Rajiv Ghosh
Kolkata
Summary
Insightful Corporate Services Manager with 22 years of experience directing and improving operations through effective employee motivational strategies and strong policy enforcement. Proficient in best practices, market trends and regulatory requirements of industry operations. Talented leader with analytical approach to business planning and day-to-day problem-solving.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Corporate Services and Consular Manager
Australian High Commission in India
02.2019 - Current
- Providing strategic direction in the preparation of the budget, guiding the post budget holder and programme officers in incorporating the Consulate’s work programme planned activities into the budget and within approved levels.
- Leading, overseeing and coordinating the implementation of the budget to ensure compatibility with work priorities and objectives, taking in account the most effective use of resources.
- Initiating processes to improve budget reporting systems and cost-effective utilization of program resources.
- Managing and ensuring certification of all transactions through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) SAP System (FSP) are within approved budgets and established DFAT regulations.
- Establishing and maintaining a set of sound policies, procedures, standards, and tools which are consistent with DFAT Financial policies and practices to ensure proper accounting, financial management and control.
- Producing reports for management and is responsible for the reporting to the Finance HUB on budget/programme performance as appropriate.
- Leading in drafting and review of Contracts and participating in the review of legal instruments with implementing partners and vendors.
- Coordinating with DFAT officers to ensure adequate resources to meet programme needs.
- Overseeing the procurement processes, implementing, and monitoring support services, including procurement of supplies and services, travel, and information technology support in line with the service requirements.
- Supervising and providing strategic leadership and advice to the administrative team on issues and practices regarding administrative and general services such as Property Lease, Official Vehicles, Office Inventory, Annual Maintenance Contracts etc.
- Streamlining the internal procedures of the Corporate Services to ensure prompt administrative service delivery.
- Managing, guiding, developing, and training staff under supervision and keep abreast with latest developments in administrative policies and procedures of DFAT.
- Representing and coordinating at inter-agency meetings such as common services, security, on administrative and substantive-related issues with other like-minded Diplomatic nations in the region.
- Lead on administrative and financial liaison with National Focal Points.
- Undertaking missions with overall responsibility for the planning of Plenary and other designated meetings away from Kolkata office and serving as the representative of the organization.
- Actively developing and maintaining a network of relationships with relevant National Authorities, Civil Societies, International Organisations, and partner Divisions.
- Providing advice and guidance to Head of Mission, Deputy Head of Mission and Austrade Team on local on ground strategic information to create service orientated and client-focused environment in which all Consulate’s events and meetings are planned and delivered.
- Working closely with the travel team, hotels, and other service providers to negotiate the most attractive and cost-effective terms for the Consulate within approved guidelines and policies.
- Preparing TPNs and edit visit notes for events and general correspondence.
- Working closely with the Events and Protocol team to develop policies, strategies, guidelines, and procedures relating to event management like choosing appropriate caterers, audio-visual set up and security arrangement for the event.
- Providing advice and guidance to Consular clients through emails and daily.
- Attending to Notarial to clients for Certification, Authentication and Apostille of documents.
- Responsible for updating and maintaining the Consular Information System and internal databases.
- Visits to Consular clients as required.
- Provides official and public correspondence, information and document management and provide consular support in the region.
Manager Resources – Administration
British Deputy High Commission, British Council Division
11.2012 - 01.2019
- Overseeing a budget of approximately 275,000 GBP in Resource planning and delivery for East and Northeast India.
- Managing a team of 18 people of Security, Movements, Facilities and Finance.
- Develop and maintain annual and strategic financial forecasts in support of business planning activities and plans.
- Oversee the operations of the finance services to ensure efficient and effective administration, accounting and reporting services.
- Prepare and submit quarter financial reports for BC (HQ).
- Management of the annual financial audit of the country office’s finances.
- In consultation with the Controller, oversee the development, management and monitoring of the annual operational budgets and financial forecasts, including a mid-year update.
- Implement corporate financial policies, procedures, and financial controls for the area office.
- Ensure payroll is managed effectively against the relevant agreements and policies.
- Serve as final point of escalation for Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable issues.
- Oversee cash management; payables; execute cheque signing with the stakeholder.
- Negotiations with Hotels, Travel Agents and other Suppliers.
- Manage Meeting Room and Venue Bookings at the premises.
- Inventory and Records and Reconciliation.
- On-site and Off-Site Events Management and Catering arrangement.
- Evaluation performances of team members.
- Risk Management.
- Liaise with HQ Risk Management and Quality Assurance.
- Develop risk register and report against the agreed mitigation measures.
- Develop British Council Business Continuity Plan.
- Maintain and manage all necessary insurance policies.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws such as those covering equal employment opportunities, human resource obligations, and lease grants.
- Design, implement and manage administrative systems for efficient functioning of the local office in East and Northeast India.
- Regular interaction with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
- Submission of documents of FRRO office for incoming and outgoing diplomatic officers and their family members.
- Arrangement of Visa and Registration with FRRO for diplomatic officers.
- Coordination in whole of East India with Government Officials and State Security.
- Ensuring that all procurement is in accordance with FCCF Guidelines as well as local laws and procedures.
- Ensure that the area office is adequately equipped for its operations.
- Represent the organisation in negotiations with external agencies and suppliers.
- Implement systems and processes for logistics supply management, in line with British Council procurement policies.
- Coordinate with British Council HQ-Supply Chain Services.
- Contract Management for the area office.
- Manage property lease agreements.
- Oversee building and maintenance supplier contracts.
- Ensure leased or owned properties (buildings, property, equipment, and vehicle fleet) are maintained to a good standard and overseeing contractual arrangements for rented properties.
- Oversee transport team and fleet.
- Act as health & safety and security focal point implementing an approach which maintains safe and secure working environments.
- Undertake other duties within the scope and level of this position as directed by the Regional Overseas Security Manager (ROSM).
Finance Officer
British High Commission
09.2010 - 10.2012
- Co-ordination and networking with all stake holders in India and UK.
- Advise on financial receipts and cash management to the Head of Finance.
- Support to the payables and budgeting team for Help Desk Management.
- Working closely with the UKTI, PAG’s and OGD’s in accounting with receipts and recoveries.
- Responsible for end-to-end cash and receipts management for FCO India.
- Scheduling and delivering real-time and out – of – office hours support, providing excellent systems administration and quality service to stake holders.
- Defining in process mapping in the Finance Regionalization project.
- Ensured repeated quality delivery against combined internal & external objectives.
- Coordination with Visits and Movement team for arrival and departure of UK Based Officers.
- Managing at distinct stages with DFID, BCD, BHC, Club in VAT re-claim.
- Frequent interaction with the stakeholders, to comprehend the requirements of the work and to gain a thorough understanding of the business requirements.
- Liaise with Facilities Management Team (ISS) in setting up timelines and SLA’s at a nuclear level.
- Working closely with Estates team in accounting of sale and purchases of capital items.
- Archive of audit documents like agreement deeds, circulars and notices as an internal control.
- Worked on accounting of Receipts and Payables in Prism (oracle-based software).
- Handling of Petty Cash reimbursement.
- Daily Bank Reconciliation with Receipts.
- Worked on Prism (oracle-based software) for financial accounting.
- Payroll processing a total of 750 staff across India.
- Planning for the back up support and leave cover.
- Introduction of new signatories to the banks.
- Deposits of daily Cash at Bank.
- Act as help desk for all India Finance related queries for all staff.
- Voluntary participation at the post Crisis Emergency and Business continuity plan.
- Performing Tabletop exercises on a regular basis as an emergency exercise.
Finance Assistant and Customer Service
British Airways
01.2005 - 09.2010
- Supervise team members in flight handling and passenger movements.
- Screening of Passengers.
- Travel documentation check such as Passport, Visa and ticket.
- Security screening of passengers for genuine travelers and illegal immigrants.
- Responsible for Station On -Time and Compliance at all stages.
- Team briefing and process movements in times of delay, disruptions during crisis situation.
- Provision of leadership and guidance for staff members with personal coaching.
- Assisting high profile delegations at the airport.
- Assisting passengers with their baggage and tickets.
- Leading a team of special handling for the premium passengers.
- Trained as a coordinator for emergency procedures and Department for transport UK Audits.
- Flight handling includes check-in, and arrival procedures.
- Interacting with the fliers and premium passengers includes corporate, state delegates and heads of foreign nationalities.
- Handling flights and attending Customer query.
- Worked on accounting of Staff Claims.
- Handling of Petty Cash reimbursement.
- Daily Bank Reconciliation with Receipts.
- Worked on for financial accounting.
- Planning for the back up support and leave cover.
- Assist finance officer in reconciliation of payments from agents.
Customer Service Executive
Sahara Airlines Ltd.
01.2002 - 12.2004
- Interaction with passengers.
- Providing optimum customer satisfaction.
- Preparation of flight documentation and reports.
- Working as reservation staff at the counter.
- Handling of ramp activities and baggage reconciliation.
- Visits and Movement control and facilitation of high profile delegates from the corporate and political forum.
- Quality controls and regular feedback of the passengers processed and delivered with Head Office Quality Assurance Team.
Education
LLB part IV -
01.2002
Bachelor in Commerce -
B.E.S.C
01.1998
ISC -
A.G.C.S
01.1995
Skills
- MS Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- Outlook
- Prism
- SAP
- Prince 2
- Decision-making
- Team leadership
- Customer service
- Project management
- Strategic planning
- Relationship building
- Operations management
Accomplishments
- Administered the visit of Hon. Senator Matthew Canavan Minister for Resources and Northern Australia in 2019 at the Australian Consulate-General in Kolkata.
- Identified and acquired INR 234,000 Tax exemptions from the Government of West Bengal for British Council Division.
- Streamlined Branch operations resulting to 20% reduction in operation in the working budget.
- Being a part of the Centralization Process as in the British High Commission Finance Department resulting in effective internal controls and process mapping and faster delivery to the customers.
- Orchestrated the successful turnaround in British Airways during the volcanic emergency in Iceland, transferring approximately 5,000 distressed British Airways passengers from India in 2010.
- Worked with different safety audit teams from Department for Transport (DFT) in British Airways
Statement Of Suitability
I offer over 24 years of work experience in the field of Travel, Administration, Customer Service, Estates Management, Finance and Resource Management in various international organizations, such as Australian High Commission, British Airways, British High Commission and British Council Division. In my present role, I am responsible for all the Resource Management for Administrative support to endeavor Australian Consulate-General’s agenda to showcase Australian Government’s larger objectives in 13 states in the East and Northeast states of India. I am a strategic planner, negotiation expert and professional in team building mechanism with relevant knowledge in Premises Management, Safety and Budget Management to deliver British Council’s programmed. I can communicate convincingly and persuasively to negotiate with internal and external customers.
Languages
English
Advanced (C1)
Hindi
Advanced (C1)
Timeline
Corporate Services and Consular Manager
Australian High Commission in India
02.2019 - Current
Manager Resources – Administration
British Deputy High Commission, British Council Division
11.2012 - 01.2019
Finance Officer
British High Commission
09.2010 - 10.2012
Finance Assistant and Customer Service
British Airways
01.2005 - 09.2010
Customer Service Executive
Sahara Airlines Ltd.
01.2002 - 12.2004
Bachelor in Commerce -
B.E.S.C
ISC -
A.G.C.S
LLB part IV -
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