MEBRAHTU GIRMAY ARAYA
Addis Ababa,Ethiopia
Summary
Seasoned strategist with a proven track record at Safaricom Ethiopia, adept in strategy development & execution and end-to-end project management. Excelled in driving corporate innovation, leveraging strong analytical abilities and high-level communication skills. Known for impactful mentoring and a collaborative approach, significantly enhancing cross-functional business operations. Diligent Fundraising Volunteer with background in coordinating fundraising events and campaigns. Possess strong communication skills, ability to inspire others, and knack for building relationships that foster donor loyalty. Known for creative problem-solving abilities and strategic planning skills delivering successful fundraising initiatives. Ambitious professional fundraiser with several years' experience organizing complex events and galas. Passionate about supporting causes. Effective communicator talented in building relationships with high-level donors and initiating matching gift campaigns with corporations.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Fundraising Volunteer (International-Team)
PROJECT-E (Education', 'Empower' and 'Ethiopia')-NGO
01.2021 - Current
- Maintain a good relationship with existing partners and reach out to new potential donors
- Proposal writing and applications; and researching new opportunities
- Manage sponsorship programs and organize fundraising events
Group Director, Corporate Strategy and Innovation
Premier Switch Solution S.c
06.2022 - 08.2024
- Lead three divisions: Marketing and Communication, Research and Business Development, and Strategy Planning and Monitoring
- Formulate and implement corporate and functional strategies for group companies (PSS Payment Processing Service [PPS], PSS Premier Technology, and Trading Service [PTTS])
- Engage in procurement, HR recruitment, and new project initiation and implementation as part of the executive management team
- Develop and execute strategies for innovation, business, marketing, and branding, including creating and enforcing relevant policies and procedures
- Coordinate the design and implementation of corporate strategies and plans, monitor performance against key metrics
- Oversee marketing, advertising, PR, and promotional activities
- Develop marketing strategies for new and existing products and services for the group companies
- Review transformation plan deliverables with a focus on customer-centricity and adaptability to innovations, regulations, and priorities
- Lead the development of tools for research, proofs of concept, and roadmaps
- Conduct feasibility studies for new products and services, benchmark surveys, customer satisfaction surveys, and market research
- Lead the creation and presentation of research proposals for management approval
- Provide training, coaching, and mentoring on strategy development and implementation
- Prepare periodic reports on strategy implementation, and operational and project performance
- Lead in the development of business continuity plans and ensure effective communication of change management strategies
- Prepare business requirements and pricing for new products and service
CSO- Strategy Manager, Group Strategy
Safaricom Ethiopia
06.2022 - 08.2024
- Spearheaded the development and execution of the organization’s medium and long-term strategic plan
- Led the establishment of Corporate (CEO) & 11 Function’s/Divisions Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Conducted regular reviews of the company’s major KPIs, providing strategic guidance to Executive Management to mitigate potential risks to the Business plan and annual budget
- Analyzed data to make recommendations on new initiatives that could pose risks to the Business plan
- Monitored market conditions, recommending strategic changes in business operations based on emerging risks
- Drove market insight and Business intelligence initiatives to assist executive management in managing strategic risks
- Promoted strategic partnerships with external stakeholders to enhance the organization’s standing and facilitate growth
- Interpreted new government regulations, directives, and applicable codes to ensure compliance
- Re-forecasted targets based on current situations
- Developed business models and conducted impact analysis
- Managed the budget, resources, and other tasks of the company’s Strategy group
Senior Lecturer- Accounting & Finance (Part Time)
Royal University College
10.2017 - 09.2022
Manager-Strategy & Change Management, Strategy Department
Lion International Bank
05.2019 - 06.2022
- Led the development and execution of corporate and functional strategies
- Participated in the preparation of the corporate annual plan and budget for 12 departments and over 280 branches
- Reviewed the company’s corporate and functional strategy
- Monitored performance, prepared reports, presentations, and briefs on various business matters
- Kept track of new trends, products, services, and channels of other banks
- Identified strategic opportunities and threats using external and internal sources
- Interpreted new government regulations, directives, and applicable codes to ensure compliance
- Led the department in preparing functional strategies and new initiatives
- Analyzed operational results and the achievement of specified corporate objectives
- Managed the department’s budget and resources
Manager-Digital Communication Channels, Strategy & Innovation Division
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
05.2018 - 05.2019
- Managed the bank’s digital media platforms
- Identified potential digital risks and proposed effective mitigation strategies
- Reviewed content and media engagement through analytics reports
- Ensured the technical and developmental capacity of team members
- Analyzed sales data using web traffic metrics to inform strategic decisions
- Led the development of the corporate communication strategy
- Managed the department’s budget and resources, ensuring optimal allocation and utilization
Officer- Product Development & Management, Business Dev’t Process
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
04.2017 - 05.2018
- Managed the development and pricing of financial products/services
- Conducted market research and formulated go-to-market strategies for new product launches
- Ensured the feasibility of new products through comprehensive market due diligence
- Identified, measured, and managed risk issues within the division
- Documented division risk issues and provided periodic reports
- Managed and analyzed data using statistical software such as SPSS, STATA, and MS Access/Excel
- Conducted surveys and competitive analysis to inform product development strategies
Officer- Corporate Communication, Business Dev’t Process
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
08.2016 - 04.2017
- Directed the preparation, planning, and publication of publicity materials to enhance brand promotion
- Pioneered innovative communication strategies to engage customers effectively
- Developed public relations strategies and campaigns to boost the organization’s image
- Led the planning and project management of marketing events, evaluated their success, and presented detailed reports to Management
- Managed the preparation of various promotional materials such as leaflets, brochures, speeches, newsletters, and digital media content
- Conducted audience surveys and prepared a roadmap for promotional activities to ensure targeted and effective communication
Associate Officer- Corporate Communication, Business Dev’t Process
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
08.2015 - 08.2016
- Monitor public and Media's opinion
- Conduct audience survey and prepare road map for promotion activities
- Developed and executed marketing campaigns, including TV and radio advertisements
- Manage distribution and usage of printed promotional items
- Manage corporate events
- Project managed marketing events, evaluated their success, and provided written reports to Management
Lecturer- Accounting & Finance (Part Time)
Admas University
10.2014 - 11.2015
Management Trainee (On Job and off job Training)
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
04.2014 - 08.2015
- List of on /Off job Training Provided by AML and compliance management Laws and legal procedure
- Ethics and anti-corruption rules and procedure
- Operational Risk and Internal Control
- Customer accounts transaction services (CATS) (Bank operation)
- Credit management
- International Trade practices (TS)
- Resources mobilization strategy
- HRD strategy
- Delighting the customer
- Financial and fundamental law Interest free banking (IFB)
- Card banking, mobile banking and internet banking
Lecturer -Accounting & Finance
Aksum University
07.2011 - 04.2014
Ass. Lecturer-Accounting and Finance
Aksum University
09.2009 - 09.2011
Education
Post Graduate Diploma - Islamic Banking & Finance
AlHuda CIBE
Lahore, Pakistan03.2021
MSc - Finance and investment
Mekelle University
Tigray, Ethiopia07.2013
BA - Accounting
Adama science and technology University
Adama, Oromia, Ethiopia07.2009
Skills
- Strategy development & Execution
- End-to-end project planning and management
- Excellent reporting and presenting skills
- Effective Task Management with Competing Priorities
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- High-Level Communication and Influence
- Collaborative Track record across business functions
- Strong initiation and engagement in sharing experiences, mentoring and coaching
- Proactive Engagement in Sharing Experiences, Mentoring, and Coaching
- Basic Computer skill
- Other Software (STATA, SPSS, MS Excel, MS Access, BI)
Certification
- Certified Strategy Professional (CSP), Udemy, Online
- Business Fundamentals: Corporate Strategy, Udemy, Online
- Business Development Foundations: Alliances & Partnerships, LinkedIn, Online
- Being Strategist: Thinking & acting with Impact, Udemy, Online
- Strategic Management, Open2study, Online
- A Modern Guide to Strategy Implementation, LinkedIn, Online
- Change Management, Ethiopian Institute of Financial Studies (EIFS), Physical
- TOT for IFRS, Accounting and Auditing Board of Ethiopia, Physical
- The New Age of Risk Management Strategy for Business, LinkedIn, Online
- Business Case for Corporate Sustainability, Udemy, Online
- Business Risk Management (BRM), Udemy, Online
- Principles of Project Management, Polytechnic West, Online
- Statistical Data Analysis Using STATA, Ethiopia Statistical Association (ESA), Physical
- Strategic Partnerships, LinkedIn, Online
- Develop Your Strategic Planning Skills, LinkedIn, Online
- Strategic Planning: Case Studies, LinkedIn, Online
- Strategic Business Analysis Essentials, LinkedIn, Online
- Strategy for Management Consultants & Business Analysts, Udemy, Online
- Implementing BSC with KPIs, LinkedIn, Online
- Strategic Partnerships: Ecosystems and Platforms, LinkedIn, Online
- Strategic Negotiation, LinkedIn, Online
- Innovative Growth Strategy, Udemy, Online
- Strategic Planning Skills, Udemy, Online
- Strategic Partnerships and collaborations, Udemy, Online
- Project Management Foundations: Risk, LinkedIn, Online
- Business Strategy Execution-Agile Organization System Design, Udemy, Online
Professionalcontributions
- Switch and Payment infrastructure Upgrade, Member, 3 years
- PowerCo & TowerCo selection, Project Manager, 09/01/22-Present
- CBE’s Functional strategy development team, Member, 09/01/17-02/28/20
- Panel of experts for promotional productions, Member, 06/01/17-04/30/18
- Successfully establishing the CBE Digital Communication channels Department, Member
- LIB’s Corporate Strategy development, Member and secretary, 10/01/19-04/30/20
- LIB’s Resources mobilization committee, Member and secretary, 07/31/20-06/30/22
- LIB’s Digital Continuation plan, Member, 04/01/22-06/30/22
- Prevention and Mitigation of COVID-19 at LIB, Member and secretary, 03/01/20-01/31/22
- Preparing and effectively implementing LIB FCY Mobilization Strategy, Member
- Successfully establishing strategy and change management division of LIB, Member
- Safaricom Ethiopia 10 years Business plan preparation and reforecast, Member, 12/01/22-01/31/23
- Preparing Business plan and consulting different DFS providers, Member
Timeline
Group Director, Corporate Strategy and Innovation
Premier Switch Solution S.c
06.2022 - 08.2024
CSO- Strategy Manager, Group Strategy
Safaricom Ethiopia
06.2022 - 08.2024
Fundraising Volunteer (International-Team)
PROJECT-E (Education', 'Empower' and 'Ethiopia')-NGO
01.2021 - Current
Manager-Strategy & Change Management, Strategy Department
Lion International Bank
05.2019 - 06.2022
Manager-Digital Communication Channels, Strategy & Innovation Division
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
05.2018 - 05.2019
Senior Lecturer- Accounting & Finance (Part Time)
Royal University College
10.2017 - 09.2022
Officer- Product Development & Management, Business Dev’t Process
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
04.2017 - 05.2018
Officer- Corporate Communication, Business Dev’t Process
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
08.2016 - 04.2017
Associate Officer- Corporate Communication, Business Dev’t Process
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
08.2015 - 08.2016
Lecturer- Accounting & Finance (Part Time)
Admas University
10.2014 - 11.2015
Management Trainee (On Job and off job Training)
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
04.2014 - 08.2015
Lecturer -Accounting & Finance
Aksum University
07.2011 - 04.2014
Ass. Lecturer-Accounting and Finance
Aksum University
09.2009 - 09.2011
Post Graduate Diploma - Islamic Banking & Finance
AlHuda CIBE
MSc - Finance and investment
Mekelle University
BA - Accounting
Adama science and technology University
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