The Program/Department Summary outlines the strategic objectives and operational focus of the team, emphasizing its role in driving organizational growth and innovation. It highlights key responsibilities, including the development and implementation of initiatives that align with long-term business goals, as well as fostering collaboration across departments to ensure cohesive execution. The summary also underscores the importance of leadership in guiding the team toward achieving measurable outcomes, while maintaining adherence to industry standards and best practices. Additionally, it outlines the qualifications and expertise required to contribute effectively to the program’s success.
Mercy Corps is recruiting a Finance & Compliance Director to oversee the upcoming FCDO-funded Land Border Program. Addressing the growing complexity of irregular migration and related criminal activities in East Africa requires urgent action to combat the exploitation of vulnerable populations in transit. This initiative will adopt a holistic strategy, incorporating prevention, protection, and enforcement measures. A key objective is to strengthen efforts against human trafficking and smuggling networks that prey on displaced individuals. Implementation will commence in Kenya’s border regions, with subsequent expansion to Uganda, Ethiopia, and potentially Somalia.
General Position Summary
The Finance & Compliance Director will lead and guide the finance, grants, and finance officers, ensuring rigorous financial oversight, analysis, and accounting management for the program. Responsible for maintaining robust financial stewardship across awards and operations, the role requires close collaboration with teams and partners across multiple countries to deliver the program punctually, within budget, and in full compliance with Mercy Corps’ and FCDO policies and guidelines. This position is based in Nairobi, with the program slated to commence in early May 2026 for a three-year duration.
Overseeing a comprehensive range of duties, this role encompasses primary job functions that are critical to the position. Key responsibilities include managing daily operations, ensuring adherence to company policies, and maintaining high standards of efficiency and effectiveness. The individual in this role will be expected to lead teams, foster collaboration, and drive performance to achieve organizational goals. Additional tasks involve analyzing workflows, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing strategic solutions to enhance productivity. Strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and a proactive approach are essential for success in this position.
Develops and executes strategic initiatives to drive long-term growth and innovation, ensuring alignment with the organization’s overarching mission and objectives. Identifies emerging market trends, competitive dynamics, and potential risks to inform data-driven decision-making. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to translate high-level vision into actionable plans, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Leads the development of strategic frameworks, KPIs, and performance metrics to measure progress and optimize resource allocation. Provides thought leadership and insights to senior leadership to support informed strategic choices and sustainable business expansion.
Lead the multi-year budgeting process at the outset of the program and maintain its meticulous updating throughout each fiscal year. Collaborate with a broad spectrum of program stakeholders—including outcome leads, country leads, international and local partners, as well as HQ and regional support teams—to incorporate their valuable insights.
Develop and implement comprehensive, proactive systems to ensure rigorous oversight of diverse countries, partners, and individual awards across the entire program lifecycle.
Overseeing the financial health and stability of the organization is a key responsibility of this role, which involves meticulous planning, accurate reporting, and strategic decision-making. The position requires a strong foundation in accounting principles, proficiency in financial software, and the ability to analyze complex data to drive operational efficiency. Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field, along with relevant certifications such as CPA or CFA. Experience in financial forecasting, budget preparation, and risk management is essential, as is the capacity to communicate insights clearly to stakeholders. The ideal candidate will demonstrate leadership in optimizing financial performance while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Collaborate with the Senior Program Manager and relevant partners to draft and revise the annual fiscal year budgets, making necessary adjustments to accommodate changes in the budget ceiling as needed throughout the year.
Engage in scheduled ABB discussions with the donor, oversee an up-to-date Activity-Based Budget for the program, perform monthly ABB evaluations, and deliver biweekly reports and projections to FCDO, guaranteeing the precision of forecasts in relation to actual budget expenditure.
Responsibilities include conducting thorough reviews of financial plans and budgets, meticulously tracking progress and any modifications. Additionally, it is essential to identify and address issues promptly, collaborating closely with senior management to implement effective resolutions.
Develop and manage comprehensive financial systems, policies, procedures, and internal controls for the program, ensuring they are continuously adapted to comply with evolving regulations and industry best practices across all implementation countries.
Provide supervision for the annual financial audits of the program, verifying that partners and subgrantees adhere to all audit and financial review requirements.
Periodically evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of financial procedures, then develop and implement strategic action plans to enhance performance, mitigate operational and compliance risks, and ensure the timely and cost-effective delivery of technical activities.
Develop and sustain robust frameworks that guarantee the optimal and transparent allocation of financial resources, facilitating prompt and insightful reporting in alignment with program, FCDO, and Mercy Corps’ requirements.
Ensure strict adherence to all financial, compliance, and sub-grant management policies and procedures established by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Mercy Corps.
The department conducts thorough financial assessments of payment requests and vouchers, ensuring compliance with the established authority matrix limits.
Grant Management involves overseeing the entire lifecycle of grants, from identification and application to award, implementation, and close out. This role requires meticulous attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines while ensuring compliance with funding agency requirements. Key responsibilities include developing and submitting competitive grant proposals, coordinating with stakeholders, monitoring project progress, and preparing thorough reports for sponsors. Additionally, the position demands proficiency in budget management, financial tracking, and adherence to regulatory guidelines to maximize funding impact and maintain accountability.
Deliver guidance to grants and finance officers to ensure that grants and subcontracts are issued and administered in accordance with Mercy Corps and FDC policies.
Review all RFA’s, collaborate with Senior Program Management, the Implementation and Partnership Manager, and MCE to obtain necessary approvals.
Responsible for administering the grant management process, guaranteeing the punctual submission and approval of reports and advances to collaborating organizations.
Responsibilities include managing the creation of sub-partner grants and contracts, providing expert guidance on selecting the most appropriate grant or contract structure for each partner.
Develop and execute activity or milestone budgets with precision while maintaining a centralized compilation of partner budgets.
Demonstrate leadership by overseeing the completion of grants close out processes and the management of partners’ asset disposition activities.
The administrative and compliance roles encompass a range of critical responsibilities essential to ensuring organizational adherence to regulatory standards and operational efficiency. Duties include maintaining accurate records, processing documentation, and supporting departmental workflows to facilitate seamless operations. Additionally, these positions require strict adherence to compliance protocols, monitoring regulatory updates, and implementing necessary adjustments to policies and procedures. Proficiency in data management, attention to detail, and strong organizational skills are imperative, along with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams to uphold compliance frameworks. Candidates must demonstrate a keen understanding of industry-specific regulations and possess the adaptability to navigate evolving legal and operational landscapes.
Address urgent client inquiries, developing budget scenarios, defining the scope of work, and completing other necessary tasks in a timely manner.
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 to support project objectives and operational needs.
Review and/or develop routine and special reports for submission to the FCDO, encompassing inventory disposition, local tax obligations, activity budgets, and other relevant financial and operational data.
Demonstrate leadership by conducting donor spot checks and promptly addressing any issues that arise during the process.
Orchestrate the leadership and development of a cohesive, high-performing team to achieve organizational objectives while fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment. Provide guidance, support, and mentorship to team members to enhance their professional growth and maximize individual and collective productivity. Allocate resources effectively, delegate responsibilities appropriately, and monitor performance metrics to ensure timely project completion and adherence to quality standards. Cultivate a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement, encouraging open communication and constructive feedback to empower the team.
Supervise direct reports’ daily performance by ensuring clarity in their roles, offering coaching to foster success, and delivering constructive feedback along with the necessary technical and administrative support to help them achieve their performance goals.
Drive accountability, clearly articulate expectations, and deliver constructive feedback—whether informally in ongoing one-on-one interactions or formally through structured performance evaluations.
Foster a collaborative and respectful workplace where all team members are committed to achieving excellence.
Recruit, onboard, and guide team members as needed to ensure optimal performance and integration within the team.
Safeguarding duties encompass the protection and welfare of individuals, ensuring their safety from harm, abuse, or neglect. This role requires vigilance in monitoring environments, identifying potential risks, and implementing preventative measures. Professionals in this position must adhere to policies and procedures, report concerns promptly, and collaborate with relevant authorities when necessary. Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to ethical standards are essential to fulfilling these responsibilities effectively.
Actively acquires and applies safeguarding knowledge, incorporating awareness of safeguarding risks and mitigation strategies pertinent to their specific responsibilities.
Demonstrates unwavering commitment to Mercy Corps’ core values by fostering an environment that prioritizes 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 alternative methods.
We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of responsibility and transparency in our interactions with participants and stakeholders. Our dedication ensures that all engagements are conducted with integrity, fostering trust and reliability in every aspect of our work. By prioritizing clear communication and ethical practices, we strive to meet and exceed the expectations of those we serve, ensuring their needs and concerns are addressed promptly and effectively.
Mercury Corps staff are required to uphold accountability standards for program beneficiaries, community collaborators, other stakeholders, and international relief and development guidelines. We prioritize meaningful involvement of communities as equal partners throughout the design, monitoring, and evaluation phases of our field initiatives.
Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications and demonstrate transferable skills relevant to the position. Essential requirements include specific educational credentials, professional certifications, or equivalent experience in a related field. Additionally, applicants should exhibit competencies such as problem-solving, communication, leadership, and adaptability, which can be applied across various roles and industries. Proficiency in relevant software, tools, or methodologies may also be necessary, depending on the position’s demands.
A bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting or finance is required; an advanced degree is strongly preferred.
CPA(K) qualification or a comparable credential is required.
Minimum of 15 years of continuous financial management experience is required, with a proven track record in leadership positions.
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 experience is required, with a preference for candidates who have worked with international non-governmental organizations or private voluntary organizations in field offices, particularly those operating in remote, high-risk environments.
Experienced in developing and analyzing budgets, preparing and presenting financial reports, and effectively converting complex financial data into clear, insightful reports. Proficiency in ABB format budgeting is considered a plus.
With a proven track record in leadership roles and exceptional ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently, this position requires demonstrated experience in overseeing teams or projects.
Possesses advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, with a particular emphasis on Excel.
Proficient verbal and written communication, coupled with strong multitasking, organizational, and prioritization abilities, are essential for this role.
Fluent proficiency in both spoken and written English is essential for this role.
Proven capability to collaborate efficiently with a multicultural team within a highly nuanced and respectful setting.
Individuals with prior work experience in high-risk or unstable environments are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates who have demonstrated adaptability and resilience in challenging conditions will be given preference. Familiarity with operating in such settings is a valuable asset for this role.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , Professional Certificate
Experience Required
15 years
