Project Management Risk

EXPERIENCE SUMMARY

Mr. Paul McDowell is an accomplished Project Management Professional with extensive experience managing IT projects, risk management, financial planning and analysis, and problem-solving. He has a strong background in project management for U.S. government projects and the private sector, overseeing initiatives in high-risk environments. He excels in business performance analysis.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

Mastery of essential project management skills as a Project Management Professional (PMP), holds ITIL Foundations knowledge, and skills with Agile methodologies as a Certified Scrum Master (CSM).

Demonstrated mastery of financial skills as an MBA and Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

Project management experience implementing ERM and financial systems IT solutions.

Successfully delivered impactful international development capacity-building projects in Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, and Russia.

Managed the IT team, implementing USAID's leading grants management system.

Project leadership for an Afghan agribusiness implementing a DoD contract.

With extensive experience in US government finance and operating private sector businesses in the frontier markets of Afghanistan and Russia, managing projects that supported Wal-Mart International's growth brings a unique perspective to risk management.

Strong project management skills with the capability to lead cross-functional teams.

Strong stakeholder engagement, communication, and presentation skills.

CITIZENSHIP

US Citizen- Active Secret Clearance, Retired US Army Lt. Colonel

EDUCATION

Master of Science, Business Administration, University of Arkansas

Master of Science, Systems Management, University of Southern California

Bachelor of Science, National Security & Public Affairs, US Military Academy- West Point, NY

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Institute of Management Accountants

Certified in Financial Management (CFM), Institute of Management Accountants

Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Scrum Alliance

ITIL Foundation Certification, Axelos

Project Management Certificate, Cornell University

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

ERM Team Leader/Risk Analyst -USAID CFO ERM Team 11/2020 - Present

USAID

Washington, DC

Led the implementation of a large-scale Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) software project (ServiceNow IRM), ensuring its successful execution that automated and streamlined the Agency’s risk profile and internal control attestation processes.

Ensured that project milestones, budgets, and objectives were met while enhancing the Agency’s compliance with federal policies and regulations (OMB Circular A-123).

Provided technical expertise and risk analysis support to assist the Agency in identifying, assessing, and mitigating emerging risks.

Collaborated with the Agency’s international footprint of over 100 assessable units and stakeholders to develop and implement risk mitigation strategies and best practices.

Supervised project teams and oversaw workstreams, ensuring alignment with the Agency’s ERM program goals. Supported the Agency’s cybersecurity FISMA and FITARA assessments.

Led the growth and maturity of the ERM program by designing and delivering training programs that enhanced the Agency's ERM Governance..

Conducted customer engagement activities, including workshops, focus groups, and stakeholder briefings, to foster a positive risk culture within the Agency at all levels.

Provided reports and recommendations to senior leadership, ensuring continuous improvement of the Agency’s ERM initiatives.

Senior Project Management Consultant- USCG Tech Revolution Project 09/2020 – 11/2020

TeleSolv Consulting (temporary position while waiting for my USAID security clearance)

Washington, DC Metro Area

Enhanced project management capabilities for the US Coast Guard to support its "Tech Revolution Project." Employed agile and adaptive project management methodologies to drive the implementation of demonstration projects and integrated risk management processes.

Deliverables were templates for Project Management Plan documents and educating the team about Agile processes.

Senior Project Manager- USAID-Funded Libya PFM Projects 08/2018 – 06/2020 Pragma Corporation

Washington, DC Metro Area

Mitigated significant risks facing the USAID-funded $17.6 million Libya Economic Stabilization Program (LESP) by employing an agile, adaptive project management methodology to drive the successful implementation of deliverables in the USAID-approved work plan. This enhanced performance helped Pragma secure a $40 million follow-on Libya Public Financial Management (LPFM) program, and I led the startup project, which included a risk mitigation plan.

Enabled the technical assistance field teams to successfully achieve program objectives through strong leadership in managing risks for a conflict-zone project. Risk management included a security component that effectively evacuated international consultants from Tripoli to a pre-planned office in Tunis, ensuring adequate video conferencing capabilities to allow capacity-building activities to continue with Libyan government counterparts.

Managed the consultant budget and developed position descriptions and work goals for technical engagements. Provided financial analysis support to optimize the budget, ensuring support for program activities.

Deputy Chief, Program Operations 10/2016 – 06/2018 USAID Office of Transition Initiatives

Washington, DC

Led the IT application development, financial, and logistical teams essential for supporting the operations of the $260 million budget of the Office of Transition Initiatives. This office addresses complex political crises that require fast, flexible, and responsive programming. Managed the Office’s ERM program to enhance risk identification and mitigation, aiding strategic decision-making.

The application development team employed an agile software development methodology to ensure close integration with customer needs in a rapidly changing environment. Development was conducted on AWS using JavaScript/Drupal and JIRA for project and risk management. The team ensured that all applications complied with stringent USAID cybersecurity standards.

Deliverables included a Knowledge Management System, an Activity Database that tracked details of all individual activities, and a budget system to manage fund commitments. USAID senior leadership viewed OTI's tailored web-based applications for knowledge management, activity tracking, and budget management as best practices for the Agency.

Senior Program Manager, Afghan Agribusiness Company 01/2015 – 10/2016 Boustan-E-Sabz (BES) Agricultural Company (DLA Subcontractor)

Kabul, Afghanistan/Rogers, AR

Managed a $10 million project providing Afghan-sourced fresh fruits and vegetables (FFV) to the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Subsistence Prime Vendor in Afghanistan. This program marked the first time DLA locally sourced FFV in either Iraq or Afghanistan. Executed project plans that adapted to Afghanistan's rapidly changing conditions.

Achieved a 99.99% order fulfillment rate for daily orders by overcoming Afghanistan's supply chain challenges through enhanced risk management processes. Optimized business processes to sustain gross profit margins after DLA's 20% price cut. Introduced a contract farming sourcing methodology, increasing the proportion of products sourced from contract farming from 0% to 70%, resulting in lower costs and improved quality control.

Provided leadership and executed projects for business expansion into fruit exports and food processing opportunities. Developed a cold chain for exporting Afghan fresh fruits and vegetables to regional markets in Dubai and India. Prepared business project plans for a juice factory ($5 million), a poultry farm ($1 million), and a dried fruit processing plant ($2 million).

Program Manager – DoD BI Financial Reporting Tools 11/2012 – 01/2015 Teksouth Corporation

Washington, DC

Managed a global IT team that provided decision support and financial management tools to senior military unit leaders, enabling more timely and resource-informed operational decisions. Established a PMO at Teksouth to facilitate the expansion from 2 sites to 24 projects, increasing project revenue from $500,000 to $9 million through a successful replication system.

Designed and executed Professional Services Contracts that typically achieved an ROI of over 1,000% for our clients through significantly improved budget execution. These projects utilized a hybrid project management approach, with the initial delivery involving a waterfall implementation based on the contract requirements, followed by incremental agile development should the customer request additional functionality. Integrated financial data from multiple DoD ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Momentum) using Microsoft Office tools to deliver financial reporting that was unavailable through the ERP systems.

Led the project to achieve a Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Services Level 3 process improvement program, enabling Teksouth to compete for the growing number of DoD contracts requiring this appraisal.

Team Leader- Human Terrain Analysis Team in Baghdad/Anbar Iraq 10/2009 – 06/2011 US Army

Baghdad, Iraq

Led a multi-functional social science team that provided an in-depth analysis of socio-cultural issues impacting a major U.S. military command in Baghdad, Iraq. Conducted five major analytical research projects on future trends of the Iraqi Security Forces, contributing to the improved security situation that enabled the timely withdrawal of forces.

Delivered diagnostic reports on the Arab Spring demonstrations in Baghdad through social media research, offering insights into how the populace's opinions affect military operations. The team employed data analysis software to improve data collection and analysis.

Awarded the Superior Civilian Service Award for leading Human Terrain System Teams, significantly contributing to the USD-Center Command's ability to achieve its objectives.

Senior Commercial Advisor, Reconstruction & Stabilization 03/2008 – 09/2009 US Dept. of Commerce

Washington, DC

Developed a capabilities analysis on how the Department of Commerce can provide operational support for the reconstruction and stabilization of fragile states.

Led an interagency working group to enable market access for Afghanistan's agricultural products.

Senior Development Advisor, Provincial Reconstruction Team 03/2008 – 03/2009 US Dept. of State

Diyala, Iraq

Responsible for integrating governance, business development, and capacity-building projects as the lead representative of the US Embassy in the Khalis Qada region.

Delivered several development projects amounting to $10 million to enhance the local economy.

Country Finance Manager, UN & DoD Projects in Afghanistan 10/2008 – 02/2009 EODT, Inc.

Kabul, Afghanistan

Responsible for ensuring the subsidiary's financial operations in the complex business environment of Afghanistan, while supporting the implementation of UN, DoD, and NGO projects.

Senior Consultant, Lt. Colonel, CJSOTF & US Embassy 02/2004-03/2005

US Army

Baghdad, Iraq

Served as Senior Consultant to the Ministry of Industry & Minerals with the US Embassy Baghdad's Iraq Reconstruction Management Office (IRMO), providing capacity building expertise and managing projects that impact the ministry.

Awarded the Bronze Star Medal for coordinating MoIM's leadership of the Iraqi inter-agency effort for the relief and reconstruction of Fallujah following the major military operation.

Project Manager, Walmart International Financial Systems- 2002-2007

Finance Director, several Multinational Company Subsidiaries, Moscow, Russia 1994-2001

Project Manager and Liaison Officer to UN Mission in Kosovo, US Army 1999

Finance Officer, MBNA America Bank 1991-1994

Systems Engineer Solutions Project Manager, IBM, 1986-1991

US Army Officer, Active Duty and Reserve.

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