Finance and Compliance Senior Manager - Cash Consortium of Sudan (CCS) at Mercy Corps

The Position (General Position Summary)

The Finance and Compliance Senior Manager is a member of the CCS Secretariat team, and is responsible for managing the financial, compliance and operational aspects of budgets and subawards issued by Mercy Corps as prime for the CCS. S/he will also lead efforts to enhance capacity of subrecipients as needed to meet finance and compliance requirements of CCS donors. S/he works under the direction of the CCS Chief of Party, with a dotted technical line to the Mercy Corps Sudan Finance Director. S/he will work closely with members of the CCS Secretariat team; Mercy Corps Finance Team; Partner Finance Teams, Mercy Corps Operations team; MCG/MCE HQ Compliance.

Essential Job Functions

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

• Work with CCS Secretariat leadership and partner stakeholders to develop a master consortium budget and cost model for use across new proposal development exercises.
• Lead budget development for new funding opportunities; including creation of templates, guidance for partners to complete their budgets, review and compilation of multiple partner budgets in alignment with CCS and donor requirements.
• Lead tracking on burn rates across consortium partners through regular financial reporting; work with CCS Secretariat leadership and partner stakeholders to ensure appropriate spending and proactively raise concerns for timely problem solving.
• Track cost-efficiency and recommend measures to increase cost-efficiency over time.
• Provide financial reviews and tracking for CCS Secretariat payments.

SUBAWARD MANAGEMENT

• Ensure efficient and timely development of new subaward agreements in coordination with CCS partners and Mercy Corps US/UK/Europe HQ teams.
• Lead pre-award financial review and other due diligence of proposed subrecipients.
• Draft (when delegated by HQ), oversee and ensure subaward agreements are executed, in consultation with the relevant program manager and MC HQ department and in compliance with the relevant donor’s terms and conditions.
• Support timely subaward modifications as needed (for example to support additional allocations from the CCS Secretariat to the relevant partner for use of the CCS Common Fund), in consultation with relevant CCS partners and Mercy Corps US/UK/Europe HQ teams.
• Manage subawards in accordance with Mercy Corps’ Subaward Financial Management Manual.
• Ensure subrecipient reports are timely; review financial reports for correctness and completeness
• Develop subrecipient monitoring plans, conduct financial monitoring and prepare financial monitoring visit reports.
• Process subrecipient payments in consultation with the relevant program manager and Finance department.
• Responsible for subrecipient financial close-outs, including ensuring that all requirements of the subaward agreement have been met and that subaward funds have been properly settled.

COMPLIANCE

• Provide guidance on CCS and donor compliance requirements both proactively and in response to requests from partners; follow up on all subrecipient compliance issues, audits and document resolutions.
• Assist subrecipients, as needed with subrecipient prior approval, waiver and other compliance requests to Mercy Corps.

CAPACITY BUILDING

• Develop the capacity of the Secretariat team as well as partner INGO/NGO focal points as needed
• Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback
• Assist the program team with assessing subrecipient organizational needs, so that the subaward process strengthens the ability of subrecipientsto meet world class standards.
• Develop training and capacity building activities for subrecipients to strengthen their ability to apply for, receive, and manage subawards related to finance and compliance.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• Interface with the (donor) representatives to convey information about programs as appropriate.
• Participate in sharing best practices with NGOs and governmental agencies.
• Consistently demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure, even under difficult circumstances.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
• Demonstrate an awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs.

SECURITY

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

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 towards 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.

Accountability

• Reports Directly To: Chief of Party, Cash Consortium of Sudan
• Works Directly With: CCS Secretariat team; Mercy Corps Finance Team; Partner Finance Teams, Mercy Corps Operations team; MCG/MCE HQ Compliance.

Knowledge And Experience

• A BA/S or equivalent in accounting or finance required; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 5 years of relevant field or management experience of complex, multi-dimensional programming including administering small subawards in an international environment.
• At least 4 years’ experience in grants management as well as an understanding of USG, EU, UK and UN regulations preferred.
• At least 3 years’ international experience required; international NGO field office experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience and skill with administrating solicitations for subawards, assessing potential subrecipients and the proven ability to oversee a team that is responsible for monitoring subrecipients.
• Strong skills and experience working with donors to obtain approvals and waivers as necessary for compliance with donor regulations.
• Prior management experience and strong organizational skills.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Previous experience in insecure environments