The Position

Working in the Finance Department under the direction and support of the Senior Finance Officer – Nairobi – and will assist in the processing and recording of payment transactions in the accounting system, proper filing and archiving. 

Essential Responsibilities

Financial management

• Prepare cash payment vouchers and ensure that all cash transactions are fully and properly documented in relation to batch assigned in the Finance System.
• Perform daily cash count with the Finance Officer, Snr Finance Officer or other person assigned.
• Record payment vouchers daily in the cash sub-journal for the batch assigned.
• Maintain the uncleared cash advance file and prepare past due advance report for the Finance officer or Snr Finance Officer on monthly basis.
• Support Finance officer/Snr Finance Officer to record payment vouchers daily in the bank and cash sub journal assigned.
• Responsible for gathering transaction documents required for donor reporting.
• Assist with audit related requirements (timely documents retrieval, filing after audit completion, proving additional assistance as necessary)
• Assist with scanning, copying, printing, and uploading of financial documents on relevant folders including monthly payments and vouchers for posting by the main office.
• Any other duty may be assigned.
• Filing & Archiving
• Responsible for filing all cash and bank vouchers and maintaining voucher filing system such that files are updated, complete and safeguarded. Ensure all finance documents are properly labelled, filed and stored in a clear and easily accessible manner following Field Finance Manual
• Assist with Sub-grant management and organizing sub-grant files.
• Tax
• Support Finance Officer/Snr Finance Officer with processing of withholding VAT and withholding tax as per KRA regulations including scanning copies to the main office on weekly basis.
• Security
• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

SAFEGUARDING

• 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

N/A

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Senior Finance Officer

Works Directly With: Country Finance/Grants Teams.

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

• A potential Degree in accounting or a relevant business field is desirable.  
• A minimum of CPA 2 or equivalent.

• Computer skills in accounting software and MS Office programs, particularly Excel 
• Accuracy in the processing of cash transactions, mathematical aptitude and attention to detail
• Good oral and written English skills

Success Factors

The Finance Assistant should have the ability to communicate and interact effectively across diverse program teams and support programmatic objectives with timely and meaningful information. A high professional standard of finance and procurement ethics as well as a willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Kenya, and Nairobi and may some travel to field offices. 

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.

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.