Farhana Sayed

Strategy enablement

• Identified key performance indicators, enabling clients to monitor progress towards business objectives.
• Enhanced client satisfaction by providing exceptional customer service and timely project completion.
• Produced detailed and relevant reports for use in making business decisions.
• Conducted thorough reviews of operations to devise and deploy improvement strategies.

Organizational transformation

• Conducted thorough assessments of clients'' operational structures, recommending actionable steps for improvement.
• Evaluated current processes to develop improvement plans
• Leveraged on-site observation and personal interviews to identify team and individual strengths.
• Optimized resource allocation by identifying inefficiencies and implementing cost-saving measures.
• Reviewed internal systems and organized training plans to address areas in need of improvement.
• Provided expert guidance on change management initiatives, leading to successful business transformations.
• Streamlined client operations by implementing process improvements and organizational restructuring.
• Evaluated diverse organizational systems to identify workflow, communication, and resource utilization issues.
• Increased employee satisfaction and motivation through training classes, meetings and special workshops.

Portfolio, Programme, Project management advisory, delivery, consulting

• Managed complex projects from inception to completion, ensuring timely delivery within budget constraints.
• Delivered tailored solutions for clients in various industries, addressing unique challenges and needs.
• Enhanced client satisfaction by providing exceptional customer service and timely project completion.

Risk assessment and mitigation recommendations for inflight projects

• Advised clients on risk management strategies, mitigating potential threats to their businesses'' stability.
• Created and optimized records management strategies to coordinate and protect information.

Setting up of Project Management Office (PMO) structure and implementation

• Evaluated the business' requirements based on existing inflight projects, potential projects and identified delivery risks
• Evaluated resource technical and behavioral skillsets
• Provided holistic report and roadmap to enable a PMO within the organisation
• Supported the organisation in adopting a PMO mindset

Conflict Management

• Facilitated client negotiations resulting in mutually beneficial agreements and long-term partnerships.
• Developed strong relationships with key stakeholders at all organizational levels, fostering collaboration across departments.
• Improved communication at all levels and transformed company culture into more productive atmosphere.
• Mentored junior consultants in effective communication techniques, analytical skills development, and problem-solving methodologies.

• Strategic Portfolio enabler for Old Mutual Africa Regions (OMAR),
• Ensured effective delivery of Initiatives,
• Project prioritization, budgets and maturing benefits realization framework to improve project investment returns,
• Support of effective customer and intermediary experiences,
• Creation of delivery structures across countries to support the change portfolios,
• Identifying execution risk trends across OMAR and managed mitigation plans across Enablers,
• Ensured soundness of Control Environment
• Proactively communicated changes in market conditions that warranted adjustments within portfolios, minimizing potential losses or missed opportunities.
• Continuously refined investment processes, incorporating the latest industry best practices for optimal results.
• Negotiated favorable terms with external service providers to reduce costs while maintaining high-quality services for clients.
• Enhanced portfolio performance by implementing effective investment strategies and risk management techniques.
• Participated in internal committees focused on improving firm-wide policies, leading discussions on best practices in portfolio management.
• Streamlined reporting procedures for greater efficiency in communicating portfolio updates to clients.
• Mentored junior team members, sharing knowledge on portfolio management techniques and fostering professional development.
• Strengthened client relationships, conducting regular meetings to review portfolio performance and address concerns.
• Implemented robust compliance measures to adhere to regulatory requirements while managing client assets effectively.
• Conducted due diligence on prospective investments, ensuring alignment with clients'' risk tolerance levels and financial objectives.
• Presented detailed reports on portfolio performance, highlighting key drivers of growth and areas of improvement.
• Reduced risk exposure by monitoring market developments and adjusting investment strategies accordingly.
• Communicated market developments, portfolio changes and annual performance information to clients.
• Facilitated portfolio performance review and implemented new strategies.
• Complied with established internal controls and policies.
• Evaluated and negotiated contracts to procure favorable financial terms.
• Implemented and regularly reviewed financial controls to generate accurate and reliable financial data.
• Improved overall financial reporting by streamlining control processes and reporting structures.
• Analyzed business processes to identify cost savings and operational efficiencies.
• Reviewed historical records, current operational data and forecasting information to identify and capitalize on system enhancement opportunities.
• Collaborated with C-level executives and stakeholders to develop long-term financial plans.

• Team Lead within Africa Technology Retail and Business Bank BU with complete accountability for the development and end-to-end delivery of IT strategy and architecture,
• IT Services and change programmes,
• Defined and executed the IT strategy for the specific Technology BU platforms enabling the change teams to deliver world class, sustainable business solutions and applications,
• Accountable for senior stakeholder relationships with business units, Conducted all communication between stakeholders,
• Accountable for team management and performance,
• Owned and drove the successful delivery of programme/projects to plan, budget and quality and governance standards,
• Managing systems physical site migration & upgrade of software,
• Decommissioning of legacy applications,
• Collaborated with colleagues and support staff to maximize team efficiency.
• Liaised between partners and internal stakeholders to resolve conflicts.
• Evaluated productivity and quality of service and made recommendations for improvement to reach firm's short-term and long-term goals.
• Networked with other professionals and organizations to expand contacts and opportunities.
• Prepared and presented reports on status of projects and initiatives.
• Effectively manage third party and Vendor relationships

• This was the Emerging Payments department where payment innovations were initiated and delivered across SA and Rest of Africa. Remittances, Digital wallets and digital cards projects delivery by utilising existing software, enhancing digital channels to allow processing of the new products
• Developed detailed plans based on broad guidance and direction.
• Planned, created, tested and deployed system life cycle methodology to produce high quality systems to meet and exceed customer expectations.
• Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
• Successfully managed budgets and allocated resources to maximize productivity and profitability.
• Managed unpacking Business requirements for onward translation to the technical build team
• Unpacked the processes and procedures for the new product
• Managed vendor and legal management with Mastercard, VISA and other vendors for their input and requirements
• Achieved AGILE product development and delivery to meet market launch dates. AGILE build of on-the-go software
• Maintained compliance by ensuring architectural review of existing remittances vs future remittances
• Managed AGILE testing and soft launch of products
• Managed marketing of the product and launch campaigns for the Digital wallet and unpacked Customer experience (CX)
• Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
• Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers

• This was a Business strategic programme to mplement a reconciliation strategy across RoA
• Review of existing people, process and technology related to the overall Reconciliation Business
• Reduced operational costs through comprehensive process improvement initiatives and resource management
• Creation of new Target Operating Model (TOM)
• Streamlined workflows by identifying bottlenecks in existing systems and proactively addressing these challenges through appropriate solutions implementation.
• Standardization of business processes and technology across related business units
• Established robust risk mitigation strategies to safeguard against potential operational challenges or disruptions.
• Led change management initiatives to drive organizational transformation without compromising employee morale or productivity levels.
• Documentation of enhanced processes, procedures, training manuals
• Ensuring end user training was successful and signed off
• Technical L1/L2 training provisioned
• Facilitated successful cross-functional collaborations for the completion of key projects, fostering strong working relationships among team members.

• Feasibility study to undertake a Mainframe migration i.e. Relocation of the Mainframe from one datacenter to another
• Faciliated multiple technical workshops with multi-skilled teams to unpack risks and mitigation strategies
• End result was an upfront saving of R250m to the Bank and identification of various dependency projects that needed to commence in order to migrate the mainframe from Riversand to Samrand data centers
• Database Consolidation and Upgrades of SQL, DB2 and Oracle DB
• All database projects ran in parallel
• Multiple teams were co-ordinated across the Bank
• Successfully decommissioned unused dbs and servers
• Updated the Bank’s control points with the updated information

• Management of multiple projects relating to GIS risk identification and mitigation across the bank
• Vendor contractual negotiations and management
• Interaction with application owners across the Bank
• Programme was halted due to restructure within the Organisation

• Successfully led the implementation of a new application (Calypso) for Global Markets, Global Market Operations, Credit Risk, Market Risk and Finance for Rest of Africa Corporate Investment Banking (CIB) -
• 12 countries were delivered to
• Co-ordinated teams across 8 countries at any one point,
• Multiple travels to various African countries for roadshows to obtain buy-in, explain the product, the impact and then maintaining these relationships with all countries until the product was implemented in that market
• Built many relationships during this time which led to the success of the programme

• Initiation, management and implementation of a vendor-based testing solution for the Core Banking Programme
• Stakeholder management at Executive level within Standard Bank and external Vendors was key during this time
• 42 (and growing) affected applications owners and technical teams were identified and negotiated with for their deliverables to the programme
• WIPRO contract was initiated and negotiated at length to ensure that full coverage of Bank’s requirements were met both functionally and non-functionally
• Testing was required to mitigate any risks that the Bank may face
• Was instrumental in identifying overall programme risks and gaps
• Was instrumental in ensuring that testing timelines were provisioned for in the end delivery plans

• Performed quality assessments on testing departments
• Conduct evaluation workshops with key stakeholders and various project team
• Analysis of current systems development lifecycle
• Analysis of current testing process/methodology
• Analysis of current release management process and governance controls
• Analysis of environment management policies
• Analysis of current defect management process
• Analysis of change management process
• Analysis of security and access control procedures
• Analysis of production support calls and history of production defects
• Analysis of current Test Tools and suitable test tools
• Understood and defined processes and solutions within the organization
• Project managed the implementation of these processes and solutions in a team environment
• Unpacked the business domain
• Participated in solution definition and strategy formulation
• Prepared business cases to validate benefit

• Project management of various projects in the Global Markets space
• Vendor management of new applications landing in Corporate Investment Banking (CIB)
• Implementation of new products
• Stakeholder management
• Budget management
• Risk management
• Resource management
• Steerco chair

• Test Manager
• Championed process improvements that led to significant reductions in defect rates across multiple projects.
• Prepare test materials (test guidelines, procedures, templates) for functional areas use,
• Improved software quality by implementing comprehensive test strategies and plans.
• Monitor test planning progress and execution efforts,
• Established metrics and KPIs for evaluating test effectiveness, driving continuous improvement efforts.
• Facilitate and coordinate the development and execution of testing,
• Identify test environment required,
• Mentored junior testers, providing guidance on best practices and industry standards for quality assurance.
• Review, Inspection, Walkthrough or Requirements Management process against BRS,
• Reduced software release time by streamlining test processes, resulting in faster product launches.
• Review Technical Requirements Specification for conformance to and coverage of the BRS if required,
• Defined, created and controlled testing environments for successful software deliverables. Ensured that Test Lab/Test Environment is correctly configured and ready for error detecting test cycles,
• Created detailed documentation of test cases, results, and bug reports, enabling efficient knowledge transfer among team members.
• Directed teams completing regression tests to support successful product development stages.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams for seamless integration and end-to-end system testing.
• Issue/defect management. Increased customer satisfaction by proactively identifying and resolving defects before they impacted endusers.
• Implemented robust change management processes to minimize disruption during software updates or migrations.

• Business Analyst – Treasury Operations and Finance
• Developed Business Requirements Specifications for the Derivative and Forex Back Office settlement and confirmations systems
• Business input during System Design. Actively participated in team meetings to share knowledge, exchange ideas, address challenges, and collaborate on potential solutions
• Performed gap analysis between existing systems or processes and desired state, identifying areas for improvement or enhancement
• Optimized workflow processes to enhance overall productivity and achieve operational excellence
• Developed test cases for execution during integration and UAT test cycles
• Liaison between Back Office team and IT

• Global Market Operations Team Lead, Spot and Forward Accounting
• Implemented procedures and processes
• Maintained up-to-date knowledge of relevant regulatory changes affecting the forex industry, ensuring full compliance at all times.
• Released payments (SWIFT, manual, RTGS, Netting)
• Spearheaded team training sessions, improving overall performance through shared expertise.
• Approved confirmations (Mt300s/ Mt320s)
• Provided exceptional customer service through timely follow-ups and prompt resolution of any issues, leading to increased client satisfaction and loyalty.
• Ensured reconciliations of both Nostro and Vostro accounts
• Conducted thorough due diligence to ensure compliance with financial regulations, protecting both clients and the firm from potential penalties or sanctions
• International Trade Centre
• Letters of credit, foreign bills for collections, guarantees,
• Capturer of LCs, FBCs, GT. Collaborated with clients to maintain relationships and provide customers with thorough support and guidance.
• Processing of Settlements
• Addressing client queries on LCs, FBC, GT.
• Communications officer

• Basic Bookkeeping (courses)
• Office Routine (courses)
• Admin/ Secretary (Part-time)
• Part-time sales
• Cashier (part-time)