The Position
The Senior Finance Officer – Grants Reporting and Compliance will deliver CFO-focused validation over the integrity, compliance, and audit readiness of grantee expenditures prior to their entry in the ERP system. This includes representing the CFO in Grant Committee engagements and confirming that expenditures are legitimate, appropriately incurred, adequately supported, accurately classified, and recorded in the correct accounting period under accrual accounting principles. The successful candidate will enhance financial reporting standards at both the grantee and country office levels by enforcing documentation protocols and proactively addressing discrepancies at their origin. Furthermore, the position will establish transparent, end-to-end 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 analysis, liquidation status, recoverability assessments, and collection follow-ups. Additionally, the role involves detecting recurring control deficiencies and assisting with corrective measures to minimize audit findings, downstream adjustments, and inaccuracies in financial reporting. The position will deliver consistent reports and validation to management regarding grantee expenditure integrity, receivable balances, audit preparedness, and potential financial reporting risks.
Oversee essential duties and responsibilities encompassing a comprehensive range of tasks integral to the role. Perform a variety of critical functions designed to support operational objectives and enhance organizational efficiency. Ensure adherence to established protocols while executing responsibilities with precision and attention to detail. Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals and deliver measurable results. Maintain strict compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements to uphold organizational integrity and reputation.
Transform the grants financial management function into a robust, audit-ready assurance framework governed by stringent controls.
Maintain rigorous financial oversight throughout the entirety of the grant’s lifecycle to guarantee that all expenditures are precise, properly documented, verified, compliant with regulatory standards, and fully aligned with the stipulations set forth by the donor.
Enhancing AGRA’s second-line oversight framework involves implementing structured verification, reconciliation, and compliance review processes to ensure robust oversight.
Enhance and streamline donor financial reporting processes to guarantee high standards of quality, uniformity, punctuality, and trustworthiness.
Enhance grants financial governance, systems, and reporting by fostering ongoing improvements, thereby strengthening transparency, accountability, and the generation of actionable insights for decision-making. As the primary institutional authority on grants financial compliance, reporting, and audit preparedness, collaborate closely with the Head of Grants to align operational execution with strategic objectives.
Collaborate closely with Finance, Grants, Programs, M&E, and IT teams to establish and reinforce robust financial discipline and reporting frameworks throughout the organization.
Serve as the primary liaison between the organization and external auditors and donors, handling all matters related to financial reporting, compliance, and audit activities.
Ensure grant agreements incorporate accurate financial reporting, compliance, and audit provisions by working closely with the Legal team.
Provide senior leadership with independent assurance insights on compliance risks, financial exposure, and portfolio performance.
Prepare comprehensive senior management reports, including Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) and Executive Committee (Expo) materials, delivering concise, fact-driven insights on risk exposure and financial outcomes.
Through mentorship, educational initiatives, and escalation processes, collaborate with country and program teams to uphold policy compliance, exercising influence despite the absence of direct reporting authority.
Enhance organizational capacity by equipping staff and grantees with essential skills through targeted training on reporting standards, documentation protocols, and compliance requirements.
Perform independent verification of grant expenditures by cross-referencing them against allocated budgets, donor-specific conditions, and accompanying supporting documentation.
Develop and execute compliance review frameworks grounded in risk assessment methodologies for the grant portfolio.
Identify, escalate, and monitor any instances of non-compliance, unauthorized expenditures, and deficiencies in internal controls.
Ensure ongoing oversight and tracking of the grants’ financial risk register, with particular attention to high-risk grants and corresponding mitigation strategies.
Implement and oversee internal control frameworks, such as those aligned with COST, throughout the entirety of the grant’s lifecycle.
Provide assistance in compiling and verifying donor financial reports to confirm they are precise, thorough, and adhere to the reporting obligations specified in grant agreements.
Standardize grantee reporting templates, timelines, and processes to ensure consistency and efficiency across all submissions.
Ensure grantee financial data is incorporated into organizational reporting outputs, including donor reports, Board papers, and annual reports.
Deliver thorough financial analysis and strategic insights for grantees, focusing on budget performance compared to actual expenditures, expenditure rates, and potential financial risks.
Act as the primary liaison for YE FFA grant-related audits, verifying that all documentation is thorough, systematically arranged, and prepared for review.
Ensure audit responses are coordinated effectively, with a strong emphasis on timely resolution and diligent follow-through regarding corrective actions.
To enhance audit readiness, establish and enforce pre-audit review protocols and maintain rigorous documentation standards.
Facilitate the preparation and submission of regulatory filings and disclosures pertaining to grant activities, including statutory reporting requirements.
Ensure accurate reconciliation between the grants’ management system (AMIS) and the General Ledger, identifying and resolving any discrepancies to maintain financial integrity.
Enhance the reliability, comprehensiveness, and uniformity of financial and grant-related data systems.
Collaborate with the Grants, IT, and Finance teams to enhance system integration, reporting capabilities, and user adoption rates.
Responsible for monitoring and coordinating financial data transfers between various systems, guaranteeing consistency across all reporting frameworks.
Offer strategic financial insights at the grantee portfolio level, analyzing grant performance, utilization, future projections, and potential risk exposure.
Design and oversee dynamic dashboards and key performance indicators to facilitate strategic decision-making for leadership teams.
Convert financial data into comprehensible, value-driven insights that inform strategic decisions for senior leadership and the Board.
Develop and implement training programs tailored for staff and grantees, focusing on financial reporting, documentation standards, and regulatory compliance.
Spearhead strategic projects aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, elevating the quality of reporting, and strengthening control mechanisms.
Foster an organizational environment characterized by accountability, precision, and preparedness for audits.
Qualifications and experience are required in the following areas: a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in the field, a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline, and proficiency in industry-standard software tools. Additionally, candidates should possess strong analytical skills, the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively, and exceptional communication abilities. Prior experience in project management or a similar role is highly advantageous, along with a proven track record of delivering measurable results. Familiarity with regulatory standards and compliance protocols is essential, and professional certifications may be preferred.
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance—or relevant professional experience—is required.
A master’s degree in a relevant discipline is highly beneficial.
Requires a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential, demonstrating expertise in accounting principles and regulatory compliance.
Required background includes demonstrated expertise in accounting, finance, or financial monitoring.
Proficiency in international and jurisdiction-specific accounting frameworks and regulatory requirements is essential.
Competent in developing and evaluating financial reports tailored for senior management oversight.
Possesses a thorough understanding of auditing methodologies, financial risk mitigation strategies, and applicable financial regulatory frameworks.
Proficient in a range of computer applications, including spreadsheets, presentation tools, reporting systems, and accounting software.
If you meet the requirements for this role, kindly send your application—including a comprehensive CV with your email and telephone details—to recruit@agra.org, ensuring the job reference number SFO/GRC/05/2026 is clearly stated in the email subject line. Applications will only be accepted until 5th June 2026, and due to the anticipated high volume of submissions, only those who are shortlisted will receive a response.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
