The Position
The Senior Finance Officer – Grants Reporting and Compliance will deliver CFO-level assurance regarding the completeness, accuracy, compliance, and audit readiness of grantee expenditures prior to their recognition in the ERP. This individual will act as the CFO’s representative during Grant Committee meetings and validate that grantee expenditures are legitimate, properly incurred, adequately documented, accurately classified, and recorded in the correct accounting period under accrual accounting. The successful candidate will enhance financial reporting integrity at both the grantee and country office levels by enforcing standardized documentation practices and proactively addressing discrepancies at their origin. Furthermore, the role will establish full traceability of financial data from grantee submissions through the GMS ERP system.
The successful candidate will oversee and evaluate grantee receivable accounts, focusing on outstanding advances, aging analysis, liquidation status, recoverability assessment, and collection follow-ups. Additionally, the role will pinpoint recurring control deficiencies and collaborate on remedial measures to mitigate audit findings, downstream adjustments, and inaccuracies in financial reporting. The position will deliver periodic reports and validation to management regarding grantee expenditure integrity, receivable balances, audit preparedness, and financial reporting risks.
Oversee and execute a comprehensive range of essential duties and responsibilities, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and operational standards. This includes managing key tasks, leading initiatives, and maintaining accountability for performance outcomes. Responsibilities encompass strategic planning, team coordination, and adherence to established protocols to drive efficiency and productivity. Additionally, the role involves monitoring progress, addressing challenges proactively, and fostering a collaborative work environment to achieve measurable results.
Spearhead the shift of grants financial management into a rigorously controlled, audit-prepared assurance function.
Guarantee the financial accuracy, integrity, and compliance of all grant expenditures throughout the entire grant lifecycle, ensuring every transaction is meticulously documented, fully supported by evidence, and strictly adheres to donor specifications.
Strengthening AGRA’s second-line oversight framework entails implementing structured verification, reconciliation, and compliance review processes to enhance oversight effectiveness.
Enhance and systematize financial reporting for donors to guarantee superior quality, uniformity, consistency, punctuality, and trustworthiness.
Drive ongoing enhancements to grants financial governance, systems, and reporting bolstering transparency, accountability, and insights that support informed decision-making. Lead institutional efforts related to grants financial compliance, reporting, and audit preparedness, working in tandem with the Head of Grants to fulfill strategic objectives.
Collaborate closely with Finance, Grants, Programs, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), and IT teams to establish and uphold robust financial discipline and enhance reporting standards throughout the organization.
Serve as the main liaison between external auditors and donors, addressing financial reporting, compliance, and audit-related inquiries.
Work collaboratively with the Legal department to guarantee that grant agreements incorporate accurate financial reporting, adherence to compliance standards, and robust audit provisions.
Offer senior leadership objective assurance insights regarding compliance risks, financial exposure, and portfolio performance.
Develop and deliver senior management reports (such as GRC and Expo) by providing concise, data-driven insights on risk exposure and financial outcomes.
Provide strategic direction, coaching, and escalation to country and program teams, fostering adherence to policies despite the absence of direct authority.
Develop staff and grantee competencies by delivering training programs focused on reporting standards, documentation protocols, and compliance requirements.
Verify grant expenditures independently against approved budgets, donor stipulations, and accompanying documentation to ensure compliance and accuracy.
Develop and execute compliance review frameworks that prioritize risk assessment across the grant portfolio.
Identify, document, and report instances of compliance breaches, unsupported expenditures, and control weaknesses, ensuring timely escalation to appropriate stakeholders while maintaining accurate records for tracking and resolution.
Oversee and track the grants’ financial risk register, with a particular focus on high-risk grants and associated mitigation strategies.
Embed and oversee internal control frameworks, such as those aligned with the COST framework, throughout the entirety of the grant’s lifecycle.
Assist in compiling and verifying donor financial reports to ensure they are precise, thorough, and fully compliant with the reporting obligations outlined in grant agreements.
To create uniformity, establish consistent reporting templates, deadlines, and workflows for grantees.
Integrate grantee financial data into organizational reporting outputs, including donor reports, Board papers, and annual reports.
Deliver comprehensive financial analysis and strategic insights for grantees by evaluating budget performance in relation to actual expenditures, monitoring burn rates, and identifying potential financial risks.
Act as the primary liaison for audits related to the YE FFA grant, guaranteeing that all documentation is thorough, systematically arranged, and prepared for audit scrutiny.
Coordinate audit responses by managing the timely completion and follow-through of corrective actions to ensure compliance and resolution.
Conduct pre-audit evaluations and establish comprehensive documentation protocols to enhance audit readiness and efficiency.
Prepare and maintain regulatory reports and disclosures associated with grant funding, including statutory filings.
Maintain alignment between grants systems (AMIS) and the General Ledger by identifying and correcting any discrepancies.
Enhance the accuracy, thoroughness, and uniformity of data within financial and grants systems to ensure robust integrity and reliability.
Collaborate effectively with the Grants, IT, and Finance departments to enhance system integration, reporting capabilities, and user adoption.
Manage financial data flows across various systems, guaranteeing consistency and accuracy across all reporting platforms.
Deliver comprehensive financial insights at the portfolio level for grantees, focusing on grant performance, fund utilization, future projections, and potential risk exposure.
Design and oversee dashboards and key performance indicators to facilitate data-driven leadership decisions.
Convert financial data into concise, strategic insights tailored for senior leadership and the Board to inform decision-making.
Design and implement comprehensive training initiatives tailored for staff and grantees, focusing on financial reporting, proper documentation, and adherence to compliance standards.
Spearhead projects aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, elevating reporting standards, and strengthening control mechanisms.
Foster an organizational environment characterized by accountability, precision, and preparedness for audits.
Qualifications and Experience Required:
Candidates must possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, complemented by a proven track record of at least three years of hands-on experience in a comparable role. Proficiency in industry-specific software and tools is essential, along with strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Prior experience leading cross-functional teams or managing complex projects is highly desirable. Additionally, familiarity with current industry trends, regulatory requirements, and compliance standards is required.
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance—or relevant professional experience—is required.
A master’s degree in a relevant discipline is highly beneficial.
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential is required for this role, ensuring expertise in accounting principles, tax regulations, and financial reporting standards. Candidates must possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, along with the completion of 150 semester hours of college coursework to meet license requirements. Relevant experience in public accounting, corporate finance, or auditing—typically a minimum of two years—is essential. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in financial software and tax preparation tools are critical. The ability to interpret complex financial data, ensure compliance with regulatory standards, and communicate findings effectively to stakeholders is also necessary.
Hands-on experience in accounting, finance, or financial oversight is required.
Proficient in international and regional accounting standards, including those set by governmental bodies and regulatory authorities.
Prepares and examines financial reports with a high level of proficiency, providing valuable insights for senior management decision-making.
Possesses expertise in auditing methodologies, financial risk mitigation strategies, and regulatory compliance frameworks.
Demonstrates exceptional skill in utilizing a range of computer applications, encompassing spreadsheets, presentation tools, reporting systems, and accounting software.
If you meet the qualifications for this role, kindly submit your application, including a comprehensive CV with your email and phone details, to recruit@agra.org. Ensure the job reference number SFO/GRC/05/2026 is clearly mentioned in the subject line of your email. Applications will be accepted until 5th June 2026. Given the high volume of submissions anticipated, only those selected for further consideration will be notified.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
