Temporary Finance Officer Accounts Payable- Edinburgh

Mercy Corps

Location: Edinburgh

Position Status: Full-time, Temporary duration – until end of August 2022

Salary: circa 21K + benefits

Closing Date: apply with CV and Cover Letter before March 6th

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK at the time of appointment.

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organisation powered by the belief that a better world is possible.

In conflict, 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.

Mercy Corps Europe (MCE) has grown rapidly in terms of volume of activity and complexity. With offices in Edinburgh, London we now attract over £121m in income, and employ around 145 domestic and expatriate field team members. The breadth and impact of our programmes makes Mercy Corps a unique and truly rewarding place to work. Our teams are proud of what we achieve in the field and we are always looking for talented individuals who share our passion and commitment.

The Role

The Finance team plays a critical role in sustaining and enabling MCE’s growth through the support it provides to Field Teams and HQ departments. All management accounting for European grants is managed by the team, in addition to the financial accounting functions, payables, receivables and cash management.

Responsibilities

Reporting to our HQ Finance Officer, the Finance Officer is primarily responsible for

We are looking for a Finance Officer (Accounts Payable) to join us.

  • The purchase ledger and inter-agency billing, ensuring prompt settlement and reconciliation of purchase invoices, inter-agency transactions and timeous monthly close of the purchase ledger;
  • Setting up bank payments and cash book management;

We are looking for an ambitious accounting or finance professional, with some experience of working in a busy finance team, who is interested in a career in the NGO sector. This is an opportunity to be involved in finance work that is fast-paced, and to be part of a diverse, dedicated team of people who are genuinely motivated by making a difference. You will be someone with a positive, can-do approach, who enjoys the pressure of working together as a team to tight deadlines. Strong communication skills are vital, as you will be operating in a truly international environment. Experience of accountancy packages software and strong Excel skills are key.

You will not only have the right experience on paper but also the right personal ‘fit’ – you will live and breathe our culture and values, with a visible passion for the work we do and a desire to be part of our story.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Invoice & Expense Management & Processing

  • Efficient management of the invoicing email inbox
  • Review and upload purchase invoices daily ensuring they are compliant, correctly approved, authorised and filed.
  • Ensure the completeness and accuracy of processing by undertaking statement reconciliations, aged creditors reconciliations and overall creditor management
  • Investigate queries from suppliers and those arising as a result of reconciliations in month to ensure transactions are timeously captured in the relevant month.
  • Work with the Finance Manager in developing related procedures and processes.
  • Develop and deliver induction and on-going training to staff, on all aspects of purchasing processes and procedures.
  • Respond to staff queries on procurement policy or procedures.

Banking, Payments and Finance

  • Set up and management of regular pay runs and invoice payments
  • Daily update of cashbook and bank account management
  • Processing of international salary payments
  • Assist the finance team with month-end and year-end processing of financial data.
  • Regularly visiting the office to collect and bank cheques. Performing reconciliation with the Fundraising team on batch deposits.

Inter-agency Invoicing

  • Ensure the intercompany billing is carried out to timescale, including backup, on a monthly basis and that the resultant cash settlement is reconciled.

Filing Systems

  • Manage the filing systems efficiently filing all the paperwork in the most appropriate manner throughout the processing process.
  • Arrange the archiving of purchase ledger documents in line with statutory requirements.

Other

  • As part of the department’s commitment to continuous improvement, all staff are encouraged to be proactive and lead on ad hoc HQ projects aimed at streamlining processes or increasing efficiency. As part of the HQ Finance Team, the Officer will work with the HQ Finance Systems Manager on developing, streamlining, and documenting policies, processes and procedures
  • As part of the MCE annual statutory audit liaise with external audit as required.
  • Meet key performance indicator targets for purchase ledger.
  • Act as basic cover for the HQ Finance Officer in their absence.
  • Produce ad hoc reports on expenditure and suppliers as required.
  • Any other duties as assigned.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: HQ Finance Officer

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 Qualifications And Transferable Skills

  • Minimum of 1-2 years of professional experience in a fast-paced office environment, with emphasis on accounts payable
  • Understanding or working knowledge of accounting concepts (double entry and transaction postings)
  • Experience of best practice in accounts payable
  • Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
  • Excellent computer skills required, including familiarity with MS Word, Excel, Raiser’s Edge and PowerPoint; comfort with IT functions a plus.
  • Multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills
  • Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure and cooperatively with team members and the ability to take direction as well as work independently.
  • Overseas, international, non-profit experience and/or interest preferred as are candidates with a healthy sense of humor.
  • Experience in SUN systems an advantage.
  • Excellent spoken and written English.

Success Factors

  • Excellent organisational and time management skills.
  • Systematic, with a strong eye for detail.
  • Can work quickly, accurately and to deadlines.
  • Able to build and maintain effective internal and external relationships.
  • Strong team worker and communicator.
  • Able to cope with changing priorities, often at short notice, and work well under pressure.
  • Proactive and solutions-based attitude.
  • High levels of motivation, professionalism and resilience.
  • An exposure to and interest in international development issues is important, along with an empathy for MC’s mission.

The position is based in Edinburgh

MCE team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a short-term assignment or trip to country offices. 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 Mercy Corps locations.

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

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. 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.

To apply for this job please visit jobs.jobvite.com.


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