Closing date: 14 Sep 2009 -- (CLOSED)
Location: Democratic Republic of the Congo (the) - Goma
Ref: 216169-927
PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps has been operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since August 2007. Mercy Corps’ activities are currently in Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH), Environment and Food Security, but Mercy Corps is also moving towards transitional development programming in livelihoods, financial services, agriculture and health. The Mercy Corps DRC staff is comprised of 80 members who work throughout North Kivu and Orientale Provinces.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
Working from Goma in the DRC, under the direction of the Country Director, the Finance Director is responsible for all financial functions in the DRC country program, including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, and grants financial management. The Finance Director ensures compliance with donor regulations as well as Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures, and provides timely reports and assistance to the Country Director and the program team to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently and effectively.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- 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 both the main country office and in field 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, financial reporting, financial record-keeping, grant management and compliance.
- Hire, train and supervise Mercy Corps finance staff in country.
- Maintain banking relations and plan and monitor country cash flow requirements to ensure the smooth implementation of Mercy Corps programs.
- Provide monthly standard accounting submissions to Mercy Corps Headquarters, including general ledger files, account reconciliations, expenditures by cost center/project, required subgrantee reporting, as well as other financial information in a timely and accurate manner.
- Provide monthly management reports to the Country Director and Program Managers, including expenditures by cost center/project, subgrantee reporting and other financial information, in a timely and accurate manner.
- Develop annual fiscal year budgets with the Country Director and develop and implement grant budgeting and forecasting systems with Program Managers.
- Perform internal audits and reviews as required to ensure compliance with Mercy Corps and donor requirements.
- 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.
- Review and monitor partners’ financial reporting and compliance. Provide additional technical assistance to partners as necessary to maintain high standards of compliance.
- Ensure compliance with Mercy Corps’ procurement policies and procedures for all goods and services.
- Develop and maintain local office policies and procedures and provide training for all issues related to local financial matters.
- 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.
- 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.
- Other duties as assigned.
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.
Organizational Learning:
- As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
Finance Department staff, which includes an accountant and cashier.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: HQ Regional Finance Officers, Regional Program Director, Program Officers, DRC country program staff.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- Four or more years of progressive financial management experience is required.
- A BA/S or equivalent in accounting or finance is required. An advanced degree is preferred.
- Four years experience in grants management as well as an understanding of donor regulations is required.
- Three 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.
- Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel
- Prior management experience and strong organizational skills
- Excellent oral and written English skills
- Fluency in French
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 Director must be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites.
LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
In 2006, the DRC had its first democratic elections in more than forty years. While conditions in the country are improving, there are still pockets of violence and insecurity. There are variable levels of insecurity depending on location (Goma vs. field sites). Years of conflict and corruption have badly damaged the country's infrastructure. Air travel is necessary to get from one end of the country to the other. There are virtually no telephone land lines in the DRC, though mobile phones and cellular service are widely available. Internet is available.
Mercy Corps' base in the DRC is along the country's eastern border in Goma. Goma is a provincial capital of approximately 600,000 inhabitants. Living in Goma is moderately comfortable, and goods are available in the shops.
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. Staff 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.
Reference Code: RW_7TZCVG-62
