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Finance Manager - Mercy Corps Yemen

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently has offices in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Libya. Mercy Corps opened its office in Yemen in 2010. Mercy Corps has been present in Yemen since 2010, helping Yemeni youth work toward building a more peaceful and hopeful future through programming focused on youth community engagement, networking and mentorship through economic opportunity. Mercy Corps is working to strengthen its presence in Yemen, particularly in the area of Humanitarian Response to the Yemeni population affected by recent conflict, food insecurity and displacement. Yemen is currently in the midst of a large humanitarian crisis that will only continue to grow over the next 12 to 14 months. Mercy Corps is building a multi-sectoral approach in Yemen that will address social, economic and infrastructure needs. Through these activities Mercy Corps seeks to provide Yemenis with the means to achieve a long-term recovery.

Mercy Corps has expanded her programming in Yemen and now has 3 offices (Aden, Sana’a and Taiz). Sana’a is the main office where as Aden and Taiz are Sub Offices. Currently, Mercy Corps in Yemen has 10 international colleagues working in all 3 offices and will soon expand to 3 more internationals coming up to a total of 13 international colleagues and close to 60 national colleagues. Furthermore, the Mercy Corps Yemen office is anticipating an expansion of these programmes. This expansion will take Mercy Corps to at least one and potentially new governorates which provide a series of challenges and complexities (with movement, recruitment, implementation and most of all safety & security).

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY

Working under the direction of the Country Director, the Country Finance Manager (CFM) in Yemen is responsible for all financial functions related to grants, including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, and grant financial management and compliance. This position is part of the Senior Leadership Team and is responsible for the management and supervision of finance staff in Aden, Taiz and Sana’a. In Sana’a there is a Senior Finance Office and a Finance Assistant. In Aden and Taiz we have Finance Officers (1 per each location) and Finance Assistance (1 per each location). As the portfolio increases, it is anticipated that more finance and compliance staff will be hired.

The Finance Manager ensures compliance with all donor regulations as well as Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures. In its support role to the Program Department, the CFM provides timely reports and assistance to the Country Director and the Program team to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently and effectively, while maintaining flexibility in the processes used for program implementation. Travel to field sites and the capital is expected for an estimated 15-25% of the time, security permitting. This position will also play a key role in building the financial and management capacity of team members.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Strategy and Vision

  • Recognize opportunities for creative action and create an environment of empowerment;
  • Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to country-wide strategy development;
  • Member of the SLT;

Team Management

  • Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes;
  • Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence;
  • Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews;
  • Provide team member with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives;

Fiduciary Responsibilities

  • Ensure effective, transparent use of financial resources in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures;
  • Oversee and manage daily country-wide accounting and finance functions including the timely recording of transactions, cash management, banking, payroll, inventory, receivables, and payables;
  • Plan and implement systems for financial operations in all the offices in accordance with the Mercy Corps Field Finance Manual and donor regulations, including systems for cash flow management, budgeting, consolidation of accounting information, internal controls, reporting, record-keeping, grant management and compliance;
  • Effectively stay abreast of donor policies, procedures, rules and regulations; compile and update applicable local policies; and train Mercy Corps program and partner staff in these policies;
  • Provide on-going technical support for drafting and reviewing budgets and financial narratives for new proposal development. Take the lead as appropriate in the budget development process including facilitation of review and feedback of budget by Mercy Corps HQ;
  • Hire, train and supervise Mercy Corps finance staff in country;
  • Perform internal audits as required to ensure compliance with Mercy Corps and donor requirements;
  • Review and monitor partners’ financial reporting and compliance. Provide additional technical assistance to partners as necessary to maintain high standards of compliance;
  • Analyze compensation packages, taxation requirements and human resource policies for local staff to ensure that Mercy Corps’ has adequately accounted for the financial impact of local staff compensation and benefits;
  • Ensure compliance with Mercy Corps’ procurement policies and procedures for all goods and services;
  • Maintain banking relations and plan and monitor country cash flow requirements to ensure the smooth implementation of Mercy Corps programs;
  • Maintain appropriate local insurance coverage in coordination with the HQ, to protect Mercy Corps;
  • Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission;

Reporting

  • Provide monthly standard accounting submissions to Mercy Corps Headquarters, including general ledger files, account reconciliations, expenditures by cost center/project, required sub-grantee reporting, as well as other financial information in a timely and accurate manner;
  • Provide monthly management reports to the Country Director, Head of Offices, Operations Manager and Program Managers, including expenditures by cost center/project, sub grantee reporting and other financial information, in a timely and accurate manner;
  • Cooperate with HQ to create donor reports and other financial reports as needed;

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 towards 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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY Senior Finance Officer, Finance Officers, Finance Assistants

ACCOUNTABILITY

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Country Director, Operations Manager, Head of Offices, Security Manager, PMs, HQ Regional Finance Officer (with authority for technical financial matters)

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

  • A BA/S or equivalent in accounting or finance is required; advanced degree preferred.
  • At least 4 or more years of progressive financial management experience required, including grants management and solid understanding of USAID and other donor regulations.
  • At least 3 years international experience is required; international NGO/PVO field office experience is preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience and skill with budget preparation and analysis, financial reporting preparation and presentation and the proven ability to translate technical financial data into informative reports.
  • Strong accounting skills and experience, including management of the general ledger, journal entries, payroll, payables and balance sheet.
  • Demonstrated experience working with USAID grants, as well as other international donors.
  • Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
  • Prior management experience and ability to train and build capacity of team members.
  • Team player who takes initiative and is a problem-solver.
  • Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking and organizational skill.
  • Prior experience living overseas and ability to work in a fluid security environment.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English required. Arabic language skills desired.

SUCCESS FACTORS

The ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial as well as training capacity is required. An ability to support programmatic objectives with timely and meaningful financial information is essential. A demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary. An impeccable professional standard 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 Country Finance Manager must be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites. The Yemen program is a relatively new, with a growing portfolio in a fluid security environment. The CFM must therefore demonstrate a high degree of flexibility and a willingness to perform a wide range of financial tasks.

LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

This position will be based in Sana’a, Yemen - the location of Mercy Corp’s project activities - with travel to Taiz & Aden as well as other field locations. This position will be required to reside in a group living environment in guest housing; must be able to work in an environment with energy, transportation and communication challenges. This position is unaccompanied and work may be completed remotely, when necessary. The team member must follow all security protocol at all times. This position is eligible for hardship & R&R breaks.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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.

Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE