Catherine Barongo Mbatia
Summary
Experienced communication specialist with a demonstrated history of: managing diversity and inclusion; government relations as well as extensive experience in the public relations and communications industry. I have over 20 years' experience in the fields of: Corporate Communications; Government Relations; Managing Sustainable Business Practices; Social Investment projects; Campaign Management; Reputation Management; Media Relations; and Strategic Communications.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Communications Lead
East African Crude Oil Pipeline, EACOP
06.2023 - Current
- Manage the Planning, Developing and implementation the Companies Internal and External Communication strategy (long term and short term) and monitor their success
- Create, Acquire, and maintain a detailed knowledge of the company's policies, principles, and strategies, and keep up to date with relevant developments
- Manage the company's adherence to style guide and value and quality control of information released
- Manage the budget, monitoring, and evaluation of the Project communications activities
- Coordinate and guarantee the smooth running of all communications activities
- Ensure Provision communication support to the Project and Cooperate team
- Establish and maintain a strong effective network and working relationships with media representatives, local and municipal government officials, national business, and trade contacts
- Participate in the crisis management team
- Managing a communications budget
- Support and evaluate results of communication campaigns with the team.
External Relations Manager
LNG Project Tanzania (Royal Dutch Shell)
01.2017 - 09.2022
- To lead the implementation of internal and External communication programs for the LNG project
- Stakeholders Engagement Lead - develop and manage the implementation of a comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan
- Provide advice on personnel and administrative policies and procedures to the LT
- To manage contracts and relations with suppliers, local content provision
- To prepare press releases, educational articles as well as updating the website with all new events and stories
- In collaboration with IR team at the HQ to make sure of the consistency of logos, letterheads, and templates with branding guidance
- Also be in charge of slides for public presentation are up to standards
- Monitor community attitudes towards the project and ensure relevant information is conveyed to the LT
- Responsible for the overall management of the LNG project ER and SI activities at the project site
- Developing a high-quality program of external engagement with key stakeholders
- Receive grievances to identify the root causes and come up with measures
- Grievances register custodian
- To develop a communication strategy for key stakeholders
- Builds and maintains professional relationships with central and local government senior officials
- Manage identification, mapping and proactive engagements with stakeholders
- Develop analysis for key stakeholders, mapping to assist the project to navigate the various government department and decision making structures
- Plan, coordinate and support the development of communications tools which target both government and local community stakeholders
- Create a good and long term relationship with media
- Responsible for preparing detailed media activity reports
- Coordinate effective internal communication for the project team and managing the flow of information and communications for the project
- Lead other external/communication managers of partner companies to ensure alignment in communication among project partners
- Oversee project management plans for each SI program
- Communications and reporting to ensure that all internal and external stakeholders are updated.
Communications Officer in charge
EITI Tanzania Secretariat (TEITI – Tanzania Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative)
06.2011 - 12.2016
- To support the day-to-day activities of the staff in the office as well as Monitoring the day-to-day personnel and administrative operations of the Secretariat
- Support the preparation of administrative budget requirements for the Secretariat
- Plan and execute communication strategies for the Secretariat
- Liaising with external stakeholders, including the WB office, donors and international organizations to support the Secretariat
- Participate in external engagements meetings, workshops, seminars and international conferences and exhibitions for the purpose of conveying our messages and show where we are as a country on the extractive transparency initiative
- Attend meetings with the executive secretary in order to take and prepare notes on the discussions
- Plan, write and prepare organizational publications for internal and external audiences, this include employee newsletters, press releases and educational articles as well as updating the website
- Responsible for educating and engaging key stakeholders, especially communities in and around the extractive areas in active dialogue based on shared goals
- Maintaining Multi Stakeholders' Group agenda and plan for the meetings, conferences keep the minutes and attend all matters arising
- Represent Head of the secretariat to all international AGM and Global conferences
- Conduct research and prepare presentations and reports as assigned by the MSG
- Planning for Mobilization strategies
- Responding to the needs of stakeholders and communities on time and at appropriate manner and Respond queries on behalf of the executive secretary
- Liaise with key external stakeholders, including local government authorities, civil society, media and traditional community leaders
- Organizing and arranging workshops, forums and seminars for dissemination EITI reports
- Handling of all administrative procedures in organizing board meetings and conferences
- Forging strong press contacts across all media of relevance to EITI Clients
- Organizing workshops for Community based Organizations, Government, Private Sector, Media and local communities around the mining areas
- Writing, Coordinate and distributing press releases
- Pitching local and national media to ensure media placement
- Conducting media relations program for selected events or activities.
Head, External and Government Affairs
Xstrata Nickel Company (Kabanga Project)
05.2007 - 06.2011
- Developed comprehensive external affairs programs for projects
- Promote activities of the project to maintain the reputational image
- Mobilized local communities and identifying community needs as well as plan for social meetings and events
- To create informative and Interesting press releases, press kits and brochures & newsletters
- Researches and monitors government activities that could affect the organizations business
- Assists leadership team with strategic planning for known and potential regulatory activities related to the business and industry
- Responsible for the key environment issues which surround the local community at the project area
- Dealt with all government relations issues and engage with all key Government Stakeholders
- Providing General Manager with advice on all social responsibility matters related to the company
- Prepared post - meeting reports for all meetings that the General Manager attends
- Responded to request for information from the public and ensure that correct information is given to the public
- Attended all matters of protocol in events which the company is engaged
- Organized Media activities, such as Press conferences, interviews and field trips
- Managed a broad portfolio of global communications outreach activities for the project
- Organizes local stakeholders (authorities and communities) engagement: Stakeholder consultation, disclosure meetings, etc
- Ensures that local stakeholders are appropriately informed of the ongoing and future operational activities
- Conducts monitoring of Social Performance elements required to demonstrate compliance to best practice standards in order to maintained license to operate
- Records all stakeholder engagements in the field, stakeholder concerns and expectations, stakeholder grievances and follow-up on commitments
- To represent the company/project by attending in every Parliamentary session discussing on extractive industries.
Principal Officer, Public Relations and Customer Services
National Social Security Fund (NSSF)
10.1998 - 04.2007
- Maintained close liaison with the media houses, the Government and other key Stakeholders
- Coordinate with the media on covering of all events the organization participates
- Provided information and advice in all matters relating to the Fund's image and social responsibility
- Responded to requests for information from members of the public
- Ensured that the correct information is given to the public
- Generating media story ideas and securing good and wider coverage
- Responsible for handling public education, publicity and protocol matters
- Coordinate production and airing weekly radio programs
- Organized external meetings and events, including educational workshops/seminars
- Promoted NSS's scheme and Ensured NSSF information is updated accordingly
- Enhanced customer care and Handled the information/call center of the organization
- Planned and organized social and community activities
- Edited all information of the organization that went to the public
- Secretary to all regional meetings, maintain electronic and paper records ensuring information disorganized and easily accessible
- Develop work plans, budgets and monitor Programs for the Department
- Liaised with the media and Promote a positive corporate image of the organization
- Prepared educational campaigns
- Organized and conducted seminars
- Prepared information for booklets and leaflets.
Personal Assistant to Project Coordinator, Lake Tanganyika Biodiversity Project
British Council – Tanzania
05.1995 - 07.1996
- Supported the CEO's day to day communication activities
- Assist with the preparation of staffing and administrative budget requirements for the office
- Handled International liaison with partners
- Worked as Protocol officer when assigned
- Dealt with logistics and fleet management
- Assist on the travels of project staff, as well as following up and make sure correct bookings and tickets
- Organized workshops and seminars
- Prepared reports and performed other administrative duties as required.
Assistant Information Officer
Total – France
07.1990 - 09.1991
- Conducted needs assessment
- Produced and distributed promotional materials
- Performed other administrative duties as required.
Education
M.A in Mass Communication -
University Of Sofia
Postgraduate Diploma in Universalizing Social Economic Security for the Poor -
Institute for Social Studies (ISS)The Hague
Zanaki Girls' High School
Dar es salaam, TanzaniaSkills
- Good PR skills; which enables me to facilitate senior level access for the LNG Plant with various government leaders/officials whenever the need arise
- Problem solving; I have solved a number of serious community and government issues in every organization I have worked with
- Ability to work under pressure; I planned and lead the Public Education campaigns at NSSF for two consecutive years around the country I smoothly sailed the organization through the transition period from NPF to NSSF
- Convincing skills; I managed to persuade NSSF board to allow the organization to participate the international trade fair, I designed with the team executed the plan and won the overall prize!
- I have worked mostly in PR and communication Thus, I have acquired strong stakeholders’ engagement skills with Government officials
- Create good relation between Government stakeholders and all the organizations I have worked with
Accomplishments
- Successfully liaised with government officials in the span of 48hrs to renew the Block 1 & 4 license after a year of vacillating.
- I volunteered to assist the Shell-Tanzania HR department and consultant Deloitte to get Tzs. 2.8 Billion after 3 years follow up without success, Shell received the money within 3 months after my intervention with the NSSF authorities.
- Special recognition award as employee of the year during my first year at Shell-Tanzania. I led the team on Lindi demobilization, Prepared the demonization plan and safely executed it single handedly.
- I successfully remotely (During the first wave of COVID 19 in Tanzania) managed the compensation exercise done by the government, and succeeded to escape all the reputational risk hence maintain the good image of the organization.
- I managed to convinced the senior Government official (Deputy minister & commissioner) to go to Ngara and talk to the local community leaders something which eventually solve a long standing problem between the local community and the project.
- I led the team (together with the then commissioner for minerals, Hon. Peter Kafumu) to prepare the first ever retention license to be granted to the mining company in Tanzania.
- I effectively connected the Project with the officials from the Ministry of Health.
- I successfully facilitated communication between the EACOP administrator and the Zanzibar Immigration Authorities.
- I confidently managed the coordination of all the visits of MPs to the TIS and MST, including that of the Deputy Prime Minister.
- I spearheaded the redesign of the monthly newsletter, coordinating with the government officials to ensure compliance and securing approval. I proactively gathered recipient emails and personally managed the circulation of the newsletter.
Languages
Kiswahili
English
Bulgarian
French
Other Trainings And Qualifications
- Dodoma, Tanzania, Public relations practitioner seminar / certificate
- Nairobi, Kenya, Communication Management / certificate
- Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania, Report writing skills / certificate
- Kampala, Uganda, Strategic Communication / certificate
- Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania, French Language – Diploma (DELF 2)
Personal Information
Nationality: Tanzanian
References
- Patricia Mhondo, ER Manager, Shell Tanzania, patlimi@hotmail.com, +255 767 102 405
- Samson Tokpah, EITI Director for Anglophone countries, sam.tokpah@yahoo.com, +1 (704) 345 1187
- Jean Milliken, HR Manger, Kabanga Nickel, simonandjeanmilledge@gmail.com, +44 7761 590069
Disclaimer
I DECLARE THAT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF THE INFORMATION I HAVE GIVEN IS CORRECT.
14th May 2024
Timeline
Communications Lead
East African Crude Oil Pipeline, EACOP
06.2023 - Current
External Relations Manager
LNG Project Tanzania (Royal Dutch Shell)
01.2017 - 09.2022
Communications Officer in charge
EITI Tanzania Secretariat (TEITI – Tanzania Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative)
06.2011 - 12.2016
Head, External and Government Affairs
Xstrata Nickel Company (Kabanga Project)
05.2007 - 06.2011
Principal Officer, Public Relations and Customer Services
National Social Security Fund (NSSF)
10.1998 - 04.2007
Personal Assistant to Project Coordinator, Lake Tanganyika Biodiversity Project
British Council – Tanzania
05.1995 - 07.1996
Assistant Information Officer
Total – France
07.1990 - 09.1991
M.A in Mass Communication -
University Of Sofia
Postgraduate Diploma in Universalizing Social Economic Security for the Poor -
Institute for Social Studies (ISS)The Hague
Zanaki Girls' High School
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