The Position
The Senior Finance Officer – Grants Reporting and Compliance will deliver CFO-level assurance regarding the thoroughness, accuracy, compliance, and auditability of grantee expenditures prior to their recognition in the ERP system. This role will also serve as the CFO’s representative in Grant Committee meetings and validate that grantee expenditures are legitimate, incurred appropriately, properly documented, accurately classified, and recorded in the correct accounting period under accrual accounting principles. The selected candidate will enhance financial reporting quality at both the grantee and country office levels by upholding rigorous documentation standards and addressing discrepancies at their origin. Furthermore, the position will guarantee full traceability of financial data from grantee submissions to the GMS ERP system.
The incumbent is responsible for overseeing and evaluating grantee receivable accounts, which encompasses outstanding advances, aging analysis, liquidation status, recoverability assessments, and collection follow-up activities. Additionally, this role will pinpoint recurring control deficiencies and collaborate on implementing corrective measures to minimize audit findings, downstream adjustments, and inaccuracies in financial reporting. The position will deliver consistent reporting and assurance to management regarding grantee expenditure quality, receivable balances, audit preparedness, and potential financial reporting risks.
Oversee and execute a comprehensive range of duties and responsibilities, ensuring meticulous attention to detail and adherence to established protocols. Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight, collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive efficiency and achieve organizational goals. Maintain rigorous compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability. Serve as a pivotal point of contact for stakeholders, facilitating transparent communication and aligning efforts to meet business objectives.
Transform the grants financial management function into a robust, audit-ready assurance framework characterized by strict controls and proactive oversight.
Ensure the financial integrity of the grant throughout its entire lifecycle by verifying that all expenditures are precise, adequately documented, compliant with regulatory standards, and fully aligned with the donor’s stipulations.
Enhancing AGRA’s second-line oversight framework involves implementing structured verification, reconciliation, and compliance review processes to ensure robust governance and accountability.
Enhance and systematize donor financial reporting upholding excellence, uniformity, promptness, and trustworthiness.
Enhance grants financial governance, systems, and reporting fostering ongoing improvements that strengthen transparency, accountability, and insights valuable for decision-making. Lead the institution’s efforts in grants financial compliance, reporting, and audit preparedness, supporting and augmenting the strategic responsibilities of the Head of Grants.
Collaborate with Finance, Grants, Programs, M&E, and IT teams to establish and uphold robust financial discipline and reporting protocols throughout the organization.
Serve as the principal liaison between the organization and external auditors as well as donors, addressing financial reporting, compliance, and audit-related inquiries with professionalism and transparency.
Work collaboratively with the Legal team to ensure grant agreements incorporate accurate financial reporting, compliance standards, and audit requirements.
Deliver objective assurance insights to senior leadership regarding compliance risks, financial exposure, and portfolio performance.
Provide meticulously researched and data-driven insights to support senior management reporting, including governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) frameworks as well as Executive Committee (Expo) presentations, ensuring all updates on risk exposure and financial performance are accurate, transparent, and actionable.
Demonstrate leadership by advising, educating, and intervening as needed to reinforce policy compliance across country and program teams, even in the absence of direct managerial oversight.
Develop organizational capacity by instructing staff and grantees on reporting standards, documentation protocols, and compliance requirements.
Perform independent verification of grant expenditures by assessing their alignment with established budgets, donor-imposed conditions, and relevant supporting documentation.
Develop and execute compliance review frameworks grounded in risk assessment methodologies for the grant portfolio.
You will be responsible for detecting, reporting, and monitoring compliance violations, unapproved expenditures, and deficiencies in internal controls.
Oversee and track the grants’ financial risk register, with a focus on identifying high-risk grants and implementing corresponding mitigation strategies.
Ensure the integration and ongoing evaluation of internal control frameworks, such as those aligned with COST, throughout every phase of the grant’s lifecycle.
Assist in compiling and verifying donor financial reports to ensure they meet accuracy, completeness, and contractual compliance standards for grantee reporting.
Standardize grantee reporting templates, timelines, and processes to ensure consistency and efficiency across all reporting initiatives.
Facilitate the seamless incorporation of grantee financial data into all organizational reporting deliverables, including donor reports, Board papers, and annual reports, to maintain transparency and accountability.
Deliver comprehensive financial analysis and strategic insights for grantees, focusing on budget variances, expenditure rates, and potential financial risks.
Act as the primary liaison for YE FFA grant-related audits, guaranteeing that all documentation is thorough, systematically arranged, and prepared for review.
Ensure audit responses are coordinated effectively, maintaining prompt resolution and diligent follow-through on all corrective actions.
Develop and enforce pre-audit review processes and documentation protocols to enhance audit readiness and compliance.
Prepare and oversee regulatory reporting and disclosure documentation pertaining to grants, including statutory filings, to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Ensure accurate reconciliation between the grants systems (AMIS) and the General Ledger, systematically identifying and resolving any discrepancies that arise.
Enhance the accuracy, reliability, and uniformity of data across financial and grants systems.
Collaborate with Grants, IT, and Finance teams to enhance system integration, reporting capabilities, and overall user adoption.
Manage financial data flows across various systems, verifying consistency and accuracy across all reporting platforms.
Deliver comprehensive financial analyses at the grantee portfolio level, encompassing grant performance, fund utilization, future projections, and potential risk exposures.
Design interactive dashboards and key performance indicators to provide leadership with actionable insights for informed strategic decision-making.
Interpret financial data to provide senior leadership and the Board with precise, decision-enabling insights.
Develop and facilitate instructional programs focused on financial reporting, documentation standards, and regulatory compliance for both staff and grantees.
Spearhead strategic projects aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, elevating reporting standards, and strengthening internal controls.
Foster a work environment characterized by accountability, precision, and preparedness for audits throughout the organization.
Qualifications and Experience Required:
Candidates must possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, along with at least three years of professional experience in a comparable role. Proficiency in industry-standard software and tools is essential, alongside strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication abilities, both written and verbal, are required to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. Prior experience in project management or leadership is highly advantageous. Familiarity with current industry trends and best practices is expected, along with the capacity to adapt to evolving business needs.
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, or relevant professional experience in an equivalent capacity.
A master’s degree in a related discipline is highly desirable.
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential is required for this position. Candidates must possess at least five years of progressive accounting experience, with a minimum of two years in a supervisory or management role. Proficiency in U.S. GAAP and tax regulations is essential, along with strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills. Responsibilities include overseeing financial reporting, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and leading audit preparation efforts. The ideal candidate will demonstrate leadership in process improvement and the ability to mentor junior staff effectively.
We require demonstrated expertise in accounting, finance, or financial oversight, acquired through hands-on professional experience.
Familiarity with international and country-specific governmental accounting standards is required.
Proven expertise in compiling and interpreting financial reports for senior leadership.
Possesses a thorough understanding of auditing methodologies, financial risk mitigation strategies, and applicable financial regulatory frameworks.
Demonstrates exceptional skill in utilizing a variety of computer applications, such as spreadsheet programs, presentation tools, reporting systems, and accounting software.
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by sending a comprehensive CV, which includes their email and telephone details, to recruit@agra.org. Kindly include the job reference number SFO/GRC/05/2026 in the subject line of your email. Applications should be submitted no later than 5th June 2026; due to the anticipated high volume of applications, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
