Finance Graduate Internship at Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps, a global humanitarian organization, are hiring a Graduate Intern - Finance Department in Nairobi.

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.

Department Summary

The Mercy Corps Finance Department is responsible for all financial functions in Nairobi, Maralal, Wajir, Isiolo, Marsabit, and Garissa Offices, including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, and grant financial management and compliance. The Mercy Corps Finance Department ensures compliance with donor regulations as well as Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures. In its role as a support to the Program Department, the Finance Department provides timely reports and assistance to the Country Director and the Program team to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently and effectively.

Role Summary

Working within the Finance Department and reporting to the Senior Finance Officer, Nairobi, the Finance Graduate Intern will support the timely and accurate processing and recording of financial transactions. The role will also assist in maintaining proper filing, documentation, and archiving financial records. Throughout the internship, the successful candidate will gain practical exposure and hands-on exposure to key finance functions in the international humanitarian and development organization.

Essential Job Responsibilities

FINANCIAL MANAGMENT

• Prepare cash payment vouchers and ensure that all cash transactions are fully and properly documented in relation to batch assigned in the Finance System.
• Perform daily cash count with the Finance Officer, Snr Finance Officer or other person
• Record payment vouchers daily in the cash sub-journal for the batch
• Maintain the uncleared cash advance file and prepare past due advance report for the Finance officer or Snr Finance Officer on monthly basis.
• Support Finance officer/Snr Finance Officer to record payment vouchers daily in the bank and cash sub journal assigned.
• Responsible for gathering transaction documents required for donor reporting.
• Assist with audit related requirements (timely documents retrieval, filing after audit completion, proving additional assistance as necessary)
• Assist with scanning, copying, printing, and uploading of financial documents on relevant folders including monthly payments and vouchers for posting by the main office.
• Support Finance coordinator with monthly process of amortizations
• Support Snr Finance officer with monthly balance sheet reconciliations
• Any other duty may be assigned.

FILING & ARCHIVING

• Responsible for filing all cash and bank vouchers and maintaining voucher filing system such that files are updated, complete and safeguarded. Ensure all finance documents are properly labelled, filed and stored in a clear and easily accessible manner following Field Finance Manual
• Assist with Sub-grant management and organizing sub-grant files.

TAX

• Support Finance Officer/Snr Finance Officer with processing of withholding VAT and withholding tax as per KRA regulations including scanning copies to the main office on weekly basis.

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.

SAFEGUARDING

• 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: N/A

Accountability
Reports Directly To: Senior Finance Officer

Works Directly With: Country Finance/Grants Teams.

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 bachelor’s degree in accounting or a relevant business field is desirable.
• Graduated within twelve (12) months or Awaiting graduation, completed course work.
• Membership or progress toward professional Finance certification (CPA, ACCA or equivalent) is an added advantage.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism.
• Demonstrate a strong learning orientation and growth mindset.
• Possess strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Be comfortable working in a diverse, multicultural environment

Success Factors

The Graduate Intern - Finance should possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and collaborate across diverse programme teams. This role requires providing timely, accurate, and meaningful financial information to support programme implementation and decision-making. A high level of professionalism, integrity, and adherence to finance and procurement ethics is essential, together with the willingness and ability to ensure compliance with organizational and donor policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Living Conditions

The position is based in Kenya, and Nairobi and may some travel to field offices.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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 in-country venues.

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

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.

Apply for this vacancy

---

---