Been there, done that
Travelling to some of the
world’s riskiest places to
support frontline projects
is all part of the job for an
international finance
officer at Mercy Corps.
Robert Outram meets CA
Liz Sams and her team
M
ercy Corps is an
international aid and
development organi-
sation operating in
some of the most difficult and
dangerous parts of the world.
Mercy Corps’ philosophy is to
produce “community-led” solu-
tions. Current projects include
setting up microfinance institu-
tions, resolving land conflicts,
and agricultural development, as
well as traditional aid such as
food security, basic water and
sanitation, health and education.
Corps
Liz Sams CA is director of
finance with Mercy Corps Europe,
based in Edinburgh. The eight-
strong finance team is part of an
HQ supporting the 3,700 or so
staff in the field, the vast major-
ity of whom are nationals of the
countries in which they operate.
values
Liz says: “People have to be
flexible. Staff are not bound by
job descriptions, and there are no and sometimes security is a major European Commission in
hierarchies. Teamwork and issue, but Mercy Corps places a Brussels and the International
resourcefulness are vital.” high priority on staff safety. Red Cross. Graeme Farmer is a
The finance function includes Graeme Farmer, HQ finance former public sector accountant.
ensuring the frontline staff have manager, says: “Controls are a Judy Moore and Gillian Gordon
the resources they need, and also continual focus because of the came, respectively, from banking
ensuring the integrity and account- very real threat of fraud.” and insurance, and Margaret
ability of Mercy Corps’ operations. In Haiti, Mercy Corps is part of Morrow and Nicola Dodero
As HQ finance officer, Gillian the “second wave” of aid, after joined straight from university.
Gordon operates around 200 sep- Above: Liz Sams. the earthquake that devastated Paul Patrick came from the
arate bank accounts and trades Top: (From left) the country. Mercy’s work there private sector, having previously
currencies daily, sending cash to Margaret Morrow, focuses on: worked overseas.
more than 40 countries, some Judy Moore, Liz • a “cash for work” programme, Liz Sams trained with KPMG
with primitive banking facilities. Sams, Alex Angulo, paying local people to help with and has worked in business,
The four international finance Graeme Farmer, reconstruction with charities and the public
officers (IFOs) are required to Nicola Dodero and • “psycho-social” support for sector. Her greatest job satisfac-
travel overseas several times a Gillian Gordon children affected by the disaster tion has been with Mercy Corps.
year, sometimes at short notice • water and sanitation facilities. As Liz puts it: “To be paid to
(one of the IFOs, Paul Patrick, The finance team comes from help the most disadvantaged
was away in Latin America at a mixture of backgrounds. Alex people in the world is a privilege,
the time of this interview). Angulo, from Colombia, is a and a huge responsibility, but
Living conditions are often basic, lawyer who has worked with the incredibly rewarding.”
www.camagonline.co.uk/newca NEW CA {3}
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