Elena Mocanu
Programme Coordinator
Frederikssund,129A
Summary
Results-oriented Programme and Operations professional with experience supporting multi-country, donor-funded portfolios across the Middle East and East Africa. Demonstrated expertise in grant management, financial monitoring, partner reporting, and cross-functional coordination between programme and finance teams. Proven ability to support compliance with institutional donors including Sida, Danida, EU, and Swiss Embassy, while strengthening reporting systems and operational workflows. Brings a structured, collaborative approach to improving programme delivery, audit readiness, and stakeholder coordination in complex international environments.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
4
4
Certifications
Work History
Programme Coordinator, Europe Department
International Media Support
Copenhagen, Capital Region
01.2026 - Current
- Coordinated cross-functional collaboration between headquarters and field teams to support the establishment of new operational structures and strengthen programme delivery.
- Led onboarding processes for new staff, ensuring smooth integration into organisational systems, workflows, and compliance frameworks.
- Provided operational support to programme and project managers, including guidance on project cycle management procedures and internal processes.
- Planned and coordinated logistics for in-person meetings and events, including travel arrangements, venues, and participant support.
- Supported financial oversight processes by assisting with the review and quality assurance of partner financial reports.
- Acted as a liaison between programme teams and finance/controllers to ensure alignment with donor requirements and organisational policies.
Operation Specialist, Africa & MENA Departments
International Media Support
Copenhagen, Capital Region
03.2019 - 12.2025
- Streamlined programme and financial workflows across multi-country portfolios in Syria, Jordan, Yemen, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Somalia—strengthening donor reporting timelines and improving audit readiness across complex operating contexts.
- Managed operational and financial coordination across grants funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Danish International Development Agency (Danida), the Swiss Embassy, and the European Union, ensuring consistent compliance with multi-donor requirements.
- Led targeted capacity-building initiatives for implementing partners and internal staff, strengthening understanding and application of donor financial standards and reporting procedures.
- Strengthened cross-functional collaboration between programme and finance teams, enabling timely delivery against donor deadlines and reducing reporting bottlenecks.
- Designed unified reporting tools and calendars aligning programme activities, budgets, and compliance requirements across multi-donor portfolios.
- Supported strategic grant planning and reporting alignment by developing practical tracking tools, enabling programme teams to proactively follow up on budget implementation.
- Improved quality assurance of partner financial reports through structured review processes, contributing to smoother audits and clearer financial documentation.
- Facilitated operational communication between programme teams and key internal functions at IMS (Financial Controlling Unit, , Safety & Risk, Accounting, and other Regional Departments), supporting the development of standardised templates, processes, and workflows on shared operational priorities.
- Contributed to institutional process improvements by supporting updates to partner contracting frameworks and administrative guidelines, enhancing clarity and consistency for field partners.
- Acted as a key liaison between programme teams, finance/controllers, and partners, strengthening operational coordination and alignment with organisational policies and donor expectations.
International Office Manager
Bahrain Center for Human Rights
Copenhagen, Capital Region
05.2016 - 07.2017
- Managed grants and donor relations, overseeing project expenses and contributing to donor reporting on both financial use and programme activities.
- Coordinated preparation of financial and activity updates for donors, consolidating inputs from programme teams.
- Supported the local team in updating and producing media content, including website, social media, and digital campaigning materials, contributing to donor visibility and project communication.
- Assisted with documentation of project activities to support reporting and advocacy efforts.
Junior Consultant
Copenhagen Resource Institute
Copenhagen, Capital Region
01.2014 - 05.2014
- Contributed to a resource efficiency report mandated by the European Commission Directorate-General for Environment by identifying viable business cases and supporting analytical research.
- Conducted stakeholder interviews and drafted case studies for inclusion in the final report, translating findings into practical examples for policy-oriented audiences.
Junior Researcher and Writer
World Watch Institute Europe
01.2013 - 09.2013
- Co-authored and conducted research for a sustainable business report, supporting data collection, analysis, and written outputs.
- Contributed regularly to the organisation’s monthly newsletter, providing research-based content and written updates.
Education
Master of Science - International Business And Politics
Copenhagen Business School
Copenhagen, Denmark 04.2001 -
Skills
- Programme Operations & Cross-Functional Coordination
- Grant Management & Multi-Donor Compliance
- Financial Monitoring, Partner Reporting & Audit Support
- Stakeholder Management (HQ, Field Teams, Implementing Partners)
- Partner Onboarding & Capacity Strengthening
- Donor Reporting Support & Documentation Management
- Process Improvement & Operational Workflow Design
- Development of Reporting Tools, Templates & Tracking Systems
- Event & Meeting Logistics Coordination
- Risk Awareness & Compliance Support
Certification
[Area of certification] Training - [Timeframe]EU Project Implementation and Reporting
Timeline
Programme Coordinator, Europe Department
International Media Support
01.2026 - Current
[Area of certification] Training - [Timeframe]EU Project Implementation and Reporting
05-2025
Data Analystics and Knowledge Management for Development
12-2024
Results Based Management
12-2020
Operation Specialist, Africa & MENA Departments
International Media Support
03.2019 - 12.2025
International Office Manager
Bahrain Center for Human Rights
05.2016 - 07.2017
Prince2 Practictioner
04-2016
Junior Consultant
Copenhagen Resource Institute
01.2014 - 05.2014
Junior Researcher and Writer
World Watch Institute Europe
01.2013 - 09.2013
Master of Science - International Business And Politics
Copenhagen Business School
04.2001 -