Job Description

Roles & Responsibilities

Description

Location: Remote, any MC office location- preference for AMEE region time zone locations

Position Status: Full-time

Risk Level: Level 3

Level 2

Level 1 (Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability. Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned non-direct contact with children . Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data)

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.

About International Finance (IF) and the Asia, Middle East and Europe (AMEE) Regional Teams

International Finance supports Mercy Corps operations in award financial management, financial reporting, and compliance with internal policies and procedures. Strong International Finance support is key to the success and delivery of quality programs. The VP of International Finance, in close collaboration with the Deputy Regional Director, Operations, country leadership, the Regional Controller, and the country operations management team, focuses on developing and supporting a high standard of financial management to maximize Mercy Corps emergency responses in a compliant and efficient way.

The Position

The Regional Finance Director serves as a member of the International Finance team and the AMEE regional office, supporting the financial management function for the regional portfolio and overseeing the financial management of initiatives led by the AMEE regional teams. The Director plays a key role in advancing strategies and initiatives within the region, ensuring alignment with Mercy Corps internal policies, procedures, and donor regulations. Reporting to the VP of International Finance and the Deputy Regional Director (DRD), Operations, this position collaborates closely with and provides strategic oversight to the Regional Controller to strengthen accounting oversight, financial controls, compliance, and the effective use of financial resources across programs and departments, fostering efficiency and effectiveness.

Essential Responsibilities

Financial Management Oversight

• Collaborate with Finance Directors & Managers across the region and with the Regional Controller to support award implementation and financial management, ensuring consistent use of Mercy Corps' financial management best practices.
• Conduct periodic support visits to the country programs following an approved scope of work.
• Monitor the financial performance of the regional portfolio. Identify weaknesses, strengths, risks, and opportunities across the AMEE portfolio, and develop strategies to strengthen financial management systems and practices. Promote a culture of problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Monthly Reviews of the financial health and risk identification shared with the Regional Senior Leadership Team and VP of International Finance for action.
• Oversee and strengthen risk management processes, ensuring robust performance oversights are in place and developing mitigation strategies to safeguard financial integrity and compliance across country programs
• Proactively identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies with the Regional Senior Team
• Develop an expertise and maintain current on the rules and regulations of all donors and provide guidance in the area of donor compliance.
• Contribute to discussions on financial policy issues including the maintenance and development of the International Finance Manual.

Oversight of Regional Controller Functions

• Provide strategic oversight and direction to the Regional Controller function to ensure strong accounting oversight, financial controls, and compliance across country programs and regional operations.
• Collaborate with the Regional Controller to monitor the effectiveness of core accounting processes, including month-end close, balance sheet reconciliations, cash management controls, statutory reporting, and timely resolution of accounting issues.
• Ensure that significant control gaps, audit findings, and compliance risks identified through the Regional Controller function are escalated, tracked, and addressed through clear corrective action plans.
• Promote alignment between the Regional Controller, country finance leads, and corporate finance teams to strengthen consistency in accounting practices, internal controls, and financial reporting standards.
• Support the Regional Controller in identifying capacity gaps, strengthening country-level accounting practices, and contributing to practical solutions that improve financial discipline, compliance, and operational effectiveness.

Awards Financial Management Support

• Support regional and country teams during start-up, closeout, and other major events. Including the development of master budgets, subaward budgets and the development of financial monitoring tools and systems for sub-recipients.
• Analyze and support the country program s financial forecasting process to enhance effective Budget vs. Actual (BvA) management and ensure accurate forecasting, as needed
• Deploy to country offices and field sites within the region to provide on-the-ground support and oversight.
• Support Business Development efforts with reviews and input to cost proposals as needed. Perform the final financial review of the proposal document before approval and submission to the donor.
• Oversee regional initiatives as needed.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial policies, procedures, and donor regulations across all projects managed by the region.
• Review audit reports and support country offices in solving audit issues with the collaboration of the regional controller.
• Internal/External Audit closure and corrective action plan development and tracking

Strategic Planning and Support Functions

• Provide financial information which supports the Regional Senior Management Team in making business decisions in line with Mercy Corps, Regional & Country Program strategies.
• Participate in regional SMT with strategic thinking, risk analysis and other engagement as needed

Desired Candidate Profile

• Bachelor s Degree in Accounting or Finance - Master s Degree, CPA or equivalent a plus.
• At least 10+ years of international level progressive financial management experience within an INGO at field level/overseas level experience, including supervisory experience required.
• Experience working in complex and fast-paced environments, with the ability to deploy to emergency locations.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to effectively manage and motivate teams.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and build strong relationships.
• Proven experience in managing multi-country financial operations and donor-funded projects
• Proven knowledge of US Government and European Union regulations highly desirable, including with US Government contracting
• Commitment to humanitarian principles and the mission and strategy of Mercy Corps.
• Fluency in English and Arabic required. Proficiency in relevant regional language(s) is highly desirable.
• This position requires frequent travel (up to 25% of the time)
• Proficiency with MS Office software required (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).