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.
Program / Department Summary
The Mercy Corps Finance Department is responsible for all financial functions in Nairobi, including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, and grant financial management and compliance. The Mercy Corps Finance Department ensures compliance with donor regulations as well as Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures. In its role 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 resources are used efficiently and effectively.
General Position Summary
Working in the Finance Department under the direction of the Finance Officer, the Finance Assistant will assist in the processing and recording of payment transactions in timely and accurate manner.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Financial management
Maintain custody of the office cash fund and make daily payments of approved transactions.
Prepare cash payment vouchers and ensure that all cash transactions are fully and properly documented.
Perform daily cash count with the Finance Officer or other person assigned.
Record payment vouchers daily in the cash sub-journal.
Maintain the uncleared cash advance file and prepare past due advance report for the Finance and Compliance Manager on monthly basis.
Check-signers for review and signature.
Prepare bank payment vouchers and ensure that all bank transactions are properly and fully documented.
Record payment vouchers daily in the bank and cash sub journal.
Prepare cheques or wire transfer requests based on fully approved documents and present to approved.
Counter check expense reports (travel expense reports and operational expense reports) for accuracy and completeness and ensure that expense reports have been fully approved before payment.
Prepare photocopies of vouchers and other supporting documents as required for the monthly reporting package to HQ Finance.
Support Finance Officer with monthly/Quarterly balance sheet reconciliations.
Preparation of Month Amortizations as he/she may be assigned.
Filing & Archiving
File all cash and bank vouchers and maintain voucher filing system such that files are updated, complete and safeguarded.
Assist with Sub-grant management and organizing sub-grant files.
Tax
Support Finance Officer with processing of withholding VAT and withholding tax as per KRA regulations.
Support with VAT Balance sheet reconciliations on monthly basis and submit to the Finance and Compliance Manager monthly.
Payroll
Support Snr Finance Officer with preparation of payroll accrual entries.
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
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 toward 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.
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.
Supervisory Responsibility
None.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Finance Officer
Works Directly With: Country Finance Team, Program teams and Regional Teams
Knowledge and Experience
A degree in accounting or a relevant business field.
Minimum CPA II or other relevant accounting qualification.
At least one year experience in accounting, bookkeeping or cashiering, including experience with double-entry accounting preferably in an international NGO.
Familiarity with major international donor rules and non-profit accounting.
Familiarity with computerized, double-entry accounting software.
Strong computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel
Accuracy in the processing of cash transactions, mathematical aptitude and attention to detail.
Excellent oral and written English skills.
Success Factors
A successful Finance Assistant will be a strong team player, with good communication and interpersonal skills. S/he will have knowledge on the application of best practices in basic financial management and knowledge of financial management software. S/he will be flexible, thorough have the ability to pay attention to details, proactively solve problems, follow procedures, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The positions are based in Wajir (1) and Garissa (1) and requires up to 30% travel to field locations to support program implementation, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is restricted and areas where basic amenities are limited.
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.
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
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
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 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. 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.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Mercy Corps does NOT charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.
