Mercy Corps is a leading global organisation 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.
Team description
The Compliance, Governance and Risk team ensures that Mercy Corps fulfils its responsibility to donors, the NGO community, implementing partners and other stakeholders, and is in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
The Internship
This internship will involve supporting the Compliance, Governance and Risk team and will revolve around the completion of a project consisting of two parts:
Conducting specific research on issues affecting Mercy Corps’ operation, such as compliance requirements around UN awards management, and the UK/EU international sanctions framework,
Creating a comprehensive inventory of existing compliance resources, templates, and training materials.
Part 1: Research
Compliance implications around UN Awards management:
Analyse the framework governing UN awards under Public International Law (as per relevant award agreements) and its implications for an INGO.
Identify compliance requirements, potential legal risks, and strategic considerations for Mercy Corps’ engagement with UN entities under such awards.
UK/EU international sanctions framework:
Part 2: Resource Inventory Development
Inventory of Compliance Resources:
Catalogue existing documents, including contract templates, agreements, compliance guidelines, and policy documents.
Assess the currency, relevance, and compliance of these documents with team needs, standards, and requirements, as well as agree due dates for review and update.
Inventory of Training Materials:
Evaluate the effectiveness, language, accessibility, and up-to-dateness of these materials, suggesting updates where necessary.
The role will involve engaging with other teams across Mercy Corps departments (Programmes, Finance, country offices, etc.) throughout the internship. The role will have the opportunity to join meetings (primarily calls) with colleagues across various Headquarters and Country office departments.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Understand Mercy Corps approach to compliance - grants and partnerships / subawarding.
Gain an understanding of how a compliance team works in a global humanitarian and development organisation.
Develop document review and research skills.
Be exposed to grant and subawards agreements, as well as projects, in a not for profit / humanitarian setting.
Build communication, planning and organisational skills.
Gain experience in a multicultural work environment, coordinating and communicating with a global team across different time zones and geographies, many of whom operate in complex, challenging environments.
DELIVERABLES:
Research Reports: Two comprehensive reports detailing findings and recommendations on award engagement under the UN and the UK/EU international sanctions framework (scope to be determined).
Compliance Resource Inventory: A detailed inventory of compliance resources, including an assessment report highlighting gaps, redundancies, and suggestions for updates or improvements.
Training Material Inventory: An organised compilation of training materials with an evaluation report, recommending enhancements and identifying areas for new content development.
IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:
University degree in progress or recently completed, ideally in Law or a related subject.
Some experience with contracts and / or working with policies and procedures would be beneficial.
Excellent writing skills in English. French or Spanish language skills a plus
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
Strong multi-tasking, organisational and prioritisation skills.
Excellent communication skills.
Highly developed computer skills and strong familiarity with Microsoft Office.
Demonstrated sensitivity to people and cultures globally.
Mercy Corps interns represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and 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 in-country venues.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Candidates interested in this internship should submit a CV and a short statement of interest (no more than one page) prior to the closing date of 5th May 2024. In your statement, you are encouraged to discuss any experiences relevant to the role. You may wish to describe your career interests (specifically as they relate to humanitarian and / or development) and discuss your previous work and educational experiences demonstrating these interests.
All applicants should be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK by the start date of the internship.
Mercy Corps Diversity Statement
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 Statement
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 e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis. Mercy Corps Global Headquarters: 45 SW Ankeny Street, Portland, Oregon 97204
Mercy Corps Europe (Edinburgh): 96/3 Commercial Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6LX
This position is no longer open.
