The Program/Department Summary outlines the strategic objectives and operational scope of the designated program or department, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. It facilitates clear communication of the unit’s purpose, key initiatives, and expected outcomes to stakeholders, both internal and external. Additionally, it serves as a foundational reference for performance measurement, resource allocation, and cross-functional collaboration. By establishing a cohesive framework, it supports decision-making processes and enhances accountability within the organization.
Mercy Corps is looking for a Finance & Compliance Director to lead the upcoming FCDO-funded Land Border Program. The challenge of irregular migration and related criminal activity in East Africa continues to grow, posing severe risks to vulnerable populations on the move. This initiative will adopt a comprehensive strategy, combining prevention, protection, and enforcement measures. A key focus will be on disrupting human traffickers and smugglers who prey on displaced and at-risk individuals. The program’s initial phase will commence in Kenya’s border regions, with plans to gradually expand into 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 and control over the program’s finances, encompassing financial analysis and accounting management. This role will oversee the program’s financial health and associated awards, fostering collaboration across countries and organizations to guarantee timely, budget-conscious delivery while upholding Mercy Corps’ and FCDO policies and procedures. The program is scheduled to commence in early May 2026 for a duration of three years, with this position based in Nairobi.
The core duties of this position include overseeing key operational processes, managing cross-functional teams to achieve project milestones, and ensuring adherence to organizational policies and industry regulations. The role demands a proactive approach to problem-solving, with a focus on delivering measurable results while maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency. Responsibilities extend to collaborating with stakeholders to align business objectives with tactical execution, as well as identifying opportunities for process improvements to enhance productivity and reduce costs. Additionally, the position requires strong leadership capabilities to mentor and guide team members, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous growth.
We are seeking a strategic leader who will shape and drive our organization’s long-term growth by defining and executing a cohesive vision. This role requires a forward-thinking mindset capable of aligning cross-functional teams around shared objectives while fostering innovation and sustainable competitive advantage. The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record of developing and implementing data-driven strategies, coupled with the ability to anticipate market trends and adapt to evolving business landscapes. Responsibilities include establishing clear goals, measuring performance, and ensuring alignment with the company’s mission, while collaborating with senior leadership to refine and execute high-impact initiatives that propel the organization forward.
Lead the multi-year budgeting process at the outset of the program, maintaining its meticulous refinement across every fiscal year. Gather and integrate contributions from a broad spectrum of program stakeholders—including outcome leads, country leads, international and local partners, as well as HQ and regional support teams—to ensure alignment and accuracy.
Develop and implement comprehensive, proactive systems to ensure diligent oversight across diverse countries, partners, and individual awards throughout the entire program duration.
Oversee financial operations with precision, ensuring accurate accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting. Analyze financial data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, providing strategic insights to support executive decision-making. Develop and maintain robust internal controls, compliance with regulatory standards, and adherence to accounting principles. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize resource allocation, forecast financial performance, and drive cost-efficiency initiatives. Prepare and present detailed financial statements, variance analyzes, and forecasts to stakeholders, fostering transparency and accountability. Lead financial planning, cash flow management, and investment strategies to enhance organizational sustainability and growth.
Collaborate with the Senior Program Manager and partners to prepare and revise the annual fiscal year budgets, ensuring adjustments align with any changes to the budget ceiling throughout the year.
Engage in ABB calls with the donor, manage a continuously updated Activity-Based budget for the program, perform monthly ABB reviews, and deliver biweekly reports and forecasts to FCDO, maintaining precise alignment between forecasts and actual budget expenditures.
Thoroughly evaluate all financial plans and budgets, tracking progress and modifications while identifying any discrepancies or concerns. Collaborate with senior management to address and resolve these issues promptly and effectively.
Develop and manage the program’s financial systems, policies, procedures, and internal controls, ensuring they are tailored to meet evolving regulatory requirements and industry best practices across all implementation countries.
Ensure the annual financial audits of the program are conducted effectively and that all partners and subgrantees adhere to audit and financial review obligations.
Periodically evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of financial procedures, then develop and implement action plans to enhance performance, mitigate operational and compliance risks, and ensure timely delivery of technical activities within optimal cost parameters.
Develop and oversee frameworks to facilitate the efficient and transparent allocation of financial resources, ensuring the generation of timely and insightful reports that align with program objectives, FCDO requirements, and Mercy Corps’ standards.
Ensure adherence to financial, compliance, and sub-grant management policies as outlined by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Mercy Corps’ established guidelines and regulations.
Finance professionals conduct thorough reviews of payment requests and financial vouchers, ensuring compliance with the established authority matrix limits.
Overseeing the administration and compliance of awarded grants is a core responsibility of this role, ensuring alignment with sponsor requirements and organizational objectives. This position involves meticulous tracking of grant expenditures, thorough documentation of project progress, and timely submission of all required reports to funding agencies. Strong analytical skills are essential to assess budget performance, identify variances, and recommend corrective actions. Familiarity with grant reporting standards, financial regulations, and audit processes is required to maintain transparency and accountability. Experience in managing multiple grants concurrently, prioritizing tasks effectively, and collaborating with cross-functional teams is highly valued. Proficiency in grant management software and financial systems is also necessary to streamline processes and ensure accurate record-keeping.
Deliver strategic oversight to grants and finance officers, guaranteeing that grants and subcontracts are executed and administered in strict adherence to Mercy Corps and FDC policies.
Review all Requests for Approvals (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 grant management operations, with a focus on ensuring the timely submission and approval of reports and advances to partners.
Supervise the creation and administration of sub-partner grants and contracts, providing guidance on the most appropriate grant or contract mechanism tailored to each partner.
Develop and implement activity or milestone budgets with precision, and maintain a comprehensive master compilation of partner budgets.
Demonstrate leadership throughout the grants close out process and the partner’s asset disposition activities.
The position requires overseeing administrative functions and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and internal policies. Key responsibilities include managing office operations, coordinating with different departments, and maintaining accurate records. Additionally, the role demands meticulous attention to detail to monitor adherence to compliance standards and address any discrepancies promptly. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential to facilitate smooth workflows and support regulatory reporting. Proficiency in administrative software and a solid grasp of compliance frameworks are also required.
Handle urgent client inquiries promptly, addressing budget scenarios, developing scopes of work, and performing additional duties as required.
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 all duties and assignments as directed by the Senior Program Manager, including any additional responsibilities deemed necessary to support ongoing project objectives and operational needs.
Prepare regular and ad hoc reports for the FCDO, ensuring thorough review of inventory disposition, local tax compliance, and activity budgets, among other key financial and operational metrics.
Demonstrate leadership by overseeing donor spot checks and proactively resolving any issues that arise.
We are seeking an experienced leader to oversee and motivate a high-performing team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and fostering a collaborative work environment. The ideal candidate will possess strong interpersonal skills to inspire and guide team members, along with the ability to delegate tasks effectively and track progress toward key objectives. Responsibilities include setting clear expectations, providing constructive feedback, and identifying opportunities for professional growth within the team. Additionally, the role requires the capacity to resolve conflicts, promote accountability, and maintain open communication channels to support both individual and collective success.
Oversee the daily operations of team members, clarifying their responsibilities while offering guidance to foster success. Deliver constructive feedback, along with technical and administrative assistance, to help them achieve their performance goals.
To foster accountability, convey expectations clearly, and offer constructive feedback—both informally through ongoing one-on-one interactions and formally during performance reviews.
Foster a collaborative workplace culture rooted in mutual respect, empowering team members to consistently pursue excellence.
Recruit, onboard, and guide team members as required to ensure optimal performance and integration within the team.
Ensuring the protection and well-being of individuals within the organization is a critical aspect of this role, requiring vigilance and adherence to established protocols to mitigate risks and uphold safety standards. The position demands strict compliance with safeguarding policies, thorough monitoring of environments, and immediate reporting of any concerns to appropriate authorities. Additionally, the individual will be responsible for conducting risk assessments, implementing preventative measures, and fostering a culture of awareness to minimize potential threats. Strong attention to detail, discretion, and a commitment to ethical conduct are essential qualifications for this position.
Actively acquires and applies safeguarding knowledge, incorporating relevant risks and mitigation strategies into daily responsibilities within their specific domain.
Demonstrates unwavering commitment to Mercy Corps’ core values by upholding the dignity and well-being of both program participants and colleagues alike.
They foster 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 options.
You will be responsible for ensuring accountability to both participants and stakeholders, maintaining transparent communication channels throughout all project phases to uphold trust and integrity. This role demands a commitment to ethical standards and the ability to address concerns promptly, fostering a culture of responsibility and responsiveness. Regular reporting and feedback mechanisms will be essential to demonstrate progress and address any issues that may arise, reinforcing accountability at every level of engagement.
Mercy Corps staff are required to uphold accountability in all operations, ensuring it extends to program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and international standards that govern relief and development initiatives globally. The organization prioritizes meaningful collaboration with communities, treating them as equal contributors throughout the design, monitoring, and evaluation phases of field projects.
Minimum qualifications and transferable skills include a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Candidates must possess strong analytical abilities, meticulous attention to detail, and proficiency in data interpretation. Exceptional problem-solving skills and the capacity to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams are essential. Prior experience with project management, process improvement, or data analysis is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Familiarity with industry-specific software or tools may be required, depending on the role.
A bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting or finance is required, with preference given to candidates holding an advanced degree.
A recognized qualification equivalent to the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation in Kenya (CPA(K)) is required.
We seek a candidate with a minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, which must encompass leadership roles.
A minimum of four years of professional experience in grants management, coupled with a comprehensive grasp 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 INGO or PRO field offices. Experience in programs situated in remote or high-risk areas is particularly advantageous.
Proficiency in budget preparation and analysis, along with financial reporting development and presentation, is required, along with the capacity to interpret complex financial data into clear, insightful reports. Familiarity with ABB (Activity-Based Budgeting) format is advantageous.
Experienced in leading teams and adept at maintaining structured workflows with keen attention to detail.
Proficient in utilizing advanced computer skills with a strong focus on MS Office applications, especially Excel.
Effective communication, both verbal and written, is essential, as are strong multitasking abilities, organizational skills, and the capacity to prioritize tasks efficiently.
Fluent proficiency in both spoken and written English is essential.
Must demonstrate the capacity to collaborate productively with a multicultural team within a delicate or nuanced setting.
Individuals should possess demonstrated experience in environments with heightened security risks or unstable conditions.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , Professional Certificate
Experience Required
15 years
