Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps is looking to hire a Finance & Compliance Director for the upcoming FCDO-funded Land Border Program. The escalating issue of irregular migration and related criminal activity in East Africa continues to pose a complex and growing threat, resulting in severe exploitation of vulnerable individuals migrating across borders. The East Africa Land Border Program will adopt a comprehensive strategy, combining prevention, preparation and protection, alongside enforcement efforts. A key objective of this initiative is to strengthen actions against human traffickers and smugglers who prey on displaced and at-risk populations. Initial activities will begin in Kenya’s border regions, with a structured plan 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, maintaining rigorous quality control and oversight of the program’s financial operations, including financial analysis and accounting management. This role will ensure the program’s fiscal integrity and compliance with its associated awards, fostering collaboration across countries and organizations to deliver results on schedule, within budget, and in full alignment with Mercy Corps’ and FCDO policies and procedures. The program is scheduled to commence in early May 2026 with a three-year duration, and this position will be based in Nairobi.
Overseeing core operational functions, this role encompasses a broad spectrum of strategic and tactical duties to ensure organizational success. Key responsibilities include leading cross-functional teams, driving project execution, and maintaining rigorous compliance with industry regulations while fostering a culture of innovation. Additional obligations feature analyzing performance metrics to identify trends, optimizing workflows for efficiency, and collaborating with senior leadership to align initiatives with long-term business objectives. Candidate must demonstrate proficiency in data-driven decision-making, possess exceptional communication skills, and exhibit a track record of delivering measurable results in fast-paced environments. A minimum of five years of relevant experience in a leadership capacity is required, along with a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
We’re seeking a strategic thinker with a clear vision to drive our organization’s long-term goals. The ideal candidate will develop and implement forward-thinking strategies that align with our mission and enhance competitive advantage. They will analyze market trends, assess risks, and identify opportunities to guide executive decision-making. Additionally, they will collaborate with senior leadership to ensure cohesive integration of strategic initiatives across all departments. Strong analytical skills, exceptional communication, and the ability to inspire stakeholders are essential. Experience in strategic planning, business development, or a related field is required.
Lead the multi-year budgeting initiative from the program’s inception, maintaining meticulous updates throughout each fiscal year. Incorporate contributions from a broad range of program stakeholders—including outcome leads, country leads, international and local partners, as well as headquarters and regional support teams—to ensure comprehensive alignment and accuracy.
Design and implement proactive, high-integrity systems to ensure continuous, comprehensive oversight of diverse countries, partners, and individual awards throughout the full lifecycle of the program.
Overseeing the organization’s financial activities, this role encompasses budget preparation, financial reporting, and strategic financial planning. Key responsibilities include analyzing financial data, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and providing recommendations to optimize financial performance. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, proficiency in financial software, and a degree in finance, accounting, or a related field, coupled with relevant professional certifications. Experience in financial management, preferably in a leadership capacity, is essential to drive informed decision-making and maintain fiscal integrity.
Collaborate with the Senior Program Manager and partners to annually review, refine, and finalize fiscal year budgets, ensuring adjustments align with evolving budget ceiling modifications as needed.
Engage actively in ABB meetings with the donor, actively maintain a real-time Activity-Based budget for the program, perform monthly ABB evaluations, and deliver biweekly reports and projections to FCDO, guaranteeing that forecasts align precisely with budgetary expenditures.
Review all financial plans and budgets to track progress and identify any changes. Identify and escalate any issues, collaborating with senior management to implement effective resolutions.
Design and implement all financial systems, policies, procedures, and internal controls for the program, ensuring they are tailored to evolving regulatory requirements and industry best practices across each country of implementation. Continuously monitor and refine these frameworks to maintain alignment with changing standards and operational demands.
Responsible for managing the annual financial audits of the program and verifying that partners and subgrantees adhere to all audit and financial review mandates.
Periodically evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of financial processes, developing and implementing strategic initiatives to enhance performance, mitigate operational and compliance risks, and ensure timely completion of technical activities while optimizing cost efficiency.
Develop and oversee systems designed to facilitate the efficient and transparent allocation of financial resources, ensuring timely and informative reporting that aligns with program, FCDO, and Mercy Corps’ requirements.
Ensure adherence to the financial, compliance, and sub-grant management policies and procedures established by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Mercy Corps.
The team conducts thorough financial assessments of payment requests and financial vouchers, ensuring strict adherence to the approved authority matrix limits.
Experienced professionals sought to oversee the administration and compliance of grant-funded projects. Responsibilities include monitoring fund utilization, ensuring adherence to reporting timelines, and verifying alignment with grant objectives. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical abilities, meticulous attention to detail, and proficiency in financial management. A minimum of three years in grant administration or a related field is required, along with experience in budget tracking and regulatory compliance. Excellent communication skills are essential for collaborating with stakeholders and preparing grant proposals. Familiarity with government or foundation funding sources is advantageous.
Deliver leadership and guidance to grants and finance officers to guarantee that grants and subcontracts are issued and administered in strict accordance with Mercy Corps and FDC policies.
The incumbent will meticulously assess all RFA’s and coordinate with Senior Program Management, the Implementation and Partnership Manager, and the MCE to secure necessary approvals.
Manage the grant administration process to guarantee the prompt submission and approval of reports and advances to partners.
Oversee the creation and implementation of sub-partner grants and contracts, offering guidance to determine the most appropriate grant or contract mechanism for each partner.
Develop and execute activity or milestone budgets with precision, while also compiling and maintaining a comprehensive master record of partner budgets.
Demonstrate leadership throughout the grant close-out process and the partner’s asset disposition activities.
The Admin and Compliance role encompasses a broad spectrum of administrative duties and regulatory oversight, ensuring operational efficiency, adherence to policies, and meticulous compliance with legal and industry standards. Key responsibilities include maintaining accurate records, coordinating meetings, and facilitating communication between departments, while also monitoring compliance with internal protocols and external regulations. This position demands a high level of organizational acumen, attention to detail, and the ability to interpret and apply complex compliance frameworks. Ideal candidates will possess strong communication skills, proficiency in compliance tools, and a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks.
Handle urgent client inquiries promptly, addressing budget simulations, crafting detailed work scopes, and completing other essential assignments as required.
Collaborate 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 responsibilities assigned by the Senior Program Manager as needed.
Review and prepare both scheduled and unscheduled requests for reports to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), encompassing inventory disposition, local tax obligations, activity budgets, and related financial and operational documentation.
Exercise leadership in conducting donor spot checks and resolving any issues that arise.
Experienced professionals are sought to oversee and guide team members, fostering collaboration and ensuring project success through strategic direction and performance monitoring. This role demands a keen ability to delegate tasks efficiently, resolve conflicts diplomatically, and motivate individuals to achieve collective goals. Candidates must possess strong leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and a results-driven mindset, along with prior experience in team supervision or project coordination.
Supervise the daily operations of direct reports, ensuring clarity in their roles while guiding them toward success through constructive feedback, technical guidance, and administrative assistance to achieve their performance goals.
Foster a culture of accountability by clearly communicating expectations and delivering constructive feedback, both informally through ongoing one-on-one interactions and formally during scheduled performance reviews.
Foster an inclusive and collaborative work environment characterized by mutual respect, where all team members are motivated to pursue excellence in their roles.
Responsibilities include recruiting, onboarding, and guiding team members as needed to ensure optimal performance and integration within the team.
Protecting the integrity and security of sensitive information, assets, and personnel represents a critical aspect of this role. Key duties involve implementing robust security protocols, conducting thorough risk assessments, and ensuring strict adherence to regulatory standards. The ideal candidate must demonstrate a keen understanding of threat detection, crisis management, and emergency response procedures. Proficiency in security technologies, risk mitigation strategies, and compliance with legal requirements is essential. Additionally, the ability to foster a culture of safety, train staff on security best practices, and maintain meticulous records of security incidents is required.
Actively incorporates ongoing safeguarding training into their role, applying an understanding of safeguarding risks and proactive mitigation strategies specific to their responsibilities.
Demonstrates unwavering commitment to Mercy Corps’ core values by fostering an environment that upholds the dignity and welfare of all participants and colleagues.
Fosters a culture of transparency and open dialogue within the team, actively encouraging members to voice any concerns through established reporting channels, including the Integrity Hotline and other available avenues.
The position demands a steadfast commitment to ensuring the needs and expectations of participants and stakeholders are met. This includes maintaining transparent communication, delivering on agreed-upon commitments, and fostering trust through consistent performance and ethical conduct. Responsibilities encompass addressing concerns promptly, providing accurate updates, and aligning actions with the organization’s goals to drive mutual success.
Mercy Corps staff are required to uphold accountability standards, ensuring adherence to commitments made to program participants, community partners, stakeholders, and international relief and development guidelines. Our organization prioritizes collaborative engagement with communities, treating them as equal partners throughout project design, monitoring, and evaluation phases.
We seek candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and possess transferable skills aligned with the role’s demands. Essential requirements include a [specific degree/certification, if applicable], along with [X] years of relevant experience in [field/industry]. Additionally, proficiency in [specific software, tool, or skill] is mandatory, while strong [soft skills, e.g., communication, problem-solving] are highly valued. The ideal applicant demonstrates adaptability, teamwork, and a commitment to continuous learning to thrive in this dynamic environment.
A bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting or finance—or an equivalent credential—is required; an advanced degree is strongly preferred.
Candidates must hold a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) qualification or an equivalent professional credential in accounting.
A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible financial management experience is required, with a proven track record in leadership roles.
A minimum of four years of experience in grants management, coupled with a comprehensive grasp of FCDO grant and contract regulations, is essential.
A minimum of three years of international work experience is required, with a preference for candidates who have worked in international non-governmental organizations or private voluntary organizations at the field office level. Prior experience in programs implemented in remote, high-risk environments is highly desirable.
Proficiency in budget preparation and analysis, financial reporting development and presentation, alongside the capability to interpret technical financial data into insightful reports, is essential. Familiarity with ABB format budgeting is a plus.
Experienced in leadership roles coupled with exceptional organizational abilities.
Proficient in utilizing advanced computer skills, with a strong emphasis on Microsoft Office applications, notably Excel.
Experienced professionals should demonstrate exceptional proficiency in both verbal and written communication, along with strong abilities in multitasking, organization, and task prioritization.
Fluent proficiency in both spoken and written English is essential for this role.
Proven capacity to collaborate productively with a multicultural team within a highly sensitive setting.
Individuals should possess prior work experience within high-risk or volatile settings, where safety and security concerns are prominent considerations.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , Professional Certificate
Experience Required
15 years
