Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps is seeking a Finance & Compliance Director to lead the anticipated FCDO-funded Land Border Program. The escalating issue of irregular migration and related criminal activity in East Africa continues to pose a complex threat, resulting in severe exploitation of vulnerable migrants. The East Africa Land Border Program will adopt a comprehensive strategy, combining prevention, protection, and pursuit of justice. A key objective of this initiative is to strengthen efforts against human traffickers and smugglers who prey on displaced populations. Initial operations will focus on Kenya’s border regions, with a structured expansion planned into 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 will ensure robust financial stewardship of the program and its related awards, fostering collaboration across countries and organizations to deliver the initiative on schedule, within budget, and in full compliance with Mercy Corps’ and FCDO’s policies and procedures. Scheduled to commence in early May 2026 for a three-year duration, the position will be based in Nairobi.
Oversee the implementation of key operational duties, ensuring adherence to established protocols and organizational standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project execution, resolve challenges, and optimize workflow efficiency. Monitor performance metrics to assess progress, identify deviations, and implement corrective actions as needed. Maintain accurate documentation and reporting to support strategic decision-making and compliance requirements. Provide guidance and mentorship to team members to foster professional development and align with company objectives. Ensure alignment with company policies, regulatory guidelines, and industry best practices throughout all activities.
Develop and articulate strategic initiatives and long-term vision to guide organizational growth and decision-making processes, ensuring alignment with overarching business objectives. Collaborate with senior leadership to identify key opportunities, assess market trends, and evaluate competitive landscapes to inform data-driven strategies. Drive the development of comprehensive plans that enhance operational efficiency, foster innovation, and sustain competitive advantage. Lead cross-functional teams in the implementation of strategic priorities, measuring performance against established KPIs to ensure progress and accountability. Serve as a trusted advisor to executives on high-impact decisions, balancing risk and opportunity while maintaining a forward-looking perspective.
Guide the comprehensive, multi-year budgeting process at the program’s outset, maintaining meticulous updates throughout each fiscal year. Incorporate insights from a broad spectrum of program stakeholders—such as outcome leads, country leads, international and local partners, and HQ and regional support teams—to ensure alignment and accuracy.
Develop comprehensive and proactive monitoring frameworks to oversee multiple countries, partners, and individual awards throughout the entire program lifecycle.
A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is required, along with a minimum of 5 years of progressive financial management experience. Strong leadership abilities and excellent communication skills are essential. Proficiency in financial software and advanced Excel skills are necessary. Responsibilities include overseeing financial planning, budgeting, and reporting, managing financial risks, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Additionally, you will lead and mentor a team of finance professionals, drive strategic financial initiatives, and contribute to the overall financial health and growth of the organization.
Collaborate with the Senior Program Manager and partners to annually develop and revise fiscal year budgets, ensuring alignment with any modifications to the budget ceiling throughout the year.
Engage actively in ABB meetings with the donor, oversee a dynamic Activity-Based Budget for the program, and perform monthly ABB evaluations. Additionally, deliver biweekly reports and projections to FCDO, ensuring the precision of forecasts aligns with actual budget expenditures.
Review and analyze all financial plans and budgets, tracking progress and identifying any deviations. Identify potential issues and collaborate with senior management to implement effective resolutions.
Develop, implement, and maintain all financial systems, policies, procedures, and internal controls for the program, ensuring they remain compliant with evolving regulations and industry best practices across each country of implementation.
Supervise annual financial audits of the program and verify that partners and subgrantees adhere to all audit and financial review mandates.
Regularly evaluate the performance and efficacy of financial processes, then develop and implement improvement strategies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, thereby reducing operational and compliance risks while ensuring timely delivery of technical activities at optimal cost.
Develop and uphold frameworks that facilitate efficient and transparent allocation of financial resources, enabling the timely generation of accurate and insightful reports aligned with program, FCDO, and Mercy Corps’ requirements.
Ensure adherence to all FCDO and Mercy Corps financial, compliance, and sub-grant management policies and procedures.
Finance examines payment requests and financial vouchers to ensure compliance with the approved authority matrix limits.
We are seeking a skilled Grant Management professional to oversee and administer grant programs, ensuring compliance with funding requirements and organizational objectives. This role involves developing, implementing, and monitoring grant strategies, as well as coordinating with stakeholders, including government agencies, nonprofit partners, and internal teams. The ideal candidate will possess strong financial acumen, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Responsibilities include preparing grant applications, conducting budget tracking, and providing accurate reporting securing funding and maintain transparency. Proficiency in grant management software, grant writing, and regulatory adherence is essential, along with excellent communication and organizational skills.
Deliver guidance and oversight to grants and finance officers to ensure the issuance and administration of grants and subcontracts align with Mercy Corps’ and FDC’s established policies.
Review RFA’s comprehensively and coordinate with Senior Program Management, the Implementation and Partnership Manager, and the MCE to obtain necessary approvals.
Responsible for administering the grant management process, guaranteeing prompt submission and authorization of reports and advances to collaborating organizations.
Responsible for guiding the formulation of sub-partner grants and contracts, recommending the most appropriate grant or contract mechanism based on the specific needs of each partner.
Develop and implement activity or milestone budgets with precision, while also maintaining a comprehensive compilation of partner budgets.
Lead the oversight and coordination of grants close out processes and the strategic disposition of partner assets.
The Administrative and Compliance role involves overseeing daily office operations and ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and internal policies. Key responsibilities include managing correspondence, maintaining records, coordinating meetings, and assisting with compliance reporting. Proficiency in office software, strong organizational skills, and meticulous attention to detail are essential for success in this position. Additionally, the ability to communicate clearly, prioritize tasks efficiently, and work independently is required.
Handle time-sensitive inquiries from clients, such as preparing budget projections, defining project scopes, and performing any additional duties as required.
Collaborate closely with the Senior Program Manager and MCE to prepare and finalize FCDO deliverables, such as the Quarterly Financial Report, Inventory and Asset Report, and Annual Value Added Tax Report.
Execute any additional duties as assigned by the Senior Program Manager to support overall project objectives and operational efficiency.
Analyze and compile both periodic and special inquiries for reports to FCDO, covering such areas as inventory disposition, local tax obligations, and activity budgets, among other topics.
Demonstrate leadership by overseeing donor spot checks and promptly resolving any issues that arise during the process.
Responsible for overseeing and guiding team members to ensure optimal performance and productivity, this role involves setting clear objectives, delegating tasks effectively, and fostering a collaborative work environment. Requires strong leadership skills, the ability to motivate and mentor staff, and a proven track record of driving team success. Must possess excellent communication abilities, problem-solving expertise, and the capacity to align team efforts with organizational goals. Accountable for monitoring progress, providing constructive feedback, and addressing any performance or operational challenges that may arise.
Oversee the daily operations of direct reports, ensuring clarity in their roles while offering guidance to foster success. Deliver constructive feedback and essential technical and administrative assistance to empower them in achieving performance targets.
Demonstrate a commitment to accountability by clearly articulating expectations and delivering actionable, constructive feedback through structured one-on-one meetings and formal performance evaluations.
Foster and uphold a collaborative workplace culture grounded in mutual respect, driving team members to consistently pursue excellence.
Hire, onboard, and provide leadership to team members as needed.
Safeguarding is a critical aspect of this role, encompassing the duty to protect individuals from harm, abuse, and neglect. The position requires a strong commitment to promoting the welfare and safety of vulnerable persons, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and organizational policies. Responsibilities include conducting risk assessments, implementing protective measures, and maintaining accurate records of safeguarding concerns. The role demands vigilance, empathy, and adherence to best practices in safeguarding protocols to create a secure environment for all stakeholders. Candidates must possess relevant qualifications or experience in safeguarding, along with a thorough understanding of legal and ethical obligations in this area.
Actively develops expertise in safeguarding principles and incorporates them into daily responsibilities, particularly in identifying and addressing safeguarding risks and implementing effective mitigation strategies within their specific scope of work.
Demonstrates unwavering commitment to Mercy Corps’ core values by upholding the dignity and well-being of all participants and colleagues alike.
Fosters an environment of transparency and open dialogue within the team, actively encouraging members to voice any concerns through established reporting channels, such as the Integrity Hotline and other available avenues.
Ensures responsibility and transparency to participants and stakeholders throughout all initiatives and interactions. Maintains clear communication channels to provide updates and address concerns promptly. Demonstrates integrity by adhering to ethical standards and fulfilling commitments.
Mercy Corps team members must uphold accountability standards rigorously, ensuring responsiveness to program participants, community partners, stakeholders, and international relief and development guidelines. We prioritize meaningful collaboration with communities, treating them as equal partners throughout project design, monitoring, and evaluation phases.
Minimum education and experience requirements include a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or substantial equivalent professional experience. Candidates should possess strong analytical abilities, problem-solving skills, and the capacity to work independently with minimal supervision. Excellent communication and organizational skills are essential, along with proficiency in industry-standard software and tools. Prior experience in a similar role or industry is highly desirable. The ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing circumstances is required.
A bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting or finance—or an equivalent qualification—is required, with a preference for candidates holding an advanced degree.
A recognized qualification equivalent to a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Kenya (CPA(K)) is required.
A minimum of 15 years of continuously advancing financial management expertise, with a proven track record in leadership roles, is required.
A minimum of four years of professional experience in grants management is required, along with a comprehensive knowledge 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 at the field office level, ideally within programs situated in remote, high-risk environments.
Proven expertise in developing and analyzing budgets, preparing and delivering financial reports, and effectively translating complex financial data into clear, informative presentations is required. Familiarity with the ABB (Activity-Based Budgeting) methodology is a preferred qualification.
Experienced in overseeing teams and operations, coupled with exceptional ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently and maintain structured workflows.
Proficiency in advanced computer applications, with a strong emphasis on MS Office Suite, specifically Excel, is required.
Proficient in both verbal and written communication, adept at multitasking, and possessing strong organizational and prioritization capabilities.
Fluent proficiency in both spoken and written English is essential.
Demonstrated capability to collaborate productively with a culturally diverse workforce within a tactful and nuanced setting.
Individuals must possess prior experience working in high-risk or unstable environments.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , Professional Certificate
Experience Required
15 years
