Regional Finance Director, Africa

Location: Remote, any MC office location - preference for Africa 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 Africa Regional Team

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 Africa regional office, supporting the financial management function for the regional portfolio and overseeing the financial management of initiatives led by the Africa regional team. 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 the Regional Controller to optimize the 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 Africa 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.

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
• Provide analysis on the overall financial health of the country programs to the DRD operations and HQ Finance and collaborate across the regional teams and with country programs on corrective actions and support plans.
• Contribute and provide feedback to the development of Country Programs, Strategic Annual Plans and annual operating budgets
• Support the financial management of the regional department resources, including but not limited to the annual planning and budgeting, and the management of indirect and unrestricted resources throughout the fiscal year.
• Present complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders and provide financial advisory to the regional team, enabling informed decision-making and strategic planning on financial matters.
• Collaborate with the Regional Controller, regional leadership, and other Global Support teams to solve financial management challenges.
• Support the rollout and adaptation of new finance procedures and strategic initiatives for the region. Support the development and review of local policies
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including donors, partners, and government agencies, to ensure effective financial coordination and communication

Recruitment, Capacity Building and Team Management

• Support the recruitment and onboarding process for Finance leads across the region.

• Provide day-to-day management, coaching, and performance support to International Finance regional team members, including analysts and managers, ensuring clear objectives, accountability, and alignment with regional and departmental priorities.
• Build the capacity of IF regional team members through structured onboarding, regular feedback, mentoring, and targeted development plans that strengthen financial management, analysis, and business partnering skills.
• Support effective workload planning and coordination across the IF regional team, promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing, and consistent delivery of high-quality support to country and regional stakeholders.
• Support the development of finance capacity within the regional and the various country office teams, including training and mentorship of staff in financial management and accounting practices.
• Provide training and capacity building for finance and program staff on financial management, policies, and procedures

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Actively learns 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

This role oversees the regional International Finance team, including analyst- and manager-level roles.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: VP International Finance and the DRD, Operations, Africa

Works Directly/Closely With: Finance Managers/Directors of regional country programs, Regional Controller, International Finance, corporate finance, global treasury, Cost & Pricing, and the Africa regional leadership.

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.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• 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 French 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).

Success Factors

The successful candidate will be able to interact effectively across international and national program and finance teams, both in a managerial and training capacity. They will support regional and International Finance objectives with timely and meaningful financial information and demonstrate the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and process information effectively. An impeccable professional standard of finance and procurement ethics, along with the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures, is essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments, and prioritize effective written and verbal communication in all situations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The regional finance director is expected to travel to countries in the region.

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.

Ongoing Learning

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.

Team Engagement and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

Safeguarding & Ethics

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 an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).