Change Management Strategic Planning

Patrick N. Cheah

ad340y@r.postjobfree.com • LinkedIn

Skype: nimley17 • +1-202-***-****

Englewood, NJ, 07631 (flexible to remote work)

Nationality: Liberian and American

Country Director / Deputy Regional Director Operations

Seasoned leader with extensive experience leading multimillion-dollar projects in program design and execution, ensuring compliance with regulations from USAID, FCDO, and EU. Expert in strategic planning, improving program delivery through fundraising, communications, and change management. Proficient in starting and closing country programs, establishing benchmarks, and conducting evaluations. Skilled at collaborating with donors like USAID, UNDP, WHO, GAC and B&MG Foundation for fundraising and grant renewals, ensuring program alignment with compliance and regulatory standards. Adept at mentoring diverse teams and managing program transitions for organizational excellence.

Areas of Expertise

Program Management

Operational Excellence

Strategic Planning

Team Leadership

Change Management

Cultural Sensitivity

Risk Management

Policy Development

Innovation & Leadership

Stakeholder Engagement

Resource Mobilization

Compliance & Governance

Career Highlights

Spearheaded the split of the Transboundary Program into WaterAid Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Managed the winter appeal with WaterAid UK, raising over £8M with UK Aid Match.

Implemented a micro-credit scheme for rural women in Tamale with the Ghana Christian Council/GCAP.

Initiated World Day of Social Justice with collaboration from ILO, Amnesty International, and the UN.

Developed the cocoa rehab grant with Mercy Corps for 250 Liberian farmers which is still ongoing.

Completed the labor law reforms in Liberia, with the Ministry of Labor leading to the first Decent Work Country Plan.

Developed policy on the first informal economy pension scheme with the Ghana Trades Union Congress.

Boosted WASH access in three Sierra Leone districts to 95% in 3.5 years, funded by FCDO.

Directed GOAL's $7M/year Ebola response in Liberia, with over 80 staff funded by OFDA supporting the eradication.

Developed a fundraising strategy that led to increase in program funding for WaterAid.

Headed a $35M/year USAID project in Liberia, with a focus on streamlining school feeding and innovation.

Led a 12-member team to develop Sierra Leone's first Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Policy for the Ministry of Health.

Professional Experience

WaterAid (WA) Freetown, SL 2016 – Dec 2023

Country Director

Sierra Leone Country Program 2019 – 2023

Liberia and Sierra Leone Trans-boundary Program 2016 –2019

Elevated WASH impact through leadership in the Country Program, contributing to WaterAid's regional and global initiatives by enhancing stakeholder influence. Spearheaded fundraising innovation, working with teams to unlock funding opportunities through compelling proposals.

Key Contributions:

Executed strategic plans and budgets on time, focusing on compliance, risk management, and team motivation in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Harmonized Country Strategy with global goals, driving strategic initiatives with a focus on Rights-Based Approach, Equity, and Inclusion.

Promoted WaterAid's goals and values by enhancing collaboration with teams, government, and key stakeholders.

GOAL Ireland, Monrovia, Liberia and Conakry, Guinea 2015 – 2016

Country Director, Liberia and Guinea

Directed program operations and strategic improvements in Liberia and Guinea, enhancing donor relations and meeting objectives with efficient team and grant management. Led finances, ensured compliance, collaborated for financial decisions, and optimized proposal/report processes.

Key Contributions:

Boosted GOAL's presence, secured partnerships, and ensured smooth project rollout through strategic negotiations with governments/donors.

Enhanced staff welfare and performance through strategic recruitment, policy enforcement, and focused training and evaluations.

eHealth Nigeria and eHealth Africa Foundation, Kano, Nigeria 2014 – 2016

Polio Programs Manager, the BMGF funded Polio Eradication Program

Led the BMGF-funded Polio Eradication Program, optimizing project management and execution against grants and contracts. Represented organization at key meetings, enhancing project collaboration and efficiency through effective field oversight and partnership engagement.

Key Contributions:

Oversaw five project leads and 175 staff, tackling operational challenges and ensuring compliance, promoting excellence and growth.

Fostered strategic development and delivered impactful reports to stakeholders, enhancing organizational direction and accountability.

Improved program impact with cutting-edge geospatial and population modeling, improving strategic polio eradication efforts.

Met financial and operational goals, secured new funding, and upheld compliance, enhancing program sustainability.

OIC International: USAID / OICI HANDS Program, Liberia 2011 – 2014

Deputy Chief of Party, USAID (Health, Agriculture, Nutrition, Diversity for Sustainability)

Managed a $35M USAID grant, boosting Liberia's development with strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and aligning projects with donor goals. Led grant operations, promoting team unity and cross-sector cooperation, focusing on coaching/evaluations for improved efficiency.

Key Contributions:

Led strategic planning and execution of initiatives, enhancing cross-sector collaboration and impact with quality tools and learning.

Implemented strong financial protocols, crafting budget and audit plans to adhere to USAID standards and boost transparency.

Secured additional USAID funding for expansion, leveraging and expanding funding opportunities to increase program reach.

Built strategic alliances with government, agencies, and NGOs, boosting operational synergy and program advancement.

The Aspen Institute/Realizing Rights 2008 - 2010

Senior Programs Officer, Trade and Decent Work

Managed the ILO Trade and Decent Work for Realizing Rights using human rights base approach projects to showcase empirical evidence for policy development and international standards to advance countries to meet the UN and Government regulations.

Key Contributions:

Implemented projects in the informal economy to boost social protection and human rights.

Coordinated partnerships and grants to enhance economic right in Liberia and Ghana to promote the ILO Decent Work Agenda.

Developed projects with donor support to for governments to meet decent work agendas with the help of civil society groups

Additional Experience

Deputy Country Director, Liberia Programs

Visions in Action, Monrovia, Liberia

International Coordinator

Economic Empowerment Institute (EEI), Monrovia, Liberia

Retirement Plans Specialist, Direct Marketing Unit

ICMA Retirement Corporation, Washington, DC

Education & Certifications

Project Management for Development Professionals

InsideNGO/APM Group

Age of Sustainable Development Certificate

Columbia University – Earth Institute

Graduate Certificate International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

Monitoring Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Fellow

International Career Advancement Program

University of Denver – the Josef Korbel

School of International Studies, Aspen Institute & the Ford Foundation Fellow

B.Sc. Economics

Morgan State University

Affiliations

International Career Advancement Program Alumni Association

Member Liberia and Sierra Leone International NGO Forums

NASD Member (national association of securities dealers)

Honors/Awards/Recognitions

Omicron Delta Epsilon International Honors in Economics

Aspen Institute and the Ford Foundation Fellow, 2010

Publications

“Human Rights – a Foundation for Progress on the Millennium Development Goals” Conference, the Ford Foundation, New York.

“Data to Decision” Research with Overseas Development Institute Sierra Leone Research Team WaterAid Sierra Leone

“For Progress on SDG 4, We Must Integrate action on Education and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene” UN High Level Political Forum

Trainings

Accelerate to 2030 WaterAid’s Global Leadership Program for Senior Management, India 2021

Managing at WaterAid: Management Training for Senior Managers, March 2017 Accra, Ghana

Human Rights Based Approach in Development, January 2018 Accra, Ghana

USAID Rules and Regulations, June 2012 Washington, DC

Financial Management Training for Non-Finance Managers, July 2014 Liberia & September 2019 in SL

USAID M&E Training for IPs by Liberia Monitoring & Evaluation Prog. (L-MEP), September 2012, Liberia

Consultancies

Consultant for REDD Carbon and Biodiversity Advisors, LLC - Liberia Project Synopsis 2015 – 2016

External Project Reviewer for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Monrovia, Liberia 2010

Seminars/Workshops/Conferences Attended

June 2013 and September 2020: Human Rights based approach in Development Programming

Feb 202: Partnership for Accelerating Everyone, Everywhere in West Africa by 2030, Dakar Senegal

Feb 2012: Human Development and Human Rights courses

Nov 2012: Gender Mainstreaming Workshop UNDP, USAID, and Government of Liberia

Oct 2010: Human Development Impact Assessment of Trade and Decent Work Policy ILO Geneva, e-Course

Certifications & Licenses

Risk Management Seminar, PricewaterhouseCoopers

NASDAQ Series 6, 63 and 65 Securities Licenses

Para Financial Planning Certificate

Additional Information

Computer Skills: Microsoft Office, Google Drive and SPSS, mWater

Languages: English (Fluent), French (Proficient)

Countries of Work and living Experience: Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, United States

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