The Position
The Senior Finance Officer – Grants Reporting and Compliance will deliver CFO-level assurance regarding the thoroughness, precision, compliance, and audit readiness of grantee expenditures prior to their recognition in the ERP. Additionally, this role will represent the CFO in Grant Committee meetings and validate that grantee expenditures are legitimate, properly incurred, adequately supported, accurately classified, and recorded in the correct accounting period under accrual accounting principles. The ideal candidate will enhance financial reporting standards at both the grantee and country office levels by enforcing robust documentation requirements and proactively addressing discrepancies at their origin. Furthermore, the position will ensure full traceability of financial data, from grantee submissions to the GMS ERP system.
The successful candidate will oversee and evaluate grantee receivable accounts, focusing on outstanding advances, aging analysis, liquidation status, recoverability assessments, and collection follow-up procedures. Additionally, this role will pinpoint recurring control deficiencies and facilitate corrective measures to minimize audit findings, downstream adjustments, and inaccuracies in financial reporting. The position will deliver consistent reporting and validation to management regarding grantee expenditure integrity, receivable balances, audit preparedness, and potential financial reporting risks.
Key responsibilities include managing and overseeing daily operations to ensure efficiency and productivity. The role involves coordinating team activities, delegating tasks, and monitoring performance to meet organizational objectives. Additionally, the position requires analyzing data, identifying trends, and implementing strategic improvements. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and excellent communication skills are essential for success in this role. The individual will also be responsible for maintaining compliance with company policies and industry regulations.
Transform the grants financial management function into a robust, control-driven framework that ensures audit readiness and compliance assurance.
Ensure the financial integrity of the grant throughout its entire lifecycle, guaranteeing that all expenditures are precise, properly documented, compliant, and fully aligned with donor specifications.
Enhancing AGRA’s second-line oversight framework involves implementing structured verification, reconciliation, and compliance review processes to ensure robust governance and accountability.
Enhance and unify donor financial reporting upholding excellence, uniformity, promptness, and trustworthiness.
Champion the advancement of grants financial governance, systems, and reporting fostering greater transparency, accountability, and actionable insights for decision-making. Lead institutional efforts in grants financial compliance, reporting, and audit preparedness, supporting and augmenting the Head of Grants’ strategic leadership.
Collaborate closely with Finance, Grants, Programs, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), and IT teams to establish and uphold robust financial discipline and reporting standards throughout the organization.
Serve as the key liaison between external auditors, donors, and the organization regarding financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and audit-related issues.
Work collaboratively with the Legal department to ensure grant agreements incorporate accurate financial reporting requirements, necessary compliance measures, and comprehensive audit provisions.
Senior leadership relies on independent assurance insights to evaluate compliance risks, assess financial exposure, and analyze portfolio performance.
Prepare comprehensive senior management reports for stakeholders such as GRC and Expo, delivering clear, data-driven insights on risk exposure and financial performance.
Through strategic guidance, targeted training initiatives, and escalation protocols, you will shape the decisions and operations of country and program teams, fostering compliance with established policies—even in the absence of direct supervisory authority.
Develop organizational capacity by delivering training to staff and grantees on reporting standards, documentation protocols, and compliance requirements.
Perform independent verification of grant expenditures by comparing them to budgets, donor stipulations, and supporting documentation.
Develop and execute compliance review frameworks grounded in risk-based methodologies for the grant portfolio.
Identify, escalate, and monitor instances of non-compliance, unauthorized spending, and deficiencies in internal controls to ensure adherence to established policies and regulations.
Oversee the continuous maintenance and monitoring of the grants’ financial risk register, with particular focus on high-risk grants and corresponding mitigation measures.
Implement and oversee internal control frameworks, including those aligned with the COST framework, throughout the entirety of the grant’s lifecycle.
Assist in compiling and verifying donor financial reports to guarantee precision, thoroughness, and adherence to contractual obligations concerning grantee reporting.
Standardize grantee reporting templates, timelines, and processes to ensure consistency and compliance across all submissions.
Ensure seamless incorporation of grantee financial information into various organizational reporting deliverables, including donor reports, Board papers, and annual reports.
Provide grantee financial analysis and insights, focusing on budget versus actual performance, 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 the responses to audits, guaranteeing prompt resolution and consistent follow-through on corrective actions.
Conduct pre-audit assessments and establish comprehensive documentation protocols to enhance audit readiness and ensure compliance.
Facilitate the preparation and submission of regulatory reports and disclosures pertaining to grants, including statutory filings, in accordance with applicable guidelines and deadlines.
Ensure accurate reconciliation between the grants systems (AMIS) and the General Ledger, promptly addressing and resolving any discrepancies that arise.
Enhance data integrity, completeness, and consistency within financial and grants management systems.
Collaborate with the Grants, IT, and Finance departments to enhance system integration, reporting capabilities, and user adoption.
Supervise the movement of financial data between systems, guaranteeing consistency and accuracy across all reporting platforms.
Deliver comprehensive financial insights at the portfolio level for grantees, covering grant performance, utilization trends, future projections, and potential risk exposure.
Craft and sustain dynamic dashboards and key performance indicators to aid leadership in making informed, strategic decisions.
Convert financial data into concise, strategic insights that empower senior leadership and the Board to make informed decisions.
Develop and implement training initiatives aimed at enhancing staff and grantee proficiency in financial reporting, documentation standards, and regulatory compliance.
Spearhead projects aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, elevating the standard of reporting, and strengthening internal controls.
Foster an organizational environment characterized by accountability, precision, and preparedness for audits.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
A minimum of five years of professional experience in a relevant field is essential, along with a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline. Proficiency in industry-standard software and tools, demonstrated through prior work experience, is mandatory. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are critical, as is the ability to collaborate effectively within a team. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are required to interact with stakeholders at all levels. Familiarity with project management methodologies and prior leadership experience are highly desirable.
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance—or relevant professional experience—is required.
A master’s degree in a related field would be highly beneficial.
Earned a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential, demonstrating advanced expertise in accounting principles, tax regulations, and financial reporting standards.
Required is a strong background in accounting, finance, or financial oversight, demonstrated through prior professional engagement in these fields.
Proficiency in international and jurisdiction-specific accounting standards is required.
Solid expertise in developing and evaluating financial reports for senior leadership teams is demonstrated.
Possesses a comprehensive understanding of auditing methodologies, financial risk mitigation strategies, and applicable financial regulations.
Proficient in utilizing a range of computer applications, such as spreadsheets, presentation tools, reporting systems, and accounting software.
If you meet the qualifications for this role, kindly send your application, accompanied by a comprehensive CV that includes your email address and telephone number, to recruit@agra.org. Be sure to reference the job code SFO/GRC/05/2026 in the subject line of your email. All applications must be submitted no later than June 5, 2026. Given the anticipated high volume of submissions, only applicants selected for further consideration will receive a response.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
