Budgeting and Financial Analysis Specialist - Amman, Jordan

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 works in places of transition, where conflict, disaster, political upheaval, or economic collapse present opportunities to build more secure, productive, and just communities. Providing emergency relief in times of crisis, we move quickly to help communities recover and build resilience to future shocks, and promote sustainable change by supporting community-led and market-driven initiatives. Recognizing both the great potential and the complex challenges faced by the Middle East, since 1989 Mercy Corps has been implementing a range of humanitarian assistance and development programs tailored to the specific needs of the region and of those communities where we work.

General Position Summary

The Budgeting and Financial Analysis Specialist is a member of the finance team and works under the direction of the Budgeting and Financial Analysis Lead. The Specialist is responsible for supporting Mercy Corps Syria Finance team in budgeting and budget monitoring systems, policies and processes and ensuring compliance with awards' conditions and donor rules and regulations. They collaboratively work with program teams to develop systems and tools that ensure that resources are used efficiently, and a wide range of operational needs of the country program is met.

Essential Job Responsibilities

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Assist/Support the development of budgeting and budget planning processes, including development of internal budgeting guidelines, templates and tools for annual budgeting, grant proposal development and budget modifications.
• Maintain country master budget, regularly analyze country cost coverage for gaps and provide sustainability analysis and recommendations to the Budgeting and Financial Analysis lead, Finance Director and senior management team.
• Support the monitoring of 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 and reporting process. Ensure grant budgets align with MC budgets and forecasts.
• Lead the grant close out process, including the coordination with different stakeholders (Finance, Ops, Programs, Grants, etc) on various deliverables in line with donor rules and regulations.
• Coordinate processes and communications with all program/department budget holders to monitor and revise budgets throughout the year and life of projects. Work with programs and grants units to streamline internal processes to deliver more efficient, more effective, and more useful reports and analysis.
• Support the preparation of regular financial reports and analysis for the Whole Syria program that forecast and reflect trends on budget performance and grants financial position.
• Manage budget vs actual reporting process for all grants, and work with both MC and MCE HQ and program teams to improve/update templates to accommodate complex program needs.
• Oversee regular update/analysis of the BVAs and pipelines. Ensure monthly review of transactions for compliance and eligibility under grants
• Support the development templates and SOPs related to budget management.
• Propose improved policies and systems regarding spending guidelines, cost saving, cost allocation and annual planning.
• Assist Budgeting and Financial Analysis Lead on special projects requiring financial analysis.
• Provide training to staff on budget management processes, systems and best practices.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Support the development the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
• Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.

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.

Supervisory Responsibility

TBD

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Budgeting and Financial Analysis Lead

Works Directly With: Syria program Finance and Compliance Unit; field finance teams; Program and Operations Managers, Grants Unit, HQ Regional Finance Officer, HQ Compliance unit and other

Knowledge and Experience

• A BA/S or equivalent in accounting or finance required; advanced degree preferred.
• 3-5 years of progressive financial management experience, supervisory experience will be considered an asset
• 3-4 years of budgeting, financial reporting and financial systems work experience, preferably in nonprofit sector
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting and budget planning including development of annual and grant budgets, forecasting and variance analysis.
• Demonstrated experience and skill with financial reporting preparation and presentation and proven ability to translate technical financial data into informative reports.
• Thorough knowledge of major donor rules and regulations and implications on budgeting and budget monitoring
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft excel and experience with financial systems integration
• Demonstrated problem solving skills and ability to find creative solutions
• Proven ability to prioritize projects and initiate and follow through, with meticulous attention to detail
• 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.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will have an ability to interact effectively across international and national program and finance teams successfully, both in a managerial as well as training capacity. They will be able to support programmatic objectives with timely and meaningful financial information, have a demonstrated ability to multi-task, 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 Budgeting and Financial Analysis Specialist must be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites. 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.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The Budgeting and Financial Analysis Specialist is based in Amman and is required to travel to the field locations up to 20-25% of their time. Jordan is an accompanied location with access to main medical and other amenities. Housing is individual accommodation with unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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. Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps' vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment

PI117651845

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