Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Languages
Timeline
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Susanna Reskallah

Washington,DC

Summary

Program management professional with proven track record in leading cross-functional teams and driving project success. Skilled in strategic planning, risk management, and resource allocation. Known for adaptability, problem-solving, and fostering collaboration to achieve results. Proficient in optimizing processes and aligning initiatives with organizational objectives.

Overview

5
5
years of professional experience

Work History

Program Manager - West and Central Africa and Haiti

Chemonics International
03.2022 - Current
  • Manages 58 field office staff under USAID funded $84 million Empower Southern Africa program across thirteen countries
  • Formerly provided advanced project administration support to the USAID funded $34 million Jordan Water Governance Activity; $55 million Jordan Economic Reform Activity Task Order 1; and $16 million Jordan Recycling Activity
  • Participates in proposal writing; past and current roles include live proposal role as key personnel writer for Iraq Civil Society Activity, capture role as public partnerships researcher for Egypt Red Sea Endowment, and capture local recruiter for Jordan Fiscal Empowerment and Continuous Harmonization of Public Financial Management for Optimized Economic Growth
  • Manages day-to-day support to project team and client, communicating and assisting with project-office requests and overseeing adherence to project requirements, government laws and regulations, and Chemonics policies
  • Identifies issues or potential risks, including project performance, financial, and compliance, and supports plans and strategies to address those risks; consults with support units on corporate-office and project-office matters to help make informed decisions and provides solutions
  • Conducts quality assurance reviews of field office financial documentation to monitor potential deficiencies
  • Reviews and evaluates project technical work and project reports to ensure high quality performance and compliance with client standards
  • Drafts and tracks administrative and financial project requests and changes to clients and partners, including approvals for staffing, financial reporting and tracking, activity modifications, and budget adjustments
  • Leads monthly forecasting for project budget; drafts monthly budget and staffing memos; supports corporate budgeting and process
  • Provides travel support for employees and consultants by gathering relevant travel information, reserving tickets, and seeking necessary travel authorizations and approvals; liaises with traveler to collect expense reports and required backup documentation
  • Processes monthly project invoicing, subaward partner and consultant information, and expense reports to track and evaluate the effectiveness of programs in meeting established goals and metrics
  • Processes monthly wire transfer requests and provides initial reviews to ensure completeness and accuracy, as well as submits final wire transfer request package to provide project office with necessary funds

MENA Fellow

UNICEF
10.2021 - 01.2022
  • Monitored changes in social-political dynamics and upcoming major events in the region and conducted geopolitical analysis of the trends that might impact UNICEF's funding and advocacy efforts
  • Assisted with the development of policy recommendations that advance UNICEF's mission, program country initiatives, and other priorities in the Middle East
  • Conducted research for concept papers and strategy document development
  • Prepared e-summary reports of key interagency and intergovernmental meetings that are related to the region and its countries
  • Briefed team leads on relevant news for engagement with foreign government delegates in the Gulf

Staff Assistant Intern

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
05.2021 - 08.2021
  • Prepared materials for publication and attended and reported on Middle East related events in the DC area
  • Conducted research on food security in Palestine for published article and on digital skills programs in the Middle East
  • Proofread, edited, and published written work on website

Intern

Council of Europe
05.2021 - 07.2021
  • Researched the conditions of refugee camps and child exploitation in the MENA region and Europe
  • Identified potential partnerships based on research and organization activities and priorities
  • Helped to create a workbook on drug-related issues for refugees, migrants, and internally displaced peoples in European host communities
  • Proofread and edited all materials for publication

Program Research and Support Intern

Near East Foundation
11.2020 - 05.2021
  • Supported programmatic learning and research needs
  • Collected, reviewed, and communicated existing project data
  • Helped to apply an analytical framework to project and program data
  • Engaged NEF staff and research partners to collect information and inform analysis
  • Developed written reports and briefs related to learning
  • Contributed to the development of methodologies and questions to inform primary data collection and future learning
  • Contributed to research and support to grant writing and proposal development

Youth Development Specialist

Peace Corps Morocco
09.2019 - 03.2020
  • Worked on location in Morocco to contribute to capacity building for Moroccan civil society through English education and life skills courses
  • Went through intensive training for three months for Moroccan Arabic (Darija) while living with a host family
  • Established trust and rapport with key stakeholders in Peace Corps site to collaborate with local organizations and government officials to develop sustainable programs and trainings for youth
  • Facilitated seminars in collaboration with female community leaders to assist in raising working conditions and improving the quality of life for Moroccan women

Education

Master of Arts - International Relations, Development and Humanitarian Assistance, Middle Eastern Affairs

Syracuse University - Maxwell School of Citizenship
Syracuse, New York
12.2021

Bachelor of Arts - International Studies, Global Development, Literature and Language, French

Virginia Polytechnic and State University
Blacksburg, Virginia
05.2019

Languages

Arabic
Native or Bilingual
French
Professional Working

Timeline

Program Manager - West and Central Africa and Haiti

Chemonics International
03.2022 - Current

MENA Fellow

UNICEF
10.2021 - 01.2022

Staff Assistant Intern

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
05.2021 - 08.2021

Intern

Council of Europe
05.2021 - 07.2021

Program Research and Support Intern

Near East Foundation
11.2020 - 05.2021

Youth Development Specialist

Peace Corps Morocco
09.2019 - 03.2020

Bachelor of Arts - International Studies, Global Development, Literature and Language, French

Virginia Polytechnic and State University

Master of Arts - International Relations, Development and Humanitarian Assistance, Middle Eastern Affairs

Syracuse University - Maxwell School of Citizenship

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