Two Decades of Financial Discipline, Proven Under Volatile Field Conditions

I had the privilege of working with Esther for over ten years, during which I came to greatly value her professionalism, commitment, and strong work ethic. Esther consistently demonstrated a high level of dedication to her responsibilities and remained dependable and composed, even when working under significant pressure and in challenging operational environments. She has an exceptional eye for detail, strong analytical and organizational skills, and a demonstrated ability to anticipate challenges and develop practical solutions. Her excellent operational management capabilities, coupled with strong scenario-planning and decision-making skills, consistently contributed to the effective and timely delivery of organizational priorities. Beyond her technical and operational strengths, Esther is an effective people manager who genuinely invests in the growth and development of her colleagues. She creates an environment where staff are encouraged to learn, take ownership, and develop their professional capabilities. Throughout our years of working together, I found her to be a collaborative, supportive, and results-oriented professional who maintains high standards while working constructively with others. Our long-standing professional relationship has been built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to achieving organizational objectives, and I have highly valued the opportunity to work alongside her over the years.

Esther is a very detail-oriented person. She could not rest until an assignment was done well and completed on time. She was also a different kind of finance professional she was solution-driven. If you approached Esther with a budget issue, she would sit with you and help you find a solution rather than simply shutting you down.

I really admired the way she worked with her finance team. She ensured that everyone was seen, had their own space to grow, and felt empowered. She mentored her team members and supported their professional growth, including promoting them when opportunities arose. During audits, the organization always passed with flying colours. Esther worked hard to ensure that the entire organization and every department remained compliant. She was an excellent Finance Director and a truly supportive colleague.

It is with a great pleasure working with Esther Mello over the last 8 years at International Medical Corps (IMC) Somalia mission and recognize her outstanding service as Finance and Admin Director (FAD) then later as Deputy Country Director Finance (DCDF). Throughout her tenure, Esther had demonstrated exceptional professionalism, integrity, and commitment to financial excellence to IMC Somalia.

During the period we have been working together, Esther has consistently ensured strong financial stewardship, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of IMC Somalia internal financial management and set donor rules and regulations. Her strategic guidance, attention to detail, and ability to lead through both challenging and exciting times have significantly contributed to the successful implementation of all IMC Somalia diverse projects.

During her tenure with IMC, Mello’s dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment have earned her the respect and trust of colleagues, partners, and stakeholders alike.

The soft-spoken Esther's ability to manage complex financial responsibilities while supporting and mentoring her finance team was truly admirable. Her calm leadership, sound judgment, and positive attitude have helped IMC Somalia navigate challenges and achieved set project goals across all grants.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Esther was respected for her kindness, understanding of context, local culture, support, and ability to build strong relationships across all members within IMC Somalia mission. As a crucial SMT member, her leadership had positively influenced both IMC’s financial performance and organizational culture.

Thank you, Esther, for your outstanding service, tireless commitment, and invaluable contributions for the 8 years we have been working together. The positive impact you have created is deeply appreciated and will continue to be felt for years to come. Wish you a great success in your next endeavour.

I had the pleasure of working with Esther Mello for six years at International Medical Corps, during which I served in programme management while Esther headed the Finance function. Throughout our time working together, I came to know Esther as a highly competent, diligent, and dependable finance professional with an exceptional eye for detail.

Esther consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism, integrity, and commitment to ensuring strong financial management and compliance. She was meticulous in her work and ensured that financial policies, procedures, and donor requirements were adhered to, while also providing timely and practical support to field teams in addressing their financial needs.

Beyond her technical expertise, Esther is highly organized, hardworking, collaborative, and approachable. She worked effectively with programme and field teams, balancing the need for financial accountability with a strong understanding of operational realities. Her ability to maintain high standards while supporting teams to deliver their work made her a valuable colleague and an important part of the organization’s success.

I have great respect for Esther’s professionalism, work ethic, and commitment to excellence. I would confidently recommend her to any organization seeking a knowledgeable, reliable, and results-oriented finance professional.

I was Esther’s direct supervisor for four years (2020-24) at the International Medical Corps in Somalia. During that period, Esther consistently exceeded expectations. Esther was our Finance Director and led our Finance team with vision and vigor. She ensured that all our contracts were completed on time and on budget. She solved hard problems with ease in a very difficult environment. During Esther’s time on my team, she showed natural leadership skills. She did not just do her daily tasks; but improved the whole workflow and effectiveness of the team. She trained new hires with patience and clarity as well as building the capacity of the staff. As Esther's supervisor, I relied on her during high-stress situations. When our revenue fluctuated, Esther stayed calm and found the best possible solutions to make sure we continued activities effectively. Esther is dependable, focused, smart and a dedicated professional. She brings positive energy to every task and works well with her colleagues. Her focus on quality of work stands out. I strongly recommend Esther for any Finance role in the humanitarian field. Any employer would be lucky to have her on their team.