The Position
The Senior Finance Officer – Grants Reporting and Compliance will deliver CFO-level assurance regarding the integrity, accuracy, regulatory adherence, and audit readiness of grantee expenditures prior to their recognition in the ERP system. This individual will serve as the CFO’s representative in Grant Committee proceedings and validate that grantee expenditures meet criteria for validity, occurrence, proper documentation, accurate classification, and timely recording in the correct accounting period under accrual accounting standards. The successful candidate will enhance financial reporting excellence at both the grantee and country office levels by enforcing rigorous documentation protocols and addressing discrepancies at their origin. Furthermore, the role will establish comprehensive traceability of financial data from grantee submissions to 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 entails pinpointing recurring control deficiencies and assisting in implementing corrective measures to minimize audit findings, subsequent adjustments, and inaccuracies in reporting. The position will deliver consistent updates and assurances to management regarding grantee spending quality, receivable balances, audit preparedness, and potential financial reporting risks.
Oversee and execute a comprehensive range of essential duties and obligations as part of this role. Ensure adherence to established policies and procedures while maintaining high standards of performance and accountability. Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve organizational objectives and deliver measurable results. Provide leadership in driving process improvements, fostering innovation, and optimizing operational efficiency. Address challenges proactively, leveraging analytical skills to identify solutions and enhance productivity. Support team development through mentorship, training, and performance management initiatives. Maintain clear communication channels to ensure alignment with strategic goals and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Transform the grants financial management function into a rigorously controlled, audit-ready assurance framework, ensuring robust oversight and compliance at every stage.
Ensure the financial integrity of the grant throughout its entire lifecycle by maintaining accuracy, proper documentation, compliance, and alignment with donor specifications for all expenditures.
AGRA’s second-line oversight framework will be enhanced by implementing structured verification, reconciliation, and compliance review processes to ensure robust governance and accountability.
Enhance and unify donor financial reporting upholding high standards of quality, consistency, timeliness, and credibility.
Enhance financial governance, systems, and reporting for grants to foster greater transparency, accountability, and actionable insights. As the primary authority on grants financial compliance, reporting, and audit preparedness, support and strengthen the Head of Grants’ strategic responsibilities.
Collaborate closely with Finance, Grants, Programs, M&E, and IT teams to establish and uphold robust financial controls and transparent reporting practices throughout the organization.
Serve as the main point of contact for external auditors and donors regarding financial reporting, compliance-related issues, and audit processes.
Partner with the Legal team to incorporate accurate financial reporting, adherence to compliance standards, and audit-related stipulations into grant agreements.
Deliver objective assurance insights to senior leadership regarding compliance risks, financial exposure, and portfolio performance.
Provide high-impact contributions to executive-level reporting, including governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) and Executive Committee (Expo) updates, by delivering precise, data-driven insights on risk exposure and financial performance.
Provide strategic direction and support to country and program teams through mentorship, educational initiatives, and escalation processes, maintaining strict compliance with established policies in the absence of direct oversight.
Develop organizational capacity through the delivery of training programs for staff and grantees, focusing on reporting standards, documentation protocols, and regulatory compliance requirements.
Perform independent verification of grant expenditure samples to ensure compliance with established budgets, donor-specific conditions, and supporting documentation.
Design and deploy risk-based compliance review frameworks tailored to the grant portfolio, ensuring alignment with regulatory standards and organizational objectives.
Identify, document, and promptly escalate any instances of compliance breaches, unapproved expenditures, and control deficiencies to appropriate stakeholders. Maintain rigorous tracking mechanisms to ensure thorough monitoring and resolution of these issues.
Maintain and oversee the financial risk register for grants, with a focus on identifying high-risk grants and implementing appropriate mitigation strategies.
Embed and oversee comprehensive internal control frameworks, including those aligned with COST standards, throughout every phase of the grant’s lifecycle.
Provide assistance in compiling and examining donor financial reports to verify their precision, thoroughness, and adherence to contractual obligations concerning grantee reporting.
Standardize grantee reporting templates, timelines, and processes to ensure consistency and efficiency in documentation.
Integrate grantee financial data seamlessly into organizational reporting outputs, including donor reports, Board papers, and annual reports.
Conduct comprehensive financial analysis of grantee performance, delivering detailed insights into budget adherence, expenditure rates, and potential financial risks.
Act as the primary contact for YE FFA grant-related audits, verifying that all documentation is thorough, systematically arranged, and prepared for audit review.
Responsible for managing audit responses with efficiency, guaranteeing prompt resolution and diligent execution of corrective measures.
Conduct pre-audit reviews to identify key areas of focus and establish thorough documentation standards, thereby enhancing overall audit preparedness and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Prepare regulatory filings and disclosures associated with grant activities, including submissions required under statutory mandates.
Ensure accurate reconciliation between the grants systems (AMIS) and the General Ledger, identifying and resolving any discrepancies that arise.
Enhance the accuracy, comprehensiveness, and uniformity of data within financial and grants management systems.
Collaborate effectively with Grants, IT, and Finance teams to enhance system integration, reporting capabilities, and overall user adoption.
Responsible for managing financial data flows between systems to ensure consistency across various reporting platforms.
Deliver comprehensive financial insights at the portfolio level for grantees, focusing on grant performance, fund utilization, future projections, and potential risk factors.
Create and regularly update dashboards and key performance indicators to provide leadership with actionable insights for informed decision-making.
Transform financial data into comprehensible, strategic insights tailored for senior leadership and the Board’s decision-making purposes.
Develop and execute training initiatives for employees and grantees focusing on financial reporting standards, proper documentation practices, and regulatory compliance requirements.
Develop and implement strategies aimed at enhancing efficiency, elevating the quality of reporting, and strengthening control effectiveness.
Instill a commitment to accountability, precision, and preparedness for audits throughout the organization.
Qualifications and Experience Required:
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance—or relevant professional experience—is required.
Possessing a master’s degree in a relevant discipline significantly enhances one’s qualifications.
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential is required for this role. Candidates must possess a minimum of two years of relevant accounting experience, including proficiency in financial reporting, tax compliance, and audit procedures. The position demands strong analytical skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to interpret complex financial data. Responsibilities include preparing and reviewing financial statements, ensuring regulatory compliance, and advising management on financial strategies. Effective communication and collaboration with cross-functional teams are essential.
Proficiency in accounting, finance, or financial oversight through prior professional engagement is required.
Proficiency in international and regional accounting frameworks, including those set by governmental bodies and regulatory authorities worldwide, is essential.
Competently prepares and analyzes financial reports, offering valuable insights to senior management with a proven track record of experience.
Proficiency in auditing methodologies, financial risk assessment strategies, and regulatory compliance frameworks is demonstrated.
Exhibits a high level of skill 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 submit your application, ensuring it includes a comprehensive CV with your email address and telephone number, 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 be contacted.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
