Description

COMMERCIAL FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGER, GGP

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.

The Programme / Department / Team

Mercy Corps is present in the DRC since August 2007 with a current workforce of more than 300 national and expatriate employees and operational presence in Goma and Beni (North Kivu Province), in Bunia (Ituri Province), in Tshikapa, Kalonda West and Ndjoko Punda (Kasai Province), and in Kinshasa. As a leading NGO in DRC, working with more than 40 partners in 2024, Mercy Corps reached 2.12 million people in North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Kasai with integrated programmes that ensured equitable access to improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in humanitarian and development settings; supported a comprehensive, rapid response to ongoing humanitarian needs; promoted economic and livelihood development to strengthen food security and resilience; as well as institutional capacity strengthening and social cohesion to foster peace and good governance.

Green Growth Programme Component 3: Scaling Finance for Established Agri-businesses in the Democratic Republic of Congo forms part of FCDO’s Green Growth Programme (GGP) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This component aims to increase access to finance for climate-smart agribusinesses, catalysing private investment, and promoting sustainable economic growth. The programme will work with financial institutions, impact funds, and agribusinesses to expand the use of innovative financial products, improve access to finance for DRC firms, and incentivise lenders and investors to support green activities such as the uptake of resilient seeds, irrigation systems, and solar technologies. Through a combination of technical assistance, catalytic grants, and concessional finance, the programme will mobilise additional private capital, strengthen financial markets, and build the resilience and productivity of DRC’s agricultural sector. This component forms part of FCDO’s broader efforts to promote low-carbon, climate-resilient development and deliver measurable results under the UK’s International Climate Finance (ICF) commitments.

The Position

The Commercial Finance and Compliance (CFC) Manager will provide strategic financial and complianceleadership to ensure the GGP Component 3 programme’s resources are used effectively, transparently and in full accordance with FCDO requirements, Mercy Corps internal policies and national regulations in DRC. The CFC must be fluent in compliance matters as the role will bridge the programme’s technical, financial and investment components – helping to manage finance risks and uphold strong financial governance and compliance standards across the delivery partners. m. S/he will empower the operations and finance team while providing quality control to ensure robust, flexible, and adaptive operations to support programme activities.

Working closely with the Programme Team Lead, Country Finance team, HQ UK Headquarters and a specialist delivery partner, the CFC Manager will oversee budgeting, financial reporting, grants and subcontract management, and compliance systems that promote transparency, accountability, and value for money. The position plays a key role in ensuring adaptive, inclusive, and compliant programme delivery - strengthening fiduciary integrity, supporting partner capacity, and contributing to strategic decision-making to advance the programme’s objectives.

Essential Responsibilities

OPERATIONAL – FINANCIAL

• Maintain and oversee the workflow processes for operations, finance and grants.
• Support the Programme Team Lead in managing all financial operations of the project, including accounting, financial reporting, cash management, and budget oversight.
• Lead the programme’s financial operations and reporting, supporting the development and ongoing management of detailed budgets, including Activity-Based Budgeting (ABB) and forecasts.
• Ensure activity budgets are developed in cooperation with technical teams, maintaining a master collation of activity budgets that details activity priorities and resources.
• Mitigate project risks and protect the programme against fraudulent practices through adherence to the programme’s schedule of authorities.
• Ensure strict implementation of a sound internal control system and take appropriate actions against any violation of the system
• Ensure that all programme financial operations fully comply with FCDO and Mercy Corps financial and operational policies and procedures.
• Review and approve payment documents and other financial transactions to ensure compliance with local laws, donor regulations, and Mercy Corps DRC policies.
• Respond to budgetary and financial inquiries from FCDO, the delivery partner, and Mercy Corps senior management in DRC and HQ.
• Provide financial and commercial analysis to inform strategic programme decisions.
• Track expenses and ensure proper documentation and recordkeeping in compliance with Mercy Corps procedures and donor requirements.
• Coordinate quarterly budget reviews and support financial inputs into Value for Money (VfM) analysis.
• Reports to the Country Director and Programme Team Lead, including expenditure tracking by fund and other key financial indicators.

COMPLIANCE & GRANT MANAGEMENT

• Serve as the focal point for all programme fiduciary and contractual compliance matters, ensuring adherence to FCDO and Mercy Corps financial, contractual, and operational standards.
• Oversee and coordinate the financial management of partner agreements and contracts, liaising with HQ stakeholders where necessary — including the delivery partner and financial institution partners.
• Develop and implement risk management frameworks to identify and mitigate fiduciary, contractual, and operational risks.
• Conduct periodic internal reviews and support donor or HQ audits to strengthen internal controls and promote a strong compliance culture.
• Coordinate and manage responses to internal and external financial/compliance audits
• Oversee financial due diligence, contracting, and performance monitoring of the delivery partner and other programme partners.
• Support capacity strengthening of partners in financial management, reporting, and compliance to ensure effective stewardship of donor funds.
• Ensure consistent and transparent application of procurement and contracting policies across all programme activities.

MONITORING & REPORTING

• Prepare, review, and submit donor financial reports in coordination with programme leadership, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and alignment with programme results.
• Liaise closely with Mercy Corps’ regional and HQ finance, compliance, and procurement teams for quality assurance and technical support.
• Contribute to management reporting, work planning, and programme reviews, providing financial insights and risk updates to inform decision-making.
• Work with programme leadership, M&E, and finance teams to ensure deliverables align with Value for Money (VfM) objectives.
• Provide financial perspectives in programme management discussions to support adaptive management and operational efficiency.

TEAM COLLABORATION & COORDINATION

• Provide support and coordinate with partner technical, financial and operations focal points.
• Deliver targeted training and coaching to programme and partner teams on donor compliance, financial controls, and risk management.
• Foster collaboration between technical, finance, and operations teams to ensure cohesive programme delivery.

CLIENT COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTING

• Respond to urgent donor requests, including budget scenarios, scope of work development, and other tasks as needed.
• Review and/or prepare regular and ad hoc requests for reports to the donor
• Other duties as assigned

RISK & SECURITY MANAGEMENT

• Ensures compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership, recognising that violation of these procedures may be ground for termination.
• Work with field office management teams to establish financial reporting and management systems that ensure the safety and security of the programme’s financial resources, including cash assets and records.

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.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: GGP Component 3 Program Team Leader

Works Directly With: DRC Finance Director; Director of Programs; DRC Finance & Operations Team; HQ Regional Program Team; HQ Technical, Evidence & Program Quality Teams and HQ Regional Finance Team

Accountability to Participants & 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 engagingcommunities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in implementing donor-funded development projects to include financial management, grants and subcontract administration, procurement, and donor compliance - ideally within FCDO-funded or other donor-funded programmes in fragile or conflict-affected contexts.
• Demonstrated expertise in budget development, forecasting, Activity-Based Budgeting (ABB), and expenditure tracking.
• Proven ability to deliver accurate, donor-compliant financial reports, including Value for Money (VfM).
• Experience in capacity strengthening for staff and local partner organisations in financial management and compliance.
• Detailed knowledge of donor rules and regulations, preferably with experience implementing a UK government-funded grants.
• Demonstrated record of results-driven project management and the ability to creatively solve complex organisational issues and foster ownership within teams.
• Strong writing skills and experience in developing budgets, reports and workplans
• Familiarity with audit processes and maintaining audit-ready documentation and controls.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial management or accounting software.
• Strong coordination experience working across HQ and in-country finance teams and with multiple stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of financial risk management, fraud prevention, and safeguarding procedures relevant to UK-funded programmes.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required. French fluency required.
• Financial and Grants Management:
• Sound knowledge of grants administration, financial systems, donor regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to design and manage effective financial and management systems.
• Proficiency with grants management software and information systems to support data integrity and reporting accuracy.
• Management and Communication:
• Ability to communicate complex financial and compliance concepts clearly to technical teams, partners, and grantees.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop and implement effective workflow processes for financial and grants management.
• Proven ability to build collaborative, inclusive work environments that respect cultural and individual diversity.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will have the ability to interact effectively across program and finance teams successfully, both in a managerial and 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 are essential. The Finance & Compliance Director must be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps’ 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.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Kinshasa, DRC. Housing for this role is in a private apartment under housing allowance regulations. The rest and recovery cycle follows the Country Office R&R policy. Kinshasa has limited security regulations, and has many options for healthcare, shopping, restaurants, and social life. The position requires regular travel to various locations within Kongo Central, Kwilu, Mai-Ndombe, and Kwango. This may include unstable areas with strict security rules and limited amenities. Living conditions in the field locations are clean and secure, but basic.While conditions in much of the country are improving, there are still pockets of violence and insecurity, and petty crime is present. Mercy Corps' offices experience variable levels of insecurity and adapt their procedures accordingly. Due to poor infrastructure, air travel is often necessary to get from one end of the country to the other.

Mobile phones and cellular service are widely available. Internet is limited, but available in all Mercy Corps’ offices. There are a number of health services available with several evacuation options for serious illnesses. There is reasonable access to most consumer goods, although it must be noted that imported goods can be more expensive than in other locations.

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 Efficiency 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 that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

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 adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning 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 (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org)

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