(Ensuring the paragraph strictly retains all original facts, requirements, and responsibilities while employing varied sentence structures and vocabulary.)
Responsible for overseeing the program’s strategic direction, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives, and managing cross-functional teams to drive project milestones. The role involves coordinating with stakeholders to gather requirements, mitigate risks, and maintain adherence to compliance frameworks. Additionally, it demands proficiency in budget management, resource allocation, and performance monitoring to optimize operational efficiency. Candidates must possess strong leadership skills, a minimum of five years of relevant experience, and expertise in industry-specific tools or methodologies to succeed in this position.
Mercy Corps is seeking a Finance & Compliance Director for the anticipated FCDO-funded Land Border Programme. Irregular migration and associated criminal activity in East Africa remain a complex and escalating challenge which leads to significant exploitation of vulnerable people on the move. The planned East Africa Land Border Programme will take a multifaceted approach – integrating ‘prevention’, ‘prepare/protect’ and ‘pursue’. An important purpose of this programme is to support the pursuit of human traffickers and smugglers who are exploiting vulnerable populations on the move. Initial interventions will take place in the Kenya border regions, with planned and phased expansion to Uganda, Ethiopia and possibly Somalia border areas.
Responsible for overseeing the overall operations and strategic direction of the organization, this role involves managing key initiatives, ensuring alignment with business goals, and fostering a productive work environment. The position requires evaluating performance metrics, identifying growth opportunities, and implementing policies to enhance efficiency. Additionally, the individual will act as a liaison between executive leadership and department heads, facilitating communication while maintaining accountability for key results. Strong leadership, analytical skills, and a proven track record in driving operational excellence are essential for success in this role.
The Finance & Compliance Director will lead and guide the finance, grants, and finance officers, ensuring rigorous financial oversight and quality control for the program’s finances, including financial analysis and accounting management. Responsible for the sound financial stewardship of the program and its associated awards, they will collaborate across countries and organizations to ensure timely, budget-compliant, and policy-adherent delivery in alignment with Mercy Corps’ and FCDO policies and procedures. The program is expected to commence in early May 2026, spanning three years, with this role based in Nairobi.
Oversee and execute core job duties essential to the role, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Maintain accountability for key tasks, including but not limited to [list responsibilities if provided in original]. Demonstrate proficiency in [list required skills or qualifications if provided in original]. Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve departmental goals. Adhere to established policies and procedures while contributing to continuous process improvements. Exhibit strong problem-solving capabilities and adaptability in dynamic work environments.
Crafting and executing strategic initiatives to define and propel the organization’s long-term direction and objectives, the role involves aligning cross-functional teams with our overarching vision. This position requires a robust track record in strategic planning, coupled with the ability to anticipate industry trends and drive innovation. Key responsibilities include developing high-impact business strategies, fostering stakeholder engagement, and ensuring seamless execution of long-term goals. Candidates must demonstrate exceptional analytical prowess, leadership acumen, and a proven capacity to translate visionary concepts into actionable plans that deliver measurable outcomes.
Lead the multi-year budgeting process at the outset of the program, maintaining its meticulous refinement throughout each fiscal year. Integrate contributions from a broad spectrum of program stakeholders—including outcome leads, country leads, international and local partners, and headquarters and regional support teams—to ensure comprehensive alignment.
Develop and implement proactive, robust systems to ensure continuous oversight of multiple countries, partners, and individual awards throughout the program’s duration.
Overseeing financial operations, this role entails managing budgets, forecasting financial performance, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards. The position requires proficiency in financial analysis, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to interpret complex financial data. Responsibilities include preparing financial statements, conducting audits, and advising senior management on strategic financial decisions. A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field is essential, along with professional certifications such as CPA or CFA preferred. Strong communication skills and experience with financial software are also required.
Collaborate with the Senior Program Manager and partners to annually prepare and revise fiscal year budgets, incorporating adjustments to the budget ceiling as needed throughout the year.
Engage in 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 focus on ensuring forecast accuracy in relation to budget expenditures.
Review and analyze financial plans and budgets, tracking progress and any modifications. Identify discrepancies or potential issues and collaborate with senior management to implement resolutions.
Develop and maintain comprehensive financial systems, policies, procedures, and internal controls for the program, ensuring they remain compliant with evolving regulations and industry best practices across all implementation countries.
Ensure the annual financial audits of the program are conducted and verify that partners and subgrantees adhere to all audit and financial review mandates.
Periodically evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of financial procedures, then develop and implement strategic action plans aimed at enhancing performance. These initiatives are designed to reduce operational and compliance risks while ensuring that technical activities are completed punctually and within optimal cost parameters.
Develop and oversee frameworks that facilitate efficient and transparent financial resource management, ensuring timely, informative reporting aligned with program, FCDO, and Mercy Corps’ requirements.
Ensure adherence to the financial, compliance, and sub-grant management policies and procedures mandated by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Mercy Corps.
The finance team evaluates payment requests and financial vouchers in accordance with the approved authority matrix limits.
Overseeing the administration and compliance of grants, this role involves meticulous tracking of funding allocations, expenditure reports, and regulatory adherence to ensure alignment with organizational and donor requirements. Responsibilities include evaluating grant proposals, managing relationships with funding bodies, and ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in grant management software, along with a solid understanding of funding guidelines and compliance standards. A minimum of three years of experience in grant management or a related field is required, and familiarity with federal or foundation grant processes is highly preferred.
Offer strategic direction and operational support to grants and finance officers, guaranteeing that all grants and subcontracts are awarded and administered in strict compliance with Mercy Corps and FDC policies.
Responsibilities include evaluating all RFA’s and coordinating with Senior Program Management, the Implementation and Partnership Manager, and the MCE for final approval.
Responsible for directing the grant management operations, with a focus on ensuring that reports and advances to partners are submitted and approved within the designated deadlines.
Responsible for guiding the creation of sub-partner grants and contracts, determining the most appropriate grant or contract mechanism for each partner.
Develop and execute activity or milestone budgets with precision, while maintaining a comprehensive master compilation of partner budgets.
Demonstrate leadership throughout the grants close out process and partner asset disposition activities.
The role encompasses administrative support and compliance oversight, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and internal policies. This position requires meticulous attention to detail, strong organizational abilities, and the capacity to manage multiple tasks efficiently. Key responsibilities include maintaining accurate records, coordinating with various departments, and ensuring all operations align with legal and industry-specific requirements. Proficiency in compliance frameworks, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work independently are essential for success in this position.
Handle urgent client requests promptly, which may involve creating budget scenarios, developing scopes of work, and performing additional relevant duties.
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 additional duties as assigned by the Senior Program Manager as needed.
Review and/or prepare regular and ad hoc requests for reports to FCDO, including inventory disposition, local taxes, activity budgets, etc.
Demonstrate leadership by overseeing donor spot checks and promptly resolving any issues that arise during these evaluations.
Oversee and lead a cohesive team of professionals, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and fostering a collaborative work environment. Implement effective strategies for delegation, performance evaluation, and professional development to maximize team productivity and engagement. Foster open communication channels to facilitate transparency and accountability among team members. Monitor team progress, address challenges proactively, and cultivate a culture of continuous improvement. Requires proven leadership experience, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to motivate and inspire diverse groups toward shared goals.
Oversee the daily operations of direct reports, clarifying their roles and responsibilities while mentoring them to achieve success. Deliver timely, constructive feedback and offer essential technical and administrative assistance to empower them in meeting performance targets.
Facilitate responsibility by clearly outlining expectations and delivering constructive feedback—both informally through consistent one-on-one interactions and formally through structured performance evaluations.
Foster an inclusive and collaborative workplace where every team member is empowered to perform at their highest potential through mutual respect and shared commitment to excellence.
Hire, onboard, and provide leadership to team members as needed to ensure optimal performance and alignment with organizational goals.
As part of this role, the incumbent will be accountable for ensuring the implementation and adherence to safeguarding policies and procedures across all operations. This includes overseeing regular risk assessments, providing comprehensive staff training, and promptly reporting any concerns or incidents in compliance with relevant legislation and organizational standards. The position requires a strong commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all individuals involved, with a focus on prevention, early intervention, and continuous improvement of safeguarding practices.
Actively acquires and applies safeguarding principles, incorporating an understanding of associated risks and mitigation strategies relevant to their specific role.
Demonstrates unwavering commitment to Mercy Corps’ core values by upholding the dignity and fostering the well-being of all participants as well as team members.
Fosters an environment of transparency and open dialogue within the team and empowers members to raise any concerns through established reporting channels, including the Integrity Hotline and alternative methods.
Accountability to participants and stakeholders involves ensuring consistent communication, transparency, and responsiveness to their needs and expectations. This role requires maintaining integrity in all interactions while demonstrating a commitment to ethical standards and organizational values. Responsibilities include actively listening to feedback, addressing concerns promptly, and providing clear, accurate updates on progress and outcomes. By fostering trust and accountability, the position strengthens relationships and supports the achievement of shared goals.
Mercy Corps’ staff are required to uphold all accountability measures, ensuring responsiveness to program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and the international standards that govern relief and development initiatives. The organization prioritizes meaningful collaboration with communities, treating them as equal partners throughout the entire lifecycle of field projects—from design and ongoing monitoring to final evaluation.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience is required. Candidates should possess strong analytical abilities and proficiency in problem-solving. Prior experience in a similar role or industry is highly advantageous. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential. The ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment is necessary. Proficiency in relevant software or tools is a must. Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail are critical. Prior leadership or project management experience is preferred but not mandatory.
A bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting or finance—or an equivalent field—is required; an advanced degree is strongly preferred.
Qualified Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Kenya (CPA(K)) or an equivalent credential recognized by the relevant professional body.
A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible financial management experience, with at least five years in a supervisory role, is required.
A minimum of four years of hands-on experience in grants management is essential, along with a comprehensive grasp of FCDO grant and contract regulations.
A minimum of three years of international work experience is essential, with a preference for candidates who have worked with international non-governmental organizations or private voluntary organizations in foreign field offices. Moreover, prior involvement in programs executed in isolated, high-risk environments is highly advantageous.
Demonstrates a strong background in budget preparation and analysis, as well as financial reporting preparation and presentation, with a proven ability to transform complex financial data into clear, informative reports. Prior experience with ABB format budgeting is advantageous.
Seasoned professionals with a proven track record in leadership roles and exceptional ability to manage multiple priorities effectively are encouraged to apply.
Proficiency in utilizing advanced functionalities within Microsoft Office applications, with a strong emphasis on Excel, is required.
Proficient in conveying information clearly through both verbal and written means, adept at managing multiple tasks simultaneously, and skilled in maintaining strong organizational discipline and prioritization.
Fluent proficiency in both spoken and written English is essential.
Proven capability to collaborate seamlessly with a culturally diverse team within a complex, high-stakes setting.
Previous experience in insecure environments
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , Professional Certificate
Experience Required
15 years
