Mercy Corps is hiring a
Location: Remote, US-Based
Position Status: Full-time, Regular
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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 Program / Department / Team
The Grant and Contracts Unit (GCU) provides support to Mercy Corps’ Country Office and Global Support Team operations, including financial, program and administrative staff, on grant and contract management, donor regulations compliance along with related internal policy compliance. GCU also provides primary support for the subaward administration function, with an emphasis on drafting compliant subaward agreements and modifications. GCU supports grant/contract compliance and subawards through a three-part strategy of expert technical guidance, training and grant/contract compliance with rules and regulations, and subaward oversight and management. Our mission is to increase the level of knowledge and the availability of tools and resources to promote the highest possible standards of donor accountability, transparency, efficiency and adherence to donor rules and regulation. Contracting is a new area key to Mercy Corps’ operating model and this position will introduce USG contracting and manage the change initiatives required to pursue and execute on USG contracts/acquisition instruments. The role will also support guidance on proposals on grants and contracts with a view on increasing revenue generation to support Mercy Corps’ strategic plan.
The Position
The Senior Director of Grant and Contracts is responsible for overseeing and managing GCSU’s grant compliance responsibilities, and setting the Grant Compliance’s team’s strategy and direction particularly in line with the agency’s upcoming strategy. The Director leads and oversees the MC Global HQ grant compliance team and serves as the focal point for donor regulations and grant compliance matters for awards managed by the MC Global entity. With the support of the GCSU team, the Director works to increase Mercy Corps’ team members' knowledge of and compliance with donor regulations as well as Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures. The Director leads donor compliance projects and manages or supports other organizational projects as assigned. Finally, this Senior Director will play a critical role in Mercy Corps’ efforts to boost, right-size, and align the global Grant Compliance team with the agency strategy and priorities, particularly locally-led response and equitable partnerships.
STRATEGY, VISION, AND LEADERSHIP
COMPLIANCE - DONOR RELATIONS AND GROWTH
COMPLIANCE - INTERNAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Members of the Grant and Contracts Unit, including Senior Grants Advisors, Subaward & Grant and Contracts Officers, Grant and Contracts Assistant.
Reports Directly To: Chief Financial Officer
Works Directly With: Mercy Corps Europe’s Compliance team, Regional Program Team, Country leadership, Corporate Finance, International Finance, Internal Audit as well as cross-operations departments including People and Strategy, Global Procurement, Monitoring and Evaluation, IT, Legal & Ethics, etc. Works directly with the Chief Financial Officer and the Executive Team to further Mercy Corps’ strategic plan towards increased contracting in the US government space. Also works with the Mercy Corps Board of Directors as needed, specifically on contracting with with the Joint Audit and Risk Committee.
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.
The successful Senior Director of Grant Compliance will have expert knowledge of the regulations governing Mercy Corps’ grant-funded programs with an ability to represent Mercy Corps positively and effectively to donors in negotiating or resolving compliance matters. They can effectively balance strong internal controls with the timely and efficient delivery of programs to Mercy Corps’ beneficiaries. This person brings strong leadership, project management, team management, training and mentoring skills and is able to establish and meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members. They will have excellent verbal and written communication with both financial and non-financial audiences and are able to communicate technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences. Success will be based on a positive attitude, strong work ethic and high integrity.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
Some travel (up to approximately 20%) may be required to field locations, including program locations that may include insecure or harsh environments.
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
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.
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 a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment.
Our screening process is designed to be transparent and completed in partnership with new Team Members. You will have the opportunity to disclose any prior convictions at the conclusion of the recruitment process before the check is initiated. We ask that you do not disclose any prior convictions in your application materials or during the recruitment process.
Mercy Corps has determined that, in an effort to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all Mercy Corps employees working in the United States, all U.S.-based employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of prior COVID-19 infection status. This policy is necessary to ensure not only the safety of our workforce, but the ongoing functionality of the organization.
This policy will be revised as needed to comply with federal, state, and local requirements, and to respond to changing guidance from public health authorities.
For new employees this requirement goes into effect within 10 business days of employment. Team members that travel are expected to comply with host-country requirements, including vaccinations. Failure to comply may impact your employment. Proof of vaccination or exemption must be provided.