CYNTHIA SONIA SAKANDA
Washington D.C,U.S.A.
Summary
Business and financial management professional with 28 years’ experience in budget, performance management and strategy; financial management, accounting, operational risk management, audit, policy, process improvements and project and change management. Diverse experience in international financial institutions, private sector and non-governmental organizations.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Acting Manager – BPSIB (Supporting ITS and BPS)
The World Bank
Washington D.C, U.S.A.
07.2024 - Current
- Leads BPSIB team and supports BPS talent development, sustaining a growing BPS capability in BPSIB and strengthen the teams' support to ITS and BPS.
- Leads BPSIB work program implementation and ITS and BPS budget management, ensuring business planning process considers ITS, BPS and WBG priorities and resources are aligned to those priorities.
- Supports the implementation of ITS and BPS reforms, supporting implementation of ITS strategy and BPS priorities.
Adviser to Vice President - BPSVP
The World Bank
Washington D.C, U.S.A.
02.2024 - 06.2024
- Proactively and strategically advised and worked closely with BPS VP and the entire BPS Leadership on a variety of initiatives.
- Chaired BPS Talent Committee, actively supporting talent management and providing advice to BPS Management.
- Worked closely with BPS Managers and staff to support the implementation of priorities within the Evolution Road Map.
- Assisted in the preparation of and responses to technical and other documents to the Board, Senior Management, governing bodies etc.
- Ensured appropriate follow through on actions, decisions and commitments made by VP and management, by working with parties responsible for implementation.
- Strengthened and promoted strategic partnerships, working closely as appropriate with counterparts in the Offices of Executive Directors, Managing Directors and Vice Presidents.
Senior Finance Officer – BPSOS, BPSEF and BPSGA
The World Bank
Washington D.C, U.S.A.
07.2015 - 01.2024
- Oversaw SAR Regional Director (RD) Departments’ budget management.
- Advised clients on various budget matters and ensures they are kept abreast of corporate decisions.
- Oversaw SAR External Funds (EF) budget management, QBRR reporting.
- Led SAR Capital Budget management and coordinates facilities management.
- Oversaw SAR business planning across all funding sources, including Plan 1 and 2, WPA, PPM, Practice Manager (PM) spending targets, WFP and GMA affordability, W submissions.
- Led SAR budget reporting, including MMR, QBRR.
- Oversaw OPCS business planning, including WFP affordability, W submissions, budget reporting.
- Led and supervises team members, including coaching, mentoring and career development management.
Finance Officer to Senior Finance Officer – BPSCM
The World Bank
Washington D.C, U.S.A.
04.2007 - 07.2015
- Contributed to corporate business planning, resource allocation and budget formulation process, including leading corporate reviews of client unit “W” submissions and contingency funding requests, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and making recommendations for senior management decision-making.
- Account Manager for ITS, Finance Partners (TRE, WFA, DFi, CRO, BPS and MDCFO) and ICSID.
- Contributed to preparation of corporate documents such as the Budget Paper, Strategy and Business Outlook (SBO) and Quarterly Business and Risk Review.
- Managed Bank IT and facilities capital budget investment processes, including review and prioritization of unit AIP proposals, conducting due diligence on capital budget project proposals and recommending funds’ release and write-offs, managing policies and process improvements and monitoring internal controls and other fiduciary requirements.
- Managed and/or contributed to processes / models for (i) attributing administrative costs between IBRD, IDA and external funds (ii) for projecting IBRD administrative expenses for loan pricing and (iii) for calculating and projecting IBRD and IDA budget anchors.
Senior Financial Accountant – Financial Control (Controllers) Department
African Development Bank
Tunis, Tunisia
11.2003 - 04.2007
Finance Manager
World Vision International
Malawi
02.2003 - 10.2003
Financial Controller and Company Secretary
Montfort Press and Popular Publications Limited
Malawi
07.2000 - 01.2003
Audit Trainee to Audit Semi-Senior
Deloitte and Touche
Malawi
08.1996 - 06.2000
Education
Master of Business Administration - Finance
Manchester Business School
UK01.2007
Fellow, Chartered Certified Accountant - UK
ACCA
01.2005
SAP Certified Solution Consultant -
SAP
01.2004
Chartered Certified Accountant - UK
ACCA
01.1999
Bachelor of Accountancy Degree - with Credit
University of Malawi
01.1997
Timeline
Acting Manager – BPSIB (Supporting ITS and BPS)
The World Bank
07.2024 - Current
Adviser to Vice President - BPSVP
The World Bank
02.2024 - 06.2024
Senior Finance Officer – BPSOS, BPSEF and BPSGA
The World Bank
07.2015 - 01.2024
Finance Officer to Senior Finance Officer – BPSCM
The World Bank
04.2007 - 07.2015
Senior Financial Accountant – Financial Control (Controllers) Department
African Development Bank
11.2003 - 04.2007
Finance Manager
World Vision International
02.2003 - 10.2003
Financial Controller and Company Secretary
Montfort Press and Popular Publications Limited
07.2000 - 01.2003
Audit Trainee to Audit Semi-Senior
Deloitte and Touche
08.1996 - 06.2000
Master of Business Administration - Finance
Manchester Business School
Fellow, Chartered Certified Accountant - UK
ACCA
SAP Certified Solution Consultant -
SAP
Chartered Certified Accountant - UK
ACCA
Bachelor of Accountancy Degree - with Credit
University of Malawi