Agnes Ochieng

Operations and systems leader with 18+ years of experience designing and leading multi-country operating models across Africa. Specializes in transforming fragmented, compliance-driven functions into integrated, decision-oriented systems that enable scale, strengthen governance, and improve execution. Track record of building and aligning finance, HR, procurement, risk, and data systems across complex environments—supporting portfolios of up to USD 55M and operations spanning 12+ African countries.

Known for applying a structured systems lens through the NGO Systems Maturity Model, aligning four critical pillars: financial stewardship, operational systems, governance & risk, and decision-useful data to ensure organizations can scale impact reliably. Brings strong financial judgment, deep experience in multi-entity compliance, and a leadership approach grounded in clarity, accountability, and cross-regional integration.

Director of Operations at The Action Foundation (TAF) (2025-06 – 2025-12)

Led enterprise-wide operations across finance, HR, procurement, ICT, safeguarding, and risk for a USD 55M portfolio, ensuring systems could support organizational scale and donor accountability. Directly supervised 4 Managers and was the chairperson of the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT)

• Oversee end-to-end operations including finance, procurement, HR, ICT, safeguarding, facilities management, MEL, and partner relations.
• Lead annual planning, budgeting, operational performance monitoring, and risk management.
• Strengthen donor engagement through coordinating strategic visits, roundtables, reporting, and visibility activities.
• Represent the Executive Director in high-level meetings, policy dialogues, sector convenings, and strategic workshops.
• Lead systems strengthening initiatives including policy reviews, SOP development, internal control enhancements, and organizational digitization.
• Provide leadership for infrastructure development, office expansions, and operational readiness.
• Support fundraising, cross-sectoral partnerships, and institutional sustainability initiatives.
• Designed and implemented an integrated operating model aligning finance, HR, procurement, and program systems, improving cross-functional coordination and execution discipline
• Led ERP (Microsoft Dynamics) implementation, enabling real-time visibility across financial, operational, and program data
• Strengthened internal control and governance frameworks, enhancing audit readiness and risk management.
• Coordinated strategic donor engagements including visits by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Co-Impact, donor roundtable and represented executive leadership in sector policy forums and stakeholder dialogues.
• Institutionalized planning and performance management rhythms, improving leadership decision-making and accountability
• Coordinated high-level donor and stakeholder engagements, strengthening external confidence and partnerships
• Oversaw infrastructure expansion and operational readiness for organizational growth

Team Lead, Financial Resources and Investments at Echo Network Africa (ENA) (2015-07 – 2024-03)

Directed financial strategy and operational systems across six entities with a USD 10M annual budget, supporting the organization's transition to a scalable, donor-funded development model. Directly supervised 5 staff

• Lead strategic and annual budgeting, treasury, liquidity, cost allocation, and long-term investment planning.
• Oversee full grant lifecycle for major donors: USAID, Mastercard, UN Women, FCDO, GCC.
• Supervise ERP upgrades integrating finance, procurement, assets, payroll, and inventory systems.
• Develop governance policies: financial, procurement, investment, and compliance frameworks.
• Support Board committees—Finance, Audit & Risk—through reporting and strategy guidance.
• Strengthen collaboration and alignment across finance, HR, ICT, procurement, and program teams.
• Built and aligned financial, operational, and governance systems across multiple entities, improving consistency and transparency
• Led ERP system upgrades integrating finance, procurement, payroll, and asset management
• Strengthened board reporting and decision-support systems, enabling more strategic oversight
• Managed full donor lifecycle (USAID, FCDO, UN Women, Mastercard Foundation), ensuring compliance and high-quality reporting
• Developed financial sustainability and investment strategies, increasing unrestricted income by 35%
• Built compliance capacity across 10+ implementing partners, improving ecosystem-wide performance

Finance & Administration Officer, Eastern Africa at Building Wood Workers International BWI (2007-01 – 2013-01)

Managed regional financial and operational coordination across 12 African countries for multi-donor funded programs (World Bank, IFC, AfDB).

• Oversee budgeting, grant tracking, and donor reporting across Eastern and Southern Africa affiliates.
• Manage procurement processes and contract compliance with multiple stakeholders.
• Support affiliate financial training and performance audits, raising regional compliance standards.
• Provide administrative coordination for logistics, travel, and stakeholder engagements.
• Ensure alignment of financial practices with organizational strategy and donor regulations.
• Oversaw multi-country budgeting, reporting, and compliance systems
• Strengthened financial management capacity across regional affiliates
• Coordinated cross-border operations, procurement, and logistics systems
• Supported audits and ensured compliance across diverse regulatory environments

Finance and Administration Manager at NEPHAK (2013-02 – 2014-08)

Led financial and operational turnaround under a USAID-funded institutional strengthening program.

• Implement Sage ERP and iSoft HRM systems, streamlining financial management and payroll processes.
• Lead development of financial and administrative policies aligned with NEPHAK's strategic goals
• Oversee HR functions including recruitment, performance reviews, and grievance resolution.
• Collaborate with the executive team and board on financial planning, sustainability, and risk mitigation.
• Coordinate procurement, contract compliance, and donor communication across programs.
• Supported sub-grantees with budgeting tools, financial training, and reporting structures
• Implemented ERP (Sage & iSoft HRM) to strengthen financial and HR systems
• Rebuilt financial controls and governance frameworks
• Restored donor confidence and secured new funding

Project Accountant at National Museums of Kenya (NMK) (2003-04 – 2006-12)

Managed financial operations for Sida/SAREC and EU-funded biodiversity and climate research consortiums.

• Prepare budgets and ensured financial monitoring across consortium partners.
• Coordinate donor reporting, compliance documentation, and audit preparations.
• Process payroll, payments, and financial reconciliations.
• Manage workshop logistics and vendor payments across international stakeholders.
• Ensured transparent financial oversight across 3-country partner networks.
• Delivered accurate and timely donor reports, securing continued funding.
• Strengthened financial controls and preparedness for audits.

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance – Kenyatta University (2014-12)

Bachelor of Business Management in Finance & Banking – Moi University (2010-12)

Certified Public Accountant – Strathmore University (2007-06)