Assistant Finance Officer, Portland, Oregon, United States Mercy Corps

Assistant Finance Officer, 
Portland, Oregon, United States 
Mercy Corps

Apply

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

The International Finance (IF) Department plays a key role in supporting financial operations in Mercy Corps’ (MC) country programs throughout the world by working collaboratively with country finance staff and providing guidance in grant management, budgeting, accounting and other financial functions in accordance with Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures as well as donor regulations.  The IF Department ensures the timely, complete and accurate reporting of financial information from Mercy Corps’ country offices and is responsible for ensuring that all financial reporting requirements to donors are met in a timely and accurate way.   The IF Department also works closely and collaboratively with the Headquarters (HQ) Regional Program Team members (RPT) in support of country program objectives as well as the HQ Corporate Finance department in support of agency financial functions.

 

General Position Summary

The Assistant Finance Officer (AFO) provides support to a portfolio of countries (usually 6-8 countries) on all activity related to the general ledger and accounting.  This position ensures that MC worldwide books close on time and the financial reports from the field are complete and accurate.  S/he will work in collaboration with the Accounting Supervisor, International Finance to support the IF Department objectives.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Accounting and Financial

• Ensure that country monthly financial packages, reports and general ledger are received on time, are complete and accurate
• Support payroll accounting entries, including entry and review of payroll allocations, processing journal entries for retro pay, and reconciling Expat Salary Advance Accounts
• Reconcile monthly intercompany transactions, and process clearing entries
• Ensure all balance sheet accounts are reconciled and all supporting schedules received, with exception of deferred revenue and grants receivable.
• Process transfers to field offices in a timely manner
• Provide financial review for specific transactions

 
Audit Assistance

• Assist in preparation for the MC annual public audit, including preparing assigned audit schedules and gathering other information as needed.
• Assist with coordinating and gathering necessary support for donor-specific and country specific audits as needed.
• Provide support to reviewing follow-up items for internal audits, as requested.

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

This position has no supervisory responsibility

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Accounting Supervisor

Works Directly With: This position works closely with the Country Finance Staff, Regional Finance Officers, Program Officers and Corporate Finance.

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/S or equivalent in accounting or relevant field
• 2-4 years nonprofit accounting experience with demonstrated knowledge of GAAP.
• Demonstrated experience working with accounting software products and Excel.
• Experience managing grants preferred.
• Demonstrated experience and skill with financial reporting preparation and presentation as well as reconciliations.
• Effective interpersonal skills and demonstrated success establishing and maintaining relationships are vital.
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, prioritization skills are necessary.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with cross cultural team members is required.
• Knowledge and experience working with the USAID, OFDA, and other US donors is desirable.

Success Factors

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment while maintaining the respect of staff, colleagues is essential.
• A strong understanding for cultural, political and religious environments in the regions.
• Successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, and make effective communication a priority in all situations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Portland, Oregon and it requires to 0% travel to.

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.