Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Driverslicense
Personal Information
Languages
References
References
Timeline
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Maria Shaetonhodi

Windhoek

Summary

Detail-oriented Head of Finance with nearly 15 years of experience improving financial processes, managing donor funded projects, and growing revenue through effective team and project management. Committed to integrity and transparency at the workplace. Dedicated to making a positive impact in people's lives.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Head of Finance

ORKCA
Windhoek
08.2024 - Current
  • Developing and implementing financial strategies to optimize cash flow, reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and increase profits.
  • Preparing monthly management accounts with variance analysis for budgeting purposes.
  • Creating and maintaining annual budgets, forecasts, and cash flow projections.
  • Providing timely advice on taxation matters, such as VAT returns and corporation tax.
  • Reviewing contracts and agreements to ensure they are financially viable prior to signing off on them.
  • Collaborating closely with other departments such as HR, IT and operations to ensure alignment between business objectives and financial plans.

Short-Term Consultant

Global Programs
Windhoek
03.2024 - 05.2024
  • Worked collaboratively with colleagues to ensure seamless implementation of projects.
  • Supported Director of Finance and Admin by handling financial, payroll, and HR responsibilities.

Senior Finance, Grants and Operations Manager

Jhpiego Corporation
Windhoek, Oshakati And Rundu
03.2022 - 02.2024
  • Successfully managed budget exceeding US$3 million; monitored allocated resources to ensure they remained within budgetary constraints.
  • Monitored budget, expenses and cashflow of sub-grantees in accordance with recommended guidelines
  • Trained colleagues in developing scopes of work, program descriptions, and other sub-award documents.
  • Led staff in creating tailored strategies for project execution, aligning with support needs and assessing cost eligibility for all grants
  • Simplified financial information for clarity, aiding finance department collaboration with other departments for effective decision making.
  • Supported Jhpiego staff and Country Director in understanding and applying relevant terms, conditions, administrative rules, and cost principles under U.S. Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars A-21, A-133, A-110, as well as USAID's Automated Directives System (ADS) including particularly 22CFR226 and 22CFR228
  • Provided support in interpreting JHU, Jhpiego, and USAID regulations for procurement
  • Ensured effective negotiation of award, contract, and grant terms with Jhpiego to strengthen financial capacity development among sub-awardees through mentorship and coaching.

Finance and Operations Manager

Giraffe Conservation Foundation
01.2018 - 02.2022
  • Implemented a financial management and reporting system to meet GCF Trust requirements in collaboration with Directors, then expanded it across the organization.
  • Directed daily operations of GCF Trust in Windhoek while ensuring high-quality service delivery at all times
  • Ensured timely submission of necessary technical/narrative report documents by monitoring donor/contract obligations; continuously providing proactive support, including issuance of pertinent reminders
  • Oversaw and acted on monthly payroll, payslip and personnel report preps approved by Director

Finance and Compliance Manager

HISP Namibia
03.2016 - 12.2017
  • Organization's financial systems and compliance: Ensured that procurement and expenditures were planned and executed within good practices frameworks and in compliance with donor requirements. Coordinated and ensured timely submission of monthly program performance reports, and other key management reports that included contractual/donor and operational reporting. Ensured organizational compliance with Namibian laws and timely payment of statutory employee benefits, registration fees, tax submissions, and others. Kept abreast with changes in the national Labour Act, and other related Acts. Ensured that management and all project staff were trained and familiar with donor contract requirements pertaining to financial and technical reporting, requirements, and management of different projects. Reviewed cashbooks, bank reconciliations, and other related transactions on a monthly basis. Compiled monthly and quarterly financial reports. Updated the inventory register with all required financial data and ensure that an asset register is kept and updated regularly.
  • Administration and Human Resources: Supervised and managed the daily operations and work of the finance and administration staff, and assumed responsibility for matters pertaining to staff development, performance management, and appraisals. Supervised proper and routine filing of financial and human resources documents, both electronic and hard copies. In collaboration with the Country Director, developed and amended job descriptions as needed. Managed the preparation of payroll, payslips, and all personnel reports on a monthly basis for the Country Director's approval. Supervised, mentored, and strengthened the professional capacity of HR, admin, and finance staff.

Financial and Compliance Manager

Pact Namibia
05.2015 - 02.2016
  • Financial management and accounting: designed and/or updated and implemented systems and procedures following company and US Government standards to ensure operational effectiveness and internal control; liaised with Washington DC staff (Head Office) to ensure that financial reports are in compliance with Pact policies and desired standards
  • Often, the finance department was ranked A (96 to 100 points) for the monthly financial reporting submission to Headquarters
  • Ensured compliance with company and US Government regulations for financial procedures, accounting practices, and procurement of goods/services
  • Coordinated with the Deputy Chief of Party to administer all aspects related to payroll processing, including payslips and personnel reports through VIP software.
  • Provided guidance, mentorship to finance professionals thereby effectively managing and leading the team.
  • Experienced with Serenic NAV 2013, a live data-based accounting software and proficient in Pastel and ACCPAC.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.
  • Engaged in professional communication with Pact offices across different continents
  • Demonstrated strong adaptability skills by adjusting communication style to fit varying scenarios.

Finance Manager

The Namibia Nature Foundation
11.2010 - 04.2015
  • Financial and strategic planning: Reviewed monthly, quarterly, and annual project and organizational financial reports presented to staff, the Board of Trustees, partners, service providers, and relevant parties
  • Managed many donors' projects such as EU, USAID, NORAD, WWF, etc
  • And ensured that detailed work plans, and finances were in agreement
  • Budget and Portfolio management: Compiled and/or reviewed projects and organizational budgets and forecasts, amounts scaling from N$10 000 to N$20 000 000
  • Monitored actual expenditure against projected expenditure on a monthly basis, ensuring that all relevant parties are made aware of the financial implications
  • Guided budget holders in developing their knowledge and understanding of the budgeting processes and assisted in fulfilling their responsibilities as budget holders
  • Risk management: Supervised institutional and projects' accounting systems, procedures and regulations to be able to analyse its internal controls to prevent misappropriation
  • Supported project partners, executants and coordinators to understand misuse of project funding, and how to report it efficiently
  • Detected a case of fraud and closely supported the work of a forensic auditor
  • Promoted the good name and professional standards of the organization by maintaining the highest quality and integrity and ensuring strong financial governance across the whole organization
  • Audits and compliance: Assisted more than 20 internal and external projects and organizational audits; statutory and/or when requested by donors
  • Facilitated one forensic audit and presented the findings to donors and the Board
  • Guided and supported staff to understand their roles through audits
  • Cash flow management and problem solving: Effectively managed projects and organization cash and working capital to improve cash flow and reduce costs
  • Ensured funds were available when needed or requested and invested surplus cash to earn interest
  • Monitored bank account balances on a daily basis
  • Developed fleet management mechanism to ensure effective and efficient financial use of organization's assets
  • Streamlined organizational processes to decrease duplicate work and implemented new measures to analyse financial data
  • Acting Director: Appointed Acting Co-Director by the NNF Board during a long gap between Directors
  • Jointly responsible, together with HR & Office Manager, for the day to day running of the organization and for delegated management and operational decisions

Education

Master of Commerce - Development Finance

University of Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa
12-2024

Bachelor of Technology - Accounting and Finance

Polytechnic of Namibia
01.2010

Skills

  • Business process improvement
  • Cost-reduction strategies
  • Analytical and Critical Thinking
  • Cross-functional team leadership
  • Cash Flow Management
  • Stakeholder relationship management
  • Financial statement preparation
  • Financial analysis expertise
  • Audit Coordination
  • Budget Planning
  • Strategic Planning
  • Compliance Monitoring
  • Organizational Skills
  • Reporting

Certification

  • 2022, Humentum, USAID Rules and Regulations: Grants and Cooperative Agreements Certificate
  • 2020, African Leadership Institute (ALI), Certificate in Transformational Leadership - NQA Level 5
  • 2016, Sustain Ability Solutions, USAID and CDC Financial Management & Compliance
  • 2015, Inside NGO, USAID Rules and Regulations Certificate
  • 2015, Pact Inc. Washington DC, Finance Director Academy
  • 2011, The Centre for Training and Projects Development (CTPD), Certificate in Effective Management and Leadership

Driverslicense

Valid, B

Personal Information

Residence Permit: Permanent Resident

Languages

  • Portuguese, mother tongue
  • English, excellent

References

  • Mrs. Priscilla Kahovera, Global Programs, +264813671412, priscilla.kahovera@ucglobalprograms.org
  • Mr. Taurayi Gwande, Jhpiego, +264814815205, Taurayi.Gwande@jpiego.org
  • Mrs. Stephanie Fennessy, GCF, +264814893127, steph@giraffeconservation.org
  • Dr. Stephanie, PACT, +2764061 4104, sposner@pactworld.org

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Head of Finance

ORKCA
08.2024 - Current

Short-Term Consultant

Global Programs
03.2024 - 05.2024

Senior Finance, Grants and Operations Manager

Jhpiego Corporation
03.2022 - 02.2024

Finance and Operations Manager

Giraffe Conservation Foundation
01.2018 - 02.2022

Finance and Compliance Manager

HISP Namibia
03.2016 - 12.2017

Financial and Compliance Manager

Pact Namibia
05.2015 - 02.2016

Finance Manager

The Namibia Nature Foundation
11.2010 - 04.2015

Master of Commerce - Development Finance

University of Cape Town

Bachelor of Technology - Accounting and Finance

Polytechnic of Namibia

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Maria Shaetonhodi