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 individual will serve as the CFO’s representative in Grant Committee meetings and validate that grantee expenditures are legitimate, properly incurred, adequately documented, correctly categorized, and recorded in the appropriate accounting period under accrual accounting principles. The successful candidate will enhance financial reporting quality at both the grantee and country office levels by enforcing stringent documentation standards and addressing discrepancies at their origin. Additionally, the role will establish full traceability of financial data from grantee submissions to 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-up. This position will proactively identify recurring control deficiencies and assist in implementing corrective measures to minimize audit findings, subsequent adjustments, and inaccuracies in financial reporting. Additionally, the role involves delivering consistent reporting and validation to management regarding grantee expenditure quality, receivable balances, audit preparedness, and potential financial reporting risks.
Oversee and execute a diverse range of critical duties and responsibilities, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and operational excellence. This role demands meticulous attention to detail, strong analytical capabilities, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities effectively. Key responsibilities include collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive project completion, maintaining compliance with established policies and procedures, and delivering high-quality results within specified deadlines. Additionally, the position requires proactive problem-solving, clear communication skills, and the ability to adapt to evolving business needs while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Transform the grants financial management function into a robust, audit-ready control-driven assurance framework.
Ensure the financial integrity of the grant throughout its entire lifecycle, verifying that all expenditures are precise, well-documented, compliant with regulations, and fully aligned with the specifications set forth by the donor.
By implementing structured verification, reconciliation, and compliance review processes, the role will enhance AGRA’s second-line oversight framework.
Enhance and systematize donor financial reporting upholding high standards of 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. Assume primary responsibility for institutional oversight of grants financial compliance, reporting, and audit preparedness, working in tandem with the Head of Grants to fulfill their strategic objectives.
Collaborate with Finance, Grants, Programs, M&E, and IT teams to establish and uphold robust financial discipline and 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.
Collaborate with the Legal department to incorporate precise financial reporting, compliance, and audit provisions into grant agreements.
Deliver objective assurance insights to senior leadership regarding compliance risks, financial exposure, and portfolio performance.
Prepare comprehensive senior management reports, including GRC and Expo updates, delivering clear, data-driven insights on risk exposure and financial performance.
Through guidance, training, and escalation, collaborate with country and program teams to ensure strict adherence to policies, even in the absence of direct authority.
Develop organizational capacity by providing staff and grantees with training on reporting standards, documentation protocols, and compliance requirements.
Perform independent verification of grant expenditures by cross-checking them with approved budgets, donor specifications, and associated documentation.
Develop and deploy risk-based compliance review frameworks throughout the grant portfolio.
Identify potential compliance violations, unsupported expenditures, and weaknesses in internal controls, then promptly escalate these issues for resolution and track their progress to ensure timely corrective action.
Maintain and monitor the grants’ financial risk register, including high-risk grants and mitigation actions.
Embed and oversee comprehensive internal control frameworks, including those aligned with COST standards, throughout the entirety of the grant’s lifecycle.
Support the compilation and evaluation of financial reports for donors, verifying their precision, comprehensiveness, and adherence to contractual obligations pertaining to grantee reporting.
Revise grantee reporting frameworks to ensure uniformity in templates, timelines, and procedural workflows.
Ensure integration of grantee financial data into organizational reporting outputs (donor reports, Board papers, annual reports).
Deliver comprehensive financial analysis and strategic insights for grantees, focusing on budget-to-actual comparisons, expenditure trends, and potential financial risks.
Act as the primary liaison for YE FFA grant-related audits, guaranteeing that all documentation is thorough, systematically arranged, and prepared for audit review.
Oversee the management of audit responses, guaranteeing prompt completion and consistent implementation of corrective measures.
Develop and enforce pre-audit review protocols and documentation guidelines to enhance audit readiness.
Provide assistance with regulatory reporting and disclosure obligations tied to grants, including statutory filings.
Ensure accurate reconciliation between the grants systems (AMIS) and the General Ledger, addressing and resolving any discrepancies that arise.
Ensure the accuracy, thoroughness, and uniformity of data across financial and grants management systems.
Collaborate with Grants, IT, and Finance teams to enhance system integration, strengthen reporting capabilities, and drive user adoption.
Responsible for managing the integrity and consistency of financial data as it moves between various systems, ensuring accurate alignment with all reporting platforms.
Deliver comprehensive financial insights at the grantee portfolio level, focusing on grant performance, utilization tracking, future projections, and exposure to risk.
Create and sustain executive dashboards and performance metrics to facilitate informed strategic decisions by senior leadership.
Convert financial data into comprehensible and strategic insights tailored for senior leadership and the Board.
Craft and implement training initiatives aimed at equipping staff and grantees with essential skills in financial reporting, documentation, and compliance.
Develop and implement strategies aimed at enhancing efficiency, elevating reporting standards, and strengthening control measures.
Foster an organizational environment characterized by accountability, precision, and preparedness for audits.
A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is essential, complemented by a minimum of three years of hands-on experience in a comparable role. Proficiency in industry-standard software and tools is mandatory, alongside strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are required to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams. Candidates must demonstrate a keen attention to detail and the capacity to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Prior leadership or project management experience is strongly preferred. Knowledge of relevant regulations and compliance standards is also critical to ensure adherence to organizational policies.
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance—or comparable professional experience—is required.
A master’s degree in a related discipline is highly beneficial.
Candidates must possess a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential to be considered for this position. This certification demonstrates a high level of expertise in accounting principles, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance. Additionally, the role requires a minimum of five years of progressive accounting experience, with at least two years in a supervisory or management capacity. Responsibilities include overseeing financial audits, ensuring adherence to GAAP standards, preparing tax filings, and providing strategic financial guidance to senior leadership. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in accounting software are essential. The ideal candidate will also exhibit excellent communication abilities to articulate complex financial information clearly to stakeholders.
Proven track record in accounting, finance, or financial oversight is required.
Proficient in international and domestic accounting regulations and frameworks established by governmental and regulatory bodies.
With extensive expertise in compiling and interpreting financial reports, the candidate effectively supports senior management with accurate, insightful analysis and strategic decision-making.
Applies expertise in auditing methodologies, financial risk mitigation strategies, and regulatory compliance frameworks within the financial domain.
Proficiently utilizes a variety of computer applications with expertise in spreadsheets, presentation tools, reporting systems, and accounting software.
To apply for this position, please send your application, accompanied by a comprehensive CV that includes your email address and telephone number, to recruit@agra.org. Ensure that the job reference number SFO/GRC/05/2026 is clearly indicated in the subject line of your email. Applications must be submitted no later than 5th June 2026. Given the anticipated high volume of submissions, only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
