Project Manager Risk Management
Resume:
Francisco Max Alfaro Marchelly
Cellphone: (503-****-**** e-mail: ***********@*****.*** Areas of Expertise
Project Manager USAID Projects Financial Compliance & Risk Management Process Improvement Summary
Results-driven Project Manager with a proven track record of successfully leading USAID-funded initiatives. Expertise in financial compliance, risk management, and process optimization. Skilled in building and leading high-performing teams to achieve project objectives. Proven ability to deliver projects on time and within budget.
Experience
Creative Associates International, Inc. – El Salvador branch Deputy Chief of Party – Operations
From: Oct/2024 to: to date
Responsible for overseeing the operational aspects of the USAID-funded El Salvador Local Governance Solutions (LGS) Activity. This role involves managing a team of local staff and ensuring the smooth implementation of project activities.
Key Responsibilities:
• Operational Oversight: Oversee all aspects of program operations, including administration, security, HR, procurement, logistics, IT, and grants management.
• Team Management: Manage and support a team of local staff, providing guidance and mentorship.
• Program Support: Assist the Chief of Party in providing overall management and operational oversight to the program.
• Reporting and Compliance: Ensure timely preparation and submission of required reports and deliverables, adhering to USAID guidelines.
• Knowledge Management: Facilitate knowledge sharing and effective communication within the project team and with external stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Represent the project in local, national, and international meetings and events.
• Staff Management: Recruit, manage, and develop staff, including consultants and subcontractors.
• Capacity Building: Support the design and delivery of capacity-building training for local partners and stakeholders.
International Research & Exchanges (IREX)
Country Representative
From: Jun/2023 to: Oct/2024
As the Country Representative for IREX El Salvador and Operations Director for the USAID Citizens Empowered Activity (CEA), I was responsible for leading all operational aspects of the project, including finance, operations, risks, compliance, and accounting. This involved ensuring adherence to local laws, USG regulations, and IREX policy, while managing day-to-day duties and supervising local staff. My tasks included:
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• Overseeing financial operations and ensuring compliance.
• Developing strategic initiatives and efficient workflows.
• Reviewing and rectifying financial records to ensure compliance and minimize financial liabilities.
• Developing and implementing a system to streamline grants and contract management. Actions:
• I conducted a comprehensive review of the financial statements for 10 years, identifying discrepancies and non-compliance issues. I then prepared and presented corrected financial statements to the relevant authorities.
• I collaborated with the program team in Washington, D.C., and the Global Finance department to ensure alignment with organizational goals and policies.
• I supervised the finance and accounting staff in El Salvador, providing guidance and support.
• I worked closely with the Grants and Contracts team to understand their needs and develop a functional SharePoint application to manage the grants and contracts portfolio.
• I established efficient workflows for compliance, procurement, and human resources. Results:
• Through meticulous review and presentation of corrected financial statements, I obtained savings of nearly $500k in taxes, interests, and fines.
• I successfully developed and implemented a functional SharePoint application that streamlined the management of the grants and contracts portfolio, facilitating strategic decision-making for the project.
• I ensured the project’s full compliance with local laws, USG regulations, and IREX policies.
• I fostered strong collaboration between the local team and headquarters, contributing to the project’s overall success.
• I improved the efficiency of the financial and compliance processes. Pan American Development Foundation
Risk and Accountability Director
From: Nov/2020 to: Jun/2023
As the Risk and Accountability Director for the Caribbean Region (from Nov/2020 to Nov/2021), and later for the Mexico and Central America Region, I was responsible for the comprehensive identification, assessment, and management of diverse risks across the organization's offices and projects. These risks spanned legal, financial, contractual, safety, and security domains, demanding a proactive and strategic approach to safeguard the organization's interests. My tasks included:
• Identifying, measuring, communicating, and managing legal, financial, contractual, safety, or security risks.
• Developing and implementing risk mitigation strategies and action plans.
• Conducting internal risk assessments and evaluations.
• Ensuring compliance with all legal and contractual obligations, including donor rules and regulations.
• Evaluating and recommending insurance policies (Property, casualty, general liability, workers’ compensation, directors and officers, and cyber-risk).
• Preparing and managing a risk-management budget.
• Providing staff training on risk awareness, prevention and mitigation. Page 3 of 6
• Making risk-avoiding adjustments to current operations.
• Partnering with stakeholders to implement risk management standards, processes, programs, and best practices.
• Presenting risk findings and results to management in a clear and understandable manner. Action:
• I conducted thorough risk assessments across all regional offices and projects, utilizing various methodologies to identify potential vulnerabilities.
• I developed and implemented tailored risk mitigation plans, including the creation of standardized procedures, protocols, and training materials.
• I collaborated with legal counsel to ensure compliance with local laws and contractual obligations.
• I reviewed and optimized the organization's insurance policies, ensuring adequate coverage and cost- effectiveness.
• I developed and managed a comprehensive risk-management budget, allocating resources effectively to address identified risks.
• I conducted regular training sessions for staff on risk awareness, prevention, and mitigation, fostering a culture of risk management.
• I worked closely with program managers and other stakeholders to integrate risk management principles into project planning and execution.
• I prepared and delivered clear and concise risk reports to senior management, highlighting key risks and mitigation strategies.
• I implemented a system of internal reviews of contracts and financial documents. Result:
• I successfully minimized legal, financial, contractual, safety, and security risks across the region, protecting the organization from potential losses and liabilities.
• I improved the organization's compliance with legal and contractual obligations, ensuring adherence to donor rules and regulations.
• I enhanced the organization's risk management capabilities through the development and implementation of standardized procedures and training programs.
• I optimized the organization's insurance portfolio, resulting in cost savings and improved coverage.
• I fostered a culture of risk awareness and proactive risk management throughout the organization.
• I improved stakeholders understanding of the organizations risks, and the methods to mitigate them.
• I ensured that projects were completed on time, within budget, and in accordance with donors’ rules and regulations.
Finance and Administration Director for the USAID Regional Project for Human Rights and Democracy. From: Mar/2019 to: Jun/2023
Partner with the COP to ensure the project is managed in accordance with USG and PADF policies, regulations, and procedures. This includes but is not limited to the following:
• Develop financial and operational plans.
• Aid Country Directors in annual budget preparation and monitoring of monthly execution.
• Report financial execution progress to USAID El Salvador and PADF HQ.
• Develop annual updates for purchases, finances and personnel policies with Project Director and HQ staff.
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• Act as liaison with PADF Donations and Contracting Director and USAID El Salvador OAA staff for approval processes.
• Maintain clear communication channels between teams and financial management team in Washington DC.
• Supervise financial processes, including donations and accounting, for compliance.
• Lead a regional team of support staff.
• Ensure administrative and financial staff in country offices comply with regulations.
• Provide accounting and financial administration training to associated organizations if necessary. Research Triangle Institute
Senior Finance and Administration Manager for the USAID Higher Education for Economic Growth Project
From: Jan/2015 to: Mar/2019
Partner with COP to manage project according to RTI policies. Ensure financial data integrity, reasonable costs, and supportable allocation. Responsibilities include:
• Reviewing and submitting monthly financial statements
• Preparing expenditure reports and pipeline estimates
• Managing and analyzing financial performance
• Monitoring subcontractors' budgetary performance
• Managing cash flow and reconciliation of cash accounts
• Ensuring contractual and financial integrity of procurements and inventory
• Submitting VAT claims to USAID
• Coordinating program deliverables in a cost-conscious manner
• Managing personnel and related tasks
• Supervising Grants Manager, Administrative Assistant, and Accountant
• Ensuring segregation of duties
Key achievements:
• Implemented Procurement Tracking System for faster accounting and audit processes.
• Designed and implemented Program's Payroll System with Accounting System Integration.
• Developed Document-based Grants and Leverage Tracking System using Microsoft Office. Fundación Salvadoreña para el Desarrollo (FUNSALDE) Chief Executive Officer
From: Sep/2008 to: Jan/2015
Lead foundation to achieve approved purpose, strategy, and policies by Board of Directors and WorldVision International and VisionFund International partnership. Responsibilities include:
• Lead Executive Team in vision and strategy discussions, organizational decisions, best practice standardization, and global project monitoring.
• Strengthen organization's financial performance for sustainability, credit access, and attractiveness to investors and donors.
• Oversee administrative, legal, and financial functions for WorldVision International, VisionFund International, and donor partners.
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• Conduct periodic risk and quality control assessments to ensure compliance and identify policy, procedure, and process gaps.
• Develop strategies to improve non-productive portfolio, reduce delinquency, maximize recoveries, and minimize losses.
Main achievements:
• Implemented technology in credit recovery systems, reducing payment processing time and providing decision-making information.
• Secured donations from the United States and Canada for opening and expanding services and lending in WorldVision El Salvador's Area Development Programs.
• Established 4 mini branches in WorldVision El Salvador's Area Development Programs and 1 new branch in the eastern region.
• Improved collaboration with WorldVision in El Salvador resulting in a rating upgrade from "D" to "B". GALVANISSA
Chief Financial Officer
From: Sep/2005 to: Aug/2008
Manage commercial group resources to maximize profitability and provide timely management information for strategic decision-making.
• Provide technical recommendations to the Group's management for strategic decision-making.
• Manage the Group's budget at the corporate level.
• Oversee the management information system.
• Ensure cost-effective funding for the group.
• Consolidate financial statements for the group.
• Efficiently manage accounts receivable.
Main achievements:
• Reduced financing costs through group liability restructuring.
• Expanded working capital and raw material import lines of credit.
• Standardized information systems at the Central American level.
• Standardized accounting systems at the Central American level.
• Designed and implemented a financial statement consolidation system for the entire commercial group.
Banco Uno
Chief Financial Officer
From: Mar/1995 to: Mar/2005
Prepare budgets and results’ projections for the Bank based on the strategic plan, follow-up on the financial statements to ensure the achievement of the goals established by the Bank’s direction and the Central American Holding.
• Assisting the CEO in all quarterly results presentations before the directive Board of the holding company and replace him in cases of disability or absence.
• Attend the Board meetings and report the results of the Organization on a regular basis. Page 6 of 6
• Attend the Board of Directors and the Bank's Executive Committee with technical recommendations for strategic decision-making.
• Overseeing the departments of accounting and treasury.
• Attend as a member of regional reengineering team of Grupo Financiero Uno.
• Ensure compliance with the legal regulations laid down by law, government regulations or by policies established by the group holding company for the Bank. Main achievements:
• Member of the design team and implementation of the management information system of customer Top 1500 for Grupo Financiero Uno.
• Creator and implementer of the activities cost based system for the banks of Grupo Financiero Uno.
• Optimization and standardization of processes in all the banks in Central America and Panama.
• Creator and implementer of the management model of financial reports to the banks of Grupo Uno. Education
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration
Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas
Highschool title on Commerce and Administration
Nuevo Liceo Centroamericano
Languages
Spanish (native)
English (advanced reading and writing)
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