Assistant Project Finance and Control Manager

Job Title: Assistant Manager, Project Finance & Control

Reports to: Senior Manager, FAAM

Location: ALF Secretariat, Ota, Ogun State

Employment Type: Full-Time

ORGANISATION SUMMARY

The Africa Leadership Foundation (ALF) is a multidisciplinary, knowledge-driven organisation committed to advancing leadership, governance, gender equality, digital and economic empowerment, peace, and sustainable development across Africa. Since 1988, ALF has delivered leadership development, capacity-building programmes, research, policy advisory interventions, and multi-sector engagement across national, regional, and continental levels.

ROLE SUMMARY:

The Assistant Manager, Project Finance & Control will play a strategic role in securing, managing, and safeguarding the financial integrity of ALF's donor-funded and internally funded projects. The role ensures that all projects are adequately financed, budgets are sound and well-monitored, financial risks are mitigated, and internal controls are enforced to prevent errors, fraud, and non-compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the financial structuring, negotiations, and engagements with donors, partners, and other external stakeholders to secure the funding required for ALF's projects.
• Identify and assess major project-related economic and financial risks (e.g. exchange and interest rate exposure, credit risk) and provide management with appropriate mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
• Develop detailed project budgets that align with donor requirements and programmatic objectives, continuously monitor expenditures against these budgets, and prepare variance analyses with recommended corrective measures.
• Provide strategic financial insights, forecasts, and advisory support to senior management and project teams to strengthen decision-making, enhance accountability, and ensure compliance with donor expectations.
• Design, implement, and monitor an effective internal control framework that governs all project finance activities, ensuring full adherence to organizational financial policies, donor regulations, and compliance standards.
• Review and verify the accuracy, validity, and completeness of all financial transactions by checking entries against supporting evidence to prevent errors, irregularities, and potential fraud.
• Identify control deficiencies within the internal financial control systems, collaborate with department and project managers to implement corrective measures, and monitor the timely resolution of identified issues.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline. Professional certification (ICAN, ACCA, CPA, or CFA) is a strong advantage.
• Minimum of 3–5 years' experience in project finance, donor-funded financial management, financial controls, audit, or related roles within NGOs, development organisations, or the corporate sector.
• Proven experience preparing and managing donor budgets and ensuring compliance with donor financial rules and reporting requirements.
• Strong financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and modelling skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and monitor internal controls, compliance systems, and financial risk mitigation measures.
• Excellent documentation, reporting, and communication skills, with high attention to detail and the ability to present financial information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple deadlines, collaborate effectively, and maintain high ethical standards and accountability.

HOW TO APPLY

• Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to , with the subject line: "Assistant Manager, Project Finance & Control." (Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.)

The Africa Leadership Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications.