Expression of Interest (EOI) Engagement of an External Auditor for SDC-Funded Project at Life at Best Development Initiative

 EOI-LABDI-2026-024
Protecting Children, Women and Youth Affected by Conflict Through Local Actors in Borno State
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
09/03/2026
: 13/03/2026

Life at Best Development Initiative (LABDI) is implementing an SDC-funded project focused on Protection and Education across Bama and Monguno. In line with donor compliance requirements and LABDI’s governance and accountability standards, LABDI seeks to engage a qualified and independent external audit firm to conduct an audit of the project’s financial statements and provide assurance on the use of funds, internal controls, and compliance with applicable donor and statutory requirements.

To provide an independent professional opinion on whether the project financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of the SDC-funded project, and whether project funds were utilized for intended purposes in compliance with:

• SDC grant agreement conditions and reporting requirements
• LABDI financial policies and procedures
• Applicable financial reporting and auditing standards
• Relevant Nigerian statutory and regulatory requirements (as applicable)

The auditor will be expected to:

1. Review project financial statements for the audit period
   1/12/2024 to 31/12/2025.
2. Verify income and expenditure, including:
   • Eligibility, accuracy, completeness, and proper classification of costs
   • Compliance with approved budget lines and donor cost principles
3. Assess internal controls and financial management systems, including:
   • Procurement and vendor management
   • Cash/bank controls and reconciliations
   • Payroll/personnel cost allocations (if applicable)
   • Asset management and inventory controls
4. Conduct sample-based testing of supporting documentation (vouchers, contracts, invoices, attendance sheets, payment evidence, etc.).
5. Review compliance with key donor requirements, including documentation standards, allowability of costs, and reporting consistency.
6. Identify exceptions, risks, and recommendations for strengthening controls and compliance.
7. Hold an entry meeting and exit meeting with LABDI management.
8. Submit audit deliverables within agreed timelines.

• Audit Plan
  (including methodology and sampling approach)
• Management Letter
  with findings, risk grading, and actionable recommendations
• Independent Auditor’s Report/Opinion
  on the project financial statements
• Final Audited Financial Statements
  (signed/stamped)
• Exit Meeting Presentation
  of key findings 

• Audit period:
  1/12/2024 to 31/12/2025
• Fieldwork duration (indicative):
  2 working days
• Draft report submission:
  Within [3] days after fieldwork
• Final report submission:
  Within [5] days after receiving management comments

Interested firms must:

• Be a legally registered audit firm in Nigeria with evidence of incorporation/registration
• Be in good standing with relevant professional bodies (e.g., ICAN) and regulatory requirements
• Demonstrate at least
  3-5 years
  of audit experience, including NGOs/INGOs and donor-funded projects
• Show proven experience with donor-funded audits (SDC/UN/USAID/EU/NHF or similar)
• Have capacity to deploy qualified staff and complete the assignment within timelines
• Demonstrate independence and absence of conflict of interest with LABDI and key partners
• Firm must be within the Northeast region of Nigeria

Firms should submit the following in one PDF file (or clearly labeled attachments):

• Cover Letter
  expressing interest and confirming availability
• Company Profile
  (including address, contacts, registration details)
• Evidence of Registration
  (CAC and relevant professional certification/affiliations)
• Relevant Experience
  (at least 3 similar assignments—include client, donor, year, scope)
• Proposed Audit Approach & Methodology
  (brief)
• Team Composition
  (roles, CVs of key personnel, and certifications)
• Workplan and Timeline
• Financial Proposal
  (fees in NGN/USD, breakdown by professional fees, logistics, taxes)
• At least two (2) references
  with contact details
• Conflict of Interest Declaration
  (signed)

EOIs will be assessed based on:

• Relevant donor-funded audit experience and track record
• Methodology and understanding of assignment
• Qualifications and experience of proposed team
• Proposed timeline and availability
• Cost reasonableness and clarity of financial proposal
• References and past performance

All information obtained during the audit shall be treated as confidential. LABDI reserves the right to accept or reject any or all submissions, cancel the process, and is not bound to select the lowest-priced offer.

All clarifications must be requested in writing via:

info@labdinigeria.org
Procurement/Grants Unit, LABDI
11/03/2026

Note:

• LABDI has zero tolerance to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), any act of child abuse including sexual exploitation and sexual abuse constitute acts of serious misconduct and are therefore grounds for LABDI plenary measures, including summary dismissal.