ZAKARIA ABDUL-RAHIM
HOBBIES
Reading
Summary
Zakaria Abdul-Rahim is the Managing Director of Bowland Consult Ltd. Executive Director of Think Vision Consult and Director & Secretary of CEZ Optimus Limited Company. He is also a financial/ Budget Analyst; an Organisational Development Consultant and Research fellow at the Africa Centre for Retirement Research (ACRR). In Research, he collects and analyzes information, uses the data to problem solve and shape policy direction and also provide efficiency of individuals, Teams and Organizations. Mr. Zakaria Abdul-Rahim has a vast expertise in Research, Finance, Accounting and Budget Analysis; Organisational Development Consultancy and also Gender, Childress and social protection implementation strategies which provides interventions to individual, Teams and organisations for sustainable growth and change. Mr. Zakaria Abdul-Rahim has his initial university education at the University of Cape coast, where he obtained a Bachelor Degree in Commerce in 2010; ABP Post-Graduate Diploma in International Finance Management (PGDIFM), UK, IN 2014. Higher National Diploma in Accountancy at Tamale Technical University. He later obtained an MSc degree and consultancy training (ODCP &ODCC) in Organisational Development in 2018 from the College for Community and Organizational Development, Suyani. He also holds SCQF Level 11 in Accounting and Finance (MSc. Masters) from Concord Business College affiliated to University of Scotland. Mr. Zakaria Abdul-Rahim is very Experienced in organizing team members and coordinating activities to meet institutional requirements. Have practical skills in project implementation, preparation of project work plans, arranging and managing training programmes. Accustomed to working in challenging settings to support teams to deliver quality services by demonstrating strong problem-solving skills, pro-activeness, excellent communication and timely management skills.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Leader - DIRT and AUI PROJECTS
IPA-Innovation for Poverty
11.2024 - Current
- Conducted research that helps support farmers in securing insurance for their farming activities in the Northern Region of Ghana.
- Marketed rainfall-indexed insurance to smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana.
- Sold an insurance product called Sanzali to farmers to bring them out of subsistence farming, and protect them from weather calamities.
- Maintained close connection with project personnel to quickly identify and resolve problems.
- Created project status presentations for delivery to customers or project personnel.
- Tracked and communicated project status to stakeholders and investors through weekly reports.
- Led the successful execution of DIRT and AUI projects, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to project specifications.
- Directed the DIRT and AUI projects, achieving project milestones and maintaining high standards of quality.
- Managed the DIRT and AUI projects, coordinating cross-functional teams to meet project deadlines and objectives.
Managing Director
Bowland Consult Ltd
10.2024 - Current
- An Organizational Development specializes in helping organizations improve their performance and efficiency through various strategies, including organizational structure, culture, leadership development, and change management.
- The company also provides financial management consultancy services to its clients in the following areas:
- Organizational Assessment.
- Leadership development.
- Change management.
- Team building.
- Succession planning.
- Strategic planning.
- Employee engagement and satisfaction.
- Diversity and inclusion.
- Performance management.
- Conflict resolution.
- Organizational design.
- Learning and development.
- Formed and sustained strategic relationships with clients.
- Implemented process improvements initiatives across various departments within the organization.
- Monitored progress by establishing plans, budgets and measuring results.
- Structured HR consulting services to support clients during organizational developments and changes.
- Developed budgeting models used in forecasting future revenues and expenditures.
- Created strategies for increasing revenue streams by leveraging existing customer relationships.
- Completed thorough opening, closing, and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Managed external communications such as press releases, media interviews.
- Performed sales and support activities to meet client needs and maintain service levels.
- Coordinated with senior leadership teams to develop long-term growth plans for the organization.
- Directed strategic planning to develop and implement corporate goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
- Appraised inventory levels on frequent basis, ordering new merchandise to keep quantities well-stocked.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers to maximize cost savings for the organization.
- Created effective business plans to focus strategic decisions on long-term objectives.
- Forecasted customer demand to set prices or credit terms for goods or services.
- Mitigated business risks by working closely with staff members and assessing performance.
- Identified potential risks associated with operations and developed mitigation strategies.
- Provided guidance to team members on project management principles and best practices.
- Contributed to profitability through expense control and pricing practices for products and services.
- Used expertise to cultivate relationships with existing clients, develop new client relationships and win business.
- Monitored financial performance of the organization and initiated corrective actions as needed.
- Evaluated staffing needs based on organizational goals and objectives; recruited personnel accordingly.
- Improved productivity initiatives, managing budgets and accounts, coordinating itinerary and scheduling appointments.
- Prepared staff work schedules and assigned team members to specific duties.
- Participated in development activities such as product launches or promotional events.
- Monitored inventory levels and placed new orders for merchandise to keep supply well-stocked.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to business operations.
- Directed or coordinated financial or budget activities to fund operations and maximize investments.
- Implemented campaigns and promotions to help with developing goods and services.
- Used excellent verbal skills to engage customers in conversation and effectively determine needs and requirements.
- Cultivated relationships with customers, vendors, partners and other external stakeholders.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Implemented successful business strategies to increase revenue and target new markets.
- Broke down strategic problems and analysis to provide insights and recommendations.
- Established performance standards and monitored progress towards achieving them.
- Analyzed industry trends to identify opportunities for expanding market share.
- Used strong issue resolution and communication skills to cultivate and strengthen lasting client relationships.
- Increased efficiency, effectiveness and profitability by managing team productivity, costs and budgets.
- Oversaw day-to-day operations of the company while coordinating with staff members.
- Performed regular reviews of operational processes to reduce costs while maintaining quality standards.
- Facilitated meetings between stakeholders to discuss issues and resolve conflicts effectively.
- Organized marketing campaigns to promote new products and services offered by the company.
- Evaluated performance management systems and devised improvements to strengthen controls and optimize results.
- Coordinated and directed activities of businesses or departments concerning production, pricing and sales.
- Formulated strategic vision to drive mission and goals while stimulating revenue, profitability and growth.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Reviewed financial statements and sales or activity reports to measure productivity or goal achievement.
- Reviewed reports from departments to identify areas of improvement in operational efficiency.
- Contributed to professional development of client staff through effective training and mentorship.
- Developed rapport and instilled confidence with clients to develop credibility and earn trust.
Senior Researcher
Africa Centre for Retirement Research (ACRR)
01.2021 - 12.2021
- Responsible for collating, organizing, and verifying necessary information for a specific subject on pensions, Retirement and social protection
- Duties performed included analyzing data, gathering and comparing resources, ensuring facts, sharing findings with the whole research team, adhering to required methodologies, performing fieldwork as needed, and keeping critical information confidential
Senior Budget Analyst
Local Government Service
01.2012 - 12.2020
- As Budget Analyst, I Analyzed financial data and reports for budget formulation; approval implementation and M&E
- Collaborated with the Accountant/Finance Officers in the preparation and submission of comprehensive expenditure returns every month;
- Monitored budgetary allocations and expenditure;
- Ensured the collection and collation of data for the processing of information for budget;
- Participated in the processes of revenue mobilization activities and provided technical guidance
- Established database for financial planning and resource mobilization;
- Ensured the development of the capabilities, skills and knowledge of staff within the Budget Unit
Education
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level 11 in Accounting and Finance (Masters) -
Concord Business College
Accra, Ghana01.2025
MSc. In Organisational Development -
College for Community and Organizational Development (CCOD)
12.2018
Academy of Business Professionals (ABP) Post-Graduate Diploma in International Finance Management (PGDIFM), UK -
Concord Business College
Accra, Ghana12.2014
Bachelor of Commerce (B.COM) -
University of Cape Coast
12.2010
Teacher’s Certificate ‘A’ -
Tamale Training College (Tamale College of Education)
Tamale, Ghana12.2009
Single Diploma in Human Resource Management (HRM), (ICM, UK) -
Institute of Commercial Management
01.2008
Higher National Diploma in Accountancy -
Tamale Polytechnic (Tamale Technical University)
Tamale, Ghana12.2006
Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) -
Ghana Secondary School
Tamale, Ghana12.1997
Skills
- Research and documentation skills
- Adaptability
- Fast learner
- Numerical skills
- Ability to work in rural settings
- Team player
- Leadership skills
- Interpersonal relationship skills
- Proactive
- Responsibility
- Organizational skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Proficiency in GIFMIS Oracle Software
- Proficiency in ACTIVATE Software
- Time management
- Meeting deadlines
- Communication skills (Verbal and Written)
References
Available on Request
Trainingprogrammes
- Trained On The New Public Financial Management ACT, 2016(ACT 921), Local Government Service, 2016
- Trained on Gender-Based Budgeting, SEND Ghana, 2016
- Training on Ghana Strengthening Accountability Mechanism (GSAM), USAID, 2016
- Trained on Public Investment Projects (PIP), Public Investment and Assets Division (PIAD) of Ministry of Finance, Ghana, 2016
- Trained On Computerized Budget Transfer & Monitoring System (BTMS), Ministry of Finance (MoFEP), 2016
- Trained on the Results Based Financing And Expression Of Interest Orientation (RBF-EOI), UNICEF, 2016
- Trained workshop on the Composite Budget Preparation, Fiscal Decentralization Unit –Ministry of Finance, 2016
- Training on Revenue Planning And Fee-Fixing Resolution, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GiZ), 2016
Timeline
Project Leader - DIRT and AUI PROJECTS
IPA-Innovation for Poverty
11.2024 - Current
Managing Director
Bowland Consult Ltd
10.2024 - Current
Senior Researcher
Africa Centre for Retirement Research (ACRR)
01.2021 - 12.2021
Senior Budget Analyst
Local Government Service
01.2012 - 12.2020
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level 11 in Accounting and Finance (Masters) -
Concord Business College
MSc. In Organisational Development -
College for Community and Organizational Development (CCOD)
Academy of Business Professionals (ABP) Post-Graduate Diploma in International Finance Management (PGDIFM), UK -
Concord Business College
Bachelor of Commerce (B.COM) -
University of Cape Coast
Teacher’s Certificate ‘A’ -
Tamale Training College (Tamale College of Education)
Single Diploma in Human Resource Management (HRM), (ICM, UK) -
Institute of Commercial Management
Higher National Diploma in Accountancy -
Tamale Polytechnic (Tamale Technical University)
Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) -
Ghana Secondary School