Rhodah Kombo
Nairobi
Summary
Dynamic, results-driven professional with expertise in strategic planning and grant management, demonstrating a proven ability to enhance program impact through effective oversight of donor-funded projects. Adept at fostering partnerships, contributing to substantial organizational growth.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Finance & Grants Manager
Adam Smith International
03.2019 - 07.2019
- Company Overview: Adam Smith International is a global company that delivers impact, value and lasting change through economic growth and government reform
- ÉLAN RDC is a five-year market development programme funded by the UK Government (UKaid) and implemented by Adam Smith International in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
- It aims to raise the incomes of 1.7 million poor people across DR Congo by tackling systemic constraints that are holding poor people back from entering, or justly benefiting from, markets
- Reviewing and updating financial and grant management processes and procedures, while recommending best practices
- Ensuring tax and other compliance, including managing all necessary submissions internally and externally to regulators and labor authorities.
- Prepare documentation and financial information for the external audit.
- Introducing and leading the implementation of improved grant management systems and procedures.
- Supporting Project Managers on quarterly and annual financial, and Value for Money reporting.
- Support Project Managers in preparing forecasts and other financial information, as required.
- Oversee and build the capacities of the Finance Officer and the Operations Officer.
- Support Project Managers in the overall financial and grant management of the program, including producing financial analyses and other information, as required.
- Ensure the smooth closure of Elan 1.1 in compliance with DFID requirements.
- Liaise directly with the ASI offices in Nairobi regarding finance, grant management, and compliance matters.
- Adam Smith International is a global company that delivers impact, value, and lasting change through economic growth and government reform.
- ÉLAN RDC is a five-year market development programme funded by the UK Government (UKaid) and implemented by Adam Smith International in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
- It aims to raise the incomes of 1.7 million poor people across DR Congo by tackling systemic constraints that are holding poor people back from entering, or justly benefiting from, markets
Grants Programme Manager
Options Consulting Services Kenya Ltd
02.2018 - 01.2019
- Company Overview: Options Consulting Services is a consultancy organisation providing technical and management expertise in the health and social sectors of governments and international development partners to transform the health of women and children
- Overseeing and managing the grants programme
- Delivering the grants programme efficiently to reach the set number of grants disbursed by the end of the programme, per year and per country envelope and develop a pipeline of grant applications
- Reviewing guidelines for grant management of the programme including compliance, financial and administrative requirements, making recommendations for alterations as necessary
- Responding to applicant enquiries about the grants programme in a fast and concise manner to ensure proper support to potential applicants
- Overseeing and managing the review of grant applications in consultation with others according to set criteria, ensuring applications are in line with applicant criteria, financially sound and in-line with internal policies
- Ensure complete and timely narrative and financial reporting on the grant programme according to grants scheme’s requirements and guidelines, including providing substantive content for reporting to the donor
- Oversee the due diligence of grantee organisations, ensuring compliance with funder policies and the management / mitigation of programme risks
- Building positive relationships with grantees and supporting grantees during the implementation process
- Support and training the Country Programme Officers to enable them to successfully deliver their responsibilities in relation to the grants programme
- Options Consulting Services is a consultancy organisation providing technical and management expertise in the health and social sectors of governments and international development partners to transform the health of women and children
Grants and Compliance Manager
KPMG International Development Advisory Services
09.2013 - 01.2018
- Company Overview: Based in the KPMG International Development Advisory Services (IDAS) centre of excellence in Nairobi, Kenya, responsible for leading teams in programme and fund management
- Design, set up and management of donor funded projects
- Reviewing, analysing, and assessing program performance, including performance tracking
- Preparation of grant agreements and other relevant contracting documents
- Review of work plans and budgets and making recommendations
- Pre-grant assessments and organizational assessments to determine the capacity of organisations to manage donor funds
- Supporting the development of quarterly reporting templates for grantees that capture operational and financial progress
- Developing program manuals and other operating procedures relevant for smooth running of projects
- Undertaking quarterly risk analysis based on progress reports
- Coordinating grant closure procedures
- Organizing/undertaking spot checks and site visits to grantees
- Mentoring/ capacity building of grantees to support organizational development with a focus on financial management, planning and reporting
- Conduct expenditure verification to ensure compliance with donor requirements
- Review of monthly cash balance reports and preparation of disbursement forecasts on a quarterly basis to aid in donor planning
- Donor reporting
- Supporting proposal development
- Participate in recruitment of staff for the department, resource planning and allocation of tasks
- Training, supervising and coaching staff
- Maintaining client information, documents and correspondence in organized files ready for Quality Performance Reviews (QPR)
- Organizing departmental events and team building activities
- Based in the KPMG International Development Advisory Services (IDAS) centre of excellence in Nairobi, Kenya, responsible for leading teams in programme and fund management
Senior Advisor
KPMG Kenya, IDAS
09.2010 - 08.2013
- Company Overview: Based in Nairobi, Kenya as an engagement Senior Advisor, I led teams in carrying out institutional and project audits for various non-governmental organizations, multilateral organizations and UN agencies
- Planned audits, prepared audit work programs, budgets and plans
- Assessed audit risk and determined audit approach in consultation with managers and partners
- Managed, supervised and monitored engagement delivery
- Monitored engagement budgets and work plans to ensure that agreed deadlines were met and engagements were carried out within the agreed budget
- Coached and mentored team members and appraised their performance on assignments
- Prepared audit reports and management letters
- Presented and discussed significant audit findings with management and ensured that agreed action points were implemented
- Based in Nairobi, Kenya as an engagement Senior Advisor, I led teams in carrying out institutional and project audits for various non-governmental organizations, multilateral organizations and UN agencies
Associate Advisor
KPMG Kenya, IDAS
09.2007 - 08.2010
- Company Overview: Based in Nairobi, Kenya as an engagement Associate Advisor, I was involved in provision of project audit services, grant expenditure evaluations and reviews and pre-grant assessments and due diligence, financial monitoring of donor-funded organisations
- Based in Nairobi, Kenya as an engagement Associate Advisor, I was involved in provision of project audit services, grant expenditure evaluations and reviews and pre-grant assessments and due diligence, financial monitoring of donor-funded organisations
Education
French - Level B1
Alliance Francaise
02.2025
Masters in Project Planning and Management -
University of Nairobi
01.2014
BA - Community Development (Hons)
Daystar University
01.2007
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education - B
Pangani Girls High School
01.2001
Skills
- Grant management
- Due diligence
- Organizational assessments
- Program design and setup
- Financial capacity building
- Program management
- Budget monitoring
- Time management abilities
- Teamwork
- Grant research
- Facilitating training sessions
- Business process improvement
- Relationship building
- Relationship management
- Risk identification and management
- Advanced computer skills
- Strategic planning
- Partnership development
Hobbies and Interests
- Travelling
- Reading
- Cooking
References
- Roseanne Mugo - Ogonji, CPA (K), Financial Assessment Specialist, USAID|Kenya and East Africa, American Embassy Complex, United Nations Avenue, Gigiri Village Market, Nairobi, Nairobi, roseannemugo@yahoo.com, +254 722 319 077
- Dr Faith Mwangi-Powell, Chief Executive Officer, Girls Not Brides, 65 Leadenhall Street, London, United Kingdom, mwangi1powell@yahoo.co.uk, fmwangipowell
- Dagmara Chwalowska, Programme Manager, ELAN RDC, Adam Smith International, London, United Kingdom, Dagmara.Chwalowska@adamsmithinternational.com, +447747560498
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 03/26/83
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: Kenyan
- Marital Status: Married
Timeline
Senior Finance & Grants Manager
Adam Smith International
03.2019 - 07.2019
Grants Programme Manager
Options Consulting Services Kenya Ltd
02.2018 - 01.2019
Grants and Compliance Manager
KPMG International Development Advisory Services
09.2013 - 01.2018
Senior Advisor
KPMG Kenya, IDAS
09.2010 - 08.2013
Associate Advisor
KPMG Kenya, IDAS
09.2007 - 08.2010
French - Level B1
Alliance Francaise
Masters in Project Planning and Management -
University of Nairobi
BA - Community Development (Hons)
Daystar University
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education - B
Pangani Girls High School
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