Supporting statement .pdf

Supporting statements are usually the most significant parts of the employment applications because the allow to justify the reasons you should be taken. If well written, it can give one an edge over other applicants. It avails one the opportunity to buttress other points that would have otherwise been impossible on the application form

1. SUPPORTING STATEME NT
Leadership is often craved not because of the challenges it comes with but the rewards it offers, for that which
does not challenge you cannot change you. Personally, I seek challenging tasks because I envision becoming a
leader who appreciates the different contributions that different people make to one’s achievements. While
some challenges can be difficult to overcome, conquering them awakens in one, the realization that such an
achievement could not have been possible without support from above and below. Appreciation has the
potential to create unimaginable love and affection amongst colleagues and partners. I seek to nurture this rare
quality as a leader.
It’s worth noting that I have had numerous experiences in different capacities making me the ideally readymade
candidate for this job . For both public and private sector authorities, I have participated in numerous trainings
as a resource person and facilitator on topics including Project Management, Customer Service Skills,
Procurement Strategy, Leadership and Competency Skills, and Professional Communication. I also teach
Management, Project Planning, Marketing Management, Human Resource Management, Organizational
Behavior, and Leadership as an adjunct lecturer at both the Management Development Institute and University
of The Gambia.
WHY AM I INTERESTED IN THIS JOB ?
It is no doubt that this post offers very many life changing challenges. Embracing diversity, communicating
effectively, quickly integrating with heads of projects and other heads in other field stations, ensuring optimal
and judicious use and sharing of the limited resources, and improving the existing standards and quality of
service delivery are key amongst the challenges that the post offers. What I find beautiful about these challenges
is that their optimal synergies lead to benefits for all involved and the potential for each challenge to help me
grow. My greatest motivation is the support that MRCG offers its employees to serve and grow. With this
support, I will be able to replicate the successes I have registered in the past in a much greater way than I did
when there was very little if any support.
WHAT I OFFER YOU
Operational Administration and leadership, HR Management and Resource Allocation
I have an excellent track record of operational competencies that have been tested and proven to be effective.
As Head of procurement and Facilities at the Management Development Institute, (MDI), I coordinated the
activities of several units including the management of schedules and assignations for both the drivers and
cleaners, management of the fuel supply for the Director general and his deputy, official drivers and other
routine assignments requiring fuel supply, recruitment of gardening staff, processing and approval of daily petty
cash expenditures, Negotiation of and recommendation to the Director the purchase of goods and services,
supervision of the security operations of the institute and coordination of all printing needs of the institute. I
was also a member of the Senior Management Team and had used my expertise and influence in decision
making to correct many ills and improve service delivery.
I built a team of diligent and motivated staff by creating a culture that encouraged openness, idea sharing and
mutual love and respect . This has impacted MDI by attracting many young employees who continue to serve
the institute particularly within the units I supervise, improving the infrastructural setup, and enhancing
student-staff relationship.
Aside from these employments, I also operate my own consulting firm and help other firms grow their
businesses. The most recent of these is DK Telecom. This firm had no systems in place. I helped them develop
such systems as operations, HR and Accounting. Before my intervention they barely make half a million in
monthly revenue. Today, they make over six millions in monthly revenues. I am also the President of both a

2. renowned football academy and a youth organization that primarily builds the academic and leadership
potentials of its members. All of these reflect my strong organizational management and leadership – a
prerequisite for this post.
Managing Stakeholders, Communications and professionalism
My awareness of the different stakeholders and their interests enabled me to develop a comprehensive strategy
that served all the stakeholders including students, management, and the sponsors of the students in my time at
the University of The Gambia (UTG). This paid off in many ways. For instance, my legacy at the UTG is
lasting because much of the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the accounts receivables data they enjoy today
could be attributed to my professional contribution. My first contribution to the university and the finance
department in particular was the development data that forms more than 60% of their revenue sources.
I came into office when the university was grappling with a twenty-five million negative bank balance. Within a
year, the bank balance came to sixty-five million i.e an inflow of over eighty million dalasis. I was therefore a
crucial figure since the university also adopts an accrual basis accounting ad depends entirely on student fees to
finance operations
What is distinctive about these incidences is that the university up to the time I left UTG never had a deficit and
generates over two hundred million annually. I developed the receivables monitoring system that they are still
using. I also developed closer links with these sponsors by instituting reporting system that allows them to
determine their balances with UTG in real time. This also made reconciliation for both parties very easy.
I have a firm conviction, that given the similarities of UTG and MRCG in that MRCG also has sponsors and
other similar stakeholders, I would be able to contribute immensely to cementing the cordiality that exist
between the unit and its stakeholders and retain the confidence they have in the leadership and management of
the unit.

Budget Management and Financial Planning, Strategic Resource and Service Improvement
My budget management skills culminated in cost savings of eight hundred thousand dalasis in my first two
years and slightly below that in the subsequent years in my time at MDI. I developed procurement plan for the
institute annually. This allows the institute to spend judiciously without compromising the quality of the goods
and services being sought. I worked closely with other unit heads to consolidate the gains registered by the
different units to allow us establish system of partnership for the greater good of the institute.
I was part of the four man team that developed first educational curriculum for MDI. My role in the team was to
develop curriculum for the General Management, Accounting, Banking and Finance, and Project Management
programs. There is great improvement in the quality of education at MDI- thanks the new curriculum that
according to National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA), will be used as model for the
assessment of all tertiary institutes. This is particularly important because it attracted international partners to
establish student and staff collaborations. Suffice it to say that I have the knowledge and skills to develop
credible programs that can attract funding from donors and improve service delivery.

Even though my leaving might leave a vacuum particularly in the departments I served as head , the fact that
these departments continue to keep excellent performance levels shows that my succession planning was
effective.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT ME

3. My performances at both MDI and UTG clearly depict that I am an excellent mediator given my consideration
for both students and the organization; approachable, given the various engagements I had with both students
and their sponsors; dedicated, given the extras I have done just to realize a set of objectives; involved, given
the numerous initiatives I brought in to improve performance; and excellent at SMART goal setting, given the
effectiveness of the plans I created. With these distinctive qualities and set of experiences, I have the strength
which combined with my motivation, offer MRCG the knowledge, skills and attitude required for this post.
Knowing Basse and being there in different capacities, I have adapted to the living conditions that obtain there.
THE IMPACT
Finally, I wish to reiterate the fact that I am young and able to learn more and new things. In fact, the best part
of me is unveiled when I am challenged with completely new things. Quite a number of MRCG staff (both field
workers and admin staff) have been in my class and can attest to what has been mentioned here of me. It is my
belief and conviction that in this important role, I would be able revolutionize the field station to instill
willingness amongst professionals to serve in a rural setting and to effectively support the Chief Operating
Officer as he manages the affairs of a prestigious and world renown research organization like MRCG at
LSHTM which attracts talent across the globe.