Field Finance Coordinator

Youth Impact Labs East Africa; KwaZulu-Natal; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

An international development organization seeks a Field Finance Coordinator to oversee financial operations, compliance monitoring, and team management in the context of ongoing projects. This role demands a seasoned professional with over five years in non-profit financial management and a master's degree in a relevant field. Responsibilities include financial reporting, audit support, and developing team capacity, all while ensuring compliance with donor regulations and organizational policies.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of progressive experience in a non-profit organization.
• Experience with USAID, EU, UN & SIDA grants for at least two consecutive years.
• Demonstrated competency with computerized general ledger software.

Responsibilities

• Monitor implementation of internal audit recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with host government rules.
• Support internal and external audit work.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Excellent oral and written English skills

Advanced computer skills in MS Office

Education

Master’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance or related discipline

Tools

Computerized general ledger software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

About Mercy Corps

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. Our vision is 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. Our strategy focuses on the four outcome areas of:

• Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets;
• Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food;
• Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis‑affected communities;
• People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use.

Currently we operate in the regional states of Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Sidama, Southern Ethiopia, Tigray and Addis Ababa city administration 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.

Position Title

Field Finance Coordinator

Duty Station

Addis Ababa

Open Position

1

General Position Summary

The Mercy Corps Finance Department is responsible for all financial functions, including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, and grant financial management and compliance. The department ensures compliance with donor regulations as well as Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures. 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 and finance‑linked resources are utilized efficiently and effectively.

Working in the finance unit, under the direction of the Field Finance Manager, the Field Finance Coordinator will handle day‑to‑day routine tasks of the Field Finance and MIS supervision role as well as monthly, quarterly and annual reporting. The post holder should be forward‑looking, self‑driven, operate under minimum supervision, and be a critical thinker in a senior management role. The post holder should also be change‑oriented and able to develop/train the team capacity in the changing environment. This job requires 20% travel to the project sites directly managed by Mercy Corps as well as by sub‑grantees. The two main objectives of the travel are Capacity Building and Compliance and Monitoring (internal audit nature) of donor rules as well as MC internal policies and procedures.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Compliance Monitoring: monitor implementation of internal audit recommendations and ensure all required recommendations are consistently implemented.
• Ensure that field/area level budget holders are familiar with detailed Mercy Corps internal policies and procedures and ensure implementation.
• Ensure host government compliance rules (tax, pension, provident fund, VAT, etc.) are consistently implemented and assist area finance officers in compliance.
• Review all compliance matters for field offices and present key issues in the monthly finance team meeting.
• Ensure that all payment documents have the relevant checklist signed off by the appropriate finance officers and support service officers.
• Financial Accounting and Budgeting: keep all monthly financial diaries to an adequate standard, flag deviations ahead of time.
• Accurately code Navigator GL register vouchers from area‑based finance officers, ensuring supporting documents are sufficient and aligned with internal control procedures, donor requirements, and internal standards.
• Support balance sheet reconciliation, ensuring asset and liability accounts reflect true positions and that outstanding debts or payables are followed up and resolved within a quarter.
• Support the Field Finance Manager with A‑133 audit requirements, external statutory audit and donor audit needs.
• Execute financial reviews according to the Authority Matrix to the required standard.
• MIS supervision: perform regular review of documents and post transactions in the Navigator finance system.
• Support internal and external audit work by providing filtered system information.
• Ensure all Fields connect system users use correct re‑class batch and reference numbers for adjusting entries.

Team Management

• Develop the capacity of the team and assist with career development.
• Provide information, tools and resources to improve performance.
• Promote accountability and provide constructive feedback through regular one‑on‑ones and reviews.
• Create a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive for excellence.
• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.

Influence & Representation

• Interface with donor representatives to convey program information as appropriate.
• Share best practices with NGOs and governmental agencies.
• Maintain flexibility, resilience, and positive relationships under difficult circumstances.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
• Demonstrate awareness of own strengths and development needs.

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

• Commit 5% of time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps and personal development.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Support efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries, and actively engage beneficiary communities as partners in design, monitoring and evaluation of field projects.

Reports Directly To

Field Finance Manager

Works Directly With

Finance Department (technical financial matters); Operations Department, Program Managers, MCG/MCE HQ Compliance, and others.

Knowledge and Experience

• Five or more years of progressive experience in a non‑profit organization, mainly in an INGO; experience with USAID, EU, UN & SIDA grants for at least two consecutive years.
• First degree or preferably master’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance or related discipline (compensating education + experience considered).
• Demonstrated competency with computerized general ledger software.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office, especially Excel.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Prior grant management experience a plus.
• Excellent oral and written English skills.

Success Factors

• Confident, self‑starter, independent thinker with strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills; team‑oriented.
• Good computer skills (Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel.
• High professional standard of administration ethics and willingness to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies.
• Demonstrated ability to multi‑task, meet deadlines and process information in changing program activities.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and flexibility.
• Emotional maturity and physical stamina.
• Demonstrated experience in managing matrix reporting.

Travel Requirement

Willing to travel to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites (20%+ of time).

Ongoing Learning

All team members are empowered to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further personal and professional growth.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do their best work.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills to strengthen our impact.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring all individuals we engage are treated with respect and dignity. We uphold core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, and affirm our commitment to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. Team members must complete mandatory Code of Conduct e‑learning courses upon hire and annually.

Application Instructions

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply electronically, including a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents. Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged and called for interviews.

Application Deadline

14 July 2024 / 4:00 PM