Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Volunteer

Isimkah Ibuakah

Lagos,Nigeria

Summary

Accomplished professional with a proven track record of providing high-quality policy guidance to senior government officials and executives in the public and private sector. Dynamic leader and strategic thinker adept in project management and legal research. Excelled in driving financial sector reforms and legal compliance, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and client satisfaction.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Consultant

George Ikoli & Okagbue LLP
08.2023 - 10.2023
  • Supported strategic consultations with senior management on potential opportunities for new financial leasing products.
  • Evaluated client needs and expectations, establishing clear goals for consulting engagement.
  • Identified potential strategies to boost financial leasing and achieve scale and growth across target countries in Africa based on global trends.
  • Evaluated client needs and expectations, establishing clear goals for each consulting engagement.

Operations Officer (Sub-regional Focal Point)

International Finance Corporation (IFC)
07.2020 - 10.2022
    • Implemented processes that streamlined on-going interventions and restructured program approach to reduce implementation costs.
    • Coordinated and led meetings to inform management and stakeholders of operational challenges and suggested improvements.
    • Managed budgets effectively, ensuring optimal financial performance while investing in necessary resources for business growth.
    • Streamlined workflows by identifying bottlenecks in on-going interventions, restructured existing programs and introduced appropriate solutions.
    • Cross-trained 3 entry level staff from other units in Nigeria and India, as part of a corporate mentoring program using remote tools, fostering a pipeline of future leaders within the organization.

Senior Financial Sector Specialist

IFC - World Bank Group
07.2015 - 06.2020
    • Strengthened country coordination with senior officials of government and multilateral agencies at strategic committees to ensure effective results and program delivery.
    • Directed work programs of multi-functional teams assigned across 9 multi-year programs on financial sector reforms in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan and Palestine.
    • Collaborated with cross-functional teams across IFC and IBRD to achieve project goals on time and within budget.
    • Followed all company policies and procedures to deliver quality work.

Legal Adviser (Operations Officer)

International Finance Corporation (IFC)
10.2008 - 06.2015
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge on industry trends and regulations, ensuring accurate advice was provided to clients at all times.
  • Managed risk effectively by closely monitoring program results and making timely adjustments.
  • Developed 2 capacity building initiatives on corporate governance with Chartered Institute of Bankers Nigeria and strategic partner associations in other African countries such as Institute of Directors and Central Banks.

Head - Banking and Finance Practice

Olaniwun Ajayi LP
06.2004 - 09.2008
    • Advised corporate clients on several transactions covering legal and regulatory compliance, commercial disputes, contract drafting; project and corporate finance – IPOs, domestic and international bond issuance, asset divestitures, mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and insolvency.
    • Mentored and coached a team of 8 counsel on negotiation skills, corporate secretarial, commercial legal advisory and due diligence procedures.
    • Initiated a business development strategy to increase profitability, resulting in an increase of $3.5million revenue.
    • Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.

Legal and Compliance Officer

Barclays (Private Banking)
09.2003 - 12.2003
  • Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
  • Worked effectively in fast-paced environments and exceeded set target of 150 client files for the review process.
  • Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Education

Master of Arts - Law

University of Warwick
Coventry, United Kingdom
08.2003

Bachelor of Arts - Law

University of Benin
Nigeria
09.1997

Skills

  • Team Leadership & Development
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Client management
  • Legal Research
  • Policy analysis
  • Legislative affairs
  • Policy Advocacy
  • Research and evaluation
  • Contract drafting
  • Project Management
  • Complex Problem-Solving

Accomplishments

  • Collaborated with team of 12 members in the development of Jordan Equitable Growth Programmatic Loan 2017 - 2022.
  • Achieved adoption of 3 laws and 6 regulations in 3 countries leading to introduction of 2 credit bureaus and 2 registries for movable collateral.
  • Designed and implemented the project, Jordan Access to Finance Review, which resulted in recommendations for institutional improvements and regulatory reforms to boost access to finance for MSMEs, youth and women.

Certification

  • CAPM - Certified Associate in Project Management
  • Digital Marketing Training - 2023 - 2024
  • Barrister of Law (Supreme Court of Nigeria - 1999

Timeline

Consultant

George Ikoli & Okagbue LLP
08.2023 - 10.2023

Operations Officer (Sub-regional Focal Point)

International Finance Corporation (IFC)
07.2020 - 10.2022

Senior Financial Sector Specialist

IFC - World Bank Group
07.2015 - 06.2020

Legal Adviser (Operations Officer)

International Finance Corporation (IFC)
10.2008 - 06.2015

Head - Banking and Finance Practice

Olaniwun Ajayi LP
06.2004 - 09.2008

Legal and Compliance Officer

Barclays (Private Banking)
09.2003 - 12.2003

Master of Arts - Law

University of Warwick

Bachelor of Arts - Law

University of Benin

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Isimkah Ibuakah