Position Description
Location Amman, Jordan
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.
Program Summary
Mercy Corps implements a variety of programming throughout the Middle East in response to the diverse humanitarian and long-term development needs of the region. Mercy Corps has ongoing programs in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine. Mercy Corps is committed to delivering high quality, high impact programming that reaches communities or individuals in need, wherever they are.
Mercy Corps just launched its new global ten-year strategy, ‘’Pathway to Possibility’’, which reflects our ambitions to not only meet basic needs of communities affected by conflict and climate, but to achieve lasting, transformational change at scale. Pathway to Possibility (P2P) includes a three-layers resilience approach at its core and aims to deliver impact through four key outcome areas: Food Security, Water Security, Economic Opportunity, and Peace and Good Governance. P2P is also driven by five organizational commitments on being climate smart; evidence-driven; safe, diverse and inclusive; locally-led; and innovative and creative.
General Position Summary
The Regional Ethics and Assurance Coordinator will serve as the Mercy Corps fraud and corruption focal point for Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon, and will be responsible for ensuring compliance with Mercy Corps’ Code of Ethics and ethics policies and procedures. They will ensure that Mercy Corps takes all reports of misconduct seriously, investigates allegations of fraud and corruption thoroughly and impartially consistent with sector-wide best practices and donor expectations, and raises awareness about Mercy Corps ethics policies and procedures.
Essential Job Responsibilities
ETHICS INCIDENT RESPONSE
● Following Mercy Corps’ policies and procedures, serve as regional focal point for the internal reporting of any allegations of Ethics violations, including fraud and corruption.
● As directed by the Ethics and Compliance Department, conduct confidential, objective, fair, thorough, unbiased, and timely investigations into allegations of fraud and corruption:
o Develop action plans which determine scope, timing, and direction of investigation;
o Obtain relevant evidence and information;
o Review evidence/documents to draw conclusions;
o Organize and conduct interviews;
o Document all investigative steps; and
o Produce professional investigation reports with recommendations
ETHICS TRAINING AND AWARENESS
● Assist country management teams with the implementation of new global 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 training for country team members and partners.
INTERNAL CONTROLS
● When requested by country program and finance teams, advise on the development of monitoring plans for partners, including subrecipients, key vendors or other partners that must adhere to ethics policies.
● Perform other related special projects and duties as determined and assigned by management.
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 beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Supervisory Responsibility
None
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Deputy Regional Director – Operations, MENA/E
Works Directly With: Ethics and Compliance Department (with authority for Ethics reporting and investigation matters), country senior management teams
Knowledge and Experience
● Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or a related business field and minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience OR an advanced degree and minimum of 2 years’ relevant experience. If no diploma or degree, expect at least 5 years of relevant investigative experience;
● Experience working in humanitarian aid or development, either living overseas or spending a significant amount of time in foreign countries is preferred;
● Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designations are strongly preferred;
● Demonstrated knowledge and interest in ethics, fraud, and corruption, and a sensitivity to cultural diversity and gender issues;
● Understanding of best practices in ethics management and accountability within INGOs, including best practices for investigations of ethical violations;
● Strong verbal and written communication skills;
● Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, effective organizational and interpersonal skills;
● Experience with safeguarding investigations and/or prevention is a plus, but not required;
● English and Arabic fluency (written & verbally) required.
Success Factors
The successful Ethics Coordinator 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. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders on sensitive and confidential matters is necessary along with the ability to navigate difficult circumstances with a calm demeanor, in an analytical and methodical manner. A demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. 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 Amman, Jordan. This position has regional travel expectations of up to 25%.
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 Ethics Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Ethics elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
How to Apply:
