Niger: Finance Manager - Niger

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 operational in Niger since September 2005. Current areas of focus include food security, agriculture and livestock development, health and nutrition, livelihoods and economic recovery, governance, and emergency response. The goal of Mercy Corps in Niger is to support vulnerable, at risk communities to recover from shocks and exclusion and secure viable opportunities for sustainable economic development. While Mercy Corps currently focuses mostly on the above activities, we are increasingly shifting towards integrated development programming with a focus on sustainable livelihoods, resilience-building, and economic development. With funding from USAID, EU, private foundations and charity organizations, Mercy Corps has been able to work together with communities in Niger to respond to both humanitarian and development needs bringing benefit to more than 850,000 beneficiaries in the above sectors.

General Position Summary

The Finance Manager is a member of the senior management team 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 Niger, including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting and grant financial management and compliance. The Finance Manager, in support of the Program Department, 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 Responsibilities
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Strategy & Vision**

• 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.
• Develop annual fiscal year budgets with the Country Director 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.
• 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.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Oversee and manage daily country-wide accounting and finance functions including the timely recording of transactions, cash management, banking, payroll, inventory, receivables, and payables.
• 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.
• Perform internal audits and reviews as required to ensure compliance with Mercy Corps and donor requirements.
• 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.
• Maintain appropriate local insurance coverage to protect Mercy Corps.
• 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.
• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.

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.

Influence & Representation

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country
• 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.

Supervisory Responsibility

All Finance Department staff

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Country Director

Works Directly With: Portland, OR & Scotland Regional Finance Officer (with authority for technical financial matters), and the various country program department heads (including programs, logistics, admin)

Knowledge and Experience

• 3 - 5 years of progressive financial management experience is required.
• A BA/S or equivalent in accounting or finance is required. An advanced degree is preferred.
• 3 - 5 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 and French skills

Success Factors

The successful candidate will have an ability to interact effectively across international and national program and finance teams successfully, both in a managerial as well as training capacity. S/he will be able to support programmatic objectives with timely and meaningful financial information, have a demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. An impeccable professional standard of finance and procurement ethics and the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential. The Finance Manager must be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Niamey, Niger, and requires up 40 % travel to field offices in the country.

While the security situation is volatile in the Sahel regions, security is quite stable in Niamey. The position is entitled to individual housing and is not eligible for R&R and hardship. This is an accompanied post with spouse and dependents. International schools are available. There is good access to electricity and water, though there are occasional electrical outages. Access to quality health care is limited. There are a number of clinics in town, but serious illnesses will require evacuation. Internet is limited, but available in all Mercy Corps offices. Travel to field sites will be required, where living conditions (water, electricity, food) are very basic. There is reasonable access to most consumer goods in Niamey

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside 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.

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