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 entry into the ERP. This position will also represent the CFO in Grant Committee discussions and confirm that grantee expenditures are legitimate, properly incurred, adequately documented, correctly categorized, and recorded in the correct accounting period under accrual accounting principles. The selected candidate will enhance financial reporting standards at both the grantee and country office levels by enforcing rigorous documentation protocols and addressing discrepancies at their origin. Furthermore, the role will establish and maintain full traceability of financial data from grantee submissions through the GMS ERP system.
The successful candidate will oversee and assess grantee receivable accounts, focusing on outstanding advances, aging, liquidation, recoverability, and collection follow-up. Additionally, the role involves pinpointing recurring control deficiencies and collaborating on corrective measures to mitigate audit findings, downstream adjustments, and reporting inaccuracies. The position will deliver consistent reporting and validation to management regarding grantee expenditure quality, receivable balances, audit preparedness, and financial reporting risks.
Oversee and manage the full spectrum of responsibilities associated with this position, ensuring seamless execution of all assigned tasks. Facilitate the efficient coordination of workflows, prioritize key objectives, and uphold high standards of performance across all duties. Serve as the primary point of accountability for delivering consistent, high-quality results while adhering to established policies and procedures. Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goals and maintain operational excellence.
Transform the grants financial management function into a robust, control-driven operation that consistently meets audit readiness standards.
Maintain rigorous financial accuracy, compliance, and alignment with donor stipulations throughout the entire grant lifecycle, ensuring every expenditure is justified, documented, and adheres to established standards.
AGRA seeks to enhance its second-line oversight framework by implementing structured verification, reconciliation, and compliance review mechanisms.
Enhance and unify donor financial reporting upholding quality, consistency, timeliness, and credibility.
Drive ongoing enhancements in grants financial governance, systems, and reporting strengthening transparency, accountability, and insights that support informed decision-making. As the key institutional authority on grants financial compliance, reporting, and audit preparedness, collaborate closely with the Head of Grants to reinforce their strategic leadership.
Collaborate closely with Finance, Grants, Programs, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), and IT teams to establish and maintain robust financial discipline and reporting excellence throughout the organization.
Serve as the key liaison between external auditors and donors regarding financial reporting, compliance, and audit-related issues.
Work in partnership with the Legal department to guarantee grant agreements incorporate accurate financial reporting standards, adhere to regulatory compliance requirements, and include comprehensive audit provisions.
Deliver independent assurance insights to senior leadership regarding compliance risks, financial exposure, and portfolio performance.
Prepare executive-level reporting packages, including GRC and Expo deliverables, by delivering concise, data-driven insights on risk exposures and financial outcomes to senior leadership.
By providing direction, conducting training sessions, and managing escalation processes, you will help shape the strategies and operations of country and program teams, fostering compliance with established policies—even in the absence of direct oversight.
Develop organizational capacity by providing staff and grantees with comprehensive training on reporting standards, proper documentation practices, and compliance requirements.
Perform independent verification of sample grant expenditures to ensure alignment with approved budgets, donor stipulations, and supporting documents.
Develop and execute compliance review frameworks grounded in risk assessment methodologies for the entire grant portfolio.
As part of your responsibilities, you will identify compliance breaches, unsupported expenditures, and control weaknesses, ensuring they are promptly escalated and thoroughly tracked.
Oversee and update the grants’ financial risk register, with particular focus on high-risk grants and corresponding mitigation strategies.
Implement and oversee internal control frameworks, such as those aligned with COST, throughout the entire duration of the grant.
Provide assistance in compiling and evaluating donor financial reports, verifying their accuracy, comprehensiveness, and adherence to contractual obligations for grantee reporting.
Consolidate grantee reporting templates, timelines, and processes to ensure uniformity and efficiency.
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 for grantees, focusing on budget performance compared to actual expenditures, expenditure 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 audit review.
Coordinate audit responses by overseeing the prompt resolution and completion of corrective actions to maintain compliance and operational integrity.
Conduct pre-audit reviews and establish comprehensive documentation standards to enhance overall audit preparedness.
Facilitate the preparation and submission of regulatory reporting and disclosure documentation pertaining to grants, including statutory filings.
Ensure accurate reconciliation between the grants systems (AMIS) and the General Ledger, identifying and addressing any discrepancies promptly.
Enhance the accuracy, thoroughness, and uniformity of data within financial and grants management systems.
Collaborate with Grants, IT, and Finance teams to enhance system integration, reporting capabilities, and user adoption.
Responsible for managing financial data flows across various systems to ensure consistency and accuracy in reporting platforms.
Deliver comprehensive financial insights at the grantee portfolio level, encompassing grant performance, fund utilization, future projections, and potential risk exposure.
Design and oversee the creation and upkeep of executive dashboards and key performance indicators to facilitate informed strategic decisions by leadership.
Transform financial data into concise, strategic insights tailored for senior leadership and the Board.
Develop and execute training initiatives focused on financial reporting, documentation standards, and compliance requirements for both staff members and grantees.
Spearhead projects aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, elevating the quality of reporting, and strengthening control mechanisms.
Foster an organizational culture characterized by accountability, precision, and preparedness for audits.
Candidates must possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, complemented by at least three years of professional experience in a comparable role. Proficiency in industry-standard software and tools is essential, along with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are required to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders. Additionally, applicants should demonstrate a track record of delivering results in fast-paced environments and a commitment to continuous professional development.
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance—or relevant professional experience—is required.
A master’s degree in a relevant discipline will be highly advantageous.
The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential is a globally recognized standard of excellence in the accounting profession. To qualify for this designation, candidates must complete 150 semester hours of college coursework, including a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, and meet the specific state board of accountancy’s requirements. Additionally, candidates must pass the Uniform CPA Examination, which consists of four sections covering auditing and attestation, business environment and concepts, financial accounting and reporting, and regulation. Prior to work experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA is also mandatory, typically amounting to one to two years. This certification demonstrates a high level of competence, ethical standards, and professional commitment, making CPAs highly sought after in various industries for their expertise in financial management, tax preparation, and regulatory compliance.
Accomplished experience in accounting, finance, or financial oversight is essential for this position.
Proficiency in international and jurisdictional financial reporting frameworks is required.
Compiles and evaluates financial reports with a high degree of proficiency, providing critical insights for senior leadership decision-making.
Possesses a comprehensive understanding of auditing methodologies, financial risk mitigation strategies, and applicable financial regulations.
Exhibits advanced competency in a range of computer applications, such as spreadsheet programs, presentation tools, reporting systems, and accounting software.
To be considered for this role, kindly submit your application, including a comprehensive CV with your email and telephone details, to recruit@agra.org. Ensure the job reference number SFO/GRC/05/2026 is clearly stated in the subject line of your email. Applications must be received no later than 5th June 2026, as submissions received after this date will not be considered. Given the anticipated high volume of applications, only those selected for further review will be contacted.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
