Sithembile Chiromo

** ******** ***, ** 112**-***-*** 7317 (m) acsjtn@r.postjobfree.com

CAREER SUMMARY

A well- seasoned senior manager with over 20 years of field experience safeguarding financial, human and material resources for

reputable international humanitarian organizations in Africa. My experience and expertise range from Financial Management,

Human Resources Management, Grant Writing & Management, Audit & Compliance, Risk Management, Supply Chain

Management, Capacity Building and Training, Strategic Planning and Implementation, Policy Development, Cash

Transfers, Project Management, Starting and Closing an organization, Organizational Development, Security

Management. Below are some of the highlights of my achievements:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Manager Finance, Administration & HR

Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) - Monrovia, Liberia/ Harare Zimbabwe Oct 2010 Sept 2014

As a consultant, I spearheaded the start- up of SNV operations in Zimbabwe. This entailed introducing SNV and its

activities to the government at various levels, drafting memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with various district

councils. I later joined the organization to manage Finance, HR, Logistics and Administration. As the first senior

management staff, I secured, furnished and equipped office space in the operational areas, set up systems and

procedures, recruited and trained staff.

Successfully negotiated and secured the work permit of the newly recruited Country Director who had since been

deported. For a couple of months, I had to become the sole local signatory to the organizations bank accounts. A clean

external audit was achieved for those first few months of operations.

Was selected to stand in the gap in NRC Mali/Burkina Faso for two months, where I facilitated the accurate and timely

final reporting of a large UNHCR refugee funded project in Burkina Faso. In Mali, I was instrumental in the write up of

a large education-funding proposal to UNICEF. I also reviewed performance and highlighted to senior management in

head office of the capacity gaps in the relatively new operating countries, which resulted in a series of trainings and

recruitment of competent staff. My efforts received commendation from head office.

Contributed to the transformation of the general work ethic, sense of accountability and staff morale in NRC Liberia by

spearheading transparent HR practices, building teams and trust, training, and leading by example. This reduced the

risks of corruption, high staff turnover and loss of resources. NRC remained an attractive organization.

Wrote the Finance, Human Resources and Administration Exit Strategy for NRC Liberia with clear deliverables and

timelines.

Deputy Country Director (Support Services)

Save the Children - Harare, Zimbabwe Sept 2007 Sept 2010

As a member of the senior management team, I played a key role in the change management planning and

implementation process that saw the successful and smooth merger of Save the Children UK and Save the Children

Norway in Harare. With responsibility over support services, one of my key roles entailed ensuring the maintenance of

adequate human capital and staff morale, the continuity of efficient and effective program delivery and results

I was instrumental in the successful negotiation and implementation of service agreements and contracts with

government departments, Implementing Partners, and other business partners, which agreements ensured that project

deliverables were implemented on a timely basis, efficiently, and in compliance with donor rules and regulations.

During the hyperinflation period in Zimbabwe, I successfully led the construction and completion of accommodation

facility for staff in the remote parts of the country, a high quality workshop for servicing of vehicles. Such projects were

almost impossible to implement due to hyperinflation and in-availability of materials. These structures reduced and

contained runaway overhead costs and ensured that projects were completed on time and within budget

During the period when most NGOs lost donor funds to the Reserve bank, Save the Children was one of the few NGOs

that recovered all its funds. My leadership and negotiation skills made this possible through mobilizing a concerted

effort by all relevant stakeholders both at local and international levels. The operations of the organization were not

significantly hampered, as I was instrumental in ensuring access to scarce local currency and US dollars.

Director Finance, Administration & Human Resources/Advisor Organizational Development

SVN Netherlands Development Organization - Harare, Zimbabwe Apr 2003 Sept 2007

Successfully spearhead the successful implementation of the newly established 360-degree performance review system.

Staff morale improved and staff turnover came down significantly

I was selected to represent Eastern and Southern Africa region to lead the implementation of an organization wide new

back-office system (SAP) project. My team was the first to successfully parallel-run the system. I successfully

managed the rollout process in the Eastern and Southern Africa region. The new system saw the stream-ling of reporting

and a general reduction in overhead costs within SNV.

My intervention facilitated a breakthrough in the awarding of work permits for expatriates. The organization was at the

verge of closure in Zimbabwe due to the denial of work permits for all expatriates including that of the Country Director.

I negotiated with relevant government ministries and department of immigration and all work permits were issued

within a week. I was commended by the SNV leadership for this intervention, which resulted in the continuity of SNVs

development work in Zimbabwe as well the retention of employment for local staff.

Director Finance, Administration & HR

Southern Africa Regional Institute for Policy Studies - Harare, Zimbabwe Jan 1997 Sept 2001

I was hired specifically to rescue a troubled NGO whose funding had been withheld by all funding partners pending the

recruitment of a substantive Finance Director to clean up the mess and ensure transparency and financial accountability.

Within a short period, I managed to face up to the challenge and developed and implemented internal control systems.

Standard Operating Procedures and a composite Procedures Manual were written. After this exercise, a successful audit

of internal control systems was achieved resulting in the resumption of funding and improved donor relations.

Director Finance, Administration & HR

World Vision International - Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho Jan 1993 Aug 1996

Headhunted by World Vision International to work as Director of Finance and Administration for Southern Africa, in the

newly established Southern Africa Regional Office in Harare. Within World Vision, I rose from the position of

Typist/Secretary, to Director of Finance, HR and Administration

Successfully set up the Southern Africa Regional office and the Africa Office in Zimbabwe and established office

infrastructure and operational systems and recruited local staff, which resulted in the timely and smooth relocation of the

offices from the USA to Harare.

With responsibility over stewardship of resources and donor funds, and compliance with donor and country regulations,

I was instrumental in designing systems of internal control and financial accountability in some of the most challenging

operational environments in Africa.

Single-handedly investigated and recovered thousands of donor funds that had been misappropriated in one of the

operational countries in Southern Africa. In addition, I proposed and implemented methods to strengthen internal

controls and preventive measures to ensure good stewardship of resources. For this I received a commendation from the

President of World Vision International.

Management Consultant - Price Waterhouse/Coopers, Harare, Zimbabwe Sept 1992 Dec 1992

Headhunted by Coopers and Lybrand to be the lead Consultant in organizational evaluation and systems development

Group Internal Auditor Gulliver Consolidated Ltd Mar 1991 Aug 1992

Successfully set up an internal Audit department within the group of companies.

EDUCATION

Master in Business Administration Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY

BSc (Accounting) Summa Cum Laude University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, KY

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