Experience

International Trade and Development

• United Kingdom
• International Trade and Development
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Financial Management Specialist

  • Jul 2014 - Present

  Engaged in various consultancies for USAID projects (Asia, Africa and Middle East) as finance backstop including remote assistance for semi-annual accounting reports, budget realignments, work plans, forecasting; reviewed spending performance by monthly and quarterly burn rates.Contributed and was on proposals for- Deputy Chief of Party Operations , USAID/HEI Afghanistan, AMS Feb 2021- Director of Finance, USAID/TIF Lebanon, Palladium, March 2020- Director of Finance and Operations, USAID /EDGE South Asia, ICF Inc., November 2019- Operations Manager - USAID OTI /Nigeria Lake Chad Basin Program, DAI Global LLC, May 2018- Senior-Level Financial Management Advisor, USAID/Southern Africa’s Mission Support activity, Panagora Group, December 2016- Finance and Operations Manager, USAID/Zimbabwe Assistance Program in Malaria (ZAPIM), IMA World Health, July 2015 - Finance Manager, USAID /South Sudan Community Engagement Project (CEP) Winrock International, April 2015- Senior Finance Specialist, USAID/ Northern Nigeria Education Initiative Plus Activity (NEI plus), RTI International, August 2014 - Operations Manager, SWIFT IV IQC Sub IQC B (Asia, Middle East, and Europe and Eurasia), QED International, September 2012



Tetra Tech DPK / ARD

• Deputy Chief of Party F&A - USAID/Afghanistan Rule of Law Stabilization Program (RLS - Formal)

  • Apr 2014 - Jun 2014

  Deputy Chief of Party for RLS-F during its close-out period, supporting two pillars of $18 million U.S. Government Rule of Law Strategy and USAID assistance to governance in Afghanistan. Had the primary responsibility of ensuring the timely provision and delivery of all required project financial, administrative, compliance and grants, procurement and subcontracts support to the execution of the project. Provided direct supervision of the Contracts Grants and Procurement Director, Finance Director and Human Resources Manager, Logistics and Facilities Manager and provided indirect supervisory support to operations department staff, procurement staff and provided mentoring of key personnel, including the managers of Accounting and Finance, Human Resources, Procurement, IT, and Facilities. Contributed to project close out, managed inventory, segregated disposition property list for counterparts and coordinated with component lead, USAID and implementing partners. Prepared closeout checklist schedule for each department and provided weekly follow-up with home office. Supervised HR files and staff exit package (severance and leave balance) and finance and procurement files and documents for shipping.



Creative Associates International, Inc.

• Director of Finance & Grants - USAID/Nigeria Northern Education Initative (NEI)

  • Oct 2010 - May 2012

  Director of Finance and Grants for $44 million project focused on strengthening state and local government capacity to deliver basic education services and provide access to education and health services for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in two northern Nigerian states: Sokoto and Bauchi. Ensured internal control compliance as well as accounting and financial reporting protocols for 19 local subcontractors and grantees. Issued approximately 50 grants in two years averaging $50,000 per grantee each year. Grantees included CBOs, NGOs, and women’s network organizations. Procured and distributed school supplies, bag, T-shirts, books, and hygiene kits to schools as in-kind grants in Bauchi and Sokoto states. Supervised project financial staff and program budget matters. Managed accounting and disbursement. Verified procurements to comply with USAID and financial guidelines, including vetting candidates in USAID’s online vetting platform. Oversaw the training of staff and partner NGOs in financial systems. Overcame challenges including limited grantee organizational capacity and high staff turnover through frequent capacity building, spot checks, trainings, and mentorship. Ensured adherence to grants management policies, and timely financial reporting to USAID. Reviewed subcontractor invoices/vouchers and consultant fee payments in accordance with accounting procedures and contract policies. Developed spreadsheet programs for checking tracking and monitoring analyses for all financial project activities and project expense data. Managed human resources, operations, logistics and other administrative staff. In conjunction with program staff, oversaw administration and logistical support to program activities, including program events and general program workshops. Enforced program and office procurement and contracting procedures including minimum cash holding in remotely managed offices.



Management Sciences for Health

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Finance & Grants Specialist - USAID/Sudan Health Transformation Project ( SHTPII)

  • Apr 2010 - Oct 2010

  Provided finance and grants leadership to $44 million project focused on transitioning health service delivery from relief to development and specifically, expanding access and coverage by enhancing quality of health services through an integrated package of high-impact services. Responsible for managing the quality and timely flow of information between senior management and micro-grantees. Collaborated closely with program, finance, Primary Health Unit (PHU) Advisors, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) staff across offices. Developed and prepared a solicitation for micro-grants. Coordinated and assisted micro-grantees in compliance with USAID and MSH procurement rules and regulations and applicable local laws and regulations. Enforced segregation of duties and approving authority. Ensured smooth management of and reporting on all micro-grant funds. Oversaw implementation of full micro-grant cycle. Audited, monitored and scheduled reports of grant activities. Worked closely with M&E on data collection. Supervised the Accountants within all MSH Sudan projects. Reviewed all MSH Sudan accounting transactions for accuracy and completeness. Liaised with Director of Finance and Contracts to ensure that USAID and MSH internal audit requirements were met. Assumed the lead role in managing finance and operations for MSH's Country Operations Management Unit ( COMU) in South Sudan SHTP II, TBCAP , Strengthening Pharmaceutical Systems ( SPS ).



Almco Oil & Gas

• Oil and Gas
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Senior Accountant - Life Support Project Joint Contracting Command Iraq / Iraqi Ministry of Defence

  • May 2007 - Dec 2009

  Supported Iraqi, US, and coalition military forces and variety of international corporations to which ALMCO provides life support services. Responsible for accounts in Kuwait office and main contact for project support and funding. Managed project accounts and wrote financial reports. Supervised all cash management and monthly projections. Assisted in oversight of all financial activities in regional office. Responsible for audits and bank reconciliation, payments and payables. Trained and supervised local and field office accounting staff. Worked closely with Procurement and Logistics Department assisting Financial Controller on ALMCO Group finance, audits and reports



Contrade LTCE

• Finance Manager

  • Jan 2006 - Apr 2007

  Finance Manager for a women-owned minority business in the Middle East region, providing a wide range of services including logistic services and support. Responsible for overall financial activities in field and regional offices in Kuwait and Iraq. Trained and supervised local and field office accounting staff. Assisted in ensuring effective oversight and financial monitoring of activities. Prepared weekly cash flow forecast, monthly financial statements, reports and analysis. Drafted contracts and budgeted cost analysis. Managed audits and bank reconciliation and followed up with payments, receivables, and payables. Developed client relationship, meetings, bidding process, negotiation, contracts /support.



ACDI/VOCA

• United States
• International Trade and Development
• 700 & Above Employee

• Finance Director - USAID/Iraq Community Action Program ( ICAP II)

  • Feb 2005 - Aug 2005

  Finance Director for program that fosters direct citizen’s participation in the rehabilitation of their communities to address local needs. Supported management of over 200 small grants under the Marla Ruzicka Iraq War Victims Fund. Contributed to monthly field financial reports for ACDI/VOCA and USAID. Oversaw all financial activities in remote field and regional office including Kirkuk, Erbil, Mosul and Amman. Trained and supervised local field finance staff. Ensured effective oversight and financial monitoring of activities. Prepared monthly reports and no cost extension budgets for review. Coordinated with Procurement Department to ensure compliance.

• Chief Accountant - USAID/Support to Iraqi Basic Education ( Education II)

  • Jul 2004 - Feb 2005

  Served as Chief Accountant for the $51 million project providing support to Iraqi Basic Education (Education II) which functioned under the direction of the Iraqi Ministry of Education (MOE), to improve the quality and efficiency of Iraq's schools. The project supported the priority objectives of the MOE while building key personnel capacity. Assisted Acting Chief of Party and Contracts and Finance Manager for the start-up of project. Served as Acting Finance Manager. Provided guidance and training to finance department on financial management policies and procedures. Updated Finance and Contracts policies and procedures manual, customizing accounting software database for project. Responsible for payments and payroll processing. Trained and coordinated travel procurement. Monitored inventory control.

• Chief Accountant - USAID/Revitalization of Iraq Schools and Stabilization of Education (RISE)

  • Feb 2004 - Jul 2004

  Served as Chief Accountant for a $57 million project that distributed school materials, equipment, and supplies to schools and students in Iraq. Managed accountants in the five field offices (Baghdad, Basra, Hillah, Erbil, and Kuwait) and provided financial guidance on financial management policies and procedures. RISE project distributed $8 million in community school grants for school restoration. Consolidated monthly financial reports to the Home Office Finance Manager, and prepared weekly cash flow forecast, monthly financial statements. Designed an organizational structure, work-groups, roles, responsibilities, policies and procedures. Trained and supervised accounts staff. Introduced effective management systems, which improved control and cut costs. Managed staff with accountability for operations, maintenance, costs and performance. Assisted Contracts and Finance Manager in the close-out of RISE Project.

• Accountant - USAID/Revitalization of Iraq Schools and Stabilization of Education ( RISE)

  • Aug 2003 - Feb 2004

  Assisted Contracts and Finance Manager in transitioning RISE accounting from manual system to automated accounting system. Maintained and regularly updated entries to accounting system for remote Kuwait office and RISE field offices. Performed audits and reconciliations for RISE field offices and Kuwait offices. Reformed financial analysis of RISE field offices' grants inflow and outflow statements identifying and verifying all payments in expense report forms. Produced grants analysis reports for submission to Contracts and Finance Manager.