The Position
The Senior Finance Officer – Grants Reporting and Compliance will deliver CFO-level validation over the thoroughness, accuracy, compliance, and audit readiness of grantee expenditures prior to their recording in the ERP. This includes representing the CFO in Grant Committee discussions and confirming that grantee expenditures are legitimate, incurred per terms, properly documented, accurately categorized, and posted within the correct accounting period under accrual accounting principles. The selected professional will elevate financial reporting standards at both the grantee and country office levels by reinforcing documentation protocols and addressing discrepancies at their origin. Furthermore, the role will establish complete traceability of financial data from grantee submissions through the GMS ERP system.
The incumbent is responsible for overseeing and evaluating grantee receivable accounts, focusing on outstanding advances, aging analysis, liquidation status, recoverability assessments, and collection follow-ups. This role will pinpoint systemic control deficiencies and collaborate on remediation efforts to mitigate audit findings, downstream adjustments, and inaccuracies in reporting. Additionally, the position will deliver consistent reporting and validation to management regarding grantee expenditure quality, receivable balances, compliance with audit standards, and financial reporting risks.
Oversee and execute a comprehensive range of critical duties and responsibilities, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and operational standards. Perform tasks with a high degree of accuracy, efficiency, and professionalism, while maintaining strict adherence to established policies and procedures. Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to drive project success, foster innovation, and uphold accountability at every stage. Monitor performance metrics, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategic solutions to enhance productivity and quality outcomes. Assume responsibility for meeting deadlines, managing resources wisely, and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives within the role.
Drive the evolution of grants financial management into a robust control-focused, audit-ready assurance function.
Guarantee the financial accuracy, compliance, and alignment of all expenditures with donor stipulations throughout the entire lifecycle of the grant, ensuring every transaction is fully supported and meets regulatory standards.
Enhancing AGRA’s second-line oversight framework requires implementing structured verification, reconciliation, and compliance review mechanisms to ensure robust governance and accountability.
Elevate and enhance donor financial reporting ensuring high-quality, consistent, timely, and credible outputs across all communications and records.
Enhance grants financial governance, systems, and reporting fostering greater transparency, accountability, and insights that support strategic decision-making. Lead institutional efforts in grants financial compliance, reporting, and audit preparedness, working in tandem with the Head of Grants to strengthen their strategic initiatives.
Collaborate closely with Finance, Grants, Programs, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), and IT teams to integrate 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 issues.
Work collaboratively with Legal to guarantee grant agreements incorporate accurate financial reporting, compliance measures, and audit provisions.
Deliver objective assurance insights to senior leadership regarding compliance risks, financial exposure, and portfolio performance.
Prepare senior management reports—such as those for Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) and the Executive Committee (Expo)—delivering precise, data-driven analyses of risks and financial performance.
Through guidance, training, and escalation, you will shape the direction of country and program teams, fostering compliance with policies even in the absence of direct authority.
Develop organizational capacity by equipping staff and grantees with the necessary skills through training on reporting standards, documentation protocols, and compliance obligations.
Perform independent verification of grant expenditures by meticulously comparing them against established budgets, donor-imposed conditions, and all relevant supporting documentation.
Develop and deploy compliance review frameworks that are grounded in risk assessment principles throughout the grant portfolio.
Identify, report, and monitor instances of non-compliance, unauthorized expenditures, and deficiencies in internal controls.
Oversee the grants’ financial risk register, tracking high-risk grants and their corresponding mitigation measures.
Embed and oversee comprehensive internal control systems, such as those aligned with the COST framework, throughout the entirety of the grant’s operational lifecycle.
Prepare and review donor financial reports to verify accuracy, completeness, and adherence to contractual grantee reporting obligations.
Standardize grantee reporting templates, timelines, and processes to ensure consistency and efficiency across all reporting activities.
Ensure that grantee financial data is seamlessly integrated into organizational reporting deliverables, including donor reports, Board papers, and annual reports.
Deliver detailed financial analysis and insights regarding grantee expenditures, comparing budgets against actual costs, assessing burn rates, and identifying 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.
Ensure audit responses are coordinated effectively, with a strong emphasis on timely resolution and diligent follow-through regarding corrective actions.
Conduct pre-audit evaluations and establish comprehensive documentation protocols to enhance audit readiness.
Provide assistance with the preparation and submission of regulatory filings and disclosures pertaining to grants, including statutory reporting requirements.
Ensure seamless alignment between the grants’ management system (AMIS) and the General Ledger, promptly addressing and resolving any discrepancies that arise.
Enhance the accuracy, fullness, and uniformity of data within financial and grant management systems.
Collaborate with the Grants, IT, and Finance teams to enhance system integration, reporting capabilities, and overall user adoption.
Facilitate the seamless integration and consistency of financial data across diverse systems, guaranteeing alignment with all reporting platforms.
Deliver comprehensive financial analyses at the portfolio level for grantees, focusing on grant performance, fund utilization, expenditure forecasts, and potential risk factors.
Design and oversee the creation and upkeep of executive dashboards and key performance indicators, enabling informed strategic choices by senior management.
Convert financial data into easily understandable, strategic insights tailored for senior leadership and the Board of Directors.
We are responsible for creating and implementing training initiatives for both staff and grantees, focusing on areas such as financial reporting, documentation, and compliance.
Spearhead programs aimed at enhancing efficiency, elevating the quality of reporting, and strengthening control mechanisms.
Foster an organizational environment characterized by accountability, precision, and unwavering preparedness for audits.
Qualifications and Experience Required:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, along with a minimum of three years of professional experience in a related industry. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and strong analytical skills are essential. Prior experience with project management software and a track record of successful project delivery are highly desirable. Excellent communication and teamwork abilities are required, along with the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Certification in a specialized area, such as PMP or Six Sigma, would be advantageous.
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance—or relevant professional experience—is required.
A master’s degree in a relevant field is highly beneficial.
Earning the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential demonstrates a high level of expertise in accounting, auditing, taxation, and financial management, validated by rigorous examination and experience requirements. Candidates must meet stringent education prerequisites, typically including a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, along with 150 semester hours of coursework. Additionally, applicants must fulfill specific work experience criteria, usually one to two years under the supervision of a licensed CPA. Passing all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination within an 18-month window is mandatory, with each section requiring a minimum score of 75. Maintaining the certification demands ongoing professional development through continuing education to ensure compliance with evolving industry standards and regulations.
Professional experience in accounting, finance, or financial oversight is required.
Individuals should possess a solid understanding of international and national accounting standards, as well as governmental regulatory frameworks.
Competent in developing and interpreting financial reports tailored for senior management.
Possesses a comprehensive understanding of auditing methodologies, financial risk mitigation strategies, and applicable financial regulations.
Displays a high level of competence in utilizing various computer applications, such as spreadsheet programs, presentation tools, reporting systems, and accounting software.
Interested candidates should submit their application, complete with a comprehensive CV including email and telephone contact details, to recruit@agra.org, ensuring the job reference number SFO/GRC/05/2026 is clearly indicated in the email subject line. Applications must be received no later than 5 June 2026. 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
