Self-motivated, result-driven, cross-disciplined, top-notch Financial Management Specialist with extensive experience both in corporate and development sector covering financial management, administration, operation, procurement and project management. Proven track record of managing teams of multiple large and complex intercultural projects funded by DFID, ADB, AusAid (DFAT), JSI, World Bank, JICA & others in Pakistan, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos and Timor Leste. Seeking a position to work in a fast-paced and challenging environment, where my diverse experience, solid analytical and quantitative skills can be put to accurate use.
Food Fortification Programme (FFP), funded by FCDO/DFID, managed by Mott MacDonald Ltd., UK & Nutrition Int’l, Canada
Main project features: The Food Fortification Programme (FFP) is funded by UKaid. It seeks to contribute to the improvement of the nutritional status of people in Pakistan, particularly women of childbearing age and young children.
Responsibilities:
· Consolidate and analyse financial data related to all FCDO assets and ensure accurate recording;
· Identify and correct reconciliation breaks between financial and non-financial data;
· Maintain and update database on SharePoint by entering, verifying, and backing up data;
· Asset handover letter finalization, follow up for signing up letters with govt. ministries and other stakeholders;
· Asset register finalization and support in final project closeout matters including final meetings with FCDO.
Food Fortification Programme (FFP), funded by FCDO/DFID, managed by Mott MacDonald Ltd., UK & Nutrition Int’l, Canada
Main project features: The Food Fortification Programme (FFP) is funded by UKaid. It seeks to contribute to the improvement of the nutritional status of people in Pakistan, particularly women of childbearing age and young children.
Key Achievements: Streamlined finance and operation functions across the provinces in Pakistan; managed smooth closeout of project with foolproof disposal of all FCDO assets among government and other FCDO partners.
Responsibilities:
· Supervise provincial finance and administration teams overseeing planning and execution of all financial and operational processes;
· Ensure countrywide effective financial and administrative co-ordination and support provided to the FFP project;
· Oversee transactional processing on Deltek Maconomy ERP and ensure appropriate financial controls in place;
· Supervise office management including office set-up, vehicles and transportation, inventories, security issues, assets and fleet management, office & equipment maintenance, coordination with programme teams;
· Arrange for the project closeout verification exercise of all FCDO assets, ensure that follow up actions are implemented and timely report on the results as per requirements of donor and HQ.
· Support the implementation of policies and processes for the management and safeguarding of the vehicle fleet and asset management.
Short-term consultancy assignment
Key Achievements: Investigated, identified, analysed and closed the long sustained reconciliation gaps in the ledgers of Lawson accounting software based in the UK.
Responsibilities:
· Manage Pakistan branch bank and balance sheet reconciliations with UK based Lawson software;
· Identify and analyse reporting and resolution of reconciliation breaks and investigate cash discrepancies;
· Work with internal stakeholders to resolve errors and suggest process improvements;
· Support in other financial management processes and analyses.
Provincial Health and Nutrition Programme, GBP 18 m FCDO/DFID & GoP funded project
Main project features: The TRF+ aimed to support the health and nutrition sectors of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through technical expertise and capacity building services.
Key Achievements: Efficiently managed disbursements of 170 TA assignments; implemented standard measures to improve internal control efficiency; established transparent accounting control procedures.
Responsibilities:
Overall Management:
· Develop SOPs related to financial management, review and revise (if required) operations and procurement procedures and ensure compliance with DFID’s rules and regulations;
· Lead & oversee finance, procurement & operations team and activities; support in the implementation of Deltek ERP;
· Provide on-the job training to the finance, procurement and operations team on policies, procedures and compliances;
· Support HQ in preparing inception, quarterly, annual and financial progress reports;
Financial Management:
· Lead finance team and supervise financial accounting functions; support in the implementation of Deltek ERP;
· Implement financial and administrative policies and procedures that meet project needs and corporate and client requirements.
· Create and maintain financial reporting and expenditure tracking systems providing data measurements on financial performance of project and project activities.
· Manage budgeting as per DFID’s Value for Money (VfM) strategies, 3-month rolling cashflow forecasting and variance analysis;
· Support the finance team in London in preparing invoice, financial reports as per DFID’s requirements, ensuring they are complete, accurate and produced on a timely basis.
· Review and approve monthly financial reports submitted to HQ;
· Conduct statutory and operational audits in head office and in provincial offices;
· Work closely with the UK finance team and internal and external auditors.
· Ensure timely tax payments and compliance with other tax laws, as applicable;
Procurement, HR & Operations
· Review all procurement and sub-consultancy contracts and ensure accuracy and completeness and that the terms are in line with the provisions in DFID’s contract and the project’s VfM strategies;
· Ensure procurement of goods and services are in line with donor’s guidelines;
· Oversee asset and fleet management system and conduct periodic inventory verifications;
· Support HR/operations manager in developing HR policies and procedures, recruitment, testing, interviewing ensuring compliance with due diligence and vetting policies;
· Assist the team leader and HQ London in any matter, if required.
National Maternal Neonatal Child Health Programme (NMNCH), GBP19.27 m DFID, DFAT/AusAID, & GoP funded project
Main project features: The programme branded as Technical Resource Facility provided support to Pakistan government over six years to improve maternal, newborn and child health by building capacity in areas including health policy and strategy, service delivery and procurement.
Key Achievements: TA disbursement target achieved, strengthened controls & streamlined overall financial management system.
Responsibilities:
· Responsible for creating budgets, 3-month rolling forecasts that will allocate all the entity’s monetary resources in the wisest way possible by the conduction of in-depth analyses of various financial systems, spotting significant discrepancies between actual and proposed expenses as well as resolving inaccurate financial database entries including analysing estimate variances;
· Analyze budget proposals, financial reports and expenditures, and develop recommendations for budget allowances;
· Ensure expenditure control and compliance with funding and reporting requirements of funding agencies and Standard Accounting Procedures;
· Set-up and implement accounting package; provide on-the job training in software use and other financial matters to staff across project offices;
· Ensure all financial records are up to date and in compliance with requirements of the donors and International Accounting Standards;
· Ensure timely replenishment and availability of funds liaising with UK office;
· Prepare periodic consolidated accounts for funds received from overseas; manage and keep track of billing and funds received from client; ensure timely tax deposits & compliance with other local tax laws applicable;
· Prepare periodic accounting reports and financial statements;
· Liaise and provide support to external auditors; conduct regular internal audits in the Provincial Offices;
· Support HR and procurement in recruitment of core staff, consultants and consulting firms, evaluation of financial proposal and contract award.
ADB TA-7366 Capacity Development for Income Restoration Programs, $500k funded by ADB & MEF (Cambodia)
Main project features: The project aimed at reduction of the poverty and vulnerability associated with involuntary resettlement, especially along Cambodia's National Road 1 (NR 1) and enhancement of capacity of the Government to design, manage, and supervise income restoration programs for resettlement-affected people, plus improved capacity of affected people to manage community-based self-help organizations.
Key Achievements: Administered overall project, completed within time and budget; Most of the DMF targets have been achieved, instituted saving & credit groups and managed disbursement of loans and grants; organized and supervised long-term and short training, capacity building workshops and study tours, certification provided by University and Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) – beneficiary government ministries are Ministry of Economy & Finance, Ministry of Water Resources & Meteorology, Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Electricité du Camboge, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, Council of Agriculture and Rural Development, Independent Professionals, NGOs and UNOHCR.
Responsibilities:
· Oversee project implementation, and management of all technical and financial matters including reporting and invoicing to the clients; set-up strong financial system, maintain books of accounts as per IFRS/IAS and GAAP;
· Manage activity budgets, forecasts, BVA, budget and expenditure tracking, tax payments, payroll and compliance audits;
· Support team leader in building capacity of government staff in involuntary resettlement and instituting saving & credit groups through a series of trainings;
· Provide support to grants manager / livelihood development specialist in solicitation, disbursement and management of grants, subcontracting, performing due diligence, maintenance of grant policies, procedures and practices and developing grantee trainings;
· Procurement of goods and technical assistance, including training services as per ADB’s procurement guidelines;
· Acting as first point of contact for ADB Cambodia Resident Mission and Ministry of Economy and Finance, Cambodia regarding all project management, implementation and financial control issues.
Additional Responsibilities:
· As Country Manager (Cambodia) supervise all ongoing projects in Cambodia: strengthen internal controls, overcome revenue leaks, improve and streamline procurement system; prepare procurement plans as per clients’ guidelines.
· Oversee country financials, procurement and operations of all ongoing projects in Cambodia; lead and manage the projects team, the project budget, the project risks and security matters, and the affairs of the implementing partners.
· Manage bid submissions and report submissions to various clients in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Pakistan & Timor Leste for projects funded by ADB, WORLD BANK, JICA, & Cambodian Govt.
Short-term consultancy assignment
Responsibilities:
· Prepare final ADB claim and financial report; consolidate TA accounts and manage all TA financial closure activities;
· Perform compliance review on the project expenditures; summarize budget variances and all procurement activities.
ADB TA-4504 Punjab Devolved Social Services Programme (PDSSP/TAMA), $50 million DFID funded project
Main project features: The PDSSP aimed to strengthen the Punjab’s social services for more equitable, efficient, effective and sustainable delivery to achieve progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) related to poverty, gender, education, health, and water supply and sanitation. Based in Lahore, TAMA provided technical assistance for provincial and district government departments seeking to develop and implement reforms and build capacity.
Key Achievements: Successfully liquidated 17 ADB imprest funds; supported in procurement & preparation of 132 TA consultancy contracts.
Responsibilities:
· Establish SoPs for finance and operations and manage the TA funds of TAMA; develop accounting system, oversee overall finance including budgeting, forecasting, expenditure tracking, variance analysis and tax management;
· Prepare consolidated financial statements; conduct compliance & statutory audits;
· Oversee capacity building for local governments on relevant accounting and finance issues;
· Provide support to technical team in drafting consultancy contracts, request for proposals (RfPs), expression of interests (EOIs) and technical & financial proposals.
· Support in preparation of procurement plans, budgets & TA expenditure forecasts, drafting consultancy contracts, letter of invitations (LoIs) and request for proposals (RfPs);
· Support the team in evaluating Expression of Interests (EOIs), technical & financial proposals.
Key Achievements: Made 12% cost saving in raw material procurement and increased export sales by 17%.
Responsibilities:
· Manage imports & export sales documentation both air & sea freights;
· Negotiate and liaise with foreign buyers and suppliers; manage L/C opening and documents lodgment and retirement;
· Act as the focal person and liaise with Export Processing Zone office for all export documentations.
Responsibilities:
· Set up and manage financial accounting system: manage cashbook, bankbook & reconciliation, cashflow, payroll, income and sales tax periodic returns, financial reporting etc.
· Manage PKR325 million export and large sale contracts including UNWFP tenders;
· Manage import L/C and contract opening, documents lodgment and retirement.
Responsibilities:
· Support in maintenance of books of accounts, cashbook, invoice payments, lease amortization schedules, bank reconciliation; handle all type of MIS Reports related to accounts; assist accounts manager as required.
Responsibilities:
· Internal/external audit of various national firms.