Organization: Mercy Corps
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 30 Oct 2015
DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
The Finance and Compliance Support Unit (FCSU) provides support to Mercy Corps" field operations in the areas of finance training, finance systems and processes, compliance with internal policies and procedures, and compliance with donor regulations. Our mission is to increase the level of knowledge and the availability of tools and resources to promote the highest possible standards of financial accountability, transparency, efficiency and donor compliance.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Senior Compliance Advisor will provide support in the areas of donor regulations compliance to Mercy Corps" field and HQ operations, including financial, program and administrative staff, to increase the level of knowledge and promote compliance with donor regulations. The Senior Compliance Advisor serves as primary compliance support for Mercy Corps" "Complex Programs", which are high-value, multi-sectoral awards that require enhanced support to facilitate innovative program design while maintaining donor compliance. The Senior Compliance Advisor also serves as direct support for the structuring and development of contracts with professional services providers (i.e. "contracts under grants") to ensure compliance with donor regulations and differentiation from subgrants or independent contractors (consultants).
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Complex Programs:
- As assigned for specific programs/awards, serve as the primary FCSU representative on the Complex Program Board and assist HQ and field teams in supporting complex programs by providing regulation interpretation, advice and guidance throughout the cycle of the Complex Program.
- Fulfill the FCSU role in reviewing and negotiating draft donor agreements, including reviewing internal comments, summarizing issues, and reviewing/drafting final response letter(s) to the donor.
- Participate and/or lead the delivery of in-country regulations training or other start-up activities for new USG funded Complex Programs.
- Develop and assist the field in managing the program specific compliance tracker.
- Advise on or assist in drafting compliance related requests for approval to donors/funders of Complex Programs.
- As needed, provide in-depth compliance assistance to program management and country teams with the design of innovative or new areas of program implementation to be compliant with donor regulations while achieving the desired outcome(s).
- Attend Complex Program board meetings. As a part of this responsibility, maintain an in-depth knowledge of the program description, award terms and current status of the program through review of relevant documents.
- Advise on or assist with close-out activities to ensure compliance with the award terms.
Contracts for Professional Services (Contracts under Grants):
- With review and input from Mercy Corps" Legal and HQ PALM (Procurement, Admin & Logistics Management) departments, create and maintain a suite of tools and templates for structuring of profession services contracts, including:
- guide for selecting the appropriate instrument;
- guidance on selecting the appropriate contract type;
- Memorandum of Negotiation template;
- contract file requirements;
- other related guides as needed.
- With review and input from Mercy Corps" Legal department, create and maintain prime donor-compliant templates for fixed price, time and materials and cost reimbursement type contracts, including sample Scope of Work formats.
- In consultation with HQ PALM, HQ Human Resource Services, Legal and FCSU Subaward Officer, develop and maintain processes for routing requests for support on professional service contract development.
- For Complex Programs (and other programs as time allows), directly support the development of professional services contracts, including:
- Provide guidance to country programs on selecting the appropriate type of professional service contract to use for specific situations; ensure and/or complete required supporting documents such as negotiation memos, selection of contract type justification, etc.
- Assist country programs with drafting and/or review Requests for Proposals and advise on compliance requirements and pricing mechanisms.
- Provide guidance to country programs on creating appropriate Scopes of Work.
- In coordination with field and HQ staff, draft service contracts and amendments based on agreed criteria. Ensure contracts include clear and appropriate payment terms and all relevant flow-down clauses.
- Assist with negotiating contracts and amendments, as needed.
- Set-up and/or ensure set up of the related contract file.
Other:
- Serve as primary USG grant regulations and compliance advisor to HQ PALM, HQ LOE (Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness; Human Resource Services and Recruitment) and HQ Travel teams and coordinate support processes and ensure consistency and clarity throughout Mercy Corps" body of policies and procedures.
- Stay up to date on new or changed donor regulations and other compliance requirements. Inform affected staff and update contract tools and templates as needed for new or changed donor requirements.
- Other duties as assigned or requested.
Accountability
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We actively engage beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
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.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Deputy Director, Finance and Compliance Support Unit
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Field personnel, including Country Finance Managers, Country Directors and Program Managers; International Finance; Program Operations; Internal Audit; Procurement, Admin and Logistics Management Unit (PALM); and HQ Accounting.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- This position requires a BA/S or equivalent in finance or a relevant field.
- 5-7 years of progressive grant management experience in a medium to large international organization, including responsibility for grant management and compliance systems, is required.
- Knowledge of the rules and regulations governing the management of US Government grants (particularly USAID, Dept. of State and USDA) and other donor-funded grants is required.
- 4-6 years of experience with drafting RFPs and contracts for professional services under USG assistance funding, including fixed amount per deliverable, time and material and cost reimbursement contracts.
- Effective verbal and written communication, analytical, organizational and prioritization skills as well as presentation skills are necessary.
- Employment overseas and experience working for an NGO with high levels of USAID funding is preferred.
- Experience with USAID contracts, FAR and AIDAR compliance is highly desirable.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
Proven ability to successfully communicate concepts, procedures and objectives and initiate and maintain positive relationships with field staff, program staff and donor agencies is necessary. The ability to read, understand and interpret detailed award terms and conditions as well as maintain a detailed knowledge of the regulations will be a critical success factor. A high level of attention to detail in all aspects of his/her work is a necessity. The Senior Compliance Advisor must be able to conduct him/herself with a high degree of integrity and objectivity while also working towards an overall objective of positively promoting compliance.
LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
Some travel (up to approximately 20%) may be required to field locations, including program locations that may include insecure or harsh environments.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff 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.
How to apply:
Please follow this link to apply: http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=dGNoYWJvdW5pLjgzNzgwLjM4MzBAbWVyY3ljb3Jwcy5hcGxpdHJhay5jb20
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