The Program/Department is responsible for overseeing and executing key initiatives aligned with organizational objectives. It ensures efficient allocation of resources, maintains compliance with policies, and fosters collaboration across teams to achieve strategic goals. The team monitors performance metrics, identifies areas for improvement, and implements solutions to enhance operational effectiveness. Additionally, it plays a critical role in stakeholder engagement, reporting progress to leadership and external partners while ensuring transparency and accountability in all activities.
Mercy Corps is currently recruiting a Finance & Compliance Director for the upcoming FCDO-funded Land Border Program, designed to address the pressing and increasingly severe challenges of irregular migration and related criminal activities in East Africa. These issues contribute to the exploitation of vulnerable populations on the move, necessitating a strategic and multi-faceted response. The program will adopt a comprehensive approach, encompassing prevention, preparation and protection, as well as efforts to pursue human traffickers and smugglers exploiting those in transit. Initial activities will commence in Kenya’s border regions, with a planned, phased expansion to include Uganda, Ethiopia, and potentially Somalia.
General Position Summary
The Finance & Compliance Director will lead and guide the finance, grants, and finance officers, maintaining rigorous quality control and oversight of the program’s financial operations, encompassing financial analysis and accounting management. This role entails ensuring the program’s fiscal integrity and the responsible stewardship of associated awards, fostering collaboration across countries and organizations to deliver the initiative punctually, within budget, and in strict compliance with Mercy Corps’ and FCDO policies and procedures. The program is scheduled to commence in early May 2026, spanning three years, with this position based in Nairobi.
The core responsibilities of this position include overseeing key operational functions, ensuring adherence to company policies and procedures, and maintaining high standards of performance. Additionally, the role requires collaboration with cross-functional teams to drive project execution, identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance efficiency and productivity. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing budgets, analyzing financial data, and providing strategic recommendations to senior leadership. Strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills are essential to effectively lead and motivate teams while delivering measurable results.
We craft and execute strategic initiatives to drive long-term growth and innovation while ensuring alignment with the company’s overarching vision. This role involves developing forward-thinking roadmaps, analyzing market trends, and identifying opportunities to enhance competitive advantage. Key responsibilities include collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement strategic plans, evaluating performance metrics to measure success, and refining approaches based on data-driven insights. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, a results-oriented mindset, and the ability to translate complex information into actionable strategies. Experience in strategic planning, business development, or a related field is highly preferred.
Lead the multi-year budgeting initiative at the program’s inception, meticulously refining and updating it throughout each fiscal year. Gather and integrate input from a broad spectrum of program stakeholders—including outcome leads, country leads, international and local partners, as well as HQ and regional support teams—to ensure comprehensive alignment and accuracy.
Design and implement comprehensive, proactive systems to ensure continuous monitoring and oversight of diverse countries, partners, and individual awards throughout the entire program duration.
Responsible for overseeing financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, the Financial Management role ensures accurate and timely financial data analysis to support strategic decision-making. This position requires proficiency in financial software, strong analytical skills, and the ability to interpret complex financial statements. Key responsibilities include managing cash flow, optimizing financial performance, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field, along with relevant certifications such as CPA or CFA preferred. Excellent communication skills are essential for presenting financial insights to stakeholders and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
Collaborate with the Senior Program Manager and partners to annually create and revise fiscal year budgets, adjusting for modifications to the budget ceiling as needed throughout the year.
Engage in scheduled ABB discussions with the donor, uphold an up-to-date Activity-Based Budget for the program, perform monthly ABB evaluations, and deliver biweekly reports and projections to FCDO, with a strong emphasis on ensuring the precision of forecasts in relation to actual budget expenditures.
Review and analyze all financial plans and budgets, closely tracking progress and identifying any deviations. Identify potential issues and proactively collaborate with senior management to implement effective resolutions.
Design and maintain comprehensive financial systems, policies, procedures, and internal controls for the program, ensuring they remain current and compliant with evolving regulations and industry best practices across all implementation countries.
Provide supervision for the annual financial audits of the program while verifying that partners and subgrantees adhere to all audit and financial review mandates.
Periodically evaluate the performance of finance procedures to identify opportunities for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness. Develop and implement strategic action plans aimed at optimizing operational processes, mitigating compliance risks, and ensuring timely delivery of technical activities while maintaining cost efficiency.
Develop and uphold mechanisms to guarantee the efficient and transparent allocation of financial resources, facilitating timely and insightful reporting that aligns with program, FCDO, and Mercy Corps’ requirements.
Ensure adherence to all FCDO and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and regulatory standards governing finance, compliance, and sub-grant management.
Finance reviews payment requests and financial vouchers to ensure they comply with the established authority matrix limits.
We are seeking an experienced professional to oversee and administer grant programs, ensuring compliance with funding requirements and organizational objectives. The ideal candidate will manage the full grant lifecycle, from proposal development and submission to award acceptance, reporting, and close out. Responsibilities include conducting thorough research to identify funding opportunities, cultivating relationships with donors and stakeholders, and preparing compelling grant proposals tailored to meet specific criteria. Additionally, the role demands meticulous attention to detail in financial tracking, budget management, and adherence to reporting deadlines. Proficiency in grant databases, strong analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams are essential requirements for success in this position.
Offer leadership and guidance to grants and finance officers, ensuring the accurate issuance and effective management of grants and subcontracts in strict compliance with Mercy Corps’ and FDC’s established policies.
Review all Requests for Approval (RFA’s), coordinate with Senior Program Management, the Implementation Manager, and the Partnership Manager, and seek final authorization from the MCE.
Responsibilities include supervising the grant management process to guarantee the prompt submission and authorization of reports and advances to associated partners.
Ensure the effective development of sub-partner grants and contracts by providing expert guidance on selecting the most appropriate grant or contract mechanism for each partner.
Develop and implement activity or milestone budgets with precision, ensuring accuracy throughout the process, while maintaining a centralized master compilation of partner budgets.
Exercise leadership throughout the grants close out process and the partner’s asset disposition activities.
The position requires strong administrative skills to manage office operations efficiently while ensuring strict adherence to regulatory standards and company policies. Key responsibilities include maintaining accurate records, coordinating meetings, and handling sensitive information with discretion. Additionally, the role demands meticulous attention to legal and compliance requirements, performing audits, and implementing corrective actions when necessary to mitigate risks. Ideal candidates should possess excellent organizational abilities, proficiency in compliance frameworks, and the capacity to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to uphold operational integrity.
Respond promptly to critical client inquiries, which may involve crafting detailed budget scenarios, establishing the scope of work, and performing other related duties as required.
Collaborate closely with the Senior Program Manager and MCE to prepare and refine FCDO deliverables, such as the Quarterly Financial Report, Inventory and Asset Report, and Annual Value Added Tax Report.
Execute any additional duties as directed by the Senior Program Manager, ensuring alignment with project objectives and maintaining operational efficiency.
Prepare and evaluate both routine and special requests for reports to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, covering inventory disposition, local taxes, activity budgets, and other relevant financial and operational data.
Demonstrate leadership by overseeing donor spot checks and promptly resolving any issues that arise.
Manages and oversees a team of employees, ensuring their productivity and professional development while maintaining high performance standards. Responsibilities include delegating tasks, monitoring progress, providing feedback, and resolving conflicts. Requires strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, along with experience in team supervision.
Oversee the daily operations of team members, ensuring clarity in their responsibilities while fostering their success through targeted coaching, constructive feedback, and both technical and administrative assistance to help them achieve performance goals.
Foster a culture of accountability by clearly articulating expectations and delivering actionable, constructive feedback—both informally through frequent one-on-one interactions and formally during structured performance evaluations.
Foster a professional atmosphere characterized by mutual respect and collaboration, where team members are motivated to consistently deliver outstanding results.
Recruit, onboard, and provide leadership and guidance to team members as needed.
Safeguarding obligations entail ensuring the protection and welfare of individuals, particularly those who may be vulnerable or at risk. This role requires strict adherence to established policies, procedures, and legal frameworks to mitigate harm and promote safety. Responsibilities include identifying potential risks, implementing preventative measures, and responding promptly to concerns or incidents. Strong knowledge of safeguarding principles, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to upholding ethical standards are essential. Regular training and vigilance are necessary to maintain a secure environment and comply with regulatory requirements.
Actively learns safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
Demonstrates unwavering commitment to Mercy Corps’ core values by fostering an environment that prioritizes the dignity, welfare, and respect of participants as well as colleagues.
Fosters a culture of transparency and dialogue within their team, actively encouraging members to voice concerns through established reporting channels such as the Integrity Hotline or alternative options.
Ensures accountability to participants and stakeholders, upholding transparency and integrity throughout all initiatives and engagements.
Mercy Corps staff are required to uphold accountability measures, ensuring responsiveness to program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and international standards governing humanitarian relief and development initiatives. We prioritize meaningful collaboration with communities as equal partners throughout the planning, oversight, and assessment phases of our field-based projects.
We seek candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and possess transferable skills critical to success in this role. A relevant degree or certification in a related field is required, along with demonstrated experience in [specific skill or industry]. Additionally, proficiency in [specific software/tool] and strong communication abilities are essential. The ideal candidate should exhibit adaptability, problem-solving acumen, and the capacity to collaborate effectively in dynamic environments.
A bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting or finance—or an equivalent field—is required, with preference given to candidates holding an advanced degree.
A recognized qualification equivalent to the Certified Public Accountant (K) designation is required.
We seek candidates with a minimum of 15 years of progressive financial management experience, with a proven track record in leadership roles.
A minimum of four years of professional experience in grants management is essential, along with a comprehensive knowledge of FCDO grant and contract regulations.
International experience of no fewer than three years is mandatory, with a strong preference for candidates who have worked in international non-governmental organizations or private voluntary organizations within field offices, particularly in programs situated in remote, high-risk environments.
Proven expertise in budget preparation and analysis, financial reporting development and delivery, coupled with the capacity to interpret complex financial data into clear, insightful reports. Familiarity with ABB (Activity-Based Budgeting) format is advantageous.
We seek candidates with a proven track record in management roles and exceptional organizational capabilities.
Proficiency in utilizing MS Office applications, with a strong emphasis on advanced Excel skills, is essential.
Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills.
Fluent proficiency in both spoken and written English is essential.
Proven capability to collaborate efficiently with a culturally diverse team within a nuanced and delicate setting.
Individuals should possess prior experience working in high-risk or unstable environments.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , Professional Certificate
Experience Required
15 years
