Finance & Grants Officer – Kenya (Temporary)

Role Overview

The Finance & Grants Officer (Temporary) at AGRA will be essential in ensuring high-quality grants and financial documentation necessary for successful audit and compliance. This role supports effective internal communication regarding established grants protocols across AGRA’s countries of operation and takes the lead on audit requirements related to grants disbursement and documentation.

AGRA is an alliance led by Africans with roots in farming communities across the continent. We understand that African farmers need uniquely African solutions designed to meet their specific environmental and agricultural needs so they can sustainably boost production and gain access to rapidly growing agriculture markets.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare grant reconciliation schedules and supporting documentation for the year-end audit.
• Address prior audit findings and implement corrective actions to minimize recurring issues.
• Coordinate timely submission of audit samples and responses to queries.
• Deliver monthly and quarterly grant financial reports showing disbursement rates, expenditure trends, and variance analysis against budgets.
• Ensure financial reports reconcile with both the finance and grants management systems.
• Review and strengthen internal controls for grant accounting processes.
• Implement approval workflows for grant disbursements and expense recognition.
• Monitor compliance with donor and internal financial policies and provide oversight on grant accounting entries during transition to accrual basis.
• Validate grant receivable/payable balances for inclusion in financial statements and ensure transparency in the allocation of shared costs across grants.
• Support Project Audit Process and develop audit readiness checklists for country offices.
• Track and report audit progress to the CFO and relevant stakeholders.
• Conduct training sessions for program and and operations teams on Accrual accounting principles, Grant compliance requirements, documentation standards, and Internal control procedures.
• Develop SOPs and templates for grant reconciliation and reporting and introduce donor-specific compliance checklists.
• Perform monthly reconciliations between finance and grants management systems, and investigate and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Work with program teams and country offices to confirm grant utilization and commitments.
• Contribute to the transition to accrual accounting through documentation and oversight.

Key Qualifications and Experience required

• A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, or equivalent work experience.
• Accounting certification is a MUST.
• A master’s degree will be an added advantage.
• Deep understanding of the financial environment within which AGRA operates.
• Proven experience in finance or accounting roles and grants management.
• Strong understanding of financial regulations, grant compliance requirements, and best practices in financial management.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to generate financial reports and meet set deadlines and with good integrity.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial colleagues.
• Ability to work and manage tasks effectively in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.