Claude Maxime PANOU

Senior Grant Finance & Fiduciary Risk Expert with 20+ years of experience fixing fragile financial and institutional systems across West and Central Africa. I specialize in stepping into high-risk grant environments where compliance gaps, weak controls or governance failures threaten donor confidence and program delivery – and turning them into stable, functioning systems. I have supported Global Fund and GAVI-funded programs as Local Fund Agent Finance Expert, Fiscal Agent and Capacity Building Lead, working directly with governments, Principal Recipients, NGOs and international partners. My work goes beyond advice: I embed with teams, redesign controls, restore financial discipline, rebuild internal audit functions and transfer practical skills so institutions can operate independently after exit. Recognized for calm leadership in complex contexts, donor-safe judgment and hands-on delivery, I am regularly engaged when systems need to be secured, stabilized and made credible. Core Competencies • Grant Financial Management (Global Fund & GAVI) • Fiduciary Risk Assessment & Mitigation • Donor Compliance & Assurance • Internal Control Systems & PFM • Internal Audit Setup & Reform • Institutional Capacity Building • High-Risk Grant Stabilization • Financial Oversight & Reporting • Governance & Accountability Frameworks • Interim Finance Leadership • Training, Coaching & Knowledge Transfer • Multi-country Program Support • Languages: French (Native) – English (Professional Working Proficiency)