I have a passion for using my skills and experiences to positively affect the lives of people impacted by calamities around the world. It was this passion that led me to the United Nations (UN) where I have worked continuously since 2007. During this time I have visited many locations destroyed by armed conflict. Listening to the heart-wrenching stories of victims motivated me to contribute in my own small way to improve the situation.
My accounting journey began while I was at university in Cameroon, where I volunteered as the cashier at my local church. It was my first experience of finance, and I took the opportunity very seriously. My diligence paid off as a missionary group spotted my good work and recommended me to a local Christian charity. From there, I went to the UK where I studied for my ACCA qualification, again helping out at my local church, which took me into its administrative team.
My best times are when my work directly contributes to changing lives
It was on my return to Africa in 2007 that I joined the UN, taking up a role as finance officer at its mission in Liberia. I went on to work in successive UN finance roles in the Central African Republic and Côte D’Ivoire before being seconded to the headquarters in New York as a subject matter expert in finance and budgeting.
My year in the US was formative. I worked with specialists configuring enterprise resource planning software to manage the UN’s financial, human and physical resources around the world and improve programme delivery. The work involved developing training materials and training trainers and end users in New York, Lebanon, Italy and several parts of Africa.
Following my secondment, I returned to Abidjan, Côte D’Ivoire. As chief finance and budget officer, I oversaw the shared services centre, providing financial services to the UN’s missions there and in Mali. After nearly three years, I moved to Unicef in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as operations manager, before taking my current position at the Unicef Niger country office in Niamey in 2020.
Thanks to ACCA, I have been involved in many initiatives that unearthed fraud
Niger faces many issues, including climate change, high population growth, security issues and low literacy. These combine to limit development and pose challenges in providing essential goods and services to children. Unicef Niger partners with the government and NGOs to ensure that every child is healthy and safe from HIV/AIDs and malnutrition, with access to clean water, good hygiene and education. Unicef Niger programmes also work with and support the most vulnerable adolescents in the country, such as teenage mothers.
My best times at Unicef are when my work plays a direct part in changing people’s lives. For instance, in the DRC, community workers now receive their allowances through a mobile payment system that I set up. I was overwhelmed when these workers introduced me to people who had been cured of Ebola; I could see how my training, skills and experiences were contributing to save lives. I would strongly recommend a career in finance at an NGO, as the reward goes beyond the money.
Investing in people’s wellbeing yields returns that exceed what money can give
My biggest achievement has been in fraud risk management. Thanks to my ACCA training, I have been involved in many initiatives that have unearthed fraud and protected my employers’ resources.
My favourite mantra reflects the personal satisfaction to be gained from helping others. It is: Investing in the wellbeing of people yields returns that exceed what money can give.
If I had law-making powers, I would have legislation guaranteeing access to essential services for children and vulnerable people.
If I was not working in finance, I believe would have been a lecturer and a pastor. In my spare time I love listening to Christian music and keeping up with developments in my environment and the world.
