexibility to support effective program delivery, modelling the highest ethical standards of integrity, honest, respect and accountability in all aspects of their work, and in every interaction with internal and external stakeholders.  

 LIVING CONDITIONS / ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The preferred location for the position is Goma, North Kivu, an unaccompanied (non-family) duty station with basic but secure living conditions in a complex context that requires patience, adaptability and resilience.  Housing in Goma is group accommodation (individual apartment within a guest house) provided by Mercy Corps.

Alternatively, the position may be based in Kinshasa as an accompanied (family) location. The incumbent will travel frequently to support field teams in Mercy Corps bases across the country. 

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

 Team Engagement and Effectiveness 

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

 Equal Employment Opportunity 

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law. 

 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.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).