The Position
The Senior Finance Officer – Grants Reporting and Compliance will deliver CFO-level assurance regarding the thoroughness, precision, compliance, and audit readiness of grantee expenditures prior to their recording in the ERP system. This individual will serve as the CFO’s representative in Grant Committee meetings and validate that grantee expenditures are legitimate, properly incurred, adequately documented, accurately classified, and appropriately recorded within the correct accounting period under accrual accounting principles. The successful candidate will enhance financial reporting quality at both the grantee and country office levels by enforcing stringent documentation standards and addressing discrepancies at their origin. Additionally, the role will establish complete traceability of financial data from grantee submissions to the GMS ERP.
The incumbent is responsible for overseeing and evaluating grantee receivable accounts, focusing on outstanding advances, aging, liquidation status, recoverability, and collection follow-up. This position will identify persistent control deficiencies and assist in implementing corrective measures to mitigate audit findings, subsequent adjustments, and inaccuracies in reporting. Additionally, the role involves delivering periodic reports and assurances to management regarding the quality of grantee expenditures, receivable balances, audit preparedness, and financial reporting risks.
Oversee and execute a comprehensive range of duties and responsibilities, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and operational standards. This role requires the incumbent to manage and deliver key tasks with precision, while maintaining adherence to established protocols and performance benchmarks. Responsibilities include leading strategic initiatives, coordinating cross-functional teams, and driving continuous improvement across all assigned functions. Additionally, the position demands meticulous attention to detail, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Effective communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills are essential to foster collaboration and achieve desired outcomes.
Transform grants financial management into a robust, audit-ready assurance function through a rigorous, control-driven approach.
Ensure the financial integrity of the grant throughout its entire lifecycle, verifying that all expenditures are precise, properly documented, compliant with regulations, and fully aligned with donor specifications.
Enhancing AGRA’s second-line oversight framework involves implementing structured verification, reconciliation, and compliance review procedures to ensure robust governance and accountability.
Elevate donor financial reporting to the highest standards of quality, consistency, timeliness, and credibility, ensuring a uniform and reliable process across all submissions.
Enhance grants financial governance, systems, and reporting fostering greater transparency, accountability, and insights that support informed decision-making. Lead institutional efforts in grants financial compliance, reporting, and audit preparedness, while aligning with the Head of Grants’ strategic objectives.
Collaborate closely with Finance, Grants, Programs, M&E, and IT teams to integrate robust financial discipline and enhance reporting standards throughout the organization.
Serve as the main point of contact for external auditors and donors regarding financial reporting, compliance, and audit-related issues.
Work closely with the Legal department to incorporate accurate financial reporting, compliance, and audit requirements into grant agreements.
Deliver unbiased, strategic assurance insights to senior leadership regarding compliance risks, financial exposure, and portfolio performance.
Prepare detailed, data-driven reports for senior leadership, including governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) and Executive Committee (Expo) presentations, ensuring accurate and insightful updates on risk exposure and financial performance.
Drive alignment across country and program teams by providing strategic guidance, facilitating training initiatives, and escalating issues as needed, all while ensuring strict adherence to established policies—even in the absence of direct authority.
Enhance organizational capacity by providing staff and grantees with comprehensive training on reporting standards, documentation protocols, and compliance requirements.
Perform independent verification of grant expenditures by comparing them against established budgets, donor stipulations, and accompanying supporting documentation.
Develop and execute compliance review frameworks that prioritize risk assessment across the grant portfolio.
Responsibilities include identifying, escalating, and monitoring compliance breaches, unsupported expenditures, and control deficiencies to ensure adherence to established policies and procedures.
Maintain and oversee the financial risk register for grants, with a focus on identifying high-risk allocations and corresponding mitigation measures.
Ensure the implementation and continuous oversight of internal control frameworks, such as those aligned with COST, throughout the entire lifecycle of the grant.
Provide assistance in compiling and verifying donor financial reports to ensure they are precise, comprehensive, and fully compliant with grantee reporting obligations.
Standardize grantee reporting templates, timelines, and processes to ensure consistency and compliance across all reporting activities.
Integrate grantee financial data seamlessly into organizational reporting outputs, including donor reports, Board papers, and annual reports.
Deliver comprehensive financial analysis and actionable insights for grantees, focusing on budget-to-actual comparisons, 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.
Coordinate audit responses efficiently, guaranteeing the prompt resolution and consistent follow-through on corrective actions.
To enhance audit preparedness, establish and enforce pre-audit review protocols and comprehensive documentation standards.
Provide assistance with regulatory reporting and disclosure obligations pertaining to grants, including statutory filings.
Verify alignment between grant management systems (AMIS) and the General Ledger, addressing and resolving any discrepancies promptly.
Ensure the accuracy, thoroughness, and uniformity of data within financial and grant management systems.
Collaborate closely with the Grants, IT, and Finance teams to enhance system interoperability, streamline reporting capabilities, and drive user engagement.
Responsible for monitoring and optimizing financial data transfers between various systems to ensure consistency and accuracy across all reporting platforms.
Deliver strategic financial analysis at the grantee portfolio level, encompassing grant performance, fund utilization, future projections, and potential risk exposure.
Craft and oversee dynamic dashboards and key performance indicators to empower leadership with actionable insights for informed decision-making.
Transform financial data into comprehensible, strategic insights for senior leadership and the Board, enabling informed decision-making.
Develop and implement training initiatives aimed at enhancing staff and grantee proficiency in financial reporting, documentation, and compliance standards.
Spearhead efforts to enhance operational efficiency, elevate the quality of reporting, and strengthen control mechanisms.
Cultivate an organizational environment characterized by accountability, precision, and preparedness for audits.
Seeking candidates with a proven track record in a relevant field, possessing at least [X] years of professional experience, preferably including [specific skills or industries]. A [specific degree or certification] is essential, along with the ability to demonstrate expertise in [key technical or soft skills]. Strong problem-solving abilities and a collaborative mindset are also required to thrive in this role.
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance—or relevant professional experience of equivalent duration—is required.
A master’s degree in a related discipline would be highly beneficial.
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential is required for this role.
Experienced professionals in accounting, finance, or financial monitoring are required.
Proficiency in international and local regulatory accounting frameworks is required.
Proven expertise in compiling and interpreting financial reports for senior leadership teams is demonstrated.
Possesses a comprehensive understanding of auditing methodologies, financial risk mitigation strategies, and applicable financial regulations.
Demonstrates exceptional proficiency in utilizing various computer applications, such as spreadsheet tools, presentation software, reporting systems, and accounting platforms.
If you meet the qualifications for this role, kindly forward your application, accompanied by a comprehensive CV (including your email and telephone details), to recruit@agra.org. Be sure to include the job reference number SFO/GRC/05/2026 in the subject line of your email. Applications will be accepted until 5th June 2026. Given the anticipated high volume of submissions, only candidates selected for further consideration will receive a response.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
