Florida Henjewele
Dar es Salaam
Summary
Developed leadership and strategic planning skills in high-paced, collaborative and dynamic environment to enhance employee engagement and boost performance. Possesses comprehensive understanding of organizational development and operational efficiency, with proficiency in strategic planning, policy development, project management and and implementation.
Committed to driving organizational success and fostering collaborative environment to achieve impactful results. Known for flexibility in dynamic environments coupled with strong communication, problem-solving, and results-driven mindset to leverage these abilities to transition into new field and drive success.
Successfully oversees daily operations, planning and quality control and develops and monitors resources. Broad history in establishing standard operating procedures and tracking and reporting processes, tools and information flows. Actively engages direct reports to achieve business goals, tracks progress toward goals and increases effectiveness and efficiency of leaders.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Director: Democracy and Governance
United States Agency for International Development, USAID
09.2024 - 08.2025
- Overseeing and ensuring high quality design, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of multiple governance projects.
- Lead and oversee technical assistance and coordination with senior and technical level government officials in both Mainland and Zanzibar, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), professional associations including research bodies, think tanks, USAID Implementing Partners, and other USAID offices.
- Lead and oversee integration of governance in all the sectors the mission supported including health, education, agriculture, natural resources management, water sector.
- Maintained high-level contacts with key governmental, political, and civil society leaders, other donors, counterparts in the U.S. Embassy.
- Co-lead the overall strategic and operational direction of the governance team.
- Fostered a positive work environment by promoting collaboration, transparency, and open communication among team members.
- Developed strategic plans to achieve set goals, ensuring alignment with organization mission and vision.
- Monitored performance metrics, analyzing trends to identify areas requiring attention or improvement.
- Oversaw project management efforts, ensuring timely completion of projects within allocated budgets and scope.
- Collaborated with the Inter-agency, government agencies, and other donors to accomplish key objectives.
- Collaborated with other technical team heads to ensure smooth functioning of activities.
- Improved coordination and communications mission-wide to increase operational efficiency.
- Ensured DRG office regulatory compliance through diligent monitoring of policies, procedures, documentation requirements.
- Optimized team productivity by providing ongoing training and support for staff members.
- Enhanced communication within the organization through interagency meetings and updates.
- Managed budgets and financial resources effectively, optimizing resource allocation for maximum impact.
- Developed thought leadership around specific topics and emerging practice areas in support of budget, financial and operational goals.
- Directed DRG program operations and future plans.
- Advanced professional development opportunities for staff members through targeted training programs designed to build skills essential for success in their roles.
- Spearheaded initiatives aimed at improving employee satisfaction, engagement, and retention rates.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with vendors and strategic partners such as host government, and other development partners
- Represented organization externally
- Collaborated with legal, program, finance, acquisition and assistance office and other professional teams to review and maintain compliance with regulations.
- Led recruitment and development of strategic alliances to maximize utilization of existing talent and capabilities.
- Devised and presented business plans and forecasts Mission Director and Ambassador
- Created succession plans to provide continuity of operations during leadership transitions.
- Enhanced performance- and merit-based evaluation system to assess staff performance.
Senior Democracy, Rights, and Governance Specialis
United States Agency for International Development, USAID
04.2014 - 09.2024
- Improved customer satisfaction rates through proactive problem-solving and efficient complaint resolution.
- Collaborated with technical teams across the mission to achieve project goals on time and within budget.
- Initiated sustainability program, reducing company's environmental impact.
- Implemented new training programs for staff, leading to higher employee retention rates and better overall performance.
- Managed USAID Democracy and Governance programs (provision of technical and organizational leadership on designing, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects; program manager for projects;
- Served as the governance specialist to other senior staff in the USAID mission and to the U.S. country team.
- Provided strategic guidance and vision on development and implementation of the Democracy and Governance Strategy.
- lead and served in the mission governance integration team, served as the public sector systems strengthening (PS 3) technical committee member; team lead focusing on public sector systems and legal reforms.
- Supported and or oversee researches, evaluations, analyses, assessments and drafted governance Program Monitoring Plan, Operational Plan, Performance Plan and Report.
- Represented Mission externally with the government, private sector, and to Democracy and governance related forum such as Development Partners Governance Working Group, Gender, Decentralization, Local Governance Reform Program Development Partners Groups
Acting Director, Democracy, Rights and Governance
The United States Agency for International Development
07.2015 - 07.2016
- Provided Strategic Leadership of the Democracy, Rights, and Governance (DRG) Office.
- Supervised staff- election specialist, and Foreign Service National (FSN) employee.
- Worked closely with the Embassy, attended all Inter-Agency Governance Working Group meetings and work with Political and Economic Office.
- Fostered democracy and governance integration across technical offices and advise them accordingly.
- Attended Senior Leaders Meetings, managed four grants and three contracts, and served as Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Representative.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Improved project efficiency with strategic planning, resource allocation, and time management practices.
- Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on projects or business operations.
- Evaluated employee performance objectively using established metrics, leading to fair compensation adjustments based on meritocracy principles.
- Leveraged data analytics insights for informed decision-making in critical areas such as sales forecasting, budgeting, or personnel management.
- Improved team morale and productivity by implementing comprehensive professional development program.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
Democracy and Governance Officer
The East African Community Secretariat
04.2011 - 12.2013
- Implemented the East African Community’s (EAC) Good Governance Program and the Regional Political Integration and Human Security Support Project (RPIHSSP).
- Undertook initiatives towards standardization of elections observation standards for the region, identified policies for harmonization and build consensus among key stakeholders.
- Managed a Four – Year (4) RPIHSSP grant, Euro 4.29M.
- Developed strategies for strengthening democracy, governance, protection of human rights, rule of law and constitutionalism in the EAC region and establish consensus around key policies and strategies.
- Convened and facilitated meetings for organizations responsible for promoting good governance including human rights commissions, electoral management bodies, anti-corruption agencies and undertake measures for involvement of Civil Society Organizations, private sector, youth and media
- Identified key stakeholders in the region in the relevant fields with the view of building their capacity and enhancing their respective roles.
- Built networks and sustained working relations with key national, regional and international institutions of governance and democratization.
- Conceptualized and guided research work in key and relevant areas of the good governance.
- Built and maintained contacts with established partners and key international and regional bodies including the African Union, United Nations, and NEPAD among others.
- Managed own work assignments under minimum supervision to complete self-assessments and other assigned reviews and projects.
- Compiled data for analysis and developed tracking and reporting.
- Prepared and distributed assessment reports and conducted closing conferences with various stakeholders.
- Facilitated conference calls and meetings with partner states, various team members and business partners for work assignments.
- Facilitated the development of effective committee structures for improved efficiency in decision-making processes.
- Oversaw compliance initiatives, working closely with legal counsel to mitigate potential risks associated with non-compliance issues.
- Assisted in the preparation of meetings materials, ensuring clarity and accuracy for informed decision-making.
- Contributed to a culture of continuous improvement by regularly reviewing and updating governance frameworks at the EAC.
- Safeguarded confidential data through strict implementation of privacy policies across all departments.
- Promoted transparency within the organization through clear documentation, communication, and reporting practices.
Senior Governance Advisor
Embassy of Ireland
08.2009 - 03.2011
- Strategic direction and overall coordination of the Irish Aid governance programme, with a particular focus on 1) Accountability (support to the Parliament, Parliamentary Oversight Committees, National Election Commission and Zanzibar Election Commission, Tanzania Centre for Democracy and Political Parties) 2) Decentralization- Local Government Reform and its related Local Government Development Grant System: and 3) support to Non-State Actors and Civil Society Organisations for improved demand side accountability.
- Reported to the Head of Development, and day-to-day management of the governance programme in accordance with the Irish Aid Country Strategy Paper (CSP) and Results Framework.
- Managed and delivered the Irish Aid’s Country Strategy Paper 2007-2010 through provision of technical advice to the four streams of activity.
- Developed strong relationships with partners through regular communication and excellent customer service.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current with industry trends and best practices.
- Navigated complex regulatory requirements to ensure compliance in all technical activities.
- Strengthened relationships through regular, insightful communication regarding regional development and political trends.
- Developed comprehensive risk assessment tool, enabling more precise investment recommendations.
Program Manager and Team Leader
Danish Association for International Development
03.2006 - 08.2009
- Managed and supervised administrative and daily program operations, complying with policies and regulations.
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring support for program initiatives.
- Developed strategic plans, setting clear objectives and achievable milestones for the team.
- Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within deadlines and budgets.
- Developed and Managed Programs
- Coordinated thematic team activities on Youth for Development, Land Rights and Gender Mainstreaming
Researcher
Research on Poverty Alleviation (REPOA)
03.2003 - 03.2006
- Researcher for the Formative Process Research on Local Government Reform Project
- Designed research, data collection, processing, analysis and report writing.
Education
Master of Arts - Public Administration And Political Science
The University of Dar Es Salaam
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania11-2003
Skills
- Strategic Leadership and planning
- Program management
- Partnership building and Engagement
- Intergovernmental Relations
- Resource Mobilization
- Change Management
- Risk Management
Timeline
Deputy Director: Democracy and Governance
United States Agency for International Development, USAID
09.2024 - 08.2025
Acting Director, Democracy, Rights and Governance
The United States Agency for International Development
07.2015 - 07.2016
Senior Democracy, Rights, and Governance Specialis
United States Agency for International Development, USAID
04.2014 - 09.2024
Democracy and Governance Officer
The East African Community Secretariat
04.2011 - 12.2013
Senior Governance Advisor
Embassy of Ireland
08.2009 - 03.2011
Program Manager and Team Leader
Danish Association for International Development
03.2006 - 08.2009
Researcher
Research on Poverty Alleviation (REPOA)
03.2003 - 03.2006
Master of Arts - Public Administration And Political Science
The University of Dar Es Salaam