Florent Bakija
Program Director
McLean,VA
Summary
Program Director with 10+ years of experience in leading and managing teams to deliver strategic technology projects and products with a budget of $25mil. Proven ability to use data and analytics to drive decision-making and improve processes, resulting in $50mil savings and efficiency gains for clients. Expertise in stakeholder management, building consensus, and communicating results to senior leadership.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certificate
2
2
Languages
Work History
Program Director
Center For International Private Enterprise
Washington, DC
06.2020 - 10.2023
- Directed and managed diverse team of 12 across Africa, Latin America, and Asia to deliver public-private technology programs, overseeing $25 million budget.
- Cultivated strategic partnerships with Fiat-Chrysler, DHL, and FedEx, driving successful technology product development and technical expertise.
- Created robust program management framework, overseeing planning, execution, and deployment, resulting in 30% reduction in project delays, and 15% increase in client satisfaction scores.
- Presented comprehensive results and strategic recommendations to senior executives, enabling informed decision-making, and driving 15% increase in annual number of projects.
- Led 5 new business and product development
Program Manager
Center For International Private Enterprise
Washington, DC
06.2016 - 05.2020
- Led international cross-functional team in delivering projects and products that reduced costs for clients and enhanced customer experience. Few results include:
- Online tool for importers that slashed customs clearance times for client in Colombia by 63%, from 120 to 45 days.
- 7-module online curriculum for clearing agents in Africa, which led to 25% attendance boost and saved 1,200 agents average of 10 hours weekly.
- IT solution for government clients in Colombia that led to 37% reduction in physical inspections of goods and $18M in operational savings annually.
- E-payment system in Myanmar, shortening business payment times from 2 days to 3 hours.
- Insurance bonding platform for importers and exporters in Vietnam, halving border clearance time and saving $30 mil for clients.
- Innovative licensing and certificate online platform in Latin America, streamlining operational processes for 50+ global vendors and delivering significant 75% reduction in document errors.
Trade Consultant
World Bank
Washington, DC
04.2015 - 05.2016
- Analyzed trade links in Zambia, Tanzania, Burundi, and Congo, leveraging data insights for Great Lakes Trade Facilitation Project (Phase 2); instrumental in securing $250M funding, driving sustainable economic development.
- Designed case studies spotlighting Buyer-Supplier initiatives in Rwanda, resulting in empowerment of 9,000 households and 20% increase in livestock production rates.
Chief of Staff
Ministry Of Trade And Industry
Prishtina, Kosovo
03.2011 - 12.2014
- Advised Minister on trade policy reforms, resulting in 15% increase in export revenue and creation of 2,000+ new jobs in manufacturing sector.
- Developed and implemented best practices, resulting in 40% increase in productivity and 20% decrease in operational costs.
- Championed strategic initiatives and supervised team of 14 policy advisors.
- Administered execution of 12 major projects, including negotiating of two free trade agreements with European Union and Turkey, boosting exports by 50% and attracting $120 mil in EU investments.
- Improved business regulatory environment and enhanced Doing Business Ranking by 42 places.
- Supervised staff and participated in hiring, training and performance evaluations to establish and enforce policies and procedures for business functions
Program Officer
Foreign & Development Office, UK Government
Prishtina & London, Kosovo & United Kingdom
02.2008 - 02.2011
- Led large-scale impact by executing projects within budgetary constraints, creating 5,000+ jobs and generating government savings exceeding $10M.
- Led efforts in securing $50M multi-donor trust fund, driving Jobs and Growth Agenda and Sustainable Employment and Development Policy Program.
Education
Master of Arts - International Relations
Essex University
Colchester, United Kingdom 09.2006 - 09.2007
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of Prishtina
Prishtina, Kosovo 09.2002 - 09.2005
Skills
Strategic leadership
Program Development
Program Management
Project Management
Business operations
Staff Management
Certification
Agile Project Management
Timeline
Program Director
Center For International Private Enterprise
06.2020 - 10.2023
Program Manager
Center For International Private Enterprise
06.2016 - 05.2020
Trade Consultant
World Bank
04.2015 - 05.2016
Chief of Staff
Ministry Of Trade And Industry
03.2011 - 12.2014
Program Officer
Foreign & Development Office, UK Government
02.2008 - 02.2011
Master of Arts - International Relations
Essex University
09.2006 - 09.2007
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of Prishtina
09.2002 - 09.2005