Position Title: Ethics & Assurance Manager
Requisition Number: ETHIC003501
Nairobi, Kenya
About Mercy Corps
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.
Since 2008, Mercy Corps Kenya has worked to build strong, peaceful communities.
Programming including governance, social cohesion, humanitarian response, market systems development, and climate change adaptation programming, among others.
Through our work across a diversity of program activities, Mercy Corps supports the establishment and cultivation of resilient livelihoods, food security, water security and peace and good governance.
General Position Summary
The Ethics & Assurance Manager (EAM) will serve as the Mercy Corps Kenya focal point for ensuring compliance with Mercy Corps’ Code of Conduct and ethics policies and procedures.
He/she will examine, review, and analyze records, reports, financial information and management practices to ensure compliance with laws, regulations and Mercy Corps’ policies and procedures and will investigate potential violations of Mercy Corps’ Ethics policies, with an emphasis on fraud and corruption.
The Ethics & Assurance Manager will assist the country management team in developing, implementing and monitoring effective financial and operational controls over activities and offices to mitigate risk.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Ethics Incident Response
- Following Mercy Corps’ policies and procedures, serve as country focal point for the internal reporting of any allegations of Ethics violations, including fraud and corruption.
- Liaise with the Headquarters Ethics team, and other teams as needed, in the resolution of all reported fraud and corruption incidents.
- As agreed with the Headquarters Ethics department, conduct inquiries and investigations to determine the facts, circumstances and scope of any fraud and corruption allegations raised.
- Collect, analyze and document the results of fraud and corruption investigations and communicate observations and recommendations with the collaboration of the Country Director, as appropriate.
- Prepare final reports to fully document the investigation and resolution of incidents. Reports will be reviewed by the Headquarters Ethics team.
- Liaise with program teams in implementing the country Community Accountability Response Mechanism (CARM). Respond to Ethics violation referrals received through the CARM.
Ethics Training and Awareness
- Assist the country management team with the implementation of new Headquarters or country Ethics policies and procedures, acting as a catalyst for change and acceptance and supporting smooth implementation.
- In coordination with established onboarding processes, assist with the onboarding of new country team members to ensure awareness and understanding of Ethics policies. Conduct and/or coordinate regular anti-fraud and anti-corruption prevention for country response staff and partners.
Internal Controls
- Assist the country management team in determining effective and efficient solutions to operational issues that ensure compliance with Mercy Corps’ policies and donor regulations, mitigate the risk of fraud or corruption, and facilitate the achievement of program objectives.
- Assist program, operations and finance teams with implementing standard procedures or, as necessary, developing and documenting enhanced procedures for high-risk program activities, in particular those providing a direct financial benefit to participants (e.g., vouchers, cash distributions), requiring high value procurement, or the distribution of in-kind goods.
- In coordination with the country management team and program managers, maintain the country-level Risk Register to identify key risks and document strategies to mitigate these risks. Manage the quarterly update process and ensure communication of action plans.
- In coordination with relevant teams, perform periodic internal control reviews of in country financial, procurement, human resource, and logistics procedures.
- In coordination with program and monitoring and evaluation staff, conduct field reviews of program activities to ensure that adequate controls are in place and are functioning properly. Communicate findings and work with the relevant departments to correct weaknesses and improve controls as needed.
- As agreed with the program and finance teams, advise on the development of monitoring plans for partners, including sub recipients, key vendors and other partners that must adhere to ethics policies. In coordination with relevant teams, perform periodic compliance reviews of partners.
- In coordination with the country management team and HQ Finance, assist with the follow-up and resolution of external audit or Mercy Corps Internal Audit findings.
- Perform other related special projects and duties as determined and assigned by management.
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.
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 beneficiaries 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 beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Supervisory Responsibility
- None
Accountability
- Reports Directly To: Country Director
- Works Directly With: Headquarters Ethics team (with authority for Ethics reporting and investigation matters), country senior management team, Program Directors/ Managers, Finance, Compliance, and Operations teams, HR Manager, and all country staff.
Knowledge and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or a related business field is required; and an advanced degree is a plus.
- 5 years+ related work experience with a not-for-profit organization implementing international programs or other reputable private sector entities.
- Strong background in compliance, systems and internal controls.
- Relevant experience in fraud investigations or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designations are strongly preferred.
- Solid understanding of a wide-range of ethics violations, including fraud and corruption in humanitarian and/or development settings; Understanding of best practice in ethics management and accountability within INGOs, including best practices for investigations of ethical violations;
- Demonstrated experience in successfully working with administrative and program staff at all organizational levels.
- Solid organizational and research skills with a broad understanding of various program sectors and activities.
- Demonstrated experience in financial and operational data analysis.
- Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
- Fluent written and oral communication in English.
Success Factors
The successful Ethics & Assurance Manager will possess an exemplary professional standard of ethics as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures and external regulations.
S/he will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders on sensitive and confidential matters.
S/he will have the ability to navigate difficult circumstances with a calm demeanor, in an analytical and methodical manner.
S/he will demonstrate the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities.
S/he will possess a broad understanding of humanitarian and development programs coupled with the ability to analyze financial operational data and clearly present conclusions and recommendations is essential.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting.
Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all locations.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya
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.
CLICK HERE to apply online.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Mercy Corps does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.