The Position
The Senior Finance Officer – Grants Reporting and Compliance will deliver CFO-level validation regarding the integrity, accuracy, compliance, and audit readiness of grantee expenditures prior to their recognition in the ERP. This position will also serve as the CFO’s representative in Grant Committee discussions and confirm that grantee expenditures are legitimate, properly incurred, adequately documented, correctly categorized, and recorded in the appropriate accounting period under accrual accounting principles. The successful candidate will enhance financial reporting standards at both the grantee and country office levels by reinforcing documentation protocols and addressing discrepancies at the point of origin. Furthermore, the role will establish full traceability of financial data, tracking it from grantee submissions through the GMS ERP system.
The incumbent 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 recognizing recurring control deficiencies and assisting in corrective measures to minimize audit findings, downstream adjustments, and reporting inaccuracies. The position will deliver consistent reports and assurances to management regarding grantee expenditure quality, receivable balances, audit preparedness, and financial reporting risks.
Oversee and execute a range of critical duties and responsibilities, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and operational standards. Serve as a primary contributor to key projects, delivering measurable outcomes through meticulous planning and efficient execution. Collaborate across departments to foster seamless communication, streamline processes, and enhance overall productivity. Maintain rigorous adherence to established policies, procedures, and compliance frameworks to uphold accountability and mitigate risks. Actively monitor performance metrics, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategic initiatives to drive continuous growth and operational excellence.
Drive the evolution of grants financial management into a rigorously controlled, audit-prepared assurance function.
Ensure the financial integrity of the grant throughout its entire lifecycle by verifying that all expenditures are precise, properly documented, auditable, and fully compliant with donor stipulations.
Strengthening AGRA’s second-line oversight framework involves implementing structured verification, reconciliation, and compliance review processes to enhance accountability and regulatory adherence.
Enhance and systematize donor financial reporting upholding quality, uniformity, punctuality, and trustworthiness.
Drive ongoing enhancements in grants financial governance, systems, and reporting strengthening transparency, accountability, and the generation of actionable insights. Assume the role of institutional leader for grants financial compliance, reporting, and audit preparedness, supporting the Head of Grants’ strategic initiatives.
Collaborate with Finance, Grants, Programs, M&E, and IT teams to establish and uphold robust financial discipline and reporting practices throughout the organization.
Serve as the main liaison between external auditors and donors regarding financial reporting, compliance matters, and audit-related issues.
Work closely with the Legal team to incorporate accurate financial reporting, compliance standards, and audit requirements into grant agreements.
Deliver objective assurance insights to senior leadership regarding compliance risks, financial exposure, and portfolio performance.
Prepare senior management reports, including governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) and Executive Committee (Expo) updates, by delivering clear, data-driven analyses on risk exposure and financial outcomes.
Through mentorship, educational initiatives, and escalation protocols, you will guide country and program teams to uphold policy compliance, even in the absence of direct authority.
Enhance organizational capacity by equipping staff and grantees with the necessary skills through comprehensive training on reporting standards, proper documentation practices, and adherence to compliance requirements.
Perform independent verification of grant expenditures by comparing them against approved budgets, donor-imposed conditions, and relevant supporting documentation.
Develop and deploy compliance review frameworks grounded in risk assessment methodologies across the entirety of the grant portfolio.
Identify, document, and elevate compliance breaches, expenditures lacking proper justification, and deficiencies in internal controls for further review and resolution.
Maintain and oversee the financial risk register for all grants, focusing on high-risk grants and the corresponding mitigation strategies.
Implement and oversee internal control frameworks, such as those aligned with COST, throughout the entire lifecycle of the grant.
Support the compilation and evaluation of financial reports for donors, verifying accuracy, thoroughness, and adherence to contractual obligations regarding grantee reporting.
Standardize grantee reporting templates, timelines, and processes to ensure consistency and efficiency across all reporting requirements.
Ensure the seamless incorporation of grantee financial data into all organizational reporting deliverables, including donor reports, Board papers, and annual reports.
Deliver comprehensive financial analysis and strategic insights on grantee performance, focusing on budget-to-actual comparisons, 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 audit review.
Ensure audit responses are coordinated effectively, addressing resolutions promptly and following through diligently on all corrective actions.
Conduct pre-audit evaluations and establish comprehensive documentation protocols to enhance audit readiness.
Facilitate regulatory reporting and disclosure processes concerning grants, including the preparation and submission of statutory filings.
Ensure accurate reconciliation between the grants systems (AMIS) and the General Ledger, promptly addressing and resolving any discrepancies that arise.
Ensure financial and grants systems maintain data that is accurate, complete, and consistently reliable.
Collaborate with Grants, IT, and Finance teams to enhance system integration, strengthen reporting capabilities, and drive user adoption.
Manage financial data flows across various systems, verifying consistency and accuracy among reporting platforms.
Deliver comprehensive financial insights at the portfolio level for grantees, focusing on grant performance, fund utilization, future projections, and potential risk exposure.
Create and manage dynamic dashboards and key performance indicators to enhance informed decision-making for organizational leadership.
Transform financial data into concise, strategic insights that empower senior leadership and the Board to make informed decisions.
Develop and implement instructional programs for employees and grant recipients focused on financial reporting, proper documentation practices, and regulatory compliance.
Drive enhancements in operational efficiency, reporting accuracy, and internal control robustness through strategic initiatives.
Foster an organizational environment characterized by accountability, precision, and preparedness for audits.
The ideal candidate must possess a minimum of five years of relevant experience in a similar role, along with a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard software and tools is essential, as is the ability to work effectively within a team-oriented environment. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills are also required to excel in this position. Additionally, prior leadership or project management experience is highly desirable.
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, or commensurate professional experience, is required.
A master’s degree in a related discipline is highly beneficial.
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential signifies expertise in accounting, taxation, and financial management, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and ethical practices. To obtain this certification, candidates must fulfill education requirements, typically a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, along with passing the Uniform CPA Examination. Additionally, candidates are required to complete a designated number of accounting-related work hours, often under the supervision of a licensed CPA. Once certified, professionals are responsible for maintaining their credentials through continuing education to stay current with evolving industry regulations and best practices.
A minimum of two years of hands-on experience in accounting, finance, or the oversight of financial activities is required.
Proficient in international and domestic financial reporting frameworks, including country-specific and governmental accounting standards.
Proven experience in developing and interpreting financial reports for senior leadership teams.
Applies expertise in auditing methodologies, financial risk mitigation strategies, and relevant regulatory compliance frameworks.
Exhibits advanced skills in utilizing a range of computer applications, such as spreadsheets, presentation tools, reporting systems, and accounting software.
If you meet the qualifications for this role, kindly forward your application, accompanied by a comprehensive CV (including your email address and telephone number), to recruit@agra.org. Ensure the job reference number SFO/GRC/05/2026 is included in the subject line of your application email. Please note that submissions must be received no later than 5th June 2026. Given the anticipated high volume of applications, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
