YASSINE OUESLATI
FINANCE ADVISOR
Korba
Summary
Seasoned Finance Advisor with over a decade of experience in the humanitarian sector, adept at supporting multi-country operations and emergency responses. Proven track record in budgeting, grant management, donor compliance, and financial risk mitigation. Expertise in establishing robust financial controls, forecasting, and cash management ensures timely and accountable program delivery. Recognized as a trusted partner to operations and program leaders, enhancing decision-making through data-driven analysis, capacity building, and transparent financial reporting.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
Finance Advisor
Médecins Sans Frontières OCP
12.2021 - Current
- Developing and implementing financial strategies, policies, and procedures in compliance with MSF guidelines.
- Monitoring and analyzing financial data, identifying areas of improvement, and recommending corrective actions to the fields.
- Ensuring proper financial controls and internal auditing processes are in place to mitigate financial risks.
- Leading the annual budgeting process, collaborating with board and managers to develop realistic and accurate budgets.
- Providing guidance and support to program managers in budget preparation, monitoring, and expenditure control.
- Monitoring budget utilization and financial performance against planned activities, providing timely reports and analysis to management.
- Liaising with external auditors and overseeing the preparation of financial statements and audit schedules.
- Nairobi cell (managing South Sudan, Tchad, and Kenya missions. Previously I supported Somaliland, Sudan, and Liberia missions)
- Managing a budget of +50M euros.
Finance Coordinator
Médecins Sans Frontières OCB
04.2016 - 11.2021
- Developed and institutionalized finance strategies, policies, and SOPs aligned with MSF standards, improving compliance and operational efficiency across missions.
- Monitored and analyzed mission-level financial data (trend, variance, burn-rate), flagged risks, and drove corrective action plans with field coordinators and HoMs.
- Strengthened internal controls and field-level audit readiness; implemented spot checks and segregation-of-duties measures to mitigate fraud and error.
- Led the annual budgeting cycle end-to-end, facilitating activity-based budgeting with boards and managers to produce realistic, fundable plans.
- Advised program managers on budget design, phasing, and cost control; improved forecasting accuracy and on-grant spending to reduce underspend/overspend.
- Optimized treasury, cash flow, and FX management to ensure uninterrupted program delivery and safeguard assets in volatile contexts.
- Supervised and mentored finance teams; built capacity in accounting, controls, and donor rules, raising accuracy and on-time reporting rates.
- Partnered cross-functionally (operations, logistics, HR, medical, supply) to align spending with program priorities and accelerate emergency response mobilization.
- Managed budget's of 10-20M euros per mission
Administration, HR, and Finance manager
Médecins Sans Frontières OCB
01.2015 - 02.2016
- Implemented circuits and workflows (management of cash boxes, transfers, advances, purchase procedures, payment validations, follow up of regular payments, bank reconciliations) to anticipate expenses at project level and to optimize cash needs and its security.
- Implemented and supervised transactional procedures and systems to ensure transparent accounting practices and full traceability (invoices, receipts, bank statements, etc.), according to MSF guidelines and rules, and using the respective software in place (SAGA and UNIFIELD).
- Ensured the timely execution and control of the monthly and yearly accountancy closure, with due quality.
- In close collaboration with the Project Coordinator and the Finance Coordinator, defined, analyzed and followed-up the project budget, in order to ensure that funds are used according to funding contracts and proposing corrective action if needed.
- Ensured financial reporting of the Project (Field financial software) monthly closure, SITREP, etc.
- In close collaboration with the finance coordinator, followed up all service contracts in project site (premise and vehicle rental contracts, deposits, rent payments, etc.).
- Ensured that MSF staff who have financial responsibilities are aware of and comply with local finance procedures, including those related to security.
- Ebola emergency Guinea and Mauritania.
- Managed a team of 1-5 staff
Finance manager assistant
Polyclinic Al Hakim
12.2012 - 12.2014
- Reviewed accounting and financial documents for accuracy and examined supporting documentation to establish conformance with contracts and agreements.
- Established and enforced controls on revenue and expenses to protect company assets.
- Supervised day-to-day activities of accounting staff and delegated tasks to increase productivity and office efficiency.
- Communicated with staff, vendors and contractors regarding invoices and payment status to facilitate accounts payable and accounts receivable procedures.
- Assessed expansion plans and presented costs to forecast trends and recommend changes.
- Prepared different costs analysis reports to help supervisor taking the best decisions.
- Manged a budget of 3M euros.
Administration and Finance assistant
STEG International services (SIS)
07.2011 - 08.2012
- Managed banking reconciliations and monthly balance sheet statements.
- Met accounting financial objectives by forecasting requirements and participating in the preparation of the annual budgets and scheduling expenditures.
- Enforced and established proper accounting methods, policies and principles.
- Established financial status by developing and implementing systems for collecting, analyzing, verifying and reporting financial information.
- Organized budget documentation and tracked expenses to maintain tight business controls.
- Managed journal entries, collection efforts, reconciliations and payroll processing.
- Participated in external audit: Quality audit SMQ (ISO 9001 v2008) and followed and implemented auditors' recommendations.
Education
Higher school diploma/bachelor's degree - Management of Financial Institutions
Higher School of Commerce of Tunis
Tunis, Tunisia06.2006
Skills
Timeline
Finance Advisor
Médecins Sans Frontières OCP
12.2021 - Current
Finance Coordinator
Médecins Sans Frontières OCB
04.2016 - 11.2021
Administration, HR, and Finance manager
Médecins Sans Frontières OCB
01.2015 - 02.2016
Finance manager assistant
Polyclinic Al Hakim
12.2012 - 12.2014
Administration and Finance assistant
STEG International services (SIS)
07.2011 - 08.2012
Higher school diploma/bachelor's degree - Management of Financial Institutions
Higher School of Commerce of Tunis
References
- Vincent Pâques, Médecins Sans Frontières - OCB, Finance Officer Cell 2, +32 (0)2 4747 434, vincent.paques@brussels.msf.org
- Muriel MATTELE, Médecins Sans Frontières - OCB, Finance Officer Cell 5, +32 (0)2 4747 586, muriel.mattele@brussels.msf.org
- Aurelie Bouquement, Médecins Sans Frontières - OCP, Head of operational Finance, +33 (0)6 64 53 78 34, aurelie.bouquemont@paris.msf.org
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 24 June 1982
- Nationality: Tunisian
- Marital Status: Married