As a consultant with the RAINBOW PARTNERS Group at Asigma, working within the Finance teams (accounting and financial consolidation), Maha has taken on a volunteer assignment as part of the Rainbow CARE program. Already deeply involved in volunteer work on a personal basis, with both human and animal welfare organizations, she wanted to put her skills to use for a nonprofit in urgent need of support. She shares her experience with us.
Maha Javaid, Consultant
Pro bono consulting assignment for the “Ô FEMIMA” association
What is your role at Asigma, and how long have you been with the company?
I’ve been working as an accounting and financial consolidation consultant at Asigma for a few months now. At the same time, I’m already very involved in volunteer work, particularly through food drives for small organizations. This commitment felt like a natural fit for me and aligned with my values.
How and why did you choose this mission?
The goal of the assignment was to support Ô Femima on several key areas: drafting activity reports, developing a business plan, and implementing a budget management tool for day-to-day use. What motivated me most was understanding their actual needs and helping them structure their reporting, particularly using tools like Excel.
Can you tell us more about the project and your role in this assignment?
The organization had a critical need but limited resources. Very quickly, the scope of the project shifted toward more comprehensive consulting. The person I was working with lacked both the tools and the necessary guidance: they were not very comfortable with computers, didn’t know how to create folders or use Excel, and had to learn almost everything on their own. So I had to adapt my support, take on a teaching role, and offer simple, practical solutions.
What has this assignment meant to you, both professionally and personally?
This assignment allowed me to become more involved in the nonprofit sector, which is very different from the corporate world, and I was also able to strengthen my consulting skills so that I could best support the organization. For future assignments under the Rainbow CARE program, I think I will focus more on this type of assignment—strategic support—which adds value to my professional development and helps me grow personally.
How was the support provided by the Rainbow Care and DayOne teams?
It was Pauline from the HR team who told me about the program, specifically mentioning that it could be a good opportunity, during a period when I had some free time, to lend a hand to a nonprofit cause. There are many assignments available, especially remote ones, and sometimes you’re faced with a wide range of options. I chose a nonprofit that shared my values, although, looking back, I wish I’d had more time to compare options and make a more thoughtful choice.
Would you recommend that other colleagues give it a try too?
Yes, because many organizations are in real need of help. However, it’s important that the support be well-structured and that the person involved be available and willing to commit to the cause. This is key to ensuring that the experience is beneficial for both parties.
Do you plan to go on another volunteer mission in the future?
Yes, of course! I’d be delighted to do it again and take on another assignment like this.
