My OperaThursday, December 13, 2012 9:45:17 AM
Heads the Delta State, Nigeria's ministry of Economic, Planning & Budgeting. Drives the State's economy, articulates strategic policies, coordinate the planning and budgeting processes, tracks implementation of budgeted activities, and ensures results delivery.
I am an international financial expert and a chartered accountant, with strong leadership and analytical skills, a highly accomplished project finance professional with proven successful track record of performance and results in diverse and multicultural environment. I achieve results by continuously focusing on the big picture and applying lessons learnt from failures and successes.
Was responsible for the financial management implementation support and supervision of The World Bank funded and multi donor trust fund investment projects in Afghanistan, to ensure that they meet the fiduciary requirements and have adequate financial management arrangements for the implementation of the projects. Also performed financial management assessments of new projects’ funding proposals, and gave advice for the World Bank’s board consideration, on the adequacy of the arrangements to meet the funding requirements. Supported the client to build and strengthen the financial management capacity and governance system to ensure transparency and accountability. Was task team leader and led donor partners (USAID, DFID, ADB, etc.) coordination for a diagnostic study: Afghanistan Report on Observance of Standards & Codes (ROSC) – Accounting & Auditing, a project for the development of the private sector, with focus on the accounting and auditing profession in the country. Also worked as co-task team leader/manager for public financial management (PFM) projects that are funded by the World Bank and multi donor trust funds.
Specialties
Economic Development, Planning & Budgeting, Project Finance, Programme Management, Investment Projects Fiduciary Management, Financial Analysis, Auditing, Taxation
Kenneth Okpara's Experience
Honourable Commissioner (Minister) for Economic, Planning & Budgeting
Delta State, Nigeria Government
September 2011 – Present (1 year 4 months) Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
Heads the Delta State, Nigeria's ministry of Economic, Planning & Budgeting. Drives the State's economy, articulates strategic policies, coordinate the planning and budgeting processes, tracks implementation of budgeted activities, and ensures results delivery.
Sr. Financial Management Specialist
The World Bank
Nonprofit; 5001-10,000 employees; International Trade and Development industry
June 2006 – October 2011 (5 years 5 months)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
• EMBA from Judge Business School, Cambridge University, London
• 11 years of international development banking experience in Project Finance and Operations
• Managed both line and project teams varying in size from 5 to 20. Have also directed teams outside of my management influence
• Have led successfully for over four years, the financial management of Afghanistan World Bank and Multi Donor trust fund investment projects, with a total value of US$5 billion
• Led the World Bank’s Afghanistan financial management team to achieve timely receipts of all 42 investment projects’ audit reports for the year ended 20th March 2010. This was a milestone achievement, as it was the first time this was happening after eight years of World Bank’s reengagement in Afghanistan. It was also the only country office that achieved this in the South Asian offices of the World Bank
• Achieved remarkable improvement in the investment projects audit results, 90% of the audit reports were unqualified (clean) in March 2010 as compared to 66% in 2009, 79% in 2008 and 23% in 2007, which was a year after I resumed and started leading the Afghanistan team
• Achieved tremendous reduction in the amount of ineligible expenditures claimed by the investment projects
KEY SKILLS:
• Capable of quickly grasping the big picture, the main variables which may impact project performance, as well as the level of commitment of key stakeholders
• Have been able to demonstrate capacity to work within a complex environment but does not create complexity
• Able to speak to the needs of senior management and gain consensus on complex issues
• Strong PowerPoint skills, able to communicate a clear message out of dense topics
• Addresses challenges to effective teamwork contributing to the team staying organized and focused on work, even under stress
• Have been a successful mentor to less experienced colleagues (Specialist and Analyst)
Financial Management Consultant
The World Bank
Nonprofit; 5001-10,000 employees; International Trade and Development industry
June 2005 – May 2006 (1 year)
Managing Consultant
Inter Consult
April 1998 – May 2004 (6 years 2 months)
Partner
Eyewumi Rone & Co. (Chartered Accountants)
January 1995 – March 1998 (3 years 3 months)
Audit Assistant to Audit Manager
Eyewumi Rone & Co. (Chartered Accountants)
January 1989 – January 1995 (6 years 1 month)
I am an international financial expert and a chartered accountant, with strong leadership and analytical skills, a highly accomplished project finance professional with proven successful track record of performance and results in diverse and multicultural environment. I achieve results by continuously focusing on the big picture and applying lessons learnt from failures and successes.
Was responsible for the financial management implementation support and supervision of The World Bank funded and multi donor trust fund investment projects in Afghanistan, to ensure that they meet the fiduciary requirements and have adequate financial management arrangements for the implementation of the projects. Also performed financial management assessments of new projects’ funding proposals, and gave advice for the World Bank’s board consideration, on the adequacy of the arrangements to meet the funding requirements. Supported the client to build and strengthen the financial management capacity and governance system to ensure transparency and accountability. Was task team leader and led donor partners (USAID, DFID, ADB, etc.) coordination for a diagnostic study: Afghanistan Report on Observance of Standards & Codes (ROSC) – Accounting & Auditing, a project for the development of the private sector, with focus on the accounting and auditing profession in the country. Also worked as co-task team leader/manager for public financial management (PFM) projects that are funded by the World Bank and multi donor trust funds.
Specialties
Economic Development, Planning & Budgeting, Project Finance, Programme Management, Investment Projects Fiduciary Management, Financial Analysis, Auditing, Taxation
Kenneth Okpara's Experience
Honourable Commissioner (Minister) for Economic, Planning & Budgeting
Delta State, Nigeria Government
September 2011 – Present (1 year 4 months) Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
Heads the Delta State, Nigeria's ministry of Economic, Planning & Budgeting. Drives the State's economy, articulates strategic policies, coordinate the planning and budgeting processes, tracks implementation of budgeted activities, and ensures results delivery.
Sr. Financial Management Specialist
The World Bank
Nonprofit; 5001-10,000 employees; International Trade and Development industry
June 2006 – October 2011 (5 years 5 months)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
• EMBA from Judge Business School, Cambridge University, London
• 11 years of international development banking experience in Project Finance and Operations
• Managed both line and project teams varying in size from 5 to 20. Have also directed teams outside of my management influence
• Have led successfully for over four years, the financial management of Afghanistan World Bank and Multi Donor trust fund investment projects, with a total value of US$5 billion
• Led the World Bank’s Afghanistan financial management team to achieve timely receipts of all 42 investment projects’ audit reports for the year ended 20th March 2010. This was a milestone achievement, as it was the first time this was happening after eight years of World Bank’s reengagement in Afghanistan. It was also the only country office that achieved this in the South Asian offices of the World Bank
• Achieved remarkable improvement in the investment projects audit results, 90% of the audit reports were unqualified (clean) in March 2010 as compared to 66% in 2009, 79% in 2008 and 23% in 2007, which was a year after I resumed and started leading the Afghanistan team
• Achieved tremendous reduction in the amount of ineligible expenditures claimed by the investment projects
KEY SKILLS:
• Capable of quickly grasping the big picture, the main variables which may impact project performance, as well as the level of commitment of key stakeholders
• Have been able to demonstrate capacity to work within a complex environment but does not create complexity
• Able to speak to the needs of senior management and gain consensus on complex issues
• Strong PowerPoint skills, able to communicate a clear message out of dense topics
• Addresses challenges to effective teamwork contributing to the team staying organized and focused on work, even under stress
• Have been a successful mentor to less experienced colleagues (Specialist and Analyst)
Financial Management Consultant
The World Bank
Nonprofit; 5001-10,000 employees; International Trade and Development industry
June 2005 – May 2006 (1 year)
Managing Consultant
Inter Consult
April 1998 – May 2004 (6 years 2 months)
Partner
Eyewumi Rone & Co. (Chartered Accountants)
January 1995 – March 1998 (3 years 3 months)
Audit Assistant to Audit Manager
Eyewumi Rone & Co. (Chartered Accountants)
January 1989 – January 1995 (6 years 1 month)
