Finance Officer – Bahir Dar – East Africa Land Border Security Program (EALBSP) Full Time NEW

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.

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. Our vision is 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. Our strategy focuses on the four outcome areas of: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use. Currently we operate in the regional states of Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Sidama, Southern Ethiopia, Tigray and Addis Ababa city administration working with a diverse base of donors that includes the U.S. Department of State, the European Union (EU), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the United Nations (UN), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN), Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA), and a range of other institutional and private. foundations.

Location: Bahir Dar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Position Status: Full-time, Regular

This position is contingent upon confirmation of program funding.

Salary Level: 3

Risk Level: Level 3

The Program / Department / Team

East Africa Land Border Security Program – Ethiopia

The East Africa Land Border Security Program (EALBSP) is an FCDO-funded regional programme designed to disrupt organised immigration crime (OIC) and contribute to safer borders and safer communities. The program works through four mutually reinforcing outcome areas: evidence and analysis; stronger law-enforcement capability; community engagement, reporting and early warning; and witness support and protection.

In Ethiopia, EALBSP is implemented as a dedicated country component aligned with the regional programme, Ethiopian law and institutions, Government of Ethiopia priorities, and the realities of selected border and migration corridors. Mercy Corps works with relevant government institutions at federal, regional and local levels, consortium partners, Ethiopian civil-society and specialist partners, communities and other stakeholders to strengthen existing systems and locally grounded responses rather than establish parallel structures. Program implementation is evidence-led, conflict-sensitive, rights-respecting and adaptive to changing border, migration and operational dynamics.

The Position

The Finance Officer supports effective financial management of EALBSP-Ethiopia by ensuring accurate, timely and well-documented financial transactions, reliable accounting records, budget monitoring and appropriate financial controls. Working within Mercy Corps Ethiopia Finance systems and under the direct supervision of the Field Program Coordinator – Bahir Dar, with technical reporting to the Finance and Subaward Specialist – EALBSP, the position supports field programme teams with financial information, cash-flow planning, budget-versus-actual review, payment processing, reconciliations and financial documentation required for sound programme delivery and donor compliance. The Finance Officer works closely with the Field Program Coordinator, programme and support teams, and implementing partners as appropriate, helping ensure that programme resources are used responsibly, efficiently and in accordance with Mercy Corps policies, FCDO requirements and applicable Ethiopian laws and regulations.

Essential Responsibilities

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTING

• Process and record assigned program financial transactions accurately and on time, ensuring correct coding and complete supporting documentation.
• Review payment requests and supporting documents to confirm accuracy, allowability, completeness, correct calculations and approval in line with Mercy Corps Approval Authority Matrix requirements before processing.
• Support timely processing of bank payments, transfers, staff advances, settlements, journals and other authorized financial transactions in accordance with established schedules and procedures.
• Monitor assigned program bank and cash accounts, where applicable, and promptly follow up on balances, incoming funds, rejected payments and other account issues.
• Prepare and/or support monthly reconciliations of assigned balance-sheet and program accounts, including any required reclassifications and follow-up actions.
• Support monthly amortization of prepaid expenses and other routine accounting adjustments, ensuring they are properly documented and submitted for review and posting.
• Maintain complete, orderly and retrievable finance files and bank documentation in accordance with Mercy Corps document-retention and audit requirements.

BUDGET MONITORING AND PROGRAMME SUPPORT

• Support preparation and regular updating of program cash-flow forecasts and other financial planning information required for timely implementation.
• Monitor expenditure against approved EALBSP-Ethiopia budgets and workplans, identify significant variances or emerging funding pressures, and bring them promptly to the attention of the Finance and Subaward Specialist, Field Program Coordinator and relevant finance leadership.
• Prepare and support regular budget-versus-actual reviews with the Finance and Subaward Specialist, Field Program Coordinator and program teams, providing clear financial information to support decision-making and corrective action.
• Work with program staff to strengthen alignment between approved activities, budgets, procurement plans, coding and expenditure, and help resolve routine financial questions that could delay implementation.
• Conduct periodic visits to program locations to review financial documentation, support field teams and verify compliance with established finance procedures.
• Support financial monitoring of Ethiopian implementing partners, where assigned, including review of financial reports and supporting documents and follow-up of agreed actions in coordination with Grants and Finance colleagues.
• Promote cost-conscious implementation and value for money while ensuring that financial controls, program quality and compliance requirements are maintained.

COMPLIANCE, TAXATION AND AUDIT SUPPORT

• Ensure applicable withholding taxes, VAT and other statutory obligations are processed and documented in accordance with Ethiopian tax requirements and Mercy Corps procedures.
• Apply Mercy Corps financial policies, donor requirements, segregation-of-duties controls and relevant Ethiopian laws consistently in assigned financial processes.
• Support internal and external audits, donor reviews and compliance checks by maintaining complete records, preparing requested documentation and following up on finance-related findings and actions.
• Safeguard financial, banking, partner and other sensitive information and share it only through authorized channels and with personnel who have a legitimate business need.
• Promptly raise suspected fraud, conflicts of interest, control weaknesses, unsupported expenditure or other material financial or compliance concerns through appropriate Mercy Corps reporting and management channels.
• Carry out other reasonable finance and program-support duties as assigned.

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.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Field Program Coordinator – Bahir Dar

Technical Reporting To: Finance and Subaward Specialist – EALBSP

Works Directly With: Finance and Subaward Specialist – EALBSP; EALBSP program staff; Mercy Corps Ethiopia Finance and Grants teams; Operations and Procurement; Ethiopian implementing partners; and relevant Mercy Corps Ethiopia support functions.

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

The successful Finance Officer will be accurate, organized and dependable, with strong professional integrity and sound judgement in handling financial information and program resources. They will be able to identify errors or control concerns early, communicate them constructively, and follow through on corrective actions. The role requires attention to detail as well as the ability to understand program priorities, explain financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues, manage deadlines and work collaboratively across program, finance, grants and operations teams. Discretion, accountability, problem-solving, a service-oriented approach and willingness to travel to field locations are important to success.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Bahir Dar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, with regular travel to relevant program locations, including remote, border and transit areas as required. Travel may involve locations where road conditions, communications, security conditions and amenities are limited. The Finance Officer is expected to comply with Mercy Corps travel, safety and security procedures and may occasionally be required to support program needs outside normal office hours.

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 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 e learning 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 (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics or a closely related field.
• At least three years of relevant finance or accounting experience with an international non-governmental organization (INGO).
• Strong working knowledge of Ethiopian accounting, taxation and statutory requirements relevant to program operations.
• Demonstrated experience with payment processing, bank and account reconciliations, journal entries, financial documentation, budget monitoring and financial reporting.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, and practical experience using accounting or financial-management systems.
• Experience supporting institutional donor-funded program; familiarity with FCDO financial and compliance requirements is an advantage.
• Professional accounting certification or progress toward a recognized accounting qualification is an advantage.
• High standards of integrity, accuracy, confidentiality and attention to detail, with the ability to organize competing tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and spoken English and Amharic are required; knowledge of additional Ethiopian languages relevant to program locations is an advantage.