Finance Officer at The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF)

Job purpose

• To provide financial oversight and support for the Employability Support Project, ensuring that all financial transactions, budgets, and reports align with the project’s objectives, donor guidelines, and organizational standards.
• The role will ensure accurate financial reporting, expense monitoring, and cost controls while supporting audit and compliance processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Budgeting and Financial Planning

• Assist in developing and managing the project’s budget, ensuring alignment with program milestones and timelines.
• Support the preparation of annual and quarterly financial forecasts for the project.
• Monitor project expenditures against approved budgets and provide variance analysis with actionable insights.

Financial Reporting

• Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for the project, including:
• Budget performance reports.
• Variance analysis and financial dashboards.
• Project-specific financial summaries for stakeholders and donors.
• Reconcile project accounts, ensuring all transactions are accurate, auditable, and comply with relevant standards.
• Ensure the proper documentation and filing of all financial records for transparency and audit readiness.

Expense Monitoring and Cash Control

• Maintain financial security and control mechanisms, ensuring accurate tracking of project-related expenses.
• Oversee partner financial reporting and validate expenses (e.g., training partners, job fair vendors, screening partners).
• Ensure timely processing of payments to project partners, vendors, and service providers.
• Monitor cash flow, ensuring adequate funds are available for project activities.

Compliance and Audit

• Ensure strict adherence to organizational, donor, and statutory financial policies throughout the project lifecycle, with particular attention to the Lagos
• State Procurement Law and to GIZ Processes and Rules.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing necessary reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure tax compliance, including withholding taxes for payments to partners and vendors.

Support to Project Implementation

• Work closely with the Project Team to track financial KPIs and ensure financialresources are allocated to deliver milestones such as:
• Certification of 1,350 trainees.
• Placement of 1,050 trainees.
• Organization of one job fair and industry engagement events.
• Collaborate with procurement officers to ensure alignment between procurement activities and financial processes.
• Collaborate closely with GIZ Finance and Procurement teams to ensure adequate and timely processing and documentation between the vendors, training partners or any external contractors, LSETF and GIZ.

Qualifications & Experience:

• First Degree or Higher National Diploma certificate (minimum of lower credit) in Finance, Accounting or a related discipline from a recognized higher institution.
• Professional Certification or progress towards certification will be an added advantage
• Minimum of 4 years’ cognate experience in related function
• Experience in Non-Profit/Social Impact/Development Finance/Programme
• Management is required
• NYSC discharge certificate is mandatory

Key Competences:

• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the role:
• Financial Management Skills
• Budget Preparation and Monitoring Expertise
• Knowledge of Accounting Principles and Reporting Standards
• Proficiency in Financial Software and Microsoft Excel
• Attention to Detail and Audit Preparedness
• Organizational and Planning Skills
• Excellent Communication and Reporting Abilities
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills