Finance And Subaward Specialist BSP

About the Organization

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, and 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.

Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. Our vision is to enhance the resilience of climate and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises.

Our strategy focuses on the four outcome areas of: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use.

Currently we operate in the regional states of Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Sidama, Southern Ethiopia, Tigray and Addis Ababa city administration working with a diverse base of donors that includes the U.S. Department of State, the European Union (EU), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the United Nations (UN), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN), Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA), and a range of other institutional and private foundations.

Job Summary

The Finance and Subawards Specialist provides country-level financial management, subaward oversight and partner financial support for BSP-Ethiopia. Reporting directly to the Ethiopia Country Lead – BSP, with a technical reporting line to the Mercy Corps Ethiopia Head of Finance, the position ensures sound financial planning, budget monitoring, forecasting, accounting and donor-compliant financial management while leading the financial and compliance aspects of the subaward lifecycle for Ethiopian implementing partners.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Financial Management Oversight

• Maintain oversight of BSP-Ethiopia financial performance, including expenditure, forecasts, cash flow, budget-versus-actual analysis and material financial risks, providing timely analysis to programme and Finance leadership.
• Coordinate forecasts, cash-flow projections, activity budgets and budget revisions, ensuring field, partner, staffing and procurement requirements remain aligned with approved plans.
• Review expenditure and financial records for accuracy, coding, supporting documentation and compliance with Mercy Corps policies, FCDO requirements, segregation of duties and applicable Ethiopian requirements.
• Lead regular budget reviews with budget holders, identify variances and funding pressures, and support timely corrective action and resource decisions.
• Promote value for money, maintain audit-ready records and support donor reviews, audits and other assurance processes.

Subaward Management

• Coordinate financial and grants aspects of partner selection, budget review, pre-award assessment and due diligence, ensuring identified risks or conditions are addressed before award.
• Work with Programme, Grants, Compliance and Finance colleagues to prepare and administer subawards, including award documentation, financial provisions, modifications, budget revisions and required approvals.
• Maintain complete subaward trackers and files and review partner financial reports, payment requests, advances and settlements for accuracy, allowability, supporting documentation and alignment with approved budgets.
• Lead financial close-out of subawards, ensuring final reports, balances, assets, outstanding actions and required documentation are completed before closure.
• Coordinate with regional and consortium colleagues where downstream subaward or partner-finance arrangements intersect with the Ethiopia portfolio.

Partner Financial Monitoring and Capacity Strengthening

• Develop and implement risk-based financial and compliance monitoring plans for implementing partners, informed by due diligence, award requirements, performance and emerging risks.
• Conduct partner financial monitoring visits and desk reviews covering accounting records, procurement, payroll, supporting documentation, internal controls, budget management and compliance with subaward terms.
• Track findings and corrective actions to closure and escalate material or repeated issues through appropriate programme, Finance, Grants and Compliance channels.
• Provide practical coaching and training to partner finance and grants personnel on budgeting, reporting, documentation, internal controls, procurement compliance and identified capacity needs.
• Support proportionate, sustainable partner systems and transparent communication on financial and compliance concerns.

Compliance, Risk and Audit Readiness

• Ensure programme financial arrangements and subawards comply with the FCDO award, Mercy Corps policies and applicable Ethiopian legal, tax and regulatory requirements.
• Identify financial, fiduciary and compliance risks, support required prior approvals or waivers, and help resolve audit findings, questioned costs and control weaknesses.
• Review relevant transactions and documentation within delegated authority and communicate material compliance requirements or changes to programme staff, Finance Officers and partners.
• Promptly escalate suspected fraud, conflicts of interest, misuse of funds, safeguarding concerns or other serious irregularities through established Mercy Corps channels without assuming an investigative role.

Team Coordination and Technical Supervision

• Provide technical supervision, standards, coaching and quality assurance to BSP Finance Officers in Bahir Dar and Yabello, working with their Field Program Coordinators on matters requiring line-management action.
• Guide Finance Officers on accounting, payment processing, reconciliations, budget monitoring, documentation and partner financial follow-up, and consolidate field financial information for country-level review.
• Promote consistent finance practices and timely resolution of technical issues across Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar and Yabello.

Coordination and Programme Support

• Work closely with the Ethiopia Country Lead, Mercy Corps Ethiopia Finance leadership and Regional BSP Finance Director to align financial and subaward management with programme priorities and regional standards.
• Collaborate with Grants and Compliance, Programme, MRELA, Operations and Procurement teams to resolve finance and subaward issues affecting implementation, partners or donor compliance.
• Provide clear financial analysis and advice to budget holders and contribute finance and subaward inputs to reports, workplans, management reviews and partner-performance discussions.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Supervisory Responsibility

No direct reports. Provides technical supervision, finance standards, coaching and technical review to BSP Finance Officers in Bahir Dar and Yabello and relevant partner finance teams.

Accountability

• Reports Directly To: Ethiopia Country Lead – BSP
• Technical Reporting To: Mercy Corps Ethiopia Head of Finance
• Works Closely With: Regional BSP Finance Director
• Works Directly With: BSP Finance Officers; Grants and Compliance; programme and MRELA teams; Mercy Corps Ethiopia Finance, Operations and Procurement; regional BSP colleagues; consortium partners; and Ethiopian implementing partners.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

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.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics or a related field; a relevant professional accounting qualification or advanced degree is an advantage.
• At least five years of progressively responsible finance, grants or subaward management experience with an INGO, including at least two years of direct responsibility for subaward management, partner financial monitoring or grants compliance.
• Demonstrated experience across the subaward lifecycle, including partner assessment, budget review, award administration, financial monitoring, payments, modifications, compliance follow-up and close-out.
• Strong understanding of institutional-donor compliance, partner financial monitoring and capacity strengthening; practical FCDO experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Ethiopian financial, tax and statutory requirements, with solid budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow, financial-analysis and budget-versus-actual skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and ability to work effectively with accounting, financial or grants-management systems; strong organisation, documentation and prioritisation skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English and Amharic, with demonstrated integrity and discretion when handling sensitive financial, partner and organisational information.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong financial and compliance judgement with a practical, partnership-oriented approach.
• Organised, accurate and discreet, able to identify material risks early.
• Ability to explain complex requirements clearly and work constructively with programme teams and partners to find compliant, workable solutions while maintaining sound controls and responsible stewardship of resources.

How to Apply

All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. All applications, including a CV, three references, and all applicable official papers, must be sent electronically through this link.

Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.

“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”