PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Established in 1979, Mercy Corps is a private, non-denominational, non-profit international relief and development organization committed to alleviating poverty, suffering and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Mercy Corps has provided over $1.3 billion in assistance to people in 100 nations. Mercy Corps supports community-based programs in the areas of health, education, rural development and civil society.

Mercy Corps is a dynamic and growing organization, which over the next few years, wants to strengthen and build on the existing programs and portfolios. The finance department will play a key role in ensuring that the programmatic objectives are met and timely, accurate and complete financial reporting is provided to the internal and external customers (i.e. donors, etc.). The finance department is expected to strengthen its supports for the program department as well as support to the country offices in the field. Mercy Corps programming is currently focused on Central Asia, South Asia, Africa, The Middle East, and Central America.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

Being responsible for a portfolio of 6-8 countries at a time, the Assistant Finance Officer will collaborate and work closely with the Accounting Supervisor in the overall support of the International Finance department with the general ledger data entry and review of the monthly financial packages submitted by the countries in the field. This position ensures that MC worldwide books are closed on time and the financial reports from the field are complete and accurate.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Review and reconcile financial data and reports from Field Country Offices. Maintain general ledger for field operations for preparation of required reports to donor agencies based on field expenditures and allowable indirect cost rates.
• Support finance department with general ledger detail entry, transaction coding, preparation of wire transfer requests, non-donor bank deposits, and other accounting transactions.
• Ensure all balance sheet accounts are reconciled and all supporting schedules received, with exception of deferred revenue and grants receivable.
• Review/correct payroll allocations and reconcile field staff advance accounts.
• Make sure that transfers to the field are processed in a timely manner
• Perform inter-company account reconciliations.
• Assist in preparation for annual public audit, including preparing assigned audit schedules and gathering other information as needed.
• Other duties as assigned or requested.

Accountability: 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 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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: This position has no supervisory responsibility.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Accounting Supervisor

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:

This position works closely with the Country Finance Staff, Regional Finance Officers, and Program Officers.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• BA/S or equivalent in accounting/finance.
• 2-4 years finance and management experience.
• Experience managing grants preferred.
• Demonstrated experience and skill with financial reporting preparation and presentation as well as reconciliations.
• Effective interpersonal skills and demonstrated success establishing and maintaining relationships are vital.
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, prioritization skills are necessary.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with cross cultural team members is required.
• Knowledge and experience working with the USAID, OFDA, and other US donors is preferred.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

A successful candidate will have the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment while maintaining the respect of staff and colleagues. S/he will have a sensitivity and knowledge of cultural, political and religious environments in the regions we work as well as a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, and make effective communication a priority in all situations.

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.

This is a hourly, non exempt position.