|
|
|
Mekonnen Mekasha
|
|
Acting Director of Finance and Administration
, African Capacity Building Foundation
|
|
Harare,
Zimbabwe
|
|
FCCA/CCSA certified Senior Finance Management expert with a track record of leading and implementing robust financial management strategies for international development partners to deliver targeted results. Key strengths include: led cost rationalisation programmes and transition to IFRS to align to international reporting standards; developed robust strategic performance dashboards to deliver |
 Contact Mekonnen Mekasha
|
|
|
Area of Expertise: |
-
Administration, Management, Finance/Accounting, Procurement
-
Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy
-
Trade, Finance, Economics, Cooperation, Global
|
|
Professional Experience: |
Career Highlights:
-ACBF were keen to reduce business-wide institutional costs to meet financial targets. As OIC -Director, led the cost rationalisation across the Foundation. Analysed / identified cost drivers; developed cost reduction strategy; liaised with management team; won buy-in; implemented cost reduction strategy; reported to Management/Board; and led ongoing cost rationalisation activities. Succeeded in meeting targets/ratios for 3 consecutive years by introducing innovative ways of doing business and raising awareness of on-going cost reductions.
-ACBF needed to monitor key performance indicators on a regular basis. As Senior Budget and Finance Officer, led the design and implementation of a strategic dashboard. Identified key indicators for display; agreed on presentation format/style; selected tools/suppliers; designed dashboard/visual display; incorporated feedback; and rolled out/led training on dashboard. Succeeded in delivering a strategic dashboard which allowed regular KPI monitoring, with daily updates, and addressed numerous performance bottlenecks.
-ACBF had no financial performance indicators (ratios) in place. As Senior Budget and Finance Officer, led the development of financial indicators (ratios). Liaised with internal / external stakeholders; analysed available data; conducted research for benchmarks; developed clear financial indicators; presented to senior stakeholders; incorporated feedback; rolled out to wider team; and led ongoing monitoring/guidance. Succeeded in delivering financial ratios which improved efficiency/effectiveness and are still used to monitor programme implementation.
|
|
Education: |
Training/Qualifications/Certifications:
-FCCA: Fellow Member of Association Chartered Certified Accountants
-CCSA: Certification in Control Self-Assessment (CCSA), Institute of Internal Audit (The IIA)
-MBA: The University of Manchester
-Bachelor of Art (BA) in Accounting: Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
-Diploma in Accounting: Addis Ababa Commercial College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
-Diploma in International Financial Reporting (IFRS),ACCA,UK
-Certificate in International Auditing – ACCA,UK
|
|
Affiliations and Achievements: |
o Promote good financial management practices at sub-grantees level that was substantiated by continuous positive feedback received from major development partner (World Bank). Furthermore, met at all-time the quarterly reporting requirements of the World Bank for RIDA and Multi Donor Trust Funds, AfDB, Gates Foundation, UNDP & other bi-lateral Institutions that have resulted in complying with the financing agreement (grant conditions). Conducted financial management workshops for sub-grantees which helped to improve financial management practices and promote good governance at project level.
o Developed financial indicators that serve as proxy for project and programmes Implementation. These indicators are currently used by programme officers to monitor the implementation of their respective projects to ensure projects’ objectives are achieved. It is also used by World Bank to monitor the progress toward the predefined sets of objectives.
o I led the scoping, designing and Implementation of Scorecard Dashboard in the Foundation that improved information sharing and performance monitoring on key strategic objectives. I also played significant role in designing and implementation of project management, Monitoring and Evaluation, travel management and procurement systems in the Foundation.
o Established and maintained procedures and systems that are required for effective management of resources of the institution. This has improved transparency and good governance.
o Led the scoping, designing and implementation of SAP-ERP accounting system at the Pan-African Parliament.
o Produced quality reports for donors for grants received from DFID, European Union & GIZ. This helped the institution not only to be transparent in use of donors’ funds but also attracted additional support from donors.
o Ensured the Institution was issued unqualified (clean) external audit reports.
|
|
|
Available for: |
- Consulting assignments
- Job opportunities
|
Years of Experience:
More than 20 years |
Highest Qualification:
Masters |
Languages:
English, Amharic |
Nationality:
Ethiopia
|
|
|
|