Budget Analyst Officer at Sahara Group

Sahara Group is a leading international energy and infrastructure conglomerate with operations in over 38 countries across Africa, Middle East, Europe and Asia. Spanning three decades, we have broken ground and challenged stereotypes across the global business landscape. The women and men who make up our organization are our strongest levers for growth.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Budget Analyst Officer

Job Requisition ID: 458
Location: Victoria Island, Lagos 
Job type: Full-time

Key Responsibilities
Budgeting & Planning:

• Lead the development and consolidation of annual budgets in collaboration with asset managers, department heads, and project teams.
• Translate operational and project plans into financial budgets, ensuring consistency with corporate objectives.
• Develop and maintain budget models, templates, and guidelines to support accurate planning.

Cost Control & Monitoring:

• Implement and oversee detailed cost control systems, tracking actual spend against approved budgets and AFEs (Authorizations for Expenditure).
• Investigate variances, identify root causes, and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure that all cost data is accurate, timely, and aligned with company accounting policies and JV requirements.

Forecasting & Reporting

• Manage monthly and quarterly expenditure re-forecasting, providing early warning of potential overruns or underspending.
• Prepare and deliver timely cost performance reports and dashboards for senior management.
• Support decision-making by providing actionable insights on expenditure trends, cost efficiency, and resource utilization.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Partner with project managers and asset teams to monitor project expenditures and improve financial accountability.
• Liaise with JV finance, auditors, and regulatory bodies to support transparent reporting and compliance.
• Provide training and guidance to non-finance staff on cost control principles and practices.

Process & Systems Improvement:

• Continuously improve budgeting, forecasting, and cost reporting processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Leverage ERP systems and analytical tools to enhance data accuracy and reporting efficiency.
• Promote standardization and best practices across cost management processes.

Minimum Qualification / Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Engineering, or a related field. A Master’s degree or MBA is an advantage.
• Professional certifications such as CPA, CMA, ACCA, or PMP are highly desirable.
• A minimum of 4 years of experience in budgeting, cost control, or financial management within the oil and gas industry.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge, experience and proficiency demonstrated in all the activities described above. 
• Proficient in financial modeling, cost management software (e.g., SAP, Oracle), and MS Excel.
• Strong knowledge of upstream oil & gas project economics, AFEs, and cost control frameworks.
• Ability to present complex financial data in clear, actionable insights for decision-making.
• Familiarity with IFRS/GAAP and JV accounting practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.

Application Closing Date
15th February, 2026; 12:00 AM.