Stephen Etrue

Mr. Etrue is a financial and administrative management expert with over fifteen years of specialized experience in grant management, serving a diverse range of organizations, including NGOs, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). His career is marked by a robust ability to design, implement, and oversee financial systems that ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance in the utilization of donor funds. Mr. Etrue excels in managing complex grants portfolios, from conceptualization through to disbursement and auditing. His deep understanding of the unique financial needs and challenges faced by NGOs, SMEs, and MSMEs has enabled him to effectively support organizational growth and sustainability. His expertise includes budget preparation, expenditure forecasting, key account monitoring, and rigorous financial reporting, ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned with project objectives. Throughout his career, Mr. Etrue has successfully navigated the intricate dynamics of donor-funded projects, fostering strong relationships with donors, financial institutions, and service providers. His hands-on approach in providing financial training and capacity building has empowered organizations to develop and maintain sound financial practices, enhancing their ability to attract and manage grants effectively. His leadership in financial management has been pivotal in advancing the missions of the organizations he has served, contributing to sustainable development and economic empowerment.

• Safeguarding Training, UKAID, World Education Inc.
• USAID Rules and Regulations: Grant and Cooperative Agreements, InsideNGO
• Foundations of Cybersecurity, Google
• SAP Materials Management (MM) Super User Training, Udemy

Grant Management:

• Managed grants for NGOs, SMEs, and MSMEs, overseeing the entire grant lifecycle from application to disbursement and auditing.
• Led competitive Calls for Proposals (CfPs) and coordinated grant applications, evaluations, and approvals.
• Developed and reviewed contracts with sub-grantees, ensuring compliance with donor requirements and regulatory standards.
• Provided financial oversight, including bi-yearly monitoring, financial report reviews, and audit preparation.
• Supported grant recipients with project implementation, milestone verification, and reimbursement claims.
• Conducted financial management training and capacity building for grant recipients and partner organizations.
• Managed grant close-out processes, ensuring compliance, proper documentation, and smooth transitions.

Financial Management:

• Prepared budgets, forecasts, and financial reports for donor-funded projects, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Oversaw financial operations, including expenditure verification, bank reconciliations, and QuickBooks entries.
• Managed financial relationships with donors, financial institutions, and service providers, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
• Conducted audits of partner organizations and ensured audit-ready documentation and compliance with financial policies.

Programmatic Work and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E):

• Coordinated and supported the implementation of donor-funded projects, ensuring alignment with project goals and objectives.
• Organized and conducted site visits to monitor project progress, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and objectives.
• Developed and implemented M&E frameworks, including the design and administration of surveys, baseline, and end-line assessments.
• Reviewed and correlated technical and financial reports to ensure consistency and compliance with donor requirements.
• Led monitoring activities, including bi-yearly field visits, desk reviews of financial documents, and ongoing tracking of program-level spending.
• Drafted comprehensive site visit and milestone verification reports to inform decision-making and project adjustments.
• Provided data and updates to grant specialists and fund managers, contributing to project evaluations and impact assessments.

Administrative and Operational Management:

• Coordinated office operations, including financial management, budgeting, reporting, and logistics.
• Managed logistics, including travel arrangements, event coordination, and stakeholder engagement.
• Provided technical and administrative support, including troubleshooting IT issues and managing office assets.
• Led external communication efforts with banks, partners, and head office to ensure smooth operations.

Human Relations and Resource Management:

• Supported recruitment processes by placing adverts, conducting interviews, and developing sorting and scoring sheets.
• Provided onboarding orientations for new staff, interns, and volunteers, ensuring a smooth transition into the organization.
• Managed employee records, including maintaining up-to-date files and processing monthly payroll (Salary Advices, PAYE, SSNIT, and Time Sheets).
• Administered staff lists and managed leave on HR systems like Replicon.
• Developed monthly payment contracts for service staff and handled all aspects of human resource administration.

Training and Capacity Building:

• Provided financial training to NGOs, SMEs, and MSMEs to develop and maintain basic financial systems.
• Organized and facilitated workshops, training sessions, and information sessions for grant recipients and partner organizations.
• Supported enterprises in preparing grant applications and navigating the funding process, offering tailored guidance and support.

Technical Expertise:

• Managed financial and grant management software, including QuickBooks and Optimy.
• Supervised IT-related tasks, including troubleshooting, software updates, and maintaining secure backup systems.
• Led initiatives to improve financial and administrative workflows through technical solutions.