Grants, Finance and Compliance Director, Kenya

Kenyan · 2012-06-07T19:02:54+00:00

Please note that this position is contingent on funding. PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: Mercy Corps has been operational in Kenya since 2008, initially in response to the Post Election Violence in Rift Valley, and then expanding to a national program under USAID's Yes Youth Can! initiative. In July 2011, Mercy Corps began operations in Northeastern Province through integrated humanitarian response in Wajir County. The program in Wajir currently focuses on supporting increased resilience through strengthening the livestock value chain, supporting diversified livelihood options, and improving access to pasture and water resources. The REGAL-IR program will support USAID's Feed the Future Initiative through improving resilience to drought and other shocks. The objectives of the program include: strengthened and diversified livelihood options, increased inclusiveness of value chains, improved nutrition, improved capacity to peacefully manage conflicts, community-based natural resource management, and disaster risk reduction. The Mercy Corps Finance and Compliance Department is responsible for all financial functions of REGAL-IR, including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, human resources, 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 Chief of Party and the Program team to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently and effectively. GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: The Grants, Finance and Compliance Director for Mercy Corps' Kenya REGAL-IR Program is a key position in the $49 million, 5-year USAID-funded project, Working under the direction of Chief of Party, S/he is responsible for all aspects of financial management of program, ensuring compliance with Mercy Corps internal policies and procedures as well as donor regulations. S/he will report to the Chief of Party and work closely with staff dedicated to the program - Deputy Chief of Party-Programs, Sr Technical Advisors, Senior Finance Manager, Senior Grants Manager and Human Resources Manager, and REGAL-IR procurement and logistics offices, and consult with Mercy Corps' Portland HQ finance and compliance departments. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Vision and Strategy Provide finance and compliance leadership and direction during program implementation and design in order to contribute to the program's success Participate in the development of the overall programmatic strategy and the strategy for the sub-grants program; administer competitive RFA processes with clearly defined and communicated steps for selecting, negotiating and awarding sub-grants that results in agreements that effectively address the needs identified through the needs assessment. Fiduciary Responsibilities Ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures. Share financial information and make related decisions in an open and transparent manner. 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 program offices in accordance with the Mercy Corps Field Finance Manual and donor regulations, including systems for cash flow management. Compliance & Sub-grant Management: Ensure that the program is executed in alignment with grant agreement guidelines and other donor guidelines, staying abreast of changes in regulatory environment related to donor/grant compliance; update policies and procedures as necessary; Ensure procurement and program transactions, contracts and other documents are compliant with Mercy Corps' policies and USAID regulations Prepare and submit compliance related requests to the donor on behalf of both Mercy Corps and sub grantees: waivers, approvals, contract modifications, extensions, etc.; Identify and communicate compliance risks associated with program implementation; Prepare internal and donor compliance-related reports. Oversee development and monitoring of compliance program for sub-grant management to ensure compliance with USAID rules and regulations, including sub-grant training, monitoring and sub-grant administration. Operational Management and Reporting Oversee monthly standard accounting submissions to Mercy Corps Headquarters, including general ledger files, account reconciliations, as well as other financial information in a timely and accurate manner. Provide monthly financial management reports to the Chief of Party and Program Managers in a timely and accurate manner. Develop annual fiscal year budgets with the Chief of Party and develop and implement grant budgeting and forecasting systems with Program Managers. 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. Develop and maintain local office policies and procedures and provide training for all issues related to local financial matters. Maintain appropriate local insurance coverage to protect Mercy Corps Oversee human resources function including policy development; effort reporting compliance; process improvements; and supervision of Senior Human Resources & Administration Manager. Ensure Mercy Corps labor law and donor compliance including reviewing employee severance benefits and employee compensations, to ensure that Mercy Corps' has adequately accounted for the financial impact of local staff compensation and benefits. Other duties as assigned. Team Management Create and sustain a dynamic and participatory work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence. Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews. Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary. Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance & reach objectives. Contribute to program team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes. Ensure that all staff receive appropriate communications regarding their compliance assignments and responsibilities. Develop, update as necessary and deliver training programs and materials and ensure all staff are aware of the compliance requirements related to their position. 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: Finance, Reporting, Grants/Compliance, Human Resources staff ACCOUNTABILITY: REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Chief of Party WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Deputy Chief of Party, Sr. Finance Manager, Sr. Grants Manager, Human Resources Manager, Operations Manager, Reporting Officer, Chief Accountant, HQ Regional Finance Officer (with authority over technical matters) KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: BA/S or equivalent in accounting or finance is required; advance degree preferred. 6+ years of relevant field or management experience of complex, multi-dimensional programming including administering small grants in an international environment. Experience in grants design, negotiation, and administration is required. Proven success managing the administration and compliance of US government funding, particularly with the management of large USAID-funded sub-grant mechanisms of a comparable size; 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; Demonstrated experience and ability to professionally and appropriately represent the organization and negotiate and defend Mercy Corps' interests with a diverse range of international and local organizations and other groups; Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills; Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required; 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; International experience is required; international NGO/PVO field office experience is preferred; Excellent oral and written English skills SUCCESS FACTORS: The ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial as well as training capacity is required as is 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 along with 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. She/he must be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites. LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: This position will be based in Nairobi, which is an accompanied post for spouse and children. It is a major metropolitan center with world class healthcare and excellent education options. Mercy Corps provides expatriate staff with a housing allowance that covers rent, utilities, and security for comfortable accommodations in safe areas of the city. Telephone and internet access is available and there are dozens of excellent restaurants along with easy transport links to the rest of Africa and Europe. 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. How to apply: APPLY VIA URL: http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjob&jobid=218109&company_id=15927&jobboardid=479 Applications Closing date: 03 Aug 2012

Thread starter Kenyan
Start date Jun 7, 2012

Kenyan

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Grants, Finance and Compliance Director, Kenya

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