Martha J. Makenge
Arusha
Summary
Award-winning Social Manager with over 15 years of experience in the social and environmental management sector, specializing in social performance, lender compliance (IFC, World Bank), and stakeholder engagement for large-scale infrastructure projects, including the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). Recognized as Outstanding Employee of the Year in 2023 and Best Performing Employee in Social Management in 2025, demonstrating a commitment to excellence in managing social risk and implementing resettlement action plans while ensuring adherence to international standards. Expertise as an Organizational Development Facilitator, Program Coordinator, and Lawyer complements a strong background in human rights advocacy and civil society strengthening at regional and international levels. Currently pursuing an LLM in International Human Rights to further enhance skills and impact in the field.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Social Manager
Daging Oilfield Construction Co., Ltd (DOCG)
07.2022 - Current
- Social Performance and Stakeholder Engagement specialist with experience supporting large-scale infrastructure projects under the EACOP framework.
- Strong expertise in implementing Social Management Systems, including SEP, LMP, Land Management, and Cultural Heritage plans.
- Proven capacity in contractor social risk oversight, mitigation planning, and compliance monitoring aligned with international standards.
- Experienced in multi-level stakeholder engagement (District, Ward, Village, Hamlet) and structured grievance management systems.
- Skilled in supervising Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) and coordinating community engagement during construction activities.
- Competent in labour management compliance, local recruitment coordination, and worker grievance mechanism oversight.
- Conducts community health, safety, and security risk assessments and delivers training on GBV/SEA/SH and social inclusion.
- Strong reporting and analytical skills, producing structured daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly social performance reports with KPI tracking and audit support.
Sociologist
YAPI MERKEZI - Construction Company
01.2021 - 08.2022
- Led the Social Department for SGR Lot 1 (Ngerengere km 100 to Morogoro km 201), overseeing all social performance functions across the corridor.
- Managed stakeholder engagement, land acquisition, resettlement, compensation, and livelihood restoration activities for Project Affected Persons (PAPs) under the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP).
- Administered community grievance mechanisms and strengthened contractor–community communication frameworks.
- Ensured compliance with international lender standards, including International Finance Corporation Performance Standard 6 (IFC PS6), World Bank Environmental and Social Standard 6 (WB ES6), Equator Principles IV, and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Common Approaches.
- Coordinated implementation of ESMPs, Social Action Plans, and corporate social policies, ensuring mitigation measures from ESIA and ESMMP were executed effectively.
- Monitored social KPIs (annual and semi-annual), prepared monthly and quarterly reports, and communicated performance outcomes to the contractor and lenders.
- Facilitated replacement land allocation and monitored delivery of livelihood support and compensation packages.
- Coordinated Lenders’ Independent Environmental and Social Consultant (IESC) reviews and audits.
- Conducted social training needs assessments, coordinated capacity-building initiatives, and supported HSE risk assessments and site inspections.
Program Coordinator (Resource Mobilization and Community Outreach Officer) & Acting Chief Executive Officer
East African Civil Society Organisations' Forum (EACSOF)
12.2018 - 12.2020
- As Acting CEO, served as an ex-officio member of the Governing Council and team leader of the Secretariat, overseeing day-to-day operations.
- Responsible for resource mobilization, high-level policy advocacy, and networking with leaders from the EAC region.
- Oversaw EACSOF’s accounting and provided leadership in strategy development.
- Supported grantees in identifying capacity building gaps, partnerships, and network creation.
- Oversaw planning, budgeting, and submission of program reports; monitored donor and partner budgets.
- Oversaw the M&E component and tracked milestones for outcome harvesting.
- Successfully negotiated and developed a three-year grant partnership with ActionAid International (2017-2020).
- Successfully negotiated and developed a one-year grant partnership with Oxfam East Africa (2019).
Program Coordinator (Policy Analyst) & Acting Chief Executive Officer
East African Civil Society Organisations' Forum (EACSOF)
02.2015 - 12.2018
- Led conceptualization, planning, and impact assessment of EACSOF programmes.
- Directed development and implementation of a public–private partnership framework with the East African Community (EAC).
- Designed and executed a membership expansion strategy for EACSOF.
- Coordinated research initiatives to support evidence-based policy advocacy.
- Managed monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems and processes.
- Built and strengthened strategic alliances with CSOs, government institutions, private sector actors, and NGOs.
- Enhanced EACSOF brand visibility through targeted media engagement.
- Ensured timely and compliant reporting to donors and partners.
- Coordinated development of EACSOF Policy Briefs on democracy and governance within the EAC (2018–2020).
Administrative Officer and Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer
East African Civil Society Organisations' Forum (EACSOF)
07.2011 - 09.2015
- Executive Support: Assisted the CEO with diary management, maintained a confidential filing system, facilitated travel logistics, and maintained records of meetings. Supervised the Communication Officer, Accountant, and Policy Advisor on behalf of the CEO.
- Office Management: Operationalized systems for managing the CEO’s office, followed up on correspondence, assisted in logistical planning for events, managed office supplies and communications, prepared budgets, and handled petty cash. Acted as bank agent for the EACSOF account.
Acting Programmes Coordinator
East African Civil Society Organisations' Forum (EACSOF)
07.2011 - 02.2012
- Mobilized resources for projects and administrative needs.
- Ensured timely reporting to donors and members.
- Conducted budget tracking and provided updates to the Steering Committee.
- Worked with EACSOF Chapters to track policy indicators within the EAC.
- Represented EACSOF in national, regional, and international forums.
- Oversaw outreach missions to build relationships with development partners.
Programmes Officer (Volunteer)
East African Civil Society Organisations' Forum (EACSOF)
10.2010 - 06.2011
- Developed and implemented capacity-building strategies for members/partners.
- Ensured timely reporting by chapters and partners.
- Supported the development and tracking of project indicators.
- Undertook research on EAC Integration and CSO activities.
- Updated the membership database and drafted a bi-monthly e-newsletter.
- Offered logistical and technical support for conferences and workshops.
- Assisted in the design and development of the EACSOF website.
Legal Officer
Coalition For An Effective African Court On Human And Peoples' Rights
04.2010 - 09.2010
- Supported project monitoring and communication with local partners.
- Supported coordination of the Coalition's membership.
- Worked on advocacy for the nomination and election of Judges to the African Court.
- Contributed to research papers and compiled newsletters.
- Assisted with administrative and legal tasks.
Legal Intern
The African Court On Human and Peoples' Rights
02.2010 - 03.2010
- Assisted legal officers in setting up the Court.
- Drafted the Internship manual and contributed to database development.
- Conducted legal research.
Legal Intern
The Resident Magistrates' Court [In The High Court Of Arusha]
07.2007 - 09.2007
- Conducted legal and policy research.
- Conducted interviews for detainees.
- Prepared draft judgments and scholarly work.
Legal Intern
The United Nations International Criminal Tribunal For Rwanda (ICTR)
08.2005 - 09.2005
- Assisted in legal and policy research; compiled and summarized legal material.
- Reviewed and processed legal instruments; extracted key data and updated databases.
- Assisted in preparing legal documents for electronic storage and circulation.
- Provided general office support and administrative duties.
Education
Bachelor of Laws (LL. B) with Honours - undefined
University of Dar Es Salaam
United Republic of Tanzania01-2008
Advanced Certificate of Education - undefined
Korogwe Girls High School
Tanga, Tanzania01-2003
Ordinary Level Certificate - undefined
Arusha Day Secondary School
Arusha, Tanzania01-2000
Certificate in Computer Applications - undefined
University of Dar Es Salaam, Arusha Branch
Arusha, TanzaniaMaster of Science (M.Sc.) - International Human Rights (LLM)
University of Cape Town
South AfricaSkills
- Compliance management expertise
- Expertise in environmental and social compliance frameworks
- Community engagement strategies
- Stakeholder engagement strategies
- Project management expertise
- Environmental and social impact assessment
- Technical skills
- Analytical report writing
- Interpersonal skills
- Team management
- Proficient in digital tools
- Proficient in office software
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Computer applications certification
- Database maintenance
- Advanced research skills
- Legal research proficiency
- Data extraction for reporting
- Social performance reporting
Accomplishments
- Managed social performance for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Project, overseeing stakeholder engagement, grievance resolution, and social risk mitigation for over 2,500 affected households across the Tanga region, ensuring 100% compliance with IFC and World Bank standards.
- Supervised the Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) for DOCG, conducting over 120 site visits and stakeholder meetings monthly, reducing community grievances by 30% within the first year.
- Implemented livelihood restoration programs for over 1,200 Project Affected Persons (PAPs) along the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Lot 1 corridor (Ngerengere to Morogoro), achieving 95% timely compensation and land replacement as per Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) requirements.
- Successfully negotiated and secured $1.2 million in grant funding for EACSOF programs from international partners, including ActionAid, Oxfam, TMEA, and Commonwealth Foundation between 2015 and 2020, increasing operational reach to all six EAC Partner States.
- Coordinated and executed over 50 regional policy advocacy events, involving 100–120 stakeholders each, leading to the adoption of EAC Gender Protocol, EAC Youth Policy, and HIV/AIDS Bill by Partner States.
- Developed and launched EACSOF Secretariat systems, including HR, financial, and database platforms, improving operational efficiency by 40% and ensuring 100% timely reporting to donors.
- Produced structured monthly, quarterly, and annual social performance reports for SGR and EACOP projects, tracking over 50 KPIs and ensuring full audit readiness for lender compliance.
- Reduced project-related social risks by implementing proactive risk mitigation plans, impacting over 5,000 community members, with documented improvements in safety, security, and stakeholder relations.
- Spearheaded capacity-building and training programs for over 250 staff and community members on gender-based violence (GBV/SH), social inclusion, and grievance mechanisms, achieving 100% training coverage within targeted communities.
- Coordinated multi-stakeholder consultations across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan, ensuring inclusion of over 500 civil society actors in policy dialogue and advocacy initiatives.
Affiliations
Policy Forum for Development (PFD) - European Union / African Union (AU) - The Economic, Social & Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) Member / Center for Citizen Participation at the African Union (CCP-AU) / Consultative Dialogue Forum - East African Community (Former Chairperson) / IIDEA incubator for small-scale regional integration (Former Chairperson) / Regional Private Sector Committee (RPSC) under Trademark East Africa (TMEA) - (Former Committee Member) / Pan African Lawyers Union (Member) / East Africa Law Society (Member) / Tanganyika Law Society (Member) / Tanzania Human Rights (Member)
Certification
- Certificate in Environmental Management and Legal Compliance (CPD Certified)
- Diploma in Certified Associate in Project Management (Alison, CPD Certified)
- Oil and Gas Management - Health and Safety Certificate (CPD Certified)
- Certificate of Training - Sexual Harassment Prevention (East African Crude Oil Project - EACOP)
- Kelvin Top-Set Investigator Course on HSE Issues (CPD Certified)
- Industrial Enhancement Course on Workplace Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment
- Practitioners Course on International Finance Corporation (IFC) Environmental and Social Performance Standards (RSK)
- Project Human Resource Management (Oxfam Great Britain)
- Gender and Governance (Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development)
- Resource Mobilization (Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development)
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Best Performing Employee in Social Management 01/12/2024, Best Outstanding Employee of the Year 01/12/2022
Languages
English
Full Professional
Swahili
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Social Manager
Daging Oilfield Construction Co., Ltd (DOCG)
07.2022 - Current
Sociologist
YAPI MERKEZI - Construction Company
01.2021 - 08.2022
Program Coordinator (Resource Mobilization and Community Outreach Officer) & Acting Chief Executive Officer
East African Civil Society Organisations' Forum (EACSOF)
12.2018 - 12.2020
Program Coordinator (Policy Analyst) & Acting Chief Executive Officer
East African Civil Society Organisations' Forum (EACSOF)
02.2015 - 12.2018
Administrative Officer and Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer
East African Civil Society Organisations' Forum (EACSOF)
07.2011 - 09.2015
Acting Programmes Coordinator
East African Civil Society Organisations' Forum (EACSOF)
07.2011 - 02.2012
Programmes Officer (Volunteer)
East African Civil Society Organisations' Forum (EACSOF)
10.2010 - 06.2011
Legal Officer
Coalition For An Effective African Court On Human And Peoples' Rights
04.2010 - 09.2010
Legal Intern
The African Court On Human and Peoples' Rights
02.2010 - 03.2010
Legal Intern
The Resident Magistrates' Court [In The High Court Of Arusha]
07.2007 - 09.2007
Legal Intern
The United Nations International Criminal Tribunal For Rwanda (ICTR)
08.2005 - 09.2005
Bachelor of Laws (LL. B) with Honours - undefined
University of Dar Es Salaam
Advanced Certificate of Education - undefined
Korogwe Girls High School
Ordinary Level Certificate - undefined
Arusha Day Secondary School
Certificate in Computer Applications - undefined
University of Dar Es Salaam, Arusha Branch
Master of Science (M.Sc.) - International Human Rights (LLM)
University of Cape Town