Chief Financial Officer

Responsibilities:

Financial Strategy & Executive Leadership:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive financial strategy aligned with the company’s E&P objectives, asset-development plans and long-term growth ambitions.
• Advise the Managing Director and Board on financial performance, investment priorities, capital requirements, commercial risks and strategic opportunities.
• Translate business and field-development plans into clear financial forecasts, funding requirements and performance targets.
• Evaluate and provide financial leadership on strategic partnerships, joint ventures, farm-in/farm-out opportunities, asset acquisitions and divestments.
• Establish appropriate financial governance and decision-making frameworks to support the company’s expanding operations.

Finance Function Development:

• Build and strengthen the finance function, including its organisational structure, policies, procedures, systems, controls and reporting processes.
• Determine the financial capabilities and resources required as the company progresses through asset acquisition, exploration, development, production and commercialisation.
• Recruit, lead, coach and develop a capable finance team with the expertise required for an upstream operating environment.
• Implement fit-for-purpose financial and enterprise systems that improve reporting accuracy, cost control, operational visibility and scalability.

Capital Planning & Fundraising:

• Develop funding strategies for drilling, field development, production infrastructure and other major capital programmes.
• Lead engagement with banks, development finance institutions, private equity investors, strategic partners and other potential funding sources.
• Evaluate and structure debt, equity, project finance, reserve-based lending and other appropriate financing arrangements.\
• Develop credible financial models, investment cases, lender presentations and investor materials.
• Lead financial due diligence and support negotiations relating to financing, partnerships and major commercial transactions.

Financial Planning, Modelling & Performance Management:

• Lead annual budgeting, long-range financial planning, forecasting and scenario analysis.
• Develop integrated financial models covering exploration, drilling, field development, production, operating expenditure, capital expenditure and projected cash flows.
• Conduct sensitivity and scenario analyses covering oil prices, production volumes, exchange rates, inflation, project costs and development timelines.
• Establish financial and operational performance indicators and provide timely management and Board reports.
• Monitor expenditure against approved budgets and ensure financial resources are allocated to priority activities.
• Provide early warning of cost overruns, funding gaps, cash-flow pressures and other emerging financial risks.

Accounting, Reporting, Treasury & Internal Controls:

• Oversee accounting, financial reporting, treasury, cash management, payroll, taxation and audit activities.
• Ensure timely preparation of accurate management accounts, statutory financial statements, budgets, forecasts and Board reports.
• Establish strong internal controls, authorisation limits, segregation of duties and financial policies appropriate for a growing E&P organisation.
• Ensure compliance with IFRS and applicable Nigerian accounting, corporate and taxation requirements.
• Coordinate external audits and maintain effective relationships with auditors, tax advisers, banks and other professional service providers.
• Establish appropriate accounting and cost-allocation practices for licences, exploration expenditure, drilling activities, field-development costs, production operations and joint arrangements.

Commercial & Operational Financial Management:

• Work closely with drilling, operations, technical, commercial, procurement and supply-chain teams to improve cost visibility and financial discipline.
• Assess the financial implications of field-development plans, drilling programmes, technical contracts and operational commitments.
• Support contracting and procurement decisions through commercial analysis, affordability assessments and value-for-money reviews.
• Develop effective cost-control processes covering capital projects, contractors, vendors, equipment, materials, logistics and field operations.
• Monitor project economics and provide financial insight to support operational and investment decisions.

Governance, Compliance & Risk Management:

• Ensure financial activities comply with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), applicable tax legislation and other relevant Nigerian regulatory requirements.
• Support compliance with the requirements of relevant authorities, including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
• Develop and maintain an enterprise-wide financial risk-management framework.
• Identify and manage risks relating to funding, liquidity, foreign exchange, commodity prices, taxation, fraud, internal controls, project delivery and contractual obligations.
• Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, ethical conduct and financial discipline throughout the organisation.

Investor & Stakeholder Relations:

• Serve as a key financial representative of the company in engagements with investors, lenders, regulators, auditors, advisers and strategic partners.
• Communicate the company’s financial position, funding requirements, project economics, risks and growth strategy clearly and credibly.
• Build confidence among financial stakeholders through accurate reporting, strong governance and disciplined financial management.
• Support Board and shareholder communications relating to financial performance, investment decisions and major corporate initiatives.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration or a related discipline.
• Recognised professional accounting qualification such as ICAN, ACCA, CPA or equivalent.
• Minimum of 12 years’ progressive experience in finance, accounting, corporate finance or investment management, including substantial senior financial leadership experience.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience within upstream E&P, oilfield services, energy, infrastructure, project finance or another capital-intensive industry.
• Demonstrated experience in building, strengthening or transforming a finance function, particularly within a growing or newly established business operation.
• Strong understanding of upstream oil and gas economics, project financing, capital expenditure management and financial modelling.
• Experience engaging banks, investors, auditors, regulators and other external stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of Nigerian oil and gas regulations, taxation, statutory reporting and corporate governance requirements.

Desirable:

• MBA, Master’s degree or other relevant postgraduate qualification.
• Experience with joint ventures, production-sharing arrangements, asset transactions or field-development financing.
  
• Experience in fundraising, reserve-based lending or other structured financing arrangements.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic Financial Leadership & Commercial Acumen: Ability to translate corporate and E&P objectives into sound financial strategies, investment decisions and sustainable growth plans.
• Capital Raising & Financial Structuring: Strong capability in fundraising, project finance, debt/equity structuring and engagement with banks, investors and strategic funding partners.
• Financial Modelling & Upstream Economics: Strong understanding of E&P economics, project evaluation, financial modelling, budgeting, forecasting and capital expenditure management.
• Governance, Risk & Regulatory Compliance: Strong command of financial controls, risk management, IFRS, taxation, audit and Nigerian oil and gas regulatory requirements.
• Executive Leadership & Stakeholder Management: Ability to engage credibly with the Board, Managing Director, investors, lenders, regulators, auditors and technical teams.
• Finance Function Development & Execution: Proven ability to build systems, processes and high-performing finance teams while operating effectively in an evolving organisation.