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

Mercy Corps has been present in Uganda since 2006, focusing its interventions on economic and agricultural development, maternal child health and nutrition, governance, conflict management and humanitarian response. In 2017, Mercy Corps had an impact on almost 1 million beneficiaries in Uganda through our work focusing on building resilience and enabling economic growth, improving opportunities to attain better health and nutrition, and improving governance and conflict management. Common themes include community engagement, inclusive development, gender, and working in partnership with local government, the private sector and civil society actors.

General Position Summary

Working in the Finance Department under the direct supervision of the Finance Officer, the Finance Assistant will be responsible for cash and bank transactions management, compliance, maintaining proper and well-organized finance documents, the processing and recording of payment transactions in a timely and accurate manner. S/he is responsible for maintaining an updated document tracker for all documents coming to finance for review and Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not to jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

Roles and Responsibilities

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Prepare checks or wire transfer payments based on fully approved documents and present them to final authorizers for EFTs
• Receive all documentation from other departments for finance review and assign them to respective finance reviewers as per AAM.
• Coordinate with KMP and submit documents for weekly posting.
• Ensure Yumbe Cash is well managed including petty cash replenishments, Cash counts and safety guidelines adhered to.
• Perform accurate Weekly and end month cash counts and reconciliations for Yumbe cash transactions
• Ensuring that all supplier payments have receipts acknowledging payment attached to them in a timely manner.
• Ensure that compliance to the Approval levels of all supporting documents (quotation analysis, POs, PRs, Payment requests) before proceeding to make a payment
• Making entry of Cash transactions in Field connect Accounting Software for review by the FO and posting.
• Stamping of All transactions for Yumbe office with PAID and CLEARED stamp respectively as per requirement.
• Scanning Finance documents and saving then on Finance google drive weekly.
• File all cash and bank vouchers and maintain a systematic voucher filing system, well labelled such that files are clearly identifiable.
• Maintaining an updated advance register for Yumbe office and ensuring that employee advances are cleared within the limits of MC advance policy.
• Any other tasks that may be assigned by the supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Accountability

Reports Directly to: Finance Officer

Works Directly with: Finance Director, Finance Manager, Senior Finance Officers, Finance Officers, Program Managers, HR, Operations Department and other MC team members

Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrated Knowledge of bookkeeping, banking or cashiering experience. Experience with INGO will be an added advantage.
• A degree in accounting/Finance or a relevant business field is desirable, with or pursuing a professional course is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial management and accounting
• Strong analytical skills including attention to details are essential
• Demonstrated experience and skills with e-payment tools (online banking, Mobile Money payments)
• Strong computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
• Accuracy in the processing of cash transactions, mathematical aptitude and attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written English skills.

Success Factors

A clear understanding of finance and procurement ethics as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential.  A high level of personal integrity, honesty and transparency in all cash handling is absolutely essential.  The ability to interact effectively with international and national staff members is required.  A demonstrated ability to work quickly and accurately, meet deadlines, and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary.