The Position
The Senior Finance Officer – Grants Reporting and Compliance will deliver CFO-level assurance regarding the completeness, accuracy, compliance, and auditability of grantee expenditures prior to their recognition in the ERP. This position will also represent the CFO in Grant Committee meetings and validate that grantee expenditures are legitimate, properly incurred, adequately documented, correctly classified, and recorded in the appropriate accounting period under accrual accounting. The ideal candidate will enhance financial reporting quality at both the grantee and country office levels by enforcing rigorous documentation standards and addressing discrepancies at their origin. Additionally, the role will ensure full end-to-end traceability of financial data from grantee submissions within the GMS ERP.
The successful candidate will oversee and evaluate grantee receivable accounts, focusing on outstanding advances, aging schedules, liquidation status, recoverability assessments, and collection follow-ups. Additionally, the individual will pinpoint recurring control deficiencies and assist in implementing corrective measures to minimize audit findings, downstream adjustments, and inaccuracies in reporting. Furthermore, the role will furnish management with consistent updates and assurance regarding grantee expenditure quality, receivable balances, audit preparedness, and potential financial reporting risks.
Oversee and execute a comprehensive range of critical duties and responsibilities, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and operational excellence. Lead key initiatives while maintaining rigorous adherence to established policies, procedures, and industry standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success, optimize performance, and deliver measurable outcomes. Ensure meticulous attention to detail in all tasks, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Develop and implement strategic solutions to address challenges, enhance productivity, and support long-term growth objectives.
Transform the grants financial management function into a rigorously controlled, audit-ready assurance framework.
Maintain rigorous financial accuracy, compliance, and alignment with donor specifications throughout the entire grant lifecycle, guaranteeing that all expenditures are properly documented, verified, and executed in accordance with established standards.
Enhancing AGRA’s second-line oversight framework involves implementing structured verification, reconciliation, and compliance review processes to ensure robust governance and accountability.
Enhance donor financial reporting achieving superior quality, consistency, timeliness, and credibility, while establishing standardized processes.
Drive ongoing enhancements in grants financial governance, systems, and reporting strengthening transparency, accountability, and the delivery of actionable insights for decision-making. Assume the role of institutional leader for grants financial compliance, reporting, and audit preparedness, supporting the Head of Grants in executing their strategic responsibilities.
Collaborate closely with Finance, Grants, Programs, M&E, and IT departments to establish and uphold robust financial discipline and reporting excellence throughout the organization.
Serve as the main liaison between the organization and external auditors and donors, addressing financial reporting, compliance, and audit-related inquiries.
Work collaboratively with the Legal department to ensure grant agreements incorporate accurate financial reporting requirements, stringent compliance measures, and thorough audit provisions.
Deliver independent assurance insights to senior leadership regarding compliance risks, financial exposure, and portfolio performance.
Prepare senior management reports—including those for GRC and Expo—by delivering precise, data-driven analyses of risks and financial performance.
Demonstrate leadership by advising, educating, and addressing issues at the country and program levels, fostering policy compliance even in the absence of direct oversight.
Enhance organizational capacity by providing comprehensive training to staff and grantees on reporting standards, documentation protocols, and compliance requirements.
Perform independent verification of grant expenditures to ensure alignment with approved budgets, donor stipulations, and relevant supporting documentation.
Design and deploy risk-based compliance review frameworks to oversee the grant portfolio effectively.
Identify, report, and monitor compliance violations, unauthorized expenditures, and deficiencies in internal controls.
Ensure continuous oversight and management of the grants’ financial risk register, with particular emphasis on identifying high-risk grants and implementing effective mitigation strategies.
Embed and oversee comprehensive internal control systems, such as those aligned with the COST framework, throughout the entire grant lifecycle.
Assist in compiling and verifying donor financial reports to confirm accuracy, thoroughness, and adherence to contractual obligations regarding grantee reporting.
To establish consistent grantee reporting templates, timelines, and processes.
Integrate grantee financial data into organizational reporting outputs, including donor reports, Board papers, and annual reports.
Deliver comprehensive financial analysis and strategic insights regarding grantee performance, focusing on budget comparisons with actual expenditures, monitoring of burn rates, and evaluation of financial risks.
Act as the central contact for YE FFA grant-related audits, maintaining thorough, well-structured, and inspection-ready documentation.
Ensure audit responses are coordinated efficiently, prioritizing timely resolution and diligent follow-through on all corrective actions.
Develop and execute pre-audit review procedures and establish comprehensive documentation standards to enhance audit readiness.
Prepare regulatory reports and disclosures pertaining to grant activities, including statutory filings, to ensure compliance with applicable requirements.
Ensure accurate reconciliation between grant management systems (AMIS) and the General Ledger, promptly addressing and resolving any discrepancies that may arise.
Enhance the accuracy, thoroughness, and uniformity of data within financial and grants systems.
Collaborate with the Grants, IT, and Finance departments to enhance system integration, reporting capabilities, and overall user adoption.
Monitor financial data flows to ensure consistency and accuracy across all reporting systems.
Deliver comprehensive financial insights at the grantee portfolio level, focusing on grant performance, fund utilization, future projections, and potential risk exposure.
Design and oversee interactive dashboards and key performance indicators (KPIs) to facilitate data-driven insights for senior leadership, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and actionable reporting.
Transform financial data into comprehensible, strategic insights tailored for senior leadership and the Board.
Develop and implement comprehensive training initiatives aimed at enhancing the financial reporting, documentation, and compliance skills of staff members and grantees.
Spearhead efforts aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, elevating reporting standards, and strengthening control measures.
Foster an organizational environment characterized by accountability, precision, and preparedness for audits.
Seeking a candidate with a proven track record in the specified domain, evidenced by relevant qualifications and hands-on experience. The ideal applicant must possess the necessary academic credentials along with a minimum of [X years] of professional experience in a comparable role. Proficiency in [specific skills or tools] is essential, alongside strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to navigate complex challenges. Additionally, excellent communication skills and the capacity to collaborate effectively within a team are required to ensure seamless project execution. Fluency in [any required languages] is a must, and familiarity with [specific industry standards or regulations] is highly advantageous.
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance—or relevant professional experience—is required.
A master’s degree in a related discipline is highly beneficial.
Earned a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential, demonstrating expertise in accounting principles, tax regulations, and financial reporting standards. Maintained rigorous ethical and professional standards to ensure accuracy and compliance in all financial activities.
Experienced professionals in accounting, finance, or financial monitoring are required.
Skilled in applying international and national government accounting standards with precision and expertise.
Experienced in developing and evaluating financial reports tailored for senior management review.
Proficiency in auditing methodologies, financial risk mitigation strategies, and relevant financial regulatory frameworks is required.
Possesses advanced skills in utilizing computer applications, such as spreadsheets, presentation tools, reporting systems, and accounting software.
To apply for this position, kindly forward your application along with a comprehensive CV—including your email and telephone details—to recruit@agra.org. Ensure the job reference number SFO/GRC/05/2026 is clearly stated in the subject line of your email submission. All applications must be received no later than 5th June 2026. Given the anticipated high volume of applications, only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
