The Position
The Senior Finance Officer – Grants Reporting and Compliance will deliver CFO-level assurance regarding the integrity, compliance, and audit readiness of grantee expenditures prior to their recognition in the ERP system. This position involves representing the CFO in Grant Committee meetings and confirming that grantee expenditures are valid, properly documented, accurately classified, and recorded in the correct accounting period under accrual accounting principles. The ideal candidate will enhance financial reporting standards at both the grantee and country office levels by enforcing rigorous documentation protocols and addressing discrepancies at their origin. Additionally, the role will establish full traceability of financial data from grantee submissions to the GMS ERP.
The successful candidate will oversee and evaluate grantee receivable accounts, focusing on outstanding advances, aging, liquidation, recoverability, and collection follow-up. This position will identify recurring control deficiencies and assist in implementing corrective measures to minimize audit findings, downstream adjustments, and reporting inaccuracies. Additionally, the role will deliver consistent reporting and validation to management regarding grantee expenditure quality, receivable balances, audit preparedness, and financial reporting risks.
Oversee and execute a comprehensive range of critical duties and responsibilities to ensure operational excellence and team productivity. Lead strategic initiatives, manage cross-functional projects, and drive process improvements to enhance efficiency. Collaborate with stakeholders to align objectives, foster innovation, and achieve organizational goals. Monitor performance metrics, provide actionable insights, and implement data-driven solutions to optimize outcomes. Ensure compliance with industry regulations and internal policies while maintaining high standards of quality and accountability.
Transform the grants financial management function into a rigorously controlled, audit-ready assurance process, ensuring compliance and accountability at every stage.
Oversee the complete financial accuracy of the grant throughout its entire lifecycle, guaranteeing that all expenditures are precise, well-documented, compliant with regulations, and fully aligned with the specifications set forth by the donor.
AGRA’s second-line oversight framework will be enhanced by implementing structured verification, reconciliation, and compliance review processes to ensure robust oversight and accountability.
Transform donor financial reporting into a model of excellence by enhancing its quality, uniformity, punctuality, and trustworthiness.
Enhance grants financial governance, systems, and reporting ensuring sustained improvements in transparency, accountability, and the delivery of actionable insights for decision-making. As the primary institutional authority on grants financial compliance, reporting, and audit preparedness, collaborate with the Head of Grants to reinforce strategic objectives.
Collaborate closely with Finance, Grants, Programs, M&E, and IT teams to establish and maintain robust financial discipline and high-quality reporting standards throughout the organization.
Serve as the primary liaison between external auditors and donors, addressing financial reporting, compliance, and audit-related inquiries.
Work closely with the Legal department to ensure grant agreements incorporate accurate financial reporting standards, necessary compliance measures, and appropriate audit provisions.
Deliver objective assurance insights to senior leadership regarding compliance risks, financial exposure, and portfolio performance.
Prepare senior management reporting deliverables for GRC and Expo audiences, delivering concise, data-driven insights on risk exposure and financial performance metrics.
Drive alignment and compliance among country and program teams by providing clear guidance, delivering targeted training, and managing escalation processes, all while maintaining adherence to established policies in the absence of direct authority.
Develop organizational capacity by delivering training to staff and grantees on reporting standards, documentation protocols, and compliance requirements.
Perform independent verification of grant expenditures by cross-referencing them with allocated budgets, donor stipulations, and accompanying supporting documentation.
Develop and execute compliance review frameworks grounded in risk assessment methodologies across the grant portfolio.
Identify, document, and escalate compliance breaches, expenditures lacking proper support, and deficiencies in internal controls. Additionally, track these issues to ensure timely resolution and adherence to regulatory standards.
Oversee the grants’ financial risk register, ensuring ongoing monitoring and assessment of high-risk grants alongside corresponding mitigation measures.
Embed and oversee internal control frameworks, such as those aligned with the COST model, throughout the entirety of the grant’s lifecycle.
Assist in compiling and verifying donor financial reports to guarantee precision, thoroughness, and adherence to contractual obligations for grantee reporting.
Standardize reporting templates, timelines, and processes for grantees to ensure consistency and efficiency.
Ensure seamless incorporation of grantee financial data into all organizational reporting deliverables, including donor reports, Board papers, and annual reports.
Deliver comprehensive financial analysis and strategic insights regarding grantee performance, focusing on budget-to-actual comparisons, expenditure velocity, and potential financial vulnerabilities.
Act as the primary liaison for YE FFA grant-related audits, verifying that all documentation is thorough, systematically arranged, and prepared for review.
Oversee the preparation and submission of audit responses, guaranteeing prompt resolution and consistent follow-through on corrective actions.
To enhance audit preparedness, develop and enforce pre-audit review procedures along with comprehensive documentation standards.
Prepare regulatory reports and disclosures concerning grant-related activities, including mandatory statutory filings.
Verify consistency between grant management systems (AMIS) and the General Ledger, addressing and correcting any discrepancies that arise.
Enhance the accuracy, comprehensiveness, and uniformity of data within financial and grants management systems.
Collaborate with the Grants, IT, and Finance teams to enhance system integration, reporting capabilities, and user adoption.
Ensure the seamless integration and accuracy of financial data across various systems, verifying consistency across all reporting platforms.
Deliver comprehensive financial insights at the portfolio level for grantees, focusing on grant performance, utilization, projections, and risk exposure.
Design and oversee dashboards and key performance indicators to equip organizational leaders with critical insights for strategic decision-making.
Convert financial data into concise, strategic insights tailored for senior leadership and the Board, enabling informed decision-making.
Develop and implement training initiatives aimed at enhancing the financial reporting, documentation, and compliance skills of both staff members and grantees.
Spearhead efforts aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, elevating the quality of reporting, and strengthening the efficacy of internal controls.
Foster an organizational culture characterized by accountability, precision, and preparedness for audits.
Qualifications and Experience Required:
A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience is essential, with a minimum of three years of hands-on experience in the specified role. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills are critical, alongside proficiency in industry-standard software and tools. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams. Prior experience in a leadership or mentorship capacity is advantageous, as is familiarity with project management methodologies and best practices. Exceptional organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail are also required to ensure accuracy and efficiency in all tasks.
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance—or relevant professional experience—is required.
A master’s degree in a pertinent discipline provides a significant competitive edge.
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential is required for this role, demonstrating expertise in accounting principles, tax regulations, and financial reporting standards. Candidates must hold an active CPA license in good standing, issued by a recognized state board of accountancy. Additionally, applicants should possess at least five years of progressive experience in public accounting, with a focus on audit, tax, or advisory services. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to interpret complex financial data are essential. Proficiency in GAAP, GAS, and tax compliance frameworks is mandatory, along with exceptional communication abilities to liaise with clients and stakeholders. Prior experience in leading engagements, mentoring junior staff, and managing client relationships is highly preferred.
Accomplished expertise in accounting, finance, or financial oversight is required.
Proficiency in international, as well as country-specific and governmental, accounting standards is required.
With a proven track record, the ideal candidate will have extensive expertise in developing and evaluating financial reports tailored for senior leadership.
Possesses a comprehensive understanding of auditing methodologies, financial risk mitigation strategies, and regulatory compliance frameworks.
Proficiency in various computer applications—such as spreadsheet, presentation, reporting, and accounting software—is strongly demonstrated.
Should you meet the qualifications for this role, kindly submit your application along with a comprehensive CV—including your email address and telephone number—to recruit@agra.org, ensuring the job reference number SFO/GRC/05/2026 is included in the email subject line. Applications must be received no later than 5 June 2026. Given the anticipated high volume of submissions, only candidates selected for further consideration will be notified.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
