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 partner to put bold solutions
into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.

The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary)

Mercy Corps Europe, formerly known as Mercy Corps Scotland, has been operational in Sudan since 2009 and currently leads humanitarian assistance efforts in conflict-affected South Darfur, South Kordofan, Noth Kordofan, Gedaref, Kassala, River Nile, Northern and Khartoum States, supporting IDPs, returnees, refugees and host communities. Mercy Corps’ current areas of programming include Agriculture, food security and livelihoods, including market systems development; WASH; health; nutrition; peace building and protection

The Position (General Position Summary)

The Sub award Manager is a member of the finance team, and as such is responsible for managing the financial and operational aspects of subawards issued by Mercy Corps Sudan. S/he will also lead efforts to build the capacity of local subrecipients to meet finance and compliance requirements of the relevant program’s prime donor and other donors, so that these local organizations develop professional personnel and systems. The Subaward Manager manages the Subaward team. S/he works under the direction of the Finance Director and works closely with the Program Teams, Monitoring and Evaluation department, and the Operations department, and consult regularly with Mercy Corps’ MCG and MCE HQ compliance and legal departments.

Essential Responsibilities (Example Section Below - Adapt to Specific Role)

●Ensure subawards are managed in accordance with Mercy Corps’ Subaward Financial Management Manual.
●When used by a program, participate in the design of RFAs or APS, publication of RFAs/APS, issuing of RFA/APS packages to prospective applicants, manage the administrative process of receiving RFA/APS applicants and providing the applicants to the RFA/APS Review Committee.
●When used by a program, administer competitive RFA/APS processes with, for each RFA/APS, clearly defined and communicated steps for selecting, negotiating and awarding subawards.
●When used by a program, responsible for the review of RFA/APS applicants’ budgets and budget narratives for completeness, cost realism and compliance with RFA/APS budget requirements.
●Responsible for pre-award financial review and other due diligence of proposed subrecipients.
●Draft (when delegated by HQ), oversee and ensure subaward agreements are executed, in consultation with the relevant program manager and MC HQ department and in compliance with the relevant donor’s terms and conditions.
●Ensure modifications to subawards are executed, in consultation with MC HQ departments when applicable, as needed.
●Review subrecipient financial reports for correctness and completeness and ensure that reports are submitted on time.
●Develop subrecipient monitoring plans, conduct financial monitoring and prepare financial monitoring visit reports.
●Follow up on all subrecipient compliance issues and audits and document resolutions.
●Process subrecipient payments in consultation with the relevant program manager and Finance department.
●Responsible for subrecipient financial close-outs, including ensuring that all requirements of the subaward agreement have been met and that subaward funds have been properly settled.
●Provide compliance guidance and consultations to subrecipients on a demand-driven basis.
●Assist subrecipients, as needed with subrecipient prior approval, waiver and other compliance requests to Mercy Corps.
●Assist the program team with assessing subrecipient organizational needs, so that the subaward process strengthens the ability of local NGOs/CSOs to meet world class standards.
●Develop training and capacity building activities for subrecipients to strengthen their ability to apply for, receive, and manage subawards related to finance and compliance.

STRATEGY AND PLANNING

●Work with the regional senior leadership team to develop and support the regional strategy.
●Mobilize support services and risk management resources to enable country and regional leadership teams to execute their respective strategic priorities.
●Lead the development and administration of regional and country level reports on key finance, operations and human resources indicators.
●Manage and administer regional core budgets in coordination with regional and global leadership.

●Lead on measurement and analysis of regional key performance indicators to inform strategic decision making.

REGIONAL SYSTEMS AND SUPPORT FUNCTIONS

●Ensure that effective systems are in place in all country offices for the adequate management of human resources, financial and operational field support functions.
●Review and support country team adherence to Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.
●Capture and disseminate best practices on operations, finance and HR systems across country teams to ensure highest quality and standards.
●Provide dedicated support to country teams in the event of an emergency or startup of a complex program that requires additional resources.
●Collaborate with country finance leads in producing bi-annual master budgets.
HUMAN RESOURCES
●Support Mercy Corps global and regional initiatives for human resources, including safeguarding and talent development.
●Collaborate with the people team to promote staff access to high quality learning opportunities, with a special emphasis on national team member development.
●Assist with the on-boarding of senior team members, ensuring they are set up for success and familiar with agency systems, procedures, and protocols.

RISK MANAGEMENT

●Engage and support countries across the region to ensure that adequate risk management systems are in place.
●Collaborate with country leadership to support preparedness and response to major disruptive events.
● Engage with country teams on the internal audit process to track findings and ensure country team compliance with IA findings and recommendations.
●Engage with country level Ethics and Assurance managers as well as the global Ethics and Assurance department to track and analyze trends and needs across countries.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

●Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
●Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
●Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Supervisory Responsibility

Subawards Coordinator, Sub Awards Officer

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Finance Director

Works Directly With: Finance, Program Managers, Program Director, Area Managers, Team Leaders, Operations and Human Resource. HQ Compliance.

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

●A BA/S or equivalent in accounting or finance required; advanced degree preferred.
●At least 3 years of relevant field or management experience of complex, multi-dimensional programming including administering small subawards in an international environment.
●At least 3 years’ experience in grants management as well as an understanding of USG, SIDA, SDC, and UN regulations required.
●Demonstrated experience and skill with administrating solicitations for subawards, assessing potential subrecipients and the proven ability to oversee a team that is responsible for monitoring subrecipients.
●Strong skills and experience working with donors to obtain approvals and waivers as necessary for compliance with donor regulations.
●Prior management experience and strong organizational skills.
●Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
●Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills.
●Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will have an ability to interact effectively across international and national program teams successfully, both in a managerial as well as training capacity. S/he will be able to support programmatic objectives with timely and meaningful financial information, have a demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. An impeccable professional standard of finance and procurement ethics and the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential. The Finance Manager must be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites. 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 PortSudan and it requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.

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

Team Efficiency and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different 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).