Ellen Otaru Okoedion
Dar es Salaam
Summary
Proven leader in stakeholder engagement and training development, I've significantly contributed to policy reforms and educational advocacy. My analytical prowess and commitment to quality assurance have driven impactful projects across East Africa, enhancing educational equity and quality. Skilled in both corporate governance and research, my work ensures sustainable, inclusive advancements.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Employee
HakiElimu
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Collaborated with like-minded organisations and the government locally within East Africa and beyond on advocacy for equal, equitable and quality education for all, especially in marginalised communities
- Achievements include: Review of the Tanzania Education Policy 2014, with proposed recommendations
- Policy brief on SRHR and GBV prevention at schools in English and Kiswahili languages
- Review of the EAC and SADC Member States’ re-entry policies, development of the country policy brief and advised the Parliamentary Committee (Women Parliamentarians) on issues of re-entry agenda at the National level (published by TEN/MET)
- Review of the government’s guidelines and development of the new guidelines on Gender School Desks Clubs and Junior Councils in Kiswahili (by Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government), followed by the development of the pilot training guidelines with the establishment of 35 child protection desks in Dodoma, resulting in exposure of 132 cases in less than 3 months
- Advocacy Committee team leader in the Global Action Week on Education and active participant in National events which involve more than 40 organisations, for equal education, accessible with equity and quality for all, especially girls and children with disability
- Spearheaded establishment of the girls’ education caucus, an initiative with the Tanzania Education Network, involving more than 144-member organisations, to advance girls’ school re-entry agenda at the national level based on the learning from other African countries
- Advocacy with the Ministry of Education on the improvement of the new re-entry policy guidelines
- National Secretariat Committee (team) leader for NAIA
- Team leader in the CSOs contribution during the preparation of the National Five-Year Development Plan 2021/22 - 2025/26 (FYDPIII)
- Participate in the EU Blue Economy and education agenda, National SDG4 and other SDGs implementation road map review
- Trainer of staff on the essence of Branding and introduced the usage of infographics in reports, policy briefs and media material
Part-time and Full-time Employee
Journalists’ Environmental Association of Tanzania (JET)
01.2010 - 01.2022
- Establish and maintain partnerships with the government from national to local levels, media and community leaders to promote awareness, transparency and accountability in environmental policies, aligning with governments and stakeholder’s policies and responsibilities
- Monitoring, evaluation and learning to improve journalists’ skills to prepare research-based gender-sensitive media awareness in alignment with PPP to achieve desired policy objectives at national, international and project levels
- Trainer in integrating gender, health and environment in educational initiatives, fostering inclusive community engagement (0FYDPIII, PO-RALG, SDG 2030)
- Conduct a comprehensive Communication Needs Assessment to evaluate existing communication landscape, and identify stakeholder interests for sustainable development in alignment with USAID, GIZ project objectives
- Training and mentorship of journalists and editors, enhancing their capacity to report on climate Capacity building of journalists on community participation in conservation of nature through gender lens perspective
- Training and mentorship for advocacy on wildlife conservation and environmental conservation, human-wildlife conflict
- Inclusion of women in the conservation of nature and story-telling (from a community perspective)
- Women’s economic empowerment in the wake of climate change
- Coordinate events at national and international levels e.g., HRH, EAC, SADC, AU, UN CSW and UNCCD COP 16
ASRHR Programme Manager
Save the Children
01.2014 - 01.2019
- Served as the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR) Project Manager for the ASRHR Programme implemented in 8 countries in the East and Southern Africa Region (ESA)
- Team leader and technical advisor to the Hub Team in Pretoria S.A
- On 'Shrinking Space' and other socio-political issues in the country and East Africa Region for regional advocacy purposes
- Programme management and technical support to project coordinators and three implementing partners in Shinyanga, Kahama, Zanzibar, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe in planning, budgeting, activity implementing, engagement of stakeholders at all levels, monitoring, evaluation and learning, advocacy as well as report writing to donor and AWARDS
- Mobilised community and religious leaders to become ambassadors of change in ending violence against children and women
- Provided training of trainers (ToT) to teachers, adolescents and young people (CAYP), healthcare providers, parents, local government officials, and community leaders, including traditional and religious leaders on Process Oriented Approach – specifically developed methodologies, non-judgmental and non-biased, how to translate and package complicated information that targets adolescents and youth in their best interest
- Trained implementing partners on understanding policies and unpacking them for advocacy, story writing and documentary development
- Conducted a Study on the causes of child and youth migration in the Lake Region
- The results were widely shared with community leaders and government stakeholders
- The agenda of child protection and reduction of violence against children in community settings is now included in the police and judiciary agenda in the Region and the new Guidelines on the prevention of violence in schools by the Ministry of CDGWSG
Communications and Marketing Manager
Precision Air Services
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Responsible for re-Branding, including change of pay off line from 'Tanzania’s Finest' to 'You Are Why We Fly'
- Responsible for positive PR in the media and events (national and international)
Lecturer (Part time)
Tumaini University Dar es Salaam College
01.2010 - 01.2018
Lecturer (Part time)
United Africa University of Tanzania (UAUT)
01.2010 - 01.2018
Lecturer (Part time)
Maarifa Media Trust
01.2010 - 01.2018
Corporate Social Responsibility and Media Engagement
Lilac n Shades Company Ltd
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Business start-up manual for micro-entrepreneurs (machinga, mama lishe, shoe shiners, tailors) and conducted training under the Letshego Holding CSR Programme
- Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility projects to support girls’ education Letshego Holdings
- Elected by Tanzania Private Sector Foundation to follow up on the Private Public-Sector Development on issues pertaining to the improvement of the PPP and develop the Project Report Mechanism
- Advocacy and media visibility for Benjamin William Mkapa Foundation (BMAF), Rock City Marathon, Save the Children International, National Aids Council of Tanzania, Airtel, China-Tanzania Friendship Association, ILO and Journalist Environmental Association of Tanzania (JET)
- Documentary on HIV/AIDS for the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (history, de-stigmatisation and improved care)
- Info-educational film on HIV/AIDS - Benjamin Mkapa HIV/AIDS Foundation 'A Journey of Hope' to encourage human resources for health in hard-to-reach areas
Education
PhD - Political Science: Political Problems of International Systems and Global Development
Kiev State University
Kiev, Ukraine01.1999
M.Sc. - International Relations
Kiev State University
Kiev, Ukraine01.1995
Skills
- Stakeholder engagement
- Training and development
- Analytical and critical thinking
- Quality assurance
- Corporate governance
- Research and development
References
- Dr. Ellen Mkondya Senkoro, Chief Executive Officer, The Benjamin William Mkapa Foundation, Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, +255 22 222 1282, +255 754 299292, emsenkoro@mkapafoundation.or.tz
- Dr. John Kalage, Executive Director, HakiElimu, P.O.Box 79401, Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, +255 786 160 200, +255 22 2151852/3, john.kalage@hakielimu.or.tz, http://www.hakielimu.or.tz
- Mwajuma Hamza, Executive Director, Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce, 0754 916 038, mwajhamza@gmail.com
Professional Memberships
- Certified Director, Institute of Directors in Tanzania, CiDir No 1572
- UNCCD CSO Panel, East Africa
- Forum Member, Africa Commission on the Rights and Welfare of Children
- Board Member, Letshego Holdings Ltd., 2016-2024
- Board Member, Faidika Microfinance, 2015-2019
- Chairperson, Journalists’ Environmental Association of Tanzania
- Co-Founder, Pan African Soyuz Alumni Association, Morocco
- Secretary General, Tanzania Alumni Association of Former USSR Graduates
- Editorial Board Member, College of Business Education, 2016-2023
- Academic Board Member, College of Business Education, 2011-2018
- Ex-Secretary General, Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce, 2010-2013
Timeline
Employee
HakiElimu
01.2020 - 01.2022
Communications and Marketing Manager
Precision Air Services
01.2017 - 01.2018
ASRHR Programme Manager
Save the Children
01.2014 - 01.2019
Part-time and Full-time Employee
Journalists’ Environmental Association of Tanzania (JET)
01.2010 - 01.2022
Lecturer (Part time)
Tumaini University Dar es Salaam College
01.2010 - 01.2018
Lecturer (Part time)
United Africa University of Tanzania (UAUT)
01.2010 - 01.2018
Lecturer (Part time)
Maarifa Media Trust
01.2010 - 01.2018
Corporate Social Responsibility and Media Engagement
Lilac n Shades Company Ltd
01.2010 - 01.2014
PhD - Political Science: Political Problems of International Systems and Global Development
Kiev State University
M.Sc. - International Relations
Kiev State University
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