Leanne Rapson

PMP Certified Project Manager

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514-***-**** ac7p47@r.postjobfree.com

SUMMARY

Certified Project Management professional with 9 years of experience in project planning, implementation and execution in both public and private sectors. • Proven ability to support multiple projects with up to high levels of complexity. • Track record of using best practice project management methodologies to ensure that objectives are met. • A confident communicator with strong interpersonal and analytical skills. TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Portfolio and Project Management • Client Relations Management

• Contract and Loan Administration • Financial Management

• Project Procurement • Project Appraisal

• Project Risk Management • Training & Development

• Advanced User of Microsoft Office Applications • Microsoft Project WORK EXPERIENCE

Operations Senior Associate December 2010 – March 2017 Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) (Barbados)

• Project Supervision and Execution. Supervised and Monitored Project Portfolio of over US$120 million (M) in the sectors of Water and Sanitation (US$43M), Competitiveness (US$10M), Access to Credit (US$34M) and Energy

(US$34).

• Provided oversight during the entire project cycle. Responsibilities included ensuring that fiduciary standards were applied, and supervising the development and implementation of projects, including monitoring and evaluation.

• Used project management tools and methodologies to ensure that programs, projects and grants were being managed and delivered excellently within scope, schedule and budget, with the most efficient and strategic use of resources.

• Drove the achievement of results by effectively monitoring progress on projects, analyzing portfolio, and collaborating with clients and partners to address problems.

• Improved project execution and performance through the disciplined application of fiduciary guidelines and policies and project management principles, and by building client understanding and commitment

• Designed templates to facilitate effective progress reporting and monitoring.

• Trained, Supported and Coached project execution units in project, risk and procurement management, and communicated best practices for efficient and effective project management.

• Organized the IDB’s first Procurement Fair in Barbados including design of reading and promotional materials.

• Administrator for the IDB Barbados Project Execution Unit (PEU) Hub, a portal which serves as a one-stop shop providing access to project-related information and improved communication between team members.

• Advised and Identified best practices in project management at the National and Regional Level.

• Project Procurement. Certified to review procurement activities. Applied fiduciary policies and procedures to monitor and control project execution. Worked closely with executing agencies to ensure that all procurement activities adhere to IDB policies. Oversaw, reviewed and provided expert opinion where necessary on each step of ex-ante procurement activities. Provided coaching to executing agencies as needed. Conducted internal/ external training on procurement. Creation of learning materials and tools.

• Compete Caribbean Program (CCP). Critical member of the team which was instrumental in the set up and operationalization of Compete Caribbean, a US$40 million private sector development program, that provides technical assistance grants and investment funding to support productive development policies, business climate reforms, clustering initiatives and Small and Medium Size Enterprise (SME) development activities in the Caribbean 2

Leanne Rapson

region. Specifically, I: (i) Designed input to operational procedures and systems, (ii) Oversaw the selection of key personnel for the project unit and (iii) was the focal point for the development and design of the Compete Caribbean Administration Reporting System (CCARS), and ensured the application of project management best practices into the design of the CCARS system.

Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) Project Consultant November 2009 – November 2010 Inter-American Development Bank (Barbados)

• Monitored Project Portfolio of 12 projects totaling over US$46 million in various sectors including Airport Security, Private Sector/ Small Business Development, Quality and Standards, and Finance (Credit Unions).

• Developed well defined project plans.

• Prepared progress reports to facilitate monitoring of operations. Identified deviations from original plans and proposed corrective actions.

• Reviewed documentation on contractual conditions and process corresponding actions; reviewed requests for contract and program modifications.

• Reviewed terms of reference to ensure that project activities were consistent with procurement and annual operating plans; reviewed procurement bidding documents and consultant contracts to ensure conformity to Bank policies; verified compliance of products and services with agreed standards, and prepared draft communications to executing agencies accordingly.

• Reviewed disbursement requests; validated eligibility of expenses; initiated disbursements and other financial transactions related to projects in the Bank’s Loan Management System for supervisor’s validation; and assisted in the analysis of budget transfers.

• Supported the Project Specialist in all aspects of project management. Project Analyst April 2008 – October 2009

Caribbean Financial Services Corporation (Barbados)

• Provided development finance in the form of medium and long term loans, and equity, to projects in the private sectors of the Caribbean including the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Belize and Barbados.

• Managed portfolio of over 30 projects in the areas of Tourism, Manufacturing and Food Production.

• Analysed business proposals for commercially viability, and determined the most efficient funding structure to offer to clients.

• Prepared detailed Project (Loan) Proposals for Board approval for finance to clients including risk assessment and market, financial and economic analysis.

• Monitored and ensured compliance of loan terms with contract/ agreement requirements, including exit strategies of equity investments.

• Advised clients on options for maximizing profits, good business practices and improved performance.

• Managed and conducted disbursement functions with respect to approved loans, as well as reviewed and validated expenses, and coordinated disbursements among other lenders in syndicated loans.

• Monitored and reviewed performance of projects, including site visits, with periodic written progress reports. Administration Manager August 2004 – August 2006

Hafeez Karamath Construction Ltd. (Barbados)

• Managed all administrative functions and processes, including daily office operations, maintenance of equipment and accurate records for all business supplies, purchases, office facilities and information technology networks.

• Developed a new payroll system which facilitated calculation of weekly payroll for at least 12 persons, including deductions and preparation of pay slips and other related reports, which reduced processing time by 5 hours a week.

• Designed and implemented an inventory system to track equipment and tools, thereby reducing company losses due to replacing missing/ stolen tools and equipment by 90%.

• Implemented a new accounting system in QuickBooks to track all company expenses and accounts. 3

Leanne Rapson

• Developed annual company work plan, defining goals, targets and performance indicators.

• Managed office budget execution, ensuring proficient use of resources and prepared reports for review.

• Devised and implemented a new inventory system to track equipment and tools, thereby reducing company losses due to replacing missing/ stolen tools and equipment by 90%.

• Modernized and improved the filing and tracking system for all contracts.

• Processed payroll, including employee deductions and taxes.

• Prepared correspondence, reports, forms, vouchers, and specialized documents related to the company and projects.

EDUCATION

MSc Management & Implementation of Development Projects (Merit Award) 2007 University of Manchester (Manchester, United Kingdom) BSc Management (Honours) 2004

University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus (St. Michael, Barbados) ADDITIONAL SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• French Course – Oral and Written Expression, Commission Scolaire des Trois-Lacs (Nov 2017 to Present)

• Certification in IDB-financed Project Procurement, IDB (Nov 2016)

• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification, Project Management Institute (PMI) (Jul 2016)

• Negotiation and Conflict Management Program, IDB (Oct 2015)

• Project Management for Results (PM4R): Project Management Leadership (PML), IDB & Inter-American Institute for Social and Economic Development (INDES) (Sep - Oct 2015)

• Contract Administration, IDB/ International Law Institute (ILI) (Nov 2014)

• Risk Management of Sovereign Guaranteed Projects Pilot, IDB (Oct – Nov 2014)

• Spanish Language Learning (Intermediate Proficiency), IDB Language and Communications Skills Program

(Feb 2014 – Dec 2016)

• Project Management for Results: Management of Development Projects, IDB & INDES (Sep - Oct 2013)

• Certification in IDB-financed Project Procurement, IDB (Oct 2013)

• Credit Appraisal, Bank of St. Lucia & Caribbean Development Bank (Oct 2008)

• QuickBooks Pro 2006, Barbados Community College (Jan – Apr 2006)

• Event Planning & Promotion (Distinction), University of Cambridge/ Caribbean Training Institute (Jan – Apr 2005)

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