Finance Assistant

Position Title : Finance Assistant

Position Type : Regular, Full Time

Location :  Mercy Corps / Gaza Office

Duration        :  One Year

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 

The Mercy Corps Finance Department is responsible for all financial functions in Palestine, including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, and grant financial management and compliance. The Mercy Corps Finance Department ensures compliance with donor regulations as well as Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures.  In its role as a support to the Program Department, the Finance Department provides timely reports and assistance to the Country Director and the Program team to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently and effectively.

General Position Summary 

Working in the Finance Department under the direction of the Finance & Compliance Officer, Senior Finance Officer, and Finance Director, the Finance Assistant will assist in the processing and recording of payment transactions in timely and accurate manner. 

Essential Job Responsibilities 

FINANCE SECTION

• Work with the Finance Team on managing and organizing the daily tasks, payments to be processed and the cash flow transactions in Gaza.
• Prepare checks or wire transfer requests based on fully approved documents and present to approved check-signers for review and signature.
• Deposit the cash in the bank when needed.
• Prepare bank payment vouchers and ensure that all bank transactions are properly and fully documented.
• Enter all transactions to the accounting software under the supervision of the Finance Officer whenever required.
• File all cash and bank vouchers and maintain filing system such that files are updated, complete and safeguarded, including co-ordination with Admin department regarding files transfer to Ramallah warehouse.
• Review and check the receipts vouchers and follow up with vendors for cheque handling. 
• Scan all payments/expense reports/Travel Approvals/etc. and submit them to Finance Team for their financial review as per the AAM.
• Prepare photocopies of vouchers and other supporting documents as required for the monthly reporting package to HQ Finance. 
• Scanning all Finance documents & make sure that all financial documents are properly uploaded to the SharePoint & Google drive.
• The Custodian of Mercy Corps Safe and responsible to make sure that all the needed approvals are obtained before any cash is paid from/deposited into the safe.
• Perform monthly and periodic Cash Count with the Finance Director or his/her designate.
• Assist the Finance and Compliance Officer in following up with the employees for personal usage reimbursement.
• Assist the Finance and Compliance Officer in maintaining reports on timely manner that tracks (Mercy Corps “Sanabel Sub Accounts”) 
• Assist the Finance and Compliance Officer in maintaining reports on timely manner that tracks (Sanabel Cards Consumption) 
• Assist the Finance and Compliance Officer in collecting Sanabel cards from the bank.
• Follow up with the employees who work on (Talent Matching) to submit payments & invoices on timely manner and to update and maintain the tracking sheets related to them.
• Follow up with the employee who manages GSG desk/room rental agreements to collect on regular basis (depending on the agreement terms) the rental fees. Update and maintain the related tracking sheet.
• Assist the Finance Department in responding to audit inquiries.
• Follow all Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and documentation requirements. 
• Be adaptable and flexible to take new tasks and new assignments as requested from time to time.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

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.
• Assist the Senior Finance Officer in shifting all original financial documents to RML storeroom on monthly basis and keep the finance director informed. 

Accountability to Beneficiaries 

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
  to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• 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.

Supervisory Responsibility

None. 

Accountability 

Reports Directly To: Finance & Compliance Officer

Works Directly With: Finance, Operations and Program Team Members

جميع الحقوق محفوظة لموقع جوبس.

Knowledge and Experience 

• One or more years of bookkeeping, banking or cashiering experience.   
• A degree in accounting or a relevant business field is desirable.  
• 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.

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

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. 

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse 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 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.

Qualified persons with disability are highly encouraged to apply.