Regional Finance Director, Africa - Remote, Mercy Corps office locations - preference for Africa and EU time zone locations

Location: Remote, any MC office location- preference for Africa and EU region time zone locations

Position Status: Full-time

Salary: role to be benchmarked on local scale

Closing date: Please submit application by July 31, 2026

Candidates must hold independent right to work for the location base targeted.

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.

About International Finance (IF) and the Africa Regional Team

International Finance supports Mercy Corps’ operations in award financial management, financial reporting, and compliance with internal policies and procedures. Strong International Finance support is key to the success and delivery of quality programs. The VP of International Finance, in close collaboration with the Deputy Regional Director, Operations, country leadership, the Regional Controller, and the country operations management team, focuses on developing and supporting a high standard of financial management to maximize Mercy Corps emergency responses in a compliant and efficient way.

The Position

The Regional Finance Director serves as a member of the International Finance team and the Africa regional office, supporting the financial management function for the regional portfolio and overseeing the financial management of initiatives led by the Africa regional team. The Director plays a key role in advancing strategies and initiatives within the region, ensuring alignment with Mercy Corps’ internal policies, procedures, and donor regulations. Reporting to the VP of International Finance and the Deputy Regional Director (DRD), Operations, this position collaborates closely with the Regional Controller to optimize the use of financial resources across programs and departments, fostering efficiency and effectiveness.

Essential Responsibilities

Financial Management Oversight

• Collaborate with Finance Directors & Managers across the region and with the Regional Controller to support award implementation and financial management, ensuring consistent use of Mercy Corps' financial management best practices.
• Conduct periodic support visits to the country programs following an approved scope of work.
• Monitor the financial performance of the regional portfolio. Identify weaknesses, strengths, risks, and opportunities across the Africa portfolio, and develop strategies to strengthen financial management systems and practices. Promote a culture of problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Monthly Reviews of the financial health and risk identification shared with the Regional Senior Leadership Team and VP of International Finance for action.
• Oversee and strengthen risk management processes, ensuring robust performance oversights are in place and developing mitigation strategies to safeguard financial integrity and compliance across country programs
• Proactively identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies with the Regional Senior Team
• Develop an expertise and maintain current on the rules and regulations of all donors and provide guidance in the area of donor compliance.
• Contribute to discussions on financial policy issues including the maintenance and development of the International Finance Manual.

Awards Financial Management Support

• Support regional and country teams during start-up, closeout, and other major events. Including the development of master budgets, subaward budgets and the development of financial monitoring tools and systems for sub-recipients.
• Analyze and support the country program’s financial forecasting process to enhance effective Budget vs. Actual (BvA) management and ensure accurate forecasting, as needed
• Deploy to country offices and field sites within the region to provide on-the-ground support and oversight.
• Support Business Development efforts with reviews and input to cost proposals as needed. Perform the final financial review of the proposal document before approval and submission to the donor.
• Oversee regional initiatives as needed.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial policies, procedures, and donor regulations across all projects managed by the region.
• Review audit reports and support country offices in solving audit issues with the collaboration of the regional controller. Internal/External Audit closure and corrective action plan development and tracking

Strategic Planning and Support Functions

• Provide financial information which supports the Regional Senior Management Team in making business decisions in line with Mercy Corps, Regional & Country Program strategies.