Benjamin Hobbs Email & Phone Number

Chapel Hill, Nc, Us

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

•Project, Financial, and Compliance Management experience working on a portfolio of over 12 US Department of State grant and cooperative agreements in Iraq, with a total portfolio of over $30 million;•Using MS Excel and IBM Cognos tracked monthly, quarterly, and annual financial forecasting in collaboration with senior management, created and maintained budgets and pipelines to monitor spending, identify and address variances;•Collaborated with program team to draft and review… Show more •Project, Financial, and Compliance Management experience working on a portfolio of over 12 US Department of State grant and cooperative agreements in Iraq, with a total portfolio of over $30 million;•Using MS Excel and IBM Cognos tracked monthly, quarterly, and annual financial forecasting in collaboration with senior management, created and maintained budgets and pipelines to monitor spending, identify and address variances;•Collaborated with program team to draft and review proposal budgets, successfully securing over $5 million in new awards and cost modifications including the Environmental Action Academy and the Promoting American Technology IKR programs;•Trained as a Grants and Contracts Office Representative in 2021 to provide review of subaward documentation up to $250k and serve as the grants and compliance subject matter expert on the Iraq team;•Collaborated with program team on management of subawards, providing compliance guidance on approximately 24 subgrant agreements;•Conducted monthly reviews of Iraq financial reports and budgets working with teams to identify financial risks and develop mitigation strategies, and escalating as appropriate;•Liaised directly with external stakeholders on drafting, negotiating and executing contract and grant agreements to support programmatic activities;•Managed the Iraq programs finance team, including direct supervision of Baghdad-based Finance and Operations Officer and indirect supervision of Finance and Operations Manager;•Conducted trainings with over 46 internal and external team members and stakeholders on financial management, grants, and USG compliance;•Successfully completed AidTrain US Government Rules and Regulations, including 2CFR200 and USAID rules and regulations, training in June 2024.•Chaired panel presentation representing IREX and the Investing in the Liberated University of Tikrit program at the Comparative and International Education Society conference in February 2022 Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Managed full cycle project management for 4 projects funded by the US Embassy Baghdad including initiation of grants, planning, execution, monitoring, and closingManaged the budgets of 4 Iraq Higher Ed programs totalling over $2 million including approving field office requests, forecasting and budget analysis, submitting and preparing invoices for paymentUtilized Excel to produce project management tracking systems for subgrants, assemble and edit metadata for SharepointAdvised… Show more Managed full cycle project management for 4 projects funded by the US Embassy Baghdad including initiation of grants, planning, execution, monitoring, and closingManaged the budgets of 4 Iraq Higher Ed programs totalling over $2 million including approving field office requests, forecasting and budget analysis, submitting and preparing invoices for paymentUtilized Excel to produce project management tracking systems for subgrants, assemble and edit metadata for SharepointAdvised external stakeholders on technical areas of project management Show less

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

● Managed band equipment, efficiently setting up and tearing down equipment for multiple performances per month● Provided technical support throughout performance, including sound monitoring and equipment troubleshooting● Provided sound and equipment support for large events - 2019 Irish Festival in Wake Forest

Cary, Nc

● Provided project management support to Retail Support Associate for major projects including: breaking down projects into smaller tasks, generating work plans, prioritizing work flow, orchestrating multiple tasks at one time● Utilized problem solving skills to generate creative solutions to technical issues● Consistently met timelines for deliverables

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

● Collaborated with the Section Coordinator, training students in Arabic oral communication skills● Planned multiple lessons per week teaching 40+ students per semester● Engaged students by providing presentations in Arabic on ongoing trends in Syria, Iraq, Yemen● Commended by students and staff for increasing students' regional knowledge

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

● Monitored Matching Grant direct services budget, including discretionary funds totaling ~$70,000● Oversaw donor contributions to clients, totaling around $25,000, reported itemized donation reports to HQ and federal agencies● Managed employment staff, interns, volunteers, and service members including: coordinating appointments with clients, scheduling, technical assistance● Oversaw core program deliverables including establishing client self sufficiency through budgeting… Show more ● Monitored Matching Grant direct services budget, including discretionary funds totaling ~$70,000● Oversaw donor contributions to clients, totaling around $25,000, reported itemized donation reports to HQ and federal agencies● Managed employment staff, interns, volunteers, and service members including: coordinating appointments with clients, scheduling, technical assistance● Oversaw core program deliverables including establishing client self sufficiency through budgeting documentation, reporting to HQ and external stakeholders at 120 and 180 day benchmarks● Maintained extensive documentation records, including case notes and case files Show less

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

● Program/Project management experience with four USG programs with a total client population of 1000+ refugees, average load of 100 clients per month● Leadership experience supervising, assigning responsibilities, troubleshooting for team including staff, interns, volunteers, service members, others providing high quality deliverables to clients● Worked with Area Manager to design a new budget and work plan for the Refugee Assistance Program grant with a budget of over $250,000●… Show more ● Program/Project management experience with four USG programs with a total client population of 1000+ refugees, average load of 100 clients per month● Leadership experience supervising, assigning responsibilities, troubleshooting for team including staff, interns, volunteers, service members, others providing high quality deliverables to clients● Worked with Area Manager to design a new budget and work plan for the Refugee Assistance Program grant with a budget of over $250,000● Designed two new program initiatives under the Refugee Assistance Program contract piloting new approaches to refugee employment and integration● Developed, edited major reports sharing program accomplishments, challenges to funders● Training in multiple aspects of project management including: revising and generating SOW,developing budgets, budget forecasting, monthly expenditure review and reconciliation● Continued to work in a Senior Program Officer role after the hiring of a new staff member due to technical knowledge of the programs and clients● Formally recognized for collaborative work - Teamwork Award Q3 FY2018 Show less

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

Managed USG funded Reception and Placement (R&P) program providing high quality services to clients for 90 days reporting to the Refugee Services Coordinator.● Supported successful resettlement of dozens of newly arrived refugees, including international travel,domestic transportation, housing, material needs, case management● Maintained extensive documentation of services via case notes and service hour tracking systems● Maintained project and client files on shared drives… Show more Managed USG funded Reception and Placement (R&P) program providing high quality services to clients for 90 days reporting to the Refugee Services Coordinator.● Supported successful resettlement of dozens of newly arrived refugees, including international travel,domestic transportation, housing, material needs, case management● Maintained extensive documentation of services via case notes and service hour tracking systems● Maintained project and client files on shared drives, Sharepoint● Formally recognized for productive work - Extra Mile Award Q1 FY2018 Show less

Raleigh

● Provided direct services to clients in support of self sufficiency, collaborated with employment staff to provide clients with gainful employment● Conducted intake interviews with clients to enroll clients in program and to establish collaborative work plans● Utilized Arabic language skills to interpret for clients throughout service provision, often for multiple hours at a time and sometimes as much as a full days work● Received nearly two dozen referrals from the Syrian… Show more ● Provided direct services to clients in support of self sufficiency, collaborated with employment staff to provide clients with gainful employment● Conducted intake interviews with clients to enroll clients in program and to establish collaborative work plans● Utilized Arabic language skills to interpret for clients throughout service provision, often for multiple hours at a time and sometimes as much as a full days work● Received nearly two dozen referrals from the Syrian community in Raleigh due to Arabic language skills and advocacy work on their behalf● Led team effort during 2018 State audit of the RAP program, prioritizing tasks, assigning responsibilities, providing technical support● Trained as Senior Program Officer in April 2018, replacing previous SPO until a new staff member could be hired Show less

Cary, Nc

Managed a staff of 4 to 10 individuals, ensuring proper logistic & technical support to 14 stores● Managed Asset Management system, tracking shipments and stocks across company● Prioritized workflow, effectively balancing competing deadlines ensuring timely delivery● Worked with accounts payable to ensure on time payment of invoices● Coordinated with store managers tracking procurement requests● Managed Human Resources, hiring, and training for warehouse staff● Provided… Show more Managed a staff of 4 to 10 individuals, ensuring proper logistic & technical support to 14 stores● Managed Asset Management system, tracking shipments and stocks across company● Prioritized workflow, effectively balancing competing deadlines ensuring timely delivery● Worked with accounts payable to ensure on time payment of invoices● Coordinated with store managers tracking procurement requests● Managed Human Resources, hiring, and training for warehouse staff● Provided direct logistical support during high traffic times and as needed to correct errors Show less

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

Research experience in an education setting - compiled, analyzed data for published reports on politicalscience topics● Approximately 2 years training in statistical methods, quantitative and qualitative, and analysis software

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

● Worked with Arabic Section Coordinator to prepare and present to beginner(FLA 103 and 104), intermediate(FLA 203, 204, 301, 330) and advanced(FLA 495) students of the Arabic language● Returned after graduation with Masters to continue teaching labs in an instructor role

Cary, Nc

● Assured the quality of products prior to shipping to stores● Accurately and quickly divided bulk shipments per supervisor request● Assisted Retail Support with large projects● Delivered product as needed for expedience or when regular delivery driver was on leave● Promoted to Warehouse Manager in June 2016

Cary, Nc

● Worked part time supporting retail store with construction projects, storing large fixtures, etc.● Promoted to Warehouse Assistant in Summer 2013

Pittsboro, Nc

● Volunteered an average of 2 hrs per day aiding Science Dept staff set up labs for students● Maintained a safe and clean environment● Occasionally, with supervision of staff, handled hazardous materials including: strong acids, combustibles, heavy metals, etc.

Master'S Degree, International/Global Studies

Graduated in May 2017 with MIS with a concentration in the Middle East and North African studies, with a personal focus on the Arabic.

Bachelor'S Degree, Sociology

Graduated Summa Cum Laude and recognized for Highest Academic Achievement in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology. Minor in Middle.

Non-Degree, Arabic Studies, Level 4