Compliance and Partnership Officer (MAIDA) at Mercy Corps Nigeria

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 collaborate to put bold solutions into action - helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within, now and for the future. In Nigeria, Mercy Corps operates in over 13 states focusing on key thematic areas of humanitarian response, conflict mitigation and adolescent girls’ empowerment.

We are recruiting to fill the position below

Job Title: Compliance and Partnership Officer (MAIDA)

Location: Maiduguri

Program / Department Summary

• The MAIDA programme will directly support the recovery of at least 70,000 women, men, girls and boys who are returnees, IDPs and members of host communities affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in southern and central Borno State. The objective of MAIDA is to increase the social cohesion and resilience to economic, social and climate related shocks in Borno State in an environmentally-conscious way. Four interrelated and mutually reinforcing intermediate outcomes will contribute to achieving this objective.
• First, MAIDA will restore and improve rural livelihoods in an ecologically sustainable manner by enabling households to take advantage of existing and new agricultural market opportunities. In parallel, adolescents and youth will be empowered as economic actors in their communities through access to employment, diversified livelihood opportunities, vocational training and business development initiatives.
• These outcomes will be reinforced by improved access to social protection and community-based services for women, youth, adolescent breadwinners and other at-risk groups. Finally, overall social cohesion will be strengthened within and between conflict-affected communities and environmental resource management will be improved in areas of displacement and return. Sectors of intervention will include market-led and climate-smart livelihood and employment opportunities, vocational training for youth, social and economic protection and community reintegration and peacebuilding.
• Economic recovery activities will build resilience through Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) market systems-based models, reducing poverty by enhancing the ways that poor and vulnerable households interact with markets.

General Position Summary

• The Compliance and Partnership Officer will work with MAIDA’s private- and public-sector partners and is responsible for monitoring subgrants and subgrantees under the MAIDA programme to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the subgrant agreements.
• The Compliance and Partnership Officer is also responsible for tracking subgrants and subgrantee requirements and for maintaining all subgrant financial files.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Support collaborative partnerships with MAIDA’s private- and public-sector partners.
• Conduct subgrantee pre-award assessments and recommend modifications to the subgrant agreement and/or monitoring plan to lessen financial and compliance risks.
• Assist in the preparation and review of subgrant agreements.
• Provide on-going training and support to subgrantees in Mercy Corps subgrant financial procedures and assist in conducting formal subgrantee training workshops.
• Review subgrantee financial reports for correctness and completeness and ensure that reports are submitted on time.
• Assist in subgrantee site audits and prepare site visit reports.
• Follow up on all subgrant compliance issues and audits and document resolutions.
• Maintain subgrant tracking as well as financial files in accordance with the Field Finance Manual.
• Process subgrantee payments and reconcile subgrant financial tracking to general ledger reports.
• Assist in subgrantclose-outs ensuring that all requirements of the subgrant agreement have been met and that subgrant funds have been properly settled.
• Draft/review Scopes of Work for to hire and manage technical consultants, including review of technical ability and contract budget.
• Conduct him/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission in Nigeria.
• Carry out other duties as assigned or required.

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.
• Work closely with Mercy Corps Nigeria country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its implementation process.

Organizational Learning:

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiarie:

• 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.

Knowledge and Experience

• Three or more years of finance experience, including budgeting and grant management or auditing.
• A university degree in Finance, Accounting or a related business field is required. 
• Two years of experience in the Finance Department of a non-governmental organization.
• Good understanding of major international donor rules and non-profit accounting.
• Prior experience with computerized general ledger software.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel and Access.
• Strong analytical skills coupled with a solid understanding of financial and procurement systems; prior auditing experience is considered a plus.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, Hausa and Kanuri is required.

Success Factors

• The ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel is required.  A demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary.  A high professional standard 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. 
• The ability to effectively monitorsubgrantee compliance as well as to provide support and training for subgrantee personnel is critical.  The Subgrant Compliance Officer must be willing to travel to Mercy Corps field offices, subgrantee offices and 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.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours. 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.

Application Closing Date
4th August, 2017.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's and Cover Letter in one document, addressing the position requirements to: [email protected] All applications must include the position title in the subject line, be not more than four pages.

Note: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview and we are an equal opportunity organization so women are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.