Finance Officer 16 views0 applications

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. With the launch of Mercy Corps Global Strategy, Pathway to Possibility, the country office is poised to operationalize its three-year strategy with a vision to enhance the resilience of climate- and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. In Ethiopia, our strategy focuses in the four impact priorities: 1) Addressing Urgent Needs; 2) Accelerating Climate Solutions; 3) Driving Economic and Food Security. Currently, we operate in regional states – Afar, Somali, Amhara, Tigray and Addis Ababa. Working with a diverse base of donors, Mercy Corps Ethiopia empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good.

Location: City, Woldiya

Position Status: Full-time or Part-time, Exempt or Non-exempt, Regular or Temporary

Salary Level: (Refer to the relevant salary scale)

Risk Level: ☐X Level 3 ☐Level 2 ☐Level 1

(Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.

Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned non-direct contact with children.

Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data)

The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary

The Economic Recovery for Conflict Affected Population (ER-CAP) is a five-year program implemented in the Afar, Amhara, and Tigray regions, targeting 43,350 internally displaced persons (IDPs), host communities, and returnees.

The program aims to improve the livelihoods and resilience of IDPs, host communities, returnees, women, youth, and other marginalized groups affected by conflict. The expected outcomes include strengthened and resilient livelihoods, improved access to financial products and services, and enhanced community capacity to mitigate protection risks through improved access to justice, psychosocial support, and other essential social services.

.The Position (General Position Summary)

The Finance Officer will have shared responsibilities for the Woldiya Coordination Office, with a particular focus on finance, accounting and administrative functions within the field office.

The Finance Officer will be based in Woldiya under the direction of the ER-CAP Regional Program Coordinator and will work closely with the Country Office Finance and Logistics team. The position is responsible for managing finance and administration activities of the Woldiya Field Office, including handling financial transactions at field level in line with the approved Delegation of Authority limits.

The role ensures accurate and timely accounting and documentation of all financial transactions, while also overseeing day-to-day administrative operations, supporting procurement and logistics processes, maintaining office records, and ensuring full compliance with organizational policies and procedures.

Essential Responsibilities (Example Section Below – Adapt to Specific Role, Safeguarding Responsibilities are required for all roles)

STRATEGY AND PLANNING

• Ensure adherence of financial transactions of the Field Office to Mercy Corps financial policies & procedures, donor terms & conditions and Government policies.
• Maintains up-to-date and accurate recording of financial transactions on a day-to-day basis
• Record all Bank financial transactions of woldiya Office regularly to Bank batch and reconcile bank balances.
• Ensure timely settlement of advances disbursed from woldiya office.
• Ensure availability of budget in an approved grant for every expenditure
• Analyze and code financial transactions by Mercy corps financial, procurement, personnel, and administrative policies and procedures, donor terms and condition, government regulations, and generally accepted accounting principles.
• Maintain proper and adequate documentation of financial transactions
• Prepare the monthly bank reconciliations
• Maintain the bank file, ensuring that all bank information is properly filed and updated
• Maintain the lease, rental, and preferred supplier agreements file and ensure timely settlement of obligations associated with these contracts
• Make sure that all supporting documentation is prepared and filed according to Mercy Corps procedures.
• Prepare scanned documents of vouchers and other supporting documents as required for the weekly financial review and posting
• Make sure that all supporting documents are stamped (paid stamp).
• Make ensure that the monthly VAT claims are compiled and sent to the Addis
• Managing day-to-day administrative operations, supporting procurement and logistics processes, maintaining office records, and ensuring compliance with organizational policies and procedures.

REGIONAL SYSTEMS AND SUPPORT FUNCTIONS

• Ensure effective financial, administrative, and operational systems are in place in the Woldiya office to support efficient management of finance and related support functions.
• Support and monitor adherence to organizational and donor financial policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Maintain proper financial documentation, reporting systems, and internal controls to ensure accountability and transparency.
• Support the implementation and sharing of best practices in finance, administration, and operational systems to maintain high standards and quality performance.
• Collaborate with program and finance teams in the preparation, monitoring, and revision of project budgets, including bi-annual master budgets.
• Assist in budget tracking, expenditure analysis, and timely financial reporting to ensure effective utilization of project resources.

HUMAN RESOURCES

• Support the implementation of organizational policies and procedures related to human resources, safeguarding, and staff development in coordination with the HR team.
• Assist in the administrative and financial aspects of staff onboarding processes, including processing required documentation, orientation support, and ensuring staff are familiar with organizational systems and procedures.
• Support payroll preparation, staff benefit administration, and maintenance of accurate personnel-related financial records in compliance with organizational policies.
• RISK MANAGEMENT
• Support the implementation and monitoring of effective financial risk management and internal control systems to ensure compliance with organizational and donor requirements.
• Assist in the internal and external audit processes by preparing financial documents, tracking audit findings, and supporting timely implementation of audit recommendations.
• Maintain accurate financial records and ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and donor regulations.
• Coordinate with finance, compliance, and assurance teams to identify financial risks, analyze trends, and support corrective actions to strengthen accountability and operational efficiency.
• Support regular financial reviews, reconciliations, and monitoring activities to ensure transparency and proper utilization of project resources.

.SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively learns safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.
• Supervisory Responsibility

The Supervisor is responsible for providing overall guidance, oversight, and technical support to ensure sound financial management and compliance with organizational and donor requirements. The role includes reviewing financial reports and transactions, monitoring budget performance, ensuring proper implementation of financial policies and procedures, and supporting the Finance Officer in resolving issues and improving financial systems. The supervisor also contributes to staff capacity building, ensures timely and accurate financial reporting, and promotes accountability, transparency, and efficient use of resources.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: ER -CAP Amhara Regional Program Coordinator

Works Directly With: Country office Finance and compliance team

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

• Success Factors

Success in this role requires integrity, accountability, and strong attention to detail. The Finance Officer should demonstrate professionalism, teamwork, and good communication skills, with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. A proactive, flexible, and problem-solving attitude, along with a commitment to confidentiality, transparency, and continuous learning, is essential.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Woldiya and may require travel to field implementation areas. The staff will reside in individual housing, and access to adequate medical services is available. Overall, living conditions are of a good standard.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Team Engagement and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we encounter through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).