The Program/Department Summary outlines the mission and objectives of the designated program or department, highlighting its strategic role within the organization. It details the core functions, key initiatives, and expected contributions to broader organizational goals. Additionally, it specifies the reporting structure, team composition, and resource allocation necessary to achieve desired outcomes. The summary also emphasizes collaboration with other departments, stakeholders, or external partners to drive cross-functional alignment and innovation.
Mercy Corps is actively recruiting a Finance & Compliance Director for the forthcoming FCDO-funded Land Border Program. The persistent and intensifying issue of irregular migration and its linked criminal networks in East Africa continues to pose a severe threat, resulting in the exploitation of vulnerable individuals in transit. This initiative will adopt a comprehensive strategy, incorporating prevention, protection, and enforcement measures. A key objective of the program is to disrupt the operations of human traffickers and smugglers who prey on displaced populations. Initial activities will be launched in Kenya’s border regions, with a deliberate and phased rollout to Uganda, Ethiopia, and potentially Somalia.
General Position Summary
The Finance & Compliance Director will lead the finance, grants, and finance teams, ensuring rigorous oversight and quality assurance of the programme’s financial operations—spanning financial analysis, accounting, and compliance. This role demands meticulous stewardship of the programme’s financial resources and associated awards, requiring close collaboration across country teams and partner organisations to guarantee timely, budget-conscious delivery while strictly adhering to Mercy Corps’ and FCDO policies and procedures. Scheduled to commence in early May 2026 for a three-year duration, the position will be based in Nairobi.
Oversee and execute critical job duties essential to the role, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Lead key initiatives, manage projects, and drive performance to meet established targets. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to foster innovation and optimize operational efficiency. Address challenges proactively, implement solutions, and maintain high standards of quality and accountability. Serve as a trusted advisor, providing strategic guidance and support to stakeholders. Ensure compliance with policies, regulations, and best practices to uphold organizational integrity.
We are seeking a forward-thinking individual to drive our long-term strategic objectives and shape the organization’s visionary roadmap. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in developing and executing high-impact strategies that align with business goals, coupled with the ability to inspire cross-functional teams toward shared objectives. Responsibilities include conducting market and competitive analyses to identify growth opportunities, refining business models to enhance scalability, and ensuring strategic initiatives are implemented effectively. Additionally, the role demands strong leadership to foster innovation, evaluate risks, and adapt strategies in response to evolving market dynamics. A minimum of five years of experience in strategic planning or a related field, along with exceptional analytical and communication skills, is required.
Lead the multi-year budgeting process at the program’s outset and maintain its precise updates throughout every fiscal year. Incorporate contributions from a broad spectrum of program stakeholders, including outcome leads, country leads, international and local partners, as well as headquarters and regional support teams.
Develop comprehensive and proactive oversight mechanisms to effectively monitor diverse countries, partners, and individual awards throughout the entire duration of the program.
Responsible for overseeing the organization’s financial operations, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements. Develops and implements financial strategies, policies, and procedures to optimize resource allocation and enhance profitability. Prepares and analyzes financial statements, budgets, and forecasts to support informed decision-making. Manages cash flow, investments, and risk assessment while maintaining accurate financial records. Collaborates with senior leadership to align financial objectives with overall business goals and drive sustainable growth. Additionally, leads financial audits, identifies cost-saving opportunities, and provides actionable insights to improve operational efficiency.
Collaborate with the Senior Programme Manager and partners to annually develop and refine fiscal year budgets, incorporating any adjustments to the budget ceiling as needed.
Engage in ABB calls with the donor, manage a real-time Activity-Based Budget for the program, perform monthly ABB reviews, and deliver biweekly reports and forecasts to FCDO while ensuring alignment between forecasts and actual budget expenditures.
Evaluate all financial plans and budgets, tracking progress and any modifications. Identify discrepancies or concerns and collaborate with senior management to address and resolve them.
Design and implement comprehensive financial systems, policies, procedures, and internal controls for the program, evaluating and adjusting them as needed to align with evolving regulatory requirements and industry best practices across all countries of implementation.
Provide supervision for the annual financial audits of the program while guaranteeing that partners and subgrantees adhere to all audit and financial review mandates.
Periodically, evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of financial processes, then develop and implement strategic initiatives to enhance performance, mitigate operational and compliance risks, and ensure timely execution of technical activities at optimal cost.
Design and oversee systems that facilitate the efficient and transparent allocation and utilization of financial resources, ensuring timely and informative reporting aligned with program, FCDO, and Mercy Corps’ requirements.
Ensure adherence to all financial, compliance, and sub-grant management regulations as mandated by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Mercy Corps’ established policies and procedures.
Finance conducts reviews of payment requests and financial vouchers, ensuring compliance with the established authority matrix limits.
We are seeking a skilled professional to oversee and administer grant funds, ensuring compliance with funding agency requirements and organizational policies. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in grant management, including proposal development, budget tracking, and reporting. Responsibilities include reviewing and approving grant applications, monitoring expenditures, and maintaining accurate financial records. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines are essential for success in this role. Proficiency in grant management software and familiarity with federal, state, or private funding sources are highly desirable.
Offer strategic oversight to grants and finance officers, guaranteeing that grants and subcontracts are executed and administered in strict accordance with Mercy Corps and FDC policies.
Review all Requests for Applications (RFA’s) and coordinate with Senior Program Management, the Implementation and Partnership Manager, and the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team to obtain necessary approvals.
Responsible for directing the grant management function, with a focus on ensuring partners receive timely submissions and approvals for reports and advances.
Evaluate and manage the creation of sub-partner grants and contracts, providing expert guidance on selecting the optimal grant or contract mechanism tailored to each partner’s needs.
Develop and implement activity or milestone budgets with precision while maintaining a centralized compilation of partner budgets.
Exercise oversight throughout the conclusion of grant activities and the disposal of partner-held assets.
The position requires managing administrative tasks and ensuring compliance with established regulations and company policies. Key responsibilities include maintaining accurate records, preparing reports, and coordinating with various departments to uphold operational efficiency. The ideal candidate must possess strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently while adhering to compliance standards. Proficiency in relevant software and a thorough understanding of regulatory requirements are essential for success in this role.
Professionals must promptly address urgent client inquiries, such as developing budget scenarios, outlining project scopes, and fulfilling additional requests as necessary to ensure client satisfaction and project alignment.
Collaborate 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 various additional duties as instructed by the Senior Program Manager, as necessary to support departmental objectives and priorities.
Prepare and review routine and special requests for reports to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, encompassing inventory disposition, local tax obligations, and activity budgeting, among other financial and operational metrics.
Demonstrate leadership by overseeing donor spot checks and proactively resolving any issues that arise during these evaluations.
Oversee and lead a high-performing team, ensuring clear goals and expectations are established to drive productivity and engagement. Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where open communication and mutual respect are prioritized. Provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, and constructive feedback to support professional development and performance improvement. Delegate tasks effectively while maintaining accountability and empowering team members to take ownership of their roles. Monitor progress, address challenges proactively, and implement strategies to enhance team cohesion and effectiveness. Cultivate a culture of continuous learning and innovation to align with organizational objectives.
Supervise direct reports’ daily operations, clarifying their roles and responsibilities while offering guidance to foster success. Provide consistent feedback alongside technical and administrative assistance to empower them in achieving their performance goals.
Develop a culture of responsibility by ensuring clear expectations are set and maintained, while delivering both informal and formal feedback through consistent one-on-one meetings and structured performance evaluations.
Foster a collaborative workplace culture rooted in mutual respect, empowering team members to consistently pursue and achieve excellence.
Recruit, onboard, and guide team members as needed to ensure optimal performance and alignment with organizational goals.
Safeguarding duties encompass ensuring the protection and welfare of individuals, particularly those who may be vulnerable or at risk. These responsibilities involve identifying potential hazards, implementing preventative measures, and responding promptly to any concerns or incidents. Regular training on safeguarding protocols is mandatory to maintain awareness and compliance with relevant policies and legislation.
Actively acquires knowledge of safeguarding principles and incorporates them into daily responsibilities, ensuring awareness and mitigation of relevant risks within their specific domain.
Upholds the core values of Mercy Corps by honoring the dignity and well-being of all participants and colleagues with unwavering respect.
Fosters an environment of transparency and open dialogue within the team, actively encouraging members to voice concerns through established reporting avenues such as the Integrity Hotline and additional channels.
Ensures accountability to participants and stakeholders by maintaining transparent communication and adhering to ethical standards throughout all initiatives. Demonstrates a commitment to integrity by regularly reporting progress, addressing concerns promptly, and aligning actions with established policies and objectives. Serves as a trusted liaison, fostering trust and collaboration while upholding accountability for outcomes and decision-making processes.
Mercy Corps’ staff members are required to uphold accountability across all initiatives, with particular emphasis on program participants, community collaborators, other stakeholders, and international standards governing humanitarian relief and development initiatives. The organization prioritizes meaningful community engagement, treating partners as equals throughout the design, monitoring, and evaluation phases of field projects.
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience is required. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in project management, strong analytical abilities, and exceptional communication skills. Experience with industry-specific software, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration is highly desirable. The ideal candidate will exhibit problem-solving acumen, adaptability to evolving priorities, and a commitment to continuous learning.
A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or an equivalent field is required; a graduate degree is preferred.
A recognized qualification equivalent to the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation, such as the CPA(K) credential, is required.
Minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible financial management experience, with a proven track record in leadership roles, is required.
A minimum of four years of professional experience in grants management, coupled with an in-depth knowledge of FCDO grant and contract regulations, is essential.
A minimum of three years of international experience is essential, with a preference for candidates who have worked in the field offices of international non-governmental organizations or private voluntary organizations, particularly within programs based in remote, high-risk environments.
Demonstrates a strong background in budget preparation, analysis, and financial reporting, with the expertise to transform complex financial data into clear, insightful reports. Proven ability to effectively present financial insights to stakeholders. Preference given to candidates experienced with ABB-format budgeting.
Experienced in leadership roles with proven ability to organize tasks and teams efficiently.
Proficient in utilizing advanced functionalities within Microsoft Office Suite, with a strong emphasis on Excel.
Proficient communication skills, both verbal and written, alongside strong abilities in multitasking, organization, and task prioritization are required.
Fluent proficiency in both spoken and written English is essential.
Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and cultural competence to collaborate productively within a multicultural team operating in a highly sensitive setting.
Individuals with a background in operations within high-threat areas are strongly encouraged to apply. Such experience often involves navigating and mitigating risks in unpredictable or volatile situations.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , Professional Certificate
Experience Required
15 years
