Internal Auditor, Global Headquarters

Think of a finance officer – not what most people would consider a thrilling job. But for Marge Lemieux, who currently spends 60 percent of her time in the field, it’s an adventure-packed position. In her nine years with Mercy Corps, Marge has served as finance manager, regional finance officer and internal auditor, providing support to Mercy Corps programs in all corners of the globe. She has worked in China, Haiti, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Sri Lanka, all over Central Asia and even in North Korea, where she spent nine months as finance manager for an emergency food program. Life in North Korea is not easy. As Marge recalled, “Living in an environment where every aspect of your life is controlled and monitored 24/7 was exhausting. But at least we had access to sufficient food and other comforts.”

Audits are essential to the reputation and accountability of Mercy Corps programs and a key element of our effort to ensure the proper use of funds entrusted to us by donors. Audits are conducted every one to three years in order to assess our systems and compliance with policies and procedures. The job takes a good understanding of those policies and procedures, as well as patience, a love of detail and a nomadic nature. “A bit of tact and diplomacy,” added Marge with a laugh, “doesn’t hurt either.”

As Marge explained it, the beginning of each audit cycle involves meetings, conversations and interviews. “I ask a lot of questions to gain an understanding of the country program, department specifics and individual staff responsibilities,” she said. “And I do a lot of listening.” There are stacks of paperwork. Then it’s time to get out to the field. “That’s the most exciting part of it for me,” said Marge. “I have the chance to see the communities we work with, to meet our program participants, to kick the dirt at a newly built building or to participate in a training session. That’s when it gets physical – and real. Ultimately, I help country offices identify where improvements can be made and make sure we’re accountable for our resources and reputation.”

Not surprisingly, it’s her time in the field that helps Marge feel most closely connected to the organization’s mission. “I joined Mercy Corps for many of the same reasons other people want to get into this work,” she said. “I wanted to find an organization and believe in what they do. And it’s so rewarding. I believe in our mission – and I also get to travel to all sorts of cool places.”