Location: Ramallah, Palestine

Position Status: Full-time, Regular employment

Salary Level: 4A

Duration: One year with possibility of extension

Department: Finance & Compliance

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Department / Team (Department Summary)

The Mercy Corps Finance and Compliance Department is responsible for all financial and compliance functions in Palestine, including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, and grant financial management and compliance. The Mercy Corps Finance and Compliance 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 & Compliance Department provides timely reports and assistance to the Country Director and the Program team to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently and effectively.

The Position (General Position Summary)

Under the supervision of the Compliance Manager, the Compliance Officer will ensure compliance with USAID rules and regulations of Mercy Corps.  The Compliance Officer is also responsible for compliance-related donor and internal reporting requirements.

Essential Responsibilities

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Actively learns about 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.

COMPLIANCE

• Provide compliance review of procurement and financial transactions, contracts and grants as per AAM.
• Maintain reporting and compliance tracking files – soft and paper copies. This includes the monthly sub-award reports for Mercy Corps, review and consolidation of partner sub-award reports and tracking of vetting requirements resulting from the consolidated sub-awards, and the maintenance of the vetting and sub-award database.
• Assist the Compliance Manager in the vetting process, ensuing timely and accurate reports on the status of vetting requests.
• In charge of the preparation and for Manager review of PIFs for submission to USAID.
• Assist in subgrantee site reviews, prepare visit reports and follow up on all subgrant compliance issues.
• In charge of updating and maintaining vetting trackers.
• Assist in the RPS screening requirements as required.
• For MC’s Complex Program requirements, assist in ensuring that the compliance tracker is up to date and reviewed with the relevant departments monthly.
• Assist in providing the necessary documentation and responses in a timely manner in relation to USAID compliance audits.
• Assist the program team in drafting enumerators contracts and establishing relevant trackers to make sure that they are always active and vetting according to USAID regulations.

TRAINING

• Ensure all staff are fully aware of donor and internal compliance regulations and requirements.
• Train Compliance Assistant and provide ongoing coaching to all staff on USAID rules and regulations.
• Assist in building capacity of sub-grantee’s staff on compliance related matters, especially USAID specific rules and regulations.
• Work with the Human Resources Department to develop appropriate introductory training for new employees.

OTHER

• Stay abreast of changes in applicable donor policies and ensure changes are implemented as required.
• Participate in coordination and planning meetings, as required, and provide relevant input for the development of program plans and reports.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

Grants & Compliance Assistant.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Compliance Manager

Works Directly With: Mercy Corps Program Department, especially the PYE Team, Procurement Department, Finance Department and Sub grantees.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills Two years of experience, preferably in the non-governmental sector, in finance & compliance, administration or project management related fields. A degree in finance, accounting or a related business field is required. Excellent understanding of USAID rules and regulations Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel Strong analytical skills A good understanding of generally acceptable financial and procurement systems and procedures Prior management experience in a related field Excellent oral and written English skills Excellent communications skills Success Factors Ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel is required. A demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program priorities is necessary. A high professional standard of ethics as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential. The ability to effectively monitor subgrantee compliance as well as to provide support and training for subgrantee personnel is critical. Attention to detail and ability to process and analyze data from multiple sources. High level of organizational and coordination skills. 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. 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]).