Finance Assistant

Finance Assistant

Job Category: Finance & Compliance

Requisition Number: FINAN005996

Location: Kathmandu

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact. Mercy Corps has been operating in Nepal since 2005, implementing programs in food security, agriculture, market development, financial services, girl’s education, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. We take a systems-based approach in our programming, with the aim of improving the lives and potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across Nepal.

The Program / Department

The Mercy Corps Finance & Compliance Department is responsible for all financial functions in Nepal, including accounting (month, quarter and year-end and balance sheet), payments and banking, payroll, taxation and social security clearance, country budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, statutory reporting, management reporting, proposal budget development and revision, financial strategy, policy development and revision, cash management, internal controls, audit preparation and grant financial management and compliance. It also oversees the function of sub-awards and support to local partnerships. The Mercy Corps Finance & Compliance Department ensures compliance with donor regulations as well as Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures. In its role as support to the Program Department, the Finance & Compliance 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 and Compliance Manager, the Finance Assistant plays a key role in supporting the day-to-day financial operations of the organization, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements. This position is responsible for processing payments, managing bank-related activities, maintaining accurate accounting records in the financial system, and supporting month-end reconciliations.

Essential Responsibilities

• Prepare and process the checks and online transfer requests based on fully approved documents.
• Manage bank-related correspondence including signatory updates and other communication, provide orientation on S2B to the new users.
• Conduct day-to-day data entries into Accounting Software Navigator, ensuring data accuracy and compliance with applicable policies and guidelines.
• Prepare monthly Cash and Bank Reconciliations and get them approved and filed as required.
• File all vouchers, support proper maintenance of finance-related file archive, assist in preparation and update of yearly file archive for HQ and set up of the finance file warehouse.
• Prepare and coordinate Pro-Source invoice reconciliation.
• Assist in payroll support tasks and timesheet review.
• Take lead in the timely deposition of monthly CIT, SSF, and tax, adhering to government regulations, including E-TDS verification and monthly reconciliation with accounting records.
• Coordinate for balance confirmation with vendors.
• Review partner/sub-recipient Fund Transfer requests and reconcile with partner financial reports and Navigator data.
• Prepare photocopies, scans, and other required supporting documents for internal and external audits, monthly reporting packages to HQ Finance, and support audits by ensuring efficient presentation and filing of documentation.
• Assist in organizational tax clearance and exemption renewal process at IRD.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Finance & Compliance Manager

Works Directly With: Other Finance team members, Operations and Program

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

• Bachelor or equivalent in accounting/ financial management or a relevant business field.
• Two or more years of accounting or bookkeeping experience, including experience with double-entry accounting, working experience with I/NGOs is preferred.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Strong computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
• Familiarity with computerized, double-entry accounting software.
• Excellent oral and written English skills.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.

Success Factors

A successful Finance Assistant should have 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. 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. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem-solving and simultaneous attention to detail are essential. 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 Kathmandu.

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.

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).