The Position
The Senior Finance Officer – Grants Reporting and Compliance will deliver CFO-focused validation over the thoroughness, precision, compliance, and audit readiness of grantee expenditures prior to their recognition in the ERP system, represent the CFO in Grant Committee engagements, and confirm that grantee expenditures are legitimate, properly incurred, adequately documented, accurately categorized, and recorded in the correct accounting period under accrual accounting principles. The successful candidate will elevate financial reporting integrity at both the grantee and country office levels by enforcing rigorous documentation standards and proactively addressing discrepancies at their origin. Furthermore, the role will safeguard complete traceability of financial data from grantee submissions through the GMS ERP.
The successful candidate will oversee and assess grantee receivable accounts, focusing on outstanding advances, aging, liquidation status, recoverability, and collection follow-up procedures. Additionally, the role involves detecting persistent control deficiencies and assisting with remedial measures to minimize audit findings, subsequent adjustments, and inaccuracies in reporting. The position will deliver consistent reports and validation 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, encompassing critical tasks and strategic initiatives essential to the role. Act as a central figure in driving key operational functions, ensuring alignment with organizational goals while maintaining high standards of performance and accountability. Facilitate seamless collaboration across teams, fostering an environment of efficiency and innovation through structured planning, meticulous execution, and continuous improvement. Address multifaceted challenges with a solutions-oriented approach, balancing immediate priorities with long-term objectives to deliver measurable results. Serve as a liaison among stakeholders, translating strategic directives into actionable plans while upholding transparency, compliance, and best practices throughout all processes.
Transform the grants financial management function into a rigorously controlled, audit-ready assurance framework.
Guarantee the financial accuracy, compliance, and alignment with donor specifications for every expenditure throughout the entirety of the grant’s lifecycle, ensuring full integrity from initiation to closure.
Enhancing AGRA’s second-line oversight framework involves implementing structured verification, reconciliation, and compliance review processes to ensure rigor and accountability.
Enhance and systematize donor financial reporting upholding high standards of quality, consistency, timeliness, and credibility.
Spearhead ongoing enhancements in grants financial governance, systems, and reporting bolstering transparency, accountability, and insights that inform decision-making. Lead institutional efforts regarding grants financial compliance, reporting, and audit preparedness, supporting the Head of Grants in executing their strategic responsibilities.
Collaborate closely with Finance, Grants, Programs, Monitoring & Evaluation, and IT teams to institutionalize 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 inquiries.
Work collaboratively with the Legal department to incorporate accurate financial reporting, compliance, and audit provisions into grant agreements.
Deliver objective assurance insights to senior leadership regarding compliance risks, financial exposure, and portfolio performance.
Provide impactful, data-driven insights for senior management reporting, including governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) and Executive Committee (Expo) updates, ensuring transparency and clarity on risk exposures and financial performance.
Provide leadership and support to country and program teams by offering guidance, training, and escalation pathways to ensure consistent policy compliance, even in the absence of direct oversight.
Develop organizational capacity by delivering training to staff and grantees on reporting standards, documentation protocols, and compliance obligations.
Verify grant expenditures independently by ensuring they align with allocated budgets, meet donor-imposed conditions, and are supported by relevant documentation.
Design and roll out compliance review frameworks grounded in risk assessment principles for the grant portfolio.
Identify, document, and report compliance breaches, unsupported expenditures, and control deficiencies for timely resolution.
Maintain and oversee the financial risk register for grants, with particular attention to those deemed high-risk, as well as the corresponding mitigation strategies.
Embed and oversee internal control frameworks, such as those aligned with COST, throughout the entirety of the grant’s lifecycle to ensure compliance and operational integrity.
Assist in compiling and verifying donor financial reports to confirm they are precise, thorough, and adhere to contractual obligations for grantee reporting.
Standardize grantee reporting templates, timelines, and processes to ensure consistency and efficiency across all reporting requirements. Develop and implement clear guidelines to streamline reporting procedures for grantees. Establish uniform templates and deadlines to facilitate accurate and timely submission of grant-related information.
Ensure seamless incorporation of grantee financial data into organizational reporting deliverables, including donor reports, Board papers, and annual reports.
Offer financial analysis and insights to grantees regarding budget versus actual expenditures, burn 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 with precision to ensure prompt resolution and thorough follow-through on corrective actions.
To fortify audit readiness, establish and enforce pre-audit review protocols alongside comprehensive documentation standards.
Prepare regulatory reports and filings concerning grant activities, including statutory submissions.
Reconcile discrepancies between the Grants Management System (AMIS) and the General Ledger, ensuring accurate financial alignment and integrity.
Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of data within financial and grants systems.
Collaborate closely with the Grants, IT, and Finance teams to enhance system integration, strengthen reporting capabilities, and drive user adoption.
Responsible for monitoring and managing financial data transfers between systems to maintain consistency across reporting platforms.
Deliver comprehensive financial insights at the portfolio level for grantees, encompassing performance metrics, fund utilization, future projections, and risk exposure analysis.
Design and oversee the creation and upkeep of dashboards and key performance indicators to facilitate strategic decision-making for organizational leadership.
Transform financial data into meaningful, strategic insights that inform decision-making for senior leadership and the Board.
Design and implement training initiatives for personnel and grantees, focusing on financial reporting, proper documentation practices, and adherence to compliance standards.
Spearhead efforts to enhance operational efficiency, elevate the standard of reporting, and strengthen control mechanisms.
Establish and uphold a culture characterized by accountability, precision, and preparedness for audits throughout the entire organization.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in a similar role or industry.
• A Bachelor’s degree in a related field, with a Master’s degree or advanced certification preferred.
• Proficiency in industry-standard software, tools, and technologies pertinent to the position.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage projects, and drive strategic initiatives.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with a focus on results.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities to collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven track record of delivering measurable outcomes and contributing to organizational growth.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying updated with emerging trends and best practices.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Experience in budget management, financial forecasting, or resource allocation is a plus.
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance—or comparable professional experience—is required.
A master’s degree in a relevant discipline is highly advantageous.
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential is essential for this role, ensuring expertise in accounting principles, tax regulations, and financial reporting standards. Candidates must hold an active CPA license from a recognized governing body and possess a minimum of three years of progressive experience in public accounting or a related field. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to interpret complex financial data are critical. Responsibilities include preparing and reviewing financial statements, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, conducting audits, and providing strategic tax planning advice to clients. Proficiency in accounting software and advanced Excel skills are required, along with excellent communication abilities to liaise with stakeholders and present findings clearly.
Required professional background in accounting, finance, or financial oversight.
Proficiency in international and national accounting frameworks and regulations is required.
With extensive expertise, prepares and evaluates comprehensive financial reports tailored for senior management oversight and strategic decision-making.
Possesses a comprehensive understanding of auditing methodologies, financial risk mitigation strategies, and applicable financial regulations.
Possesses advanced skills in utilizing a variety of computer applications, such as spreadsheet, presentation, reporting, and accounting software.
If you meet the qualifications for this role, kindly forward your application along with a comprehensive CV—ensuring it includes 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, inclusive. Given the anticipated high volume of submissions, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
