Budgets and Financial Analysis Specialist

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.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps seeks to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression around the world. We recognize that instances of sudden change within a country or region are rare moments to enact significant, lasting change. Mercy Corps, with its global experience working in countries undergoing major transitions, brings knowledge, expertise and strong management skills to position the agency as a partner of choice for progressive change in Syria. Mercy Corps has been operational in Syria since 2012 and is looking to expand our scope and impact by promoting governance through our work with local civil society actors and community-based organizations.

The Mercy Corps Finance Department is responsible for all financial functions in North-West Syria, including accounting, payments, payroll, budgeting including budget development, financial reporting, and grant financial management. The Mercy Corps Finance Department ensures compliance with donor regulations as well as Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures. In its role as a support to the Program Department, the Finance Department provides timely reports and assistance to the Country/Area Director and the Program team to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently and effectively.

General Position Summary

The Budget and Financial Analysis Specialist (BFA) is part of the Budget and Financial Analysis Unit, within the Finance team, working under the direction of the Area Director. The BFA Specialist works closely with all teams to ensure sound financial management and development of budgets during resource mobilization. The post holder should be forward looking, self-driven, operating under minimum supervision, and a critical thinker in the team. Furthermore, considering the continuous changes around adaptive management and any expected systemic changes, the post holder should be agile to cope with those changes. The post holder should be committed to train/coach relevant staff members on budgeting and financial analysis related business.

Essential Job Responsibilities

STRATEGY AND VISION

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.

BUDGET DEVELOPMENT

• Develop hub specific donor budget proposals by collaborating with the program teams and other support units and ensuring adequate and reasonable cost coverage to fully implement the project deliverables.
• Coordinate processes and communications with all program/department budget holders to monitor and revise budgets throughout the year and life of projects.
• In close coordination with the Area Director, ensure regular and timely updates of master budgets for submission to the Country Finance team.

FINANCIAL REPORTING

• Monitor grants’ performance for all donors. Work with budget holders to ensure that key processes and systems are in place to manage grant risk assessments, donor financial compliance rules, and reporting processes.
• Work closely country finance teams to prepare the donor financial reports, and other ad hoc reporting requirements.
• Assist the hub budget holders in reviewing the general ledgers and supporting documentations to comply with eligibility and flexibility requirements.
• Prepare the hub specific BVA reporting templates following internal processes.
• Prepare regular financial reports and analysis for the country/hub program that forecast and reflect trends on budget performance and grants financial position.
• Work closely with the hub grants manager and country finance team following the grant close out process. Coordinate with team members to fulfill the financial actions points.

BUDGET ANALYSIS

• Coordinate closely with Program and Support services teams to complete forecasts.
• Lead BvA meetings ensuring active participation of relevant budget holders to support budget analysis.
• Engage actively with relevant departments and provide relevant support to ensure sound financial management of project budgets.
• Prepare the hub master budget and the operational cost coverage report and analyze for gaps. Ensure timely communications with the hub management and country finance teams on budget position and areas of financial concern.

FINANCIAL COMPLIANCE

• Support the development of templates and SOPs related to budget management in close coordination with the Country Finance team.
• Ensure compliance with policies and procedures regarding spending, forecasting, cost saving, cost allocation and annual planning.

CAPACITY BUILDING

• Support the capacity and skills development of the team to help deepen understanding of budgeting, forecasting and monitoring and tracking of budgets.
• Assist team members with forecasting and budget information, tools, and resources to ensure optimal utilization of all grants.
• Provide training to finance and non-finance members on budget management processes, systems, and best practices.​

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.​

ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
  to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility: TBD

Accountability

Reports Directly to: BFA Lead

Works Directly with: Country Budget and Financial Analysis team, NWS Operations and Program teams

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/S or equivalent in accounting or finance required; advanced degree preferred or 4 – 5 years of demonstrated equivalent experience.
• At least 3+ years of financial management experience.
• At least 3 years' experience in grants management from diverse donor source, as well as an understanding of key institutional donor regulations such USAID, FCDO, ECHO is required.
• Experience within the NGOs is required.
• Demonstrated experience and skill with financial reporting preparation and presentation and proven ability to translate technical financial data into informative reports.
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting and budget planning including development of annual and grant budgets, forecasting and variance analysis.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft excel and experience with financial systems integration.
• Demonstrated problem solving skills and ability to find creative solutions.
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills.
• Proven ability to prioritize projects and initiate and follow through, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Demonstrated previous line management experience is preferred but not required.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will have an ability to interact effectively across international and national program and finance teams successfully. S/he will be able to support programmatic objectives with timely and meaningful financial information, have a demonstrated ability to multitask, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. An impeccable professional standard of finance and procurement ethics and the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential. The BFA Specialist should have a positive, enabling attitude that seeks to find solutions. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

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

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with 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.

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