STA - Finance Manager - Lebanon

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 has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently works in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps is committed to generating positive opportunities for women, men, boys and girls from Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian communities, with a strong focus on engaging youth.  Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping build secure, productive and just communities. Our programs focus on four sectors:  Economic Opportunities, Governance and Social Stability, Youth and Humanitarian interventions. The Mercy Corps Lebanon team consists of over 180 staff working across six offices throughout Mount Lebanon, South Lebanon, Tripoli and the Bekaa Valley.

General Position Summary the Finance Manager is a member of the senior management team and head of the Mercy Corps Finance Department. As such, the Finance Manager is responsible for all aspects of financial management of the country programs, working collaboratively to ensure compliance with Mercy Corps internal policies and procedures as well as donor regulations. S/he works under the direction of the Country Director and is responsible for all financial functions in Lebanon, including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting and grant financial management and compliance. The Finance Manager, in support of programs and other departments, provides timely reports and assistance to the Country Director and team to ensure financial resources are used efficiently and effectively.

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Essential Job Responsibilities
STRATEGY AND VISION

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment of empowerment.

• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.

LEADERSHIP

• 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.

Representation

• Interface with the (donor) representatives to convey information about programs as appropriate.

• Communicate with our partners (name), as well as (name any sub-grantees), to verify their systems and that they understand and follow all appropriate procedures and archiving.

• Participate in sharing best practices with NGOs and governmental agencies.

OPERATIONS – FINANCE

• Ensure effective, transparent use of financial resources in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.

• Maintain banking relations and plan and monitor country cash flow requirements to ensure the smooth implementation of Mercy Corps programs.

• Maintain appropriate local insurance coverage in coordination with the Admin. Department, to protect Mercy Corps.

• Provide monthly standard accounting submissions to Mercy Corps Headquarters, including general ledger files, account reconciliations, expenditures by cost center/project, required sub-grantee reporting, as well as other financial information in a timely and accurate manner.

• Provide monthly management reports to the Country Director and Program Managers, including expenditures by cost center/project, sub grantee reporting and other financial information, in a timely and accurate manner.

• Develop annual fiscal year budgets with the Country Director and develop - implement grant budgeting and forecasting systems with Program Managers.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Develop 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.

• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.

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 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
All Finance Department staff

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Country Director
Works Directly With: HQ Regional Finance Officer (with authority for technical financial matters); members of Operations, Program Managers and others.

Knowledge and Experience

• A BA/S or equivalent in accounting or finance required; advanced degree preferred.

• At least 5 years of an international level progressive financial management experience within an INGO at field level/overseas level experience, including supervisory experience required.

• At least 2 years’ experience in grants management as well as an understanding of USAID regulations required.

• Demonstrated experience and skill with budget preparation and analysis, financial reporting preparation and presentation and the proven ability to translate technical financial data into informative reports.

• Strong accounting skills and experience, including management of the general ledger, journal entries, payroll, payables and balance sheet.

• 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.

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. S/he 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 Finance Manager 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.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of 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.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions The position is based in (Beirut, Lebanon)

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.