Jelena Sreckovic
Panama City
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven Finance Expert with over 15 years of extensive experience in financial management and strategic planning within the humanitarian and development sectors. Proven track record in leading financial operations for Cash Transfer Programs, ensuring strict compliance with organizational guidelines and donor regulations. Recognized as a digital payments expert with a deep understanding of risk management in humanitarian contexts. Equipped with strong analytical skills and a steadfast commitment to financial integrity and transparency.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Finance Advisor For Latin America and Caribbean
UN World Food Programme
06.2021 - Current
- Development of the Cash transfer programmes (CBT) strategy for Latin American region in line with the corporate strategy, programme and financial policies, CBT corporate business process model and country office context
- Lead development of the regional strategy for assessment and selection of the financial service providers (FSPs) as well as the analysis of the suitable digital payment solutions in line with the context in LAC.
- Lead regional finance team and provide financial and administrative services to both regional bureau and the country offices in the area of financial management, regional budget preparation and monitoring, financial accounting, disbursements, petty cash management, delegations of authority, vendor management and SAP profiles
- Implemented enhanced financial controls and minimum assurance standards to comply with corporate rules and donor regulations.
- Provide regular support and oversight to the country offices in the area of financial sectorial assessments at macro and micro level, SAP processes and accounting treatment of CBT transactions, due diligence review and risk analysis of potential FSPs and management of audit recommendations relevant to CBT and other finance related areas
- Ensure internal controls are in place to reduce the risks associated with money transfer transactions and establish internal processes for robust and regular reconciliation reporting
Finance Officer - Cash Based Transfers, Field Support and Business Development Unit
UN World Food Programme
03.2015 - 06.2021
- Collaborative Policy Development: Successfully partnered with a cross-functional team to create comprehensive corporate policies and procedures for cash-based transfers (CBT), including the CBT policy document, corporate manual, and Resource Management Manual, enhancing financial management across all program stages.
- Streamlined FSP Selection Process: Worked closely with various CBT units to develop and refine the corporate process for Financial Service Provider (FSP) selection and contracting, improving efficiency and effectiveness.
- Guideline and Tool Development: Led the creation of practical guidelines and tools for FSP selection, including macro and micro financial assessments and solicitation templates, while ensuring successful rollout and adherence.
- Operational Risk Mitigation: Contributed to the development of the CBT assurance framework by identifying essential operational controls, thereby mitigating risks throughout the program cycle.
- Payment Management Leadership: Spearheaded the creation of documents and procedures for managing payment instruments, tracking transfers, and establishing authority delegations, ensuring robust financial governance.
- Global Payments Solution Setup: Supported the implementation of diverse payment solutions in collaboration with leading service providers, enhancing service delivery at global and regional levels.
- Contract Negotiation Assistance: Provided expert support to country offices in contract negotiations, advising on potential risks and offering strategic risk mitigation measures.
- Emergency Response Support: Conducted missions to enhance emergency preparedness and provided critical support during Level 3 emergency responses, focusing on financial risk management and disbursement processes.
- Establishment of CBT Special Account: Instrumental in setting up a CBT Special Account to deliver platform services to the humanitarian and development sectors, fostering the UN’s ‘Delivering as One’ initiative.
- Financial Risk Review Leadership: Conducted a Global CBT Financial Risk Review to advance risk assurance efforts, enabling the organization to identify and address emerging financial risks effectively.
- Funding Proposal Development: Prepared comprehensive funding proposals tailored to humanitarian contexts, supporting organizational objectives while promoting innovation.
Consultant - School Feeding Policy Division
United Nations World Food Programme
04.2010 - 12.2014
- Benefit-Cost Analysis Expertise: Developed effective methodologies and conducted benefit-cost analyses for school feeding programs across 11 WFP-assisted countries, contributing to comprehensive investment cases.
- Project Management in Education: Led the design of a cost efficiency study comparing conditional cash transfers and food-for-education initiatives in Cambodia in collaboration with the World Bank, enhancing project delivery and outcomes.
- Global Survey Leadership: Directed the second Global School Feeding Survey, updating WFP's flagship publication, The State of School Feeding Worldwide, to provide critical insights into school feeding practices.
- SABER Rollout Support: Assisted in implementing the Systems Approach for Better Education Results (SABER) with various national governments in partnership with PCD London and the World Bank, fostering improvements in educational outcomes.
- Cost Assessment Innovation: Conducted annual cost benchmark analyses of WFP's school feeding programs since 2008, identifying cost containment opportunities and improving cost efficiency across various modalities, particularly through supply chain analysis and Home Grown School Feeding options.
- Cost Reporting Tool Development: Created the first cost reporting tool for new WFP school feeding projects, leveraging insights from program costs between 2008-2012 to enhance financial tracking.
- National Program Cost Analysis: Led the National School Feeding Programs Cost Analysis, providing critical data and insights for informed decision-making.
- Event Participation and Representation: Represented WFP at high-level events such as ECOSOC (Geneva 2010) and GCNF (Addis Ababa 2011), promoting school feeding initiatives and engaging with global stakeholders.
Financial Assistant
UNITERM-EKO
07.2009 - 12.2009
- Analyzing economic factors to determine relationships between regional trends and growth potential of various markets and business developments
- Compiled and analyzed financial information to prepare entries to accounts, such as general ledger accounts, and document business transactions
- Prepared and reviewed budget, revenue, expense, payroll entries, invoices, and other accounting documents
- Interacted with internal and external auditors in completing audits
Education
Master of Science - European And International Policies, Crisis Management
La Sapienza University
Rome, Italy01.2011
BBA - International Economics and Foreign Trade
Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade
Belgrade06.2009
Skills
- Financial Planning & Analysis
- Cash Transfer Programmes
- Digital financial solutions and financial inclusion
- Budget Management
- Compliance & Risk Management
- Financial Reporting & Audit
- Donor Relations & Fund Management
- Financial Systems Implementation
- Team Leadership & Capacity Building
- Strategic Decision Making
- Macroeconomic analysis
Core Competences
- Financial Planning & Analysis
- Cash Transfer Programmes
- Digital financial solutions and financial inclusion
- Budget Management
- Compliance & Risk Management
- Financial Reporting & Audit
- Donor Relations & Fund Management
- Financial Systems Implementation
- Team Leadership & Capacity Building
- Strategic Decision Making
Languages
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Professional Working
Italian
Professional Working
French
Limited Working
Serbian
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Regional Finance Advisor For Latin America and Caribbean
UN World Food Programme
06.2021 - Current
Finance Officer - Cash Based Transfers, Field Support and Business Development Unit
UN World Food Programme
03.2015 - 06.2021
Consultant - School Feeding Policy Division
United Nations World Food Programme
04.2010 - 12.2014
Financial Assistant
UNITERM-EKO
07.2009 - 12.2009
Master of Science - European And International Policies, Crisis Management
La Sapienza University
BBA - International Economics and Foreign Trade
Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade
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