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. This role will also serve as the CFO’s representative in Grant Committee discussions and validate that grantee expenditures are legitimate, properly documented, correctly categorized, and recorded within the correct accounting period under accrual accounting principles. The selected candidate will enhance financial reporting quality at both the grantee and country office levels by reinforcing documentation standards and proactively addressing discrepancies at their origin. Additionally, the position will ensure complete 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, this role will detect recurring control deficiencies and assist in implementing corrective measures to minimize audit findings, downstream adjustments, and reporting discrepancies. The position will deliver routine reporting and validation to management regarding grantee expenditure quality, receivable balances, audit preparedness, and financial reporting risks.
Oversee and execute a comprehensive range of essential duties and responsibilities to ensure operational excellence and organizational success. This encompasses managing key tasks, fulfilling critical assignments, and maintaining high standards of performance across all assigned functions. Additionally, the role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, adhering to established protocols, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to meet strategic objectives.
Transform the grants financial management function into a robust, audit-ready control-driven assurance operation.
Ensure comprehensive financial accuracy and compliance throughout the entire duration of the grant, verifying that all expenditures are precise, well-documented, adhere to regulatory standards, and fully meet the specifications set by the donor.
Enhancing AGRA’s second-line oversight framework involves implementing structured verification, reconciliation, and compliance review processes to ensure robust governance and accountability.
Transform donor financial reporting processes to enhance quality, consistency, timeliness, and credibility while establishing a standardized framework for accuracy and reliability.
Drive ongoing enhancements in grants financial governance, systems, and reporting strengthening transparency, accountability, and decision-supporting insights. Assume institutional leadership for grants financial compliance, reporting, and audit preparedness, working in tandem with the Head of Grants’ strategic oversight.
Collaborate seamlessly with Finance, Grants, Programs, M&E, and IT departments to establish and uphold rigorous financial discipline and reporting protocols 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 the Legal department to integrate accurate financial reporting, compliance, and audit provisions into grant agreements.
Deliver impartial assurance insights to senior leadership regarding compliance risks, financial exposure, and portfolio performance.
Deliver precise, data-driven insights to senior management reports, including GRC and Expo presentations, highlighting key risk factors and financial performance metrics with robust supporting evidence.
Drive alignment among country and program teams by providing coaching, delivering training sessions, and escalating issues as needed, thereby fostering consistent policy compliance despite the absence of direct managerial oversight.
Develop organizational capacity by providing training to staff and grantees on reporting standards, documentation protocols, and compliance requirements.
Perform independent verification of grant expenditures by comparing them against allocated budgets, donor-imposed conditions, and accompanying supporting documentation.
Develop and execute compliance review frameworks grounded in risk-based methodologies across the entire grant portfolio.
Identify compliance breaches, unsupported expenditures, and control weaknesses, and escalate and track them accordingly.
Oversee and track the financial risk register for grants, with specific attention to high-risk grants and corresponding mitigation strategies.
Ensure the integration and ongoing oversight of internal control frameworks, such as those aligned with COST, throughout all phases of the grant’s lifecycle.
The incumbent will assist in compiling and verifying donor financial reports, maintaining meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy, completeness, and adherence to contractual obligations governing grantee reporting.
Revise grantee reporting templates, timelines, and processes to ensure consistency and compliance.
Ensure grantee financial data is seamlessly incorporated 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 versus actuals comparisons, burn rate assessments, and identification of financial risks.
Act as the primary liaison for YE FFA grant-related audits, maintaining meticulous documentation that is thorough, systematically arranged, and prepared for review.
Ensure audit responses are coordinated effectively, facilitating prompt resolution and completion of corrective actions.
Develop and execute pre-audit review protocols and establish comprehensive documentation standards to enhance overall audit readiness.
Prepare and oversee regulatory reports and disclosures for grants, including required statutory filings.
Ensure accurate reconciliation between the grants’ system (AMIS) and the General Ledger, promptly resolving any discrepancies that arise.
Ensure the accuracy, comprehensiveness, and uniformity of data within financial and grants management systems.
Collaborate with the Grants, IT, and Finance departments to enhance system integration, reporting capabilities, and user adoption.
Responsible for monitoring and managing financial data flows across various systems, ensuring consistency and accuracy across all reporting platforms.
Deliver comprehensive financial analysis at the grantee portfolio level, focusing on grant performance, utilization metrics, forward-looking projections, and potential risk exposure.
Create and oversee dynamic dashboards and key performance indicators to equip leadership with actionable insights for informed decision-making.
Convert financial data into meaningful, strategic insights tailored for senior leadership and the Board, enabling informed decision-making.
Develop and facilitate instructional programs aimed at enhancing staff and grantee proficiency in financial reporting, documentation, and regulatory compliance.
Drive enhancements in operational efficiency, elevate the standard of reporting accuracy, and strengthen control frameworks to ensure robust governance and performance optimization.
Foster an organizational environment characterized by accountability, precision, and preparedness for audits.
Qualifications and experience required include a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as computer science, engineering, or mathematics, along with a minimum of three years of professional experience in a similar role. Candidates should possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, proficiency in data analysis tools and programming languages like Python or SQL, and the ability to interpret complex datasets. Excellent communication and teamwork abilities are essential to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. Prior experience in project management or leadership roles is highly desirable.
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance—or relevant professional experience of equivalent scope and depth—is required.
A master’s degree in a related discipline is highly beneficial.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification stands as a distinguished professional credential, demonstrating expertise in accounting principles, financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and regulatory compliance. To qualify for this credential, candidates must meet educational prerequisites, typically including a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, along with a specified number of credit hours in accounting and business courses. Additionally, most jurisdictions require candidates to accumulate relevant work experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA, often ranging from one to two years. Passing the Uniform CPA Examination, a rigorous four-part assessment, is also mandatory for certification. CPAs are entrusted with upholding ethical standards, providing strategic financial guidance, ensuring accuracy in financial statements, and assisting organizations or individuals with tax planning and regulatory adherence. This certification not only enhances professional credibility but also opens doors to advanced career opportunities in public accounting, corporate finance, government, and beyond.
Proficiency in accounting, finance, or financial monitoring through prior professional experience is required.
Proficient in international and country-specific governmental accounting standards is required.
Possesses extensive expertise in developing and evaluating financial reports tailored for senior management review.
Applies expertise in auditing methodologies, financial risk mitigation strategies, and regulatory compliance frameworks.
Possesses advanced skills in utilizing various computer applications, such as spreadsheet programs, presentation tools, reporting systems, and accounting software.
If you meet the requirements for this role, kindly forward your application along with a comprehensive CV (including your email and telephone details) to recruit@agra.org. Ensure the job reference number SFO/GRC/05/2026 is included in the subject line of your email. Applications must be submitted no later than 5th June 2026. Given the anticipated high volume of applications, only those selected for further consideration will receive a response.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
