Finance Officer – Mercy Corps

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps has been operating in Uganda since 2006 and works to catalyze change makers within the Ugandan private sector, civil society and government to create economically dynamic, healthy and secure communities. Our works focus on building resilience and enabling economic growth, improving opportunities to attain better health and nutrition, and improving governance and conflict management. We implement programs in the northern districts of Pader, Kitgum, Agago, Lamwo, Gulu, Omoro, Moroto, Kaabong, Abim and Kotido with funding from USAID, US State Department, Walmart Foundation, SDC, DFID as well as other private donations.
We were recently awarded funding for an 8-month Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) funded program around Multi-Purpose Cash and Protection for South Sudanese refugees in Bidibidi Settlement in Yumbe District, Uganda. The program will be led by DanChurchAid with Mercy Corps as an implementing partner. The program will focus on unconditional cash transfers to Persons with Special Needs that will be defined through specific vulnerability criteria as well as a cash for work component for youth. The program’s protection activities will be conducted by TPO Uganda.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
Working in the Finance Department under the direction of Senior Finance Officer and Finance Director, the field finance officer is responsible for assigned field office finances, compliance, budget monitoring, reporting, resources management, coordination with others, etc. He/she is also responsible for updating and tracking all assets and finance files. He/she is responsible to make sure that all AAM, segregation of duties and policies and procedures are respected as per the FFM, procurement manual, assets mgt and other manuals/policies and procedures. Tracks contracts, leases and procurements for the office.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
• Follow all Mercy Corps policies, procedures, grant compliance and documentation requirements.
• Implement and Make sure all Mercy Corps FFM, procurement, assets mgt, HR policies and procedures are implemented.
• Implement and Make sure all respective donors and local Gov’t rules and regulations are respected.
• Ensure compliance with GAAPs, Ugandan and US law and standard accounting practice.
• Responsible for monitoring costs as per the available grant and budget details and monthly budgets vs actual reports.
• Provide on-going orientation, training and support to all Mercy Corps program and finance staff on Mercy Corps and respective donor’s rules and regulations.
• Review and track all grants/budget purchases and contracts and other commitments for the office.
• Provide financial review for all advances, purchase requests, quotation analysis, purchase orders, expense report, payment requests and others within his/her limit.
• Code all expenditures following the standard chart of accounts, coded budget and record to the accounting software or recording system and send to main office for review and posting every week.
• Match invoices with GRN and other required documents.
• Prepare weekly and monthly cash requirement for the office, send to main office and make sure sufficient cash is available for the office.
• Manage cash and bank payments, record them and reconcile with bank statements and cash counts.
• Make surprise, weekly and monthly cash counts and document them as per the current MC policy.
• Reconcile bank balances with bank statement, all advances and send to main office with month end transactions and report.
• Make sure all field level income taxes, withholding taxes, VAT and other taxes are withheld and paid accordingly.
• Collect all staff timesheets, review them, prepare summary and send them to main office every month.
• Participate in preparation of operating and grant budgets.
• Make frequent site visits and work with the program team for physical check and to ensure payments are being made accordingly and procurements are properly made whenever necessary.
• Maintain all donor files and ensure they are well labeled, fully updated with all contracts, submitted reports, governing clauses and all other relevant documents.
• Be adaptable and flexible to take new tasks and new assignments as requested from time to time.
• 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.
• Assist other finance functions and offices when ever need arises.
• Any other tasks to be assigned by the supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
• A BA/S or equivalent in accounting or finance is required.
• 4 years of experience in grants and financial management and accounting.
• Adequate understanding of donor rules and regulations is required.
• Experience working on humanitarian programs and specifically cash transfer and cash for work programming is preferred.
• Three years international NGO/PVO experience is preferred.
• Strong accounting skills and experience, including management of the general ledger, journal entries, payroll, payables and balance sheet.
• Demonstrated experience and skill with financial reports preparation and presentation and proven ability to translate technical financial data into informative reports.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel and accounting software experience.
• Prior management experience and strong organizational skills preferred.
• Excellent oral and written English skills

HOW TO APPLY:
Applications: Submit your application through email to ug-mcjobs@mercycorps.org addressed to the Senior HR and Legal Manager, Mercy Corps Uganda. Include a cover letter clearly stating your salary requirements, CV (with 3 referees), and copies of academic qualifications/certificates. Deadline for Submission: Close of business on Tuesday, 17th January, 2017. Subject of email should include the position you are applying for. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer; qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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