The Position
The Senior Finance Officer – Grants Reporting and Compliance will deliver CFO-level assurance regarding the integrity, accuracy, compliance, and audit readiness of grantee expenditures prior to their recognition in the ERP system. Serving as the CFO’s representative, this role will participate in Grant Committee meetings and validate that grantee expenditures meet all criteria for validity, proper authorization, adequate supporting documentation, correct categorization, and timely recording within the appropriate accounting period under accrual accounting principles. The successful candidate will elevate financial reporting standards across grantee and country office levels by enforcing robust documentation protocols and proactively addressing discrepancies at their origin. Additionally, the position will safeguard the full traceability of financial data from initial grantee submissions through the GMS ERP.
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 will pinpoint recurring control deficiencies and assist in implementing corrective measures to minimize audit findings, downstream adjustments, and reporting inaccuracies. Further, 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 comprehensive range of duties and responsibilities, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and operational standards. This encompasses the management of [specific tasks, e.g., “project timelines, team coordination, and resource allocation”] to drive efficiency and productivity. Additionally, the role demands adherence to established protocols while fostering collaboration across departments to achieve collective goals.
Transform the grants financial management framework into a robust, control-driven function that meets audit standards and ensures compliance assurance.
Oversee the complete financial accuracy and integrity of the grant throughout its entire lifecycle, guaranteeing that all expenditures are precise, properly documented, fully compliant, and strictly in accordance with donor specifications.
Enhancing AGRA’s second-line oversight framework involves implementing structured verification, reconciliation, and compliance review processes.
Enhance and unify donor financial reporting upholding the highest standards of quality, uniformity, timeliness, and reliability.
Drive sustained enhancements in grants financial governance, systems, and reporting fostering greater transparency, accountability, and actionable insights for decision-making. Lead the institution’s efforts in grants financial compliance, reporting, and audit preparedness, working in tandem with the Head of Grants to support and strengthen their strategic responsibilities.
Collaborate closely with Finance, Grants, Programs, M&E, and IT teams to establish and uphold robust financial discipline and reporting frameworks throughout the organization.
Serve as the main liaison between the organization and external auditors and donors regarding financial reporting, compliance, and audit-related issues.
Work collaboratively with the Legal department to ensure grant agreements incorporate accurate financial reporting requirements, necessary compliance measures, and comprehensive audit provisions.
Deliver objective assurance insights to senior leadership regarding compliance risks, financial exposure, and portfolio performance.
Prepare comprehensive, data-driven reports for senior leadership, including governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) and executive committee (Expo) presentations, ensuring insights on financial performance and risk exposure are clearly communicated with supporting evidence.
Through consultation, education, and strategic escalation, you will guide country and program teams to ensure consistent policy compliance, even in the absence of direct oversight.
Enhance organizational capacity by delivering training sessions to staff and grantees on reporting standards, documentation protocols, and compliance obligations.
Perform independent verification of grant expenditures by cross-referencing them with allocated budgets, donor-imposed conditions, and supporting documentation.
Develop and deploy risk-based compliance review frameworks to oversee the grant’s portfolio comprehensively.
Identify, report, and monitor instances of non-compliance, unauthorized expenditures, and control deficiencies to ensure adherence to established policies and procedures.
Oversee the grants’ financial risk register to ensure continuous monitoring and assessment, with particular attention to high-risk grants and corresponding mitigation strategies.
Implement and oversee internal control frameworks—such as those aligned with COST—throughout each stage of the grant’s lifecycle.
Assist in compiling and verifying donor financial reports to ensure they are precise, thorough, and adhere to the contractual obligations governing grantee reporting.
Revise grantee reporting frameworks to ensure consistency in formats, deadlines, and operational procedures.
Ensure seamless incorporation of grantee financial data into all organizational reporting outputs, including donor reports, Board papers, and annual reports.
Deliver comprehensive financial analysis and strategic insights for grantees, focusing on budget-to-actual comparisons, expenditure rates, and potential financial risks.
Act as the central liaison for YE FFA grant-related audits, verifying that all documentation is thorough, systematically arranged, and prepared for audit review.
Coordinate the preparation and submission of audit responses, verifying that corrective actions are implemented promptly and thoroughly.
Enhance audit preparedness by establishing and enforcing thorough pre-audit review protocols and comprehensive documentation standards.
Facilitate the preparation and submission of regulatory reports and disclosures concerning grants, including statutory filings.
Oversee the reconciliation process between grants management systems (AMIS) and the General Ledger to identify and resolve any discrepancies.
Enhance the accuracy, comprehensiveness, and uniformity of data within financial and grants management systems.
Collaborate with Grants, IT, and Finance teams to enhance system integration, strengthen reporting capabilities, and drive user adoption.
Responsible for managing and monitoring financial data flows across various systems, guaranteeing consistency and accuracy across all reporting platforms.
Deliver high-level financial analyses of grantee portfolios, focusing on grant performance, fund utilization, future projections, and potential risk factors.
Design and sustain dynamic dashboards and performance metrics to equip leadership with critical data-driven insights for informed decision-making.
Transform financial data into concise, strategic insights that inform decision-making for senior leadership and the Board.
Develop and implement training initiatives focused on financial reporting, documentation, and compliance for both staff members and grantees.
Spearhead projects focused on enhancing operational efficiency, elevating reporting standards, and strengthening control mechanisms.
Foster an organizational culture characterized by accountability, precision, and preparedness for audits.
Qualifications and Experience Required:
A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as Computer Science, Engineering, or Information Technology, is essential. Additionally, candidates must possess a minimum of five years of professional experience in a related role, with a proven track record in project management and system development. Proficiency in industry-standard software tools and methodologies is required, along with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication and teamwork abilities are also necessary to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams. Prior experience in a leadership or supervisory position would be advantageous.
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance—or relevant professional experience—is required for this position.
A master’s degree in a pertinent discipline represents a significant additional benefit.
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is required, demonstrating expertise in accounting principles and regulatory compliance. Candidates must possess at least five years of progressive accounting experience, with a strong emphasis on financial reporting, auditing, and tax preparation. Proficiency in GAAP standards and tax legislation is essential, along with exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Responsibilities include overseeing financial records, ensuring accuracy in audits, preparing tax returns, and advising on financial strategies to optimize organizational performance.
A minimum of three years of hands-on experience in accounting, finance, or financial monitoring is required.
Proficiency in international and jurisdiction-specific accounting standards is required.
With extensive expertise, prepares and evaluates financial reports for senior leadership, ensuring accuracy and strategic insights.
Possesses comprehensive expertise in auditing methodologies, financial risk mitigation strategies, and applicable financial regulatory frameworks.
Proficiently utilizes a variety of computer applications, encompassing spreadsheets, presentation tools, reporting systems, and accounting software.
To be considered for this role, please send your application along with a comprehensive CV—including your email and telephone contact 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 5 June 2026. Given the anticipated high volume of submissions, only those selected for further review will receive a response.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
