Job Description
About Mercy Corps
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
Mercy Corps has been present in Zimbabwe since 2002, leading innovative programming focusing on evidence-based solutions that have lasting impact and build resilience. Resilience building is an agency priority and involves using a systems-based approach that builds on proven solutions, accesses new ideas and information, and integrates multiple sectors and partnerships to strengthen food and water security, economic opportunities, and climate change adaptation. Zimbabwe continues to experience recurrent environmental and economic shocks that affect the wellbeing of its communities and undermine development investments. Mercy Corps puts resilience at the core of its strategy to contribute to the wellbeing of Zimbabweans by building communities’ capacities and strengthening systems and institutions.
General Position Summary
The Country Finance Manager is a member of the senior management team (SMT) and part of the Mercy Corps Finance Department, and as such is responsible for all aspects of financial management of the country programs, working collaboratively to ensure compliance with Mercy Corps internal policies and procedures as well as donor regulations. S/he works under the direction of the Country Director and is responsible for all financial functions in Zimbabwe, including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, and grant financial management and compliance. The Finance Manager provides timely reports and assistance to the Country Director and the Program teams to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently and effectively.
Ethics and Integrity
All Mercy Corps staff are expected to behave ethically and demonstrate the highest integrity in their professional and personal life. Mercy Corps has zero tolerance to any form of fraud, corruption, abuse, harassment, or exploitation. Any breach of our policies or misconduct will lead to disciplinary action that may lead to termination.
Diversity, Equity, and 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 based on 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 always adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Job Responsibilities
1. STRATEGY & VISION
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment of empowerment.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve objectives and contribute to country-wide strategy development.
2. LEADERSHIP & REPRESENTATION
• Consistently demonstrate flexibility, resilience, and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure, even under difficult circumstances.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
• Demonstrate an awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs.
• Interface with donor representatives to convey information about programs as appropriate.
• Communicate with our partners, as well as any sub-grantees, to verify their systems and that they understand and follow all appropriate procedures and archiving.
• Participate in sharing best practices with NGOs and governmental agencies.
3. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
• Oversee and manage daily accounting and finance functions including the timely recording of transactions, cash management, banking, payroll, and statutory obligations.
• 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 Operations Department, to protect Mercy Corps.
• Provide monthly standard accounting submissions to Mercy Corps Headquarters, including general ledger files, account reconciliations, expenditures by fund/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.
• Regular monitoring and clean-up of advance, accrual and suspense accounts.
• Develop annual fiscal year budgets with the Country Director and develop and implement grant budgeting and forecasting systems with Program Managers.
• Coordinate and liaise with both internal and external auditors, ensuring all audit findings are appropriately addressed.
4. RISK & COMPLIANCE
• Lead on updating Country Risk Register and reporting to senior management on any emerging risks for discussion on assessing and mitigating identified risks and development of action plans.
• Ensure effective, transparent use of financial resources in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.
• Provide financial review of purchase requests, purchase orders/ contracts and payment requests to ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures and approved budgets.
• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps procurement policies and procedures for all goods and services.
• Implement systems for strengthening internal controls in accordance with Mercy Corps and donor regulations by developing contextual local office policies and provide training and updates on any changes related to financial matters.
• Conduct pre-award assessments, monitoring, review of financial reports for partners and provide capacity strengthening training for
partners (as required) to maintain compliance standards.
• Provide monthly financial management reports to the Country Director and Program Leads, including budget vs actual reports for each
project and other financial information, in a timely manner. Also provide updates to senior management on grant status and funding gap.
5. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
• Work with the Country Director and senior management team to grow the program portfolio, formulate strategies and plans.
• Lead on budget development for new initiatives ensuring realistic and complete budgets in the required formats.
6. TEAM MANAGEMENT
• 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.
• Supervise, hire, and orient new team members as necessary.
• Provide team members with information, tools, and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• 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.
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
Qualifications and Experience
Minimum Qualifications & Transferrable Skills
• A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or any related/equivalent; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 5+ years of progressive financial management experience, including supervisory experience required.
• At least 4 years’ experience in grants management as well as an understanding of US Government, (EU, FCDO), other bilateral donors and
UN agencies’ regulations required.
• At least 3 years’ experience in an international NGO 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.
• Prior management experience and strong organizational skills.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• An internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early
months of work.
• Knowledge of Sphere standards and other training in humanitarian response preferred.
How to Apply
How to Apply
Mercy Corps is committed and accountable to the community members we work with and the beneficiaries we serve. As part of this commitment, Mercy Corps has zero tolerance to violations of the Code of Conduct (Sexual Abuse of Beneficiaries and Community Members (PSEA) Policy, Anti-Trafficking Policy, Child Safeguarding Policy, Mercy Corps Ethics Complaint and Whistle-blower Policy, Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace Policy, Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying Policy, Conflict of Interest Policy and Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Policy).
Applicants are required to download and sign the MC Candidate Declaration Form (copy and paste this link to your web browser) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RmlrQfcgAa7S5d5WkcUUHoKTNXXOPD74/edit and submit together with CV and Cover letter to Mercy Corps Human Resources at zw-hr@mercycorps.org by COB 22 March 2024. Please note that CV and Cover should be on one document.
Applications should be clearly marked with the position applied for in the email subject line.
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity organization and encourages both female and male candidates to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis and shortlisting will proceed as applications are received.
