Entrepreneurship in the territories: is it the right time?
ABOUT BSF
Founded in 2007 by the French historian Patrick Weil, Bibliothèques Sans Frontières (Libraries Without Borders) is an NGO that empowers vulnerable populations by sharing culture, education and information. It implements inclusive and innovative projects in 30+ countries, enabling people affected by crises and precarity to educate themselves, dream and (re)build their lives. Thanks to its innovative tools, library of contents and expertise in mediation, BSF and its partners tackle the major challenges of the 21st century such as education, culture, citizenship, community building, health, employment or entrepreneurship.
At BSF, decisions are only based on the applicant’s skills and qualities regarding its needs of recruitment within a respectful and inclusive process. BSF hires and employs individuals regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, cultural or ethnic background, or disability.
CONTEXT OF THE MISSION
As part of its Horizon 2030 development strategy, BSF is building a regional response in West Africa. A regional office in Dakar, Senegal, was inaugurated in 2022 and BSF’s operations in the region are expanding. BSF is currently implementing projects in Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger and Burkina Faso and launched operations in Nigeria in 2024. However the office in Nigeria is managed independently so far and directly reports to HQ.
A first ambitious programme to combat sexual violence in conflicts in Nigeria is currently being launched with the support of the Crisis Centre of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In this context, BSF is looking for a dynamic Finance Officer based in Maiduguri who will be the person on the ground to help our partners roll out activities within our offline digital libraries**.**
POSITION WITHIN THE ORGANISATION
The Finance Manager will be placed under the hierarchical responsibility of the Country Representative, based in Maiduguri.
Reports Directly To: BSF Country Representative (hierarchical relationship) and HQ Regional Finance Officer (functional supervisor)
Works Directly With: Logistics and Administration Manager and Project Managers based in Nigeria.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The successful candidate will manage the following financial functions of BSF:
1) Financial operations
Ensure timely and accurate management of BSF Nigeria finances including but not limited to the following responsibilities:
- Oversee and manage daily countrywide accounting and finance functions including the timely recording of transactions, cash management, banking, tax obligations, payroll, inventory, receivables, and payables.
- Plan and implement systems for financial operations in Nigeria in accordance with the BSF Field Finance Manual and donor regulations, including systems for cash flow management, budgeting, consolidation of accounting information, internal controls, financial reporting, financial record-keeping, grant management and compliance.
- Coordinate with project managers by providing consolidated accounting and financial information for country projects, by using an internal tool for Project Budget Follow up.
- Provide financial review of purchase requests, purchase orders and payment requests to ensure compliance with BSF’ policies and procedures and project budgets.
- Review month-end sub-journals to ensure clarity of descriptions, exchange rate and correct coding of expenses.
- Implement allocation tables and complete Journal Entries for allocations on a monthly basis.
- Ensure monitoring of advance accounts and accrual and suspense accounts ensuring they are cleaned on a regular basis.
- Maintain banking relations and plan and monitor country cash flow requirements to ensure the smooth implementation of BSF programs.
- Provide monthly standard accounting submissions to BSF Headquarters, including general ledger files, account reconciliations, expenditures by fund code/project, required subgrantee reporting in tandem with the Country Manager, as well as other financial information in a timely and accurate manner.
- Ensure compliance with BSF procurement policies and procedures for all goods and services.
- Develop and maintain local office policies and procedures and provide training for all issues related to local financial matters.
- Develop annual fiscal year budgets with the Country Representative and develop and implement grant budgeting and forecasting systems with Project Managers.
- Maintain appropriate local insurance coverage in coordination with the Human Resources & Administration Department to protect BSF.
2) Grants management and compliance
Ensure accurate planning of existing and proposed activities and on budget and incompliance spending of funded initiatives through (but not limited to) the following activities:
- Annual planning in coordination with the Country Representative of multiple grant budgets to ensure that all costs, including office expenses and staff are covered by incoming funding, budgets and implementing projection systems with Project Managers.
- Provide monthly financial management reports to the Country Representative and Project Managers, including budget vs actual reports of expenditures by fund code/budget line per project, and other financial information, in a timely and accurate manner. Complete follow-up actions based on Project Manager Review and the outcomes of grant meetings.
- Perform internal audits and reviews as required to ensure compliance with BSF and donor requirements.
- Lead budget development for new initiatives ensuring realistic and complete budgets in the required format.
The officer may be required to perform any other task that may be entrusted to them by their supervisor in-line with their role.
RECRUITMENT CONDITIONS
Type of contract: Full-time fixed-term contract, Nigerian law contract. Contract only for national staff.
Start of contract: July 1st, 2025
Contract Duration: 5 months (renewable based on funding opportunities and performance).
Duty Station: Maiduguri with possible mobility to other communities in Borno State depending on the security situation.
TO APPLY
Interested candidates are requested to send their application by e-mail.
Female applications are strongly encouraged.
This application file is composed of the following documents:
- Cover letter
- CV (maximum 3 pages) including 3 professional references (surnames, first names, designation, organization, official e-mail address, telephone numbers)
Deadline for submission of applications: 27th June 2025. Note that applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.
NB: Only pre-selected candidates will be convened.
