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

The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (“LSETF” or “the Fund”), was established by The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund Law 2016 to provide financial support to residents of Lagos State, for job, wealth creation and to tackle unemployment. LSETF serves as an instrument to inspire the creative and innovative energies of all Lagos residents and reduce unemployment across the State. The Fund has the mandate to directly invest N25Billion in helping Lagos residents grow and scale their Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (“MSMEs”) or acquire skills to get better jobs.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Finance Officer

Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Full Time

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.

Application Closing Date
3rd January, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.