The Position
The Senior Finance Officer – Grants Reporting and Compliance will deliver CFO-approved validation of the completeness, accuracy, compliance, and audit readiness of grantee expenditures prior to their recognition in the ERP system. Additionally, the role will involve representing the CFO in Grant Committee engagements and confirming that all grantee expenditures are legitimate, properly documented, correctly categorized, and recorded in the correct accounting period under accrual-based accounting principles. The successful candidate is expected to enhance financial reporting integrity at both the grantee and country office levels by enforcing strict documentation requirements and addressing discrepancies at their origin. Furthermore, this position will guarantee full traceability of financial data from grantee submissions through the GMS ERP system.
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, this role will pinpoint recurring control deficiencies and assist in implementing corrective measures to minimize audit findings, subsequent adjustments, and inaccuracies in financial reporting. The position will deliver consistent reports and validation to leadership 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 standards. Deliver consistent and high-quality performance across all assigned tasks, while actively contributing to team goals and fostering a collaborative work environment. Maintain strict adherence to established policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements to uphold efficiency and accountability. Demonstrate exceptional problem-solving skills and adaptability in addressing challenges, and prioritize continuous improvement through proactive engagement and professional development initiatives.
Transform the grants financial management function into a robust, audit-ready control-driven assurance framework.
Ensure financial accuracy and compliance throughout the entire grant lifecycle, verifying that all expenditures are precise, well-documented, and fully compliant with donor specifications.
Enhancing AGRA’s second-line oversight framework involves implementing structured verification, reconciliation, and compliance review processes to ensure robust governance and accountability.
Enhance and unify donor financial reporting guaranteeing superior quality, uniformity, consistency, and dependability.
Enhance grants financial governance, systems, and reporting fostering ongoing improvement, ensuring greater transparency, accountability, and insights that support informed decision-making. Lead institutional efforts in grants financial compliance, reporting, and audit preparedness, serving as a key complement to the Head of Grants’ strategic responsibilities.
Collaborate with Finance, Grants, Programs, M&E, and IT teams to establish and uphold rigorous financial discipline and reporting excellence throughout the organization.
Serve as the primary liaison between external auditors and donors regarding financial reporting, compliance, and audit-related issues.
Partner with the Legal team to incorporate precise financial reporting, compliance, and audit clauses into grant agreements.
Deliver objective assurance insights to senior leadership regarding compliance risks, financial exposure, and portfolio performance.
Provide thorough, data-driven insights to senior leadership reports, including GRC and Expo updates, focusing on risk assessment and financial performance analysis.
Provide direction, training, and escalation support to country and program teams to foster adherence to policies, even in the absence of direct authority.
Develop organizational capacity by providing training to staff and grantees on reporting standards, documentation protocols, and compliance requirements.
Perform independent verification of grant expenditures by comparing them against allocated budgets, donor-specific conditions, and relevant supporting documentation.
Develop and execute frameworks for compliance reviews that are grounded in risk assessment methodologies, ensuring systematic oversight across the entire grant portfolio.
Identify, document, and report any instances of non-compliance, unauthorized spending, or deficiencies in internal controls, ensuring timely resolution and mitigation of risks to the organization.
Oversee and regularly track the financial risk register for grants, with a focus on identifying high-risk grants and implementing corresponding mitigation strategies.
Embed and oversee internal control frameworks, such as those aligned with the COST framework, throughout the entire duration of the grant’s lifecycle.
Prepare and review donor financial reports with meticulous attention to detail, verifying accuracy, completeness, and adherence to contractual reporting obligations for grantees.
To establish consistency, grantee reporting templates, schedules, and procedures must be unified and streamlined.
Ensure that grantee financial data is seamlessly integrated into organizational reporting frameworks, including donor reports, Board papers, and annual reports.
Deliver comprehensive financial analysis and strategic insights for grantees, focusing on budget-to-actual performance comparisons, expenditure tracking, and proactive identification of potential financial risks.
Act as the primary liaison for YE FFA grant-related audits, verifying that all documentation is thorough, systematically arranged, and fully prepared for audit review.
Ensure audit responses are coordinated efficiently, driving timely resolution and diligent completion of corrective actions.
To enhance audit preparedness, establish and enforce pre-audit review processes along with comprehensive documentation standards.
Prepare and oversee regulatory filings and disclosures pertaining to grant-related activities, including statutory submissions.
Ensure seamless alignment between the grants’ management system (AMIS) and the General Ledger by identifying and rectifying any discrepancies that arise.
Ensure the accuracy, thoroughness, and uniformity of data within financial and grant management systems.
Collaborate with the Grants, IT, and Finance teams to enhance system integration, strengthen reporting capabilities, and drive user adoption.
Oversee the integrity and consistency of financial data as it moves between systems, verifying that it aligns with all reporting platforms.
Deliver comprehensive financial insights at the grantee portfolio level, encompassing grant performance, utilization metrics, financial projections, and assessments of risk exposure.
Create and update dashboards and key performance indicators (KPIs) to provide leadership with actionable insights for informed decision-making.
Convert financial data into meaningful, strategic insights tailored for senior leadership and the Board to support informed decision-making.
Develop and implement educational initiatives for both staff and grantees focused on financial reporting, documentation standards, and regulatory compliance requirements.
Spearhead efforts aimed at enhancing efficiency, elevating reporting standards, and strengthening control mechanisms to ensure robust operational performance.
Foster an organizational environment characterized by accountability, precision, and readiness for audits.
Seeking candidates with a strong academic background and relevant professional experience, including a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least five years of hands-on experience in a comparable role. Proficiency in industry-specific software and tools is essential, along with excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Prior experience in project management or leadership is highly advantageous, as is familiarity with regulatory standards and best practices. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a proven track record of delivering results in dynamic environments.
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, or relevant professional experience of equivalent standing, is required.
A master’s degree in a relevant discipline is highly beneficial.
Candidates must hold a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential, demonstrating expertise in accounting principles, tax regulations, and financial reporting standards. This certification, issued by a recognized accounting board, signifies a commitment to ethical practices and ongoing professional development in the field of finance.
Extensive background in accounting, finance, or financial oversight is required.
Proficiency in international and jurisdiction-specific accounting frameworks is required.
Conveys extensive expertise in compiling and evaluating financial statements tailored for senior leadership.
Professional Rewriting:
Exhibits a comprehensive understanding of auditing methodologies, financial risk mitigation strategies, and applicable financial regulatory frameworks.
Proficient in utilizing a variety of computer applications, such as spreadsheets, presentation tools, reporting systems, and accounting software.
To apply for this role, kindly submit your application along with a comprehensive CV—including your email address and phone number—to recruit@agra.org, ensuring the job reference number SFO/GRC/05/2026 is included in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until 5th June 2026. Given the anticipated high volume of submissions, only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
