The Program/Department Summary outlines the core objectives, functions, and strategic direction of the team, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and goals. It provides a clear overview of the scope of work, key initiatives, and the overall purpose of the program or department within the broader context of the company’s operations. This summary serves as a foundational reference for stakeholders, guiding decision-making, resource allocation, and performance evaluation while fostering transparency and accountability across all levels of the organization.
Mercy Corps is hiring a Finance & Compliance Director for the upcoming FCDO-funded East Africa Land Border Program. Addressing irregular migration and its associated criminal activity in the region presents a growing and multifaceted challenge, exacerbating the exploitation of vulnerable migrants. This program will adopt a comprehensive strategy, incorporating prevention, protection, and enforcement measures. A key objective is to disrupt the operations of human traffickers and smugglers exploiting displaced and at-risk populations. Initial initiatives will focus on Kenya’s border areas, with strategic expansion planned for Uganda, Ethiopia, and potentially Somalia.
General Position Overview:
The primary responsibility of this role involves accomplishing key objectives aligned with the organization’s strategic goals. Essential duties include performing specialized tasks, collaborating across departments, and ensuring adherence to established policies and procedures. Applicants must possess the requisite qualifications, including relevant experience, technical proficiency, and industry-specific knowledge. This position demands strong analytical abilities, effective communication skills, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment. Successful candidates will contribute to operational excellence by driving efficiency, fostering innovation, and maintaining high standards of performance.
The Finance & Compliance Director will lead and guide the finance, grants, and finance teams, ensuring rigorous financial oversight and quality control across the program’s financial operations—including analysis, accounting, and compliance. Responsible for the strategic and operational soundness of program finances and associated awards, this role will foster cross-country and cross-organizational collaboration to deliver the initiative on schedule, within budget, and in full compliance with Mercy Corps’ and FCDO policies and procedures. The program is scheduled to commence in early May 2026 for a three-year duration, with this position based in Nairobi.
Responsible for fulfilling key job duties, including overseeing daily operations, managing team performance, and ensuring adherence to company policies and procedures. Duties involve coordinating workflows, delegating tasks effectively, and maintaining clear communication channels with stakeholders. Accountable for achieving departmental objectives, tracking key performance indicators, and implementing process improvements where necessary. Additionally, responsible for recruiting, training, and mentoring staff to foster professional growth and operational efficiency. Must ensure compliance with industry regulations, safety standards, and organizational guidelines while promoting a collaborative and productive work environment.
The strategy and vision role encompasses developing and executing comprehensive plans aligned with the organization’s long-term objectives, ensuring sustainable growth and competitive advantage. This position requires a forward-thinking mindset, exceptional analytical skills, and the ability to translate high-level concepts into actionable strategies. Key responsibilities include conducting market research, identifying emerging trends, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and alignment with business goals. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership capabilities, a proven track record in strategic planning, and the capacity to inspire and guide teams toward achieving ambitious targets while maintaining a clear and compelling vision.
Lead the multi-year budgeting initiative at the program’s inception and maintain its meticulous refinement throughout every fiscal year. Collaborate closely with a broad spectrum of program stakeholders—including outcome leads, country leads, international and local partners, as well as headquarters and regional support teams—to incorporate their valuable inputs.
Develop comprehensive and proactive frameworks to ensure rigorous oversight of various countries, partners, and individual awards throughout the entire program duration.
Oversee the planning, monitoring, and optimization of financial resources to ensure fiscal stability and strategic growth. Develop and implement budgets, forecasts, and financial reports to support informed decision-making and compliance with regulatory standards. Analyze financial data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, providing actionable insights to senior leadership. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align financial strategies with organizational objectives. Ensure accurate and timely financial transactions, including payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and tax filings. Maintain internal controls and audit readiness to mitigate discrepancies and enhance transparency. Lead financial planning and analysis initiatives to drive cost efficiency and revenue enhancement.
Collaborate with the Senior Program Manager and relevant partners to prepare and revise the annual fiscal year budgets, ensuring alignment with any adjustments to the budget ceiling throughout the year.
Engage in ABB discussions with the donor, manage a dynamic Activity-Based budget for the program, perform monthly ABB assessments, and deliver biweekly reports and projections to FCDO—while ensuring the forecasts remain precise and aligned with actual budget expenditures.
Review financial plans and budgets comprehensively, tracking their progress and any modifications. Identify potential issues and collaborate with senior management to implement effective resolutions.
Design, implement, and maintain comprehensive financial systems, policies, procedures, and internal controls for the program, ensuring alignment with evolving regulatory requirements and industry best practices across all implementation countries. Continuously monitor and adjust these frameworks to accommodate legislative changes, emerging standards, and operational needs while safeguarding financial integrity and accountability.
Conduct comprehensive annual financial audits of the program to verify compliance by partners and subgrantees with all audit and financial review mandates.
Periodically evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of finance procedures, then formulate and implement action plans aimed at enhancing these aspects. This involves mitigating operational and compliance risks while ensuring the timely delivery of technical activities at the most cost-effective levels.
Develop and oversee frameworks to guarantee the efficient and transparent allocation of financial resources, enabling the generation of timely, informative reports that align with program, FCDO, and Mercy Corps’ specifications.
Ensure strict adherence to all FCDO and Mercy Corps financial, compliance, and sub-grant management policies and procedures.
The finance team conducts reviews of payment requests and financial vouchers, ensuring compliance with the established authority matrix limits.
Responsible for overseeing the full lifecycle of grants, from application through to reporting, ensuring compliance with all regulatory and organizational standards. Develops and maintains strong relationships with funding agencies, applicants, and internal stakeholders to facilitate smooth grant processes. Evaluates proposals for eligibility, merit, and alignment with strategic objectives, providing recommendations for approval or rejection. Manages post-award activities, including disbursement tracking, progress monitoring, and performance reporting securing continued funding. Collaborates with finance and program teams to ensure accurate budgeting, financial accountability, and adherence to grant terms. Prepares and submits timely, compliant reports to funders, addressing any deficiencies or requests for additional information. Identifies opportunities for grant expansion or new funding sources to support organizational growth and mission fulfillment.
Oversee and guide grants and finance officers to ensure all grants and subcontracts are awarded and administered in strict adherence to Mercy Corps’ and FDC’s established policies.
Review and analyze all Requests for Applications (RFA’s) and collaborate closely with Senior Program Management, the Implementation and Partnership Manager, as well as the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team to obtain necessary approvals.
Responsibilities include supervising the grant management process to guarantee prompt submission and approval of reports and advances to partners.
Develop and manage sub-partner grants and contracts, providing guidance on the most appropriate grant or contract structure for each partner.
Develop and implement activity or milestone budgets with precision, and maintain a centralized compilation of partner budgets.
Demonstrate leadership throughout the grant close out process and the disposition of partner assets.
Handles administrative and compliance functions with a focus on ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and internal policies. Responsible for maintaining accurate records, processing documentation, and supporting organizational compliance initiatives. Duties include coordinating meetings, managing correspondence, and facilitating communication between departments to uphold operational efficiency and regulatory requirements. Requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in compliance-related software and tools.
Handle client inquiries promptly, particularly those involving budget analyses, project scope formulation, and related assignments, ensuring timely resolution and alignment with client needs.
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 assignments as directed by the Senior Program Manager to support project objectives and ensure alignment with overarching goals.
Compile and submit both routine and special requests for reports to the FCDO, covering inventory disposition, local taxes, activity budgets, and other relevant data.
Demonstrate leadership by overseeing donor spot checks and proactively resolving any discrepancies or concerns that arise during the process.
Oversee and lead a cohesive team to ensure optimal productivity and performance. Develop and implement strategies to enhance team collaboration and effectiveness. Assign tasks, set clear objectives, and monitor progress to meet organizational goals. Foster a positive work environment that encourages professional growth and employee engagement. Provide regular feedback and support to team members to facilitate their development and address any challenges. Ensure alignment with company values and policies while promoting accountability and continuous improvement.
Supervise the daily activities of direct reports, ensuring they have a clear understanding of their responsibilities while offering guidance to foster success. Provide consistent feedback along with the necessary technical and administrative support to help them achieve their performance goals.
Ensure accountability by clearly communicating expectations and offering constructive feedback both informally and formally through regular one-on-one meetings and performance evaluations.
Foster a collaborative work environment characterized by mutual respect, enabling team members to consistently pursue and achieve excellence.
Responsibilities include recruiting, onboarding, and guiding team members as required.
The role encompasses critical safeguarding duties to ensure the protection and welfare of individuals. Responsibilities include identifying potential risks, implementing preventive measures, and responding promptly to any concerns. Requirements involve thorough knowledge of safeguarding policies, strong observational skills, and the ability to maintain confidentiality. The position demands adherence to legal and ethical standards while fostering a safe environment. Effective communication and collaboration with stakeholders are essential to mitigate risks and promote well-being.
Actively acquires an understanding of safeguarding principles and incorporates this knowledge into daily responsibilities, applying safeguarding risks and mitigation strategies relevant to their specific role.
Demonstrates unwavering commitment to Mercy Corps’ core values by prioritizing the dignity and well-being of all participants and colleagues.
Fosters an environment of transparency and open dialogue within their team, actively encouraging members to voice any concerns through established reporting channels, including the Integrity Hotline and other available options.
Ensures accountability to participants and stakeholders by maintaining transparent communication, adhering to ethical standards, and fulfilling commitments with integrity. This involves regular updates, responsiveness to inquiries, and alignment with agreed-upon objectives to foster trust and meet shared expectations. Additionally, it requires thorough documentation of processes and outcomes to guarantee accountability at every stage of engagement.
Mercy Corps’ team members are tasked with upholding accountability in all aspects of their work, particularly toward program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and international standards governing international relief and development initiatives. Our organization is dedicated to fostering active collaboration with local communities, treating them as equal partners throughout the phases of project design, monitoring, and evaluation.
Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications and possess relevant transferable skills to be considered for this position. Essential requirements include a combination of education, certifications, and practical experience aligned with the role’s demands. Prospective applicants should demonstrate proficiency in key competencies through prior work history or specialized training. Additionally, soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and adaptability are highly valued. The ideal candidate will exhibit a proven track record of success in comparable environments while meeting all specified criteria.
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance—or equivalent professional experience—is required; a master’s degree is strongly preferred.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation in Kenya (CPA(K)) or an equivalent professional accounting qualification is required for this role.
A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible financial management experience is required, with a proven track record in supervisory roles.
A minimum of four years of direct experience in grants management is essential, along with a comprehensive grasp of FCDO grant and contract regulations.
A minimum of three years of international experience is essential, with a preference for candidates who have worked in international non-governmental organizations or private voluntary organizations within field offices, particularly those managing programs in remote or high-risk environments.
Proficiency in compiling, analyzing, and presenting budgets, along with preparing and delivering financial reports, is essential. Candidates should exhibit strong capabilities in converting complex financial data into clear, actionable insights. Familiarity with ABB (Activity-Based Budgeting) format is a desirable qualification.
Experienced in leadership roles with a proven track record of effective organization and management capabilities.
Proficiency in utilizing advanced features within Microsoft Office applications, with a strong emphasis on Excel, is essential.
Demonstrates strong abilities in both verbal and written communication, excels in managing multiple tasks simultaneously, and possesses keen organizational and prioritization capabilities.
Fluent proficiency in both spoken and written English is essential.
Proven capability to collaborate productively within a multicultural team while maintaining sensitivity and discretion in challenging settings.
Individuals who have worked in high-risk or unstable settings may find this role particularly suitable. Experience gained in volatile regions, conflict zones, or areas with significant security concerns would be advantageous. Familiarity with operating under heightened safety protocols and navigating unpredictable conditions is highly valued. Candidates with prior exposure to such environments are encouraged to apply.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , Professional Certificate
Experience Required
15 years
