MARY PETER MUHUMBA
Iringa,Tanzania
Summary
Experienced humanitarian and development professional from Tanzania, holding a bachelor's degree in Adult and Community Education from Makerere University. More than seven years of experience in education, youth, and protection program management. Skilled in multi-donor project coordination and implementing community-based, gender-sensitive strategies. Focused on promoting gender equality and sustainable development in communities.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Education Protection Officer
International Rescue committee (IRC)
Kigoma, Tanzania
2020.09 - 2025.09
- As an Education Protection Officer, I ensure that children have safe and inclusive access to quality education, particularly during crises or conflicts. My responsibilities include identifying safety risks in schools, developing and implementing protective education programs, training staff on child protection, collaborating with other education sectors, promoting safe learning environments, promoting the child friendly space including supporting the extra curriculum such as school clubs and assisting at-risk children in receiving the support they need both at school and at home.
- Key achievements.
- I successfully developed a comprehensive education work plan, procurement plan, and spending plan while also effectively following up on the procurement of materials from the supply chain. Various donors, including FCDO, UNHCR, EU, and BPRM, support this work. I facilitated weekly and monthly meetings to update community leaders, parents, and students regarding safeguarding measures, issues related to student discipline, and educational matters. Additionally, I established transparent communication channels to effectively address concerns and foster trust within the community.
- I monitored over 21 primary schools and six secondary schools activities in Kigoma region to ensure teachers followed safety measures against abuse and neglect, as required by donor standards. As a result, all observed classrooms met key safety practices, which helped increase student-reported feelings of safety by 30%. This effort directly created a safer learning environment for more than 57,288 students.
- Established community education committees such as Parent teachers’ association (PTA) ,community outreach workers to enhance school management and reduce dropout rates.
- We successfully mobilized resources and formed partnerships that enhanced access to education for marginalized groups, including girls, refugees, and children with disabilities. For example, through our work with the FCDO, we were able to procure essential education materials and support tools for students with disabilities, such as a braille machine. Additionally, we provided training for teachers working with special needs students, aiming to improve their teaching methods and promote greater inclusion in the classroom.
- I truly prepared donor reports, both narrative and financial, ensuring they were delivered on time and fully compliant with all contractual obligations. My focus on detail guaranteed that every aspect of the reports met the specified requirements and adhered to the established reporting schedules, achieving a perfect track record of 100% compliance.
- I was part of a team involved in the distribution of educational materials donated by organizations such as UNICEF, UNHCR and IRC budget. My responsibility was to ensure that enrolled students received their allocated materials in a timely and efficient manner.
- In my role as the Education Protection Officer, I have been designated as the focal point for safeguarding and the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). I represent the organization in protection meetings both within and outside the camp. My responsibilities also include conducting capacity-building training sessions for both incentive and national staff.
- I provided support to students applying for scholarships such as the DAFI and Mastercard Foundation programs. This assistance included helping them acquire necessary documentation, facilitating requests for permits from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and accompanying them to their respective universities.
- As the Safeguarding Focal Person in a multi-donor education program supported by UNHCR, FCDO, BPRM, and the EU, I set up a clear system for reporting and referring safeguarding issues, such as the use of suggestion boxes, call for help line, and one on one discussions. By improving staff awareness and ensuring quick reporting of concerns to the Education Manager and compliance team by ensure I follow donor safeguarding standards. This method helped me to identify protection risks early and created a safer and more inclusive learning environment for children from both refugee and host communities.
- As a member of the child protection team, I actively participated in the development of the Child and Youth Amendment Policy in the Nyarugusu and Nduta camps. This initiative, conducted in June 2024 in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and other stakeholders, focused on child and youth welfare, aimed to strengthen the positive discipline measures. Additionally, I contributed to the monthly and quarterly meetings of the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) sub-working group. This integrated approach enhanced the mainstreaming of protection across educational services, improved multi-sectoral referral pathways, and bolstered the overall response to child protection issues.
- I actively participated in the student enrollment process at Nyarugusu Camp, with a particular focus on children with disabilities to ensure equitable access to education. By collaborating closely with the incentive community outreach workers and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), I effectively identified and enrolled out-of-school and vulnerable children. This collaborative effort resulted in a 21% increase in the enrollment of children with disabilities compared to the 2023/2024 academic year. This achievement aligns with our goals for inclusive education and the priorities established by FCDO donors regarding safe schools.
- I actively monitored and promoted student engagement in various specialized school clubs within Nyarugusu Camp, including the HIV Awareness Club, Environment Club, Girls' Club, School Baraza, and the GBV Prevention Club. Participation in these clubs significantly enhanced awareness of critical issues such as gender-based violence, environmental sustainability, and HIV prevention, while also fostering psychosocial well-being among students.
- Supervised the Implementation of Social Behavioral Change Interventions: Led successful execution of EMAP (Engaging Men through Accountable Practice), EABAP for Adolescent Boys, Girls Shine for Adolescent Girls, Safe at Home for Family Sessions, SASA! Together with Community Activists, ensuring impactful community engagement and behavioral change.
- Directed GBV Prevention and Response: Oversaw the prevention and response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) through the Interfaith Committee in the Kigoma region, effectively mobilizing community resources and fostering interfaith collaboration.
- Led Protection Awareness Campaigns: Conducted extensive protection awareness campaigns, utilizing media platforms including live and recorded sessions on local radio, significantly raising community awareness on protection issues.
- Provided GBV Prevention Training: Facilitated comprehensive GBV prevention training for local and humanitarian partners, government staff, and volunteers, enhancing their capacity to address and prevent GBV.
- Promoted Gender Equality and Mainstreaming: Facilitated workshops on gender equality, gender mainstreaming, and protection principles, driving increased awareness and integration of these principles in humanitarian programs.
- Managed Program Operations: Spearheaded program management activities, including the development of MEAL tools, preparation of spending plans, work plans, procurement plans, and leading program review meetings with supervisors to ensure alignment with objectives.
- Organized High-Impact International Events: Successfully organized and executed international events at both camp and regional levels, including International Women’s Day, Day of the African Child, 16 Days of Activism, World AIDS Day, and the Day of People with Disabilities, fostering community engagement and advocacy.
- Handled sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
- Actively participated in community engagement initiatives fostering good relations between the force and local residents.
Team leader-livelihood and WASH
Raleigh international-Tanzania
Ifakara and Kirombero, Tanzania
2018.09 - 2020.09
- As the Team Leader for WASH and Livelihoods at Raleigh Tanzania, I had the privilege of leading a dedicated group of 120 volunteers from both the UK and Tanzania across various regions, including Iringa and Morogoro. My role involved coordinating daily project activities, promoting teamwork, ensuring the safety of all volunteers, and promoting cross-cultural collaboration. Throughout our work, I made sure that our projects aligned Raleigh's values and objectives.
- Key achievements.
- Led MHM awareness and SWASH programs to primary school pupils at different primary schools in Ifakara and Kilosa and mvomero.
- Trained men (Baba`s) about sanitation and hygiene to become the ambassador of change in their community of Kirombero and Ifakara of Morogoro region.
- Coordinated the construction and maintenance of girl-friendly latrines and washing areas in schools.
- As part of team leader, I was part of the trainer of train to 120 volunteers from both the UK and Tanzania to adopt the culture and diversity of the host country (Tanzania) and to provide the sessions and materials on how to deliver interactive lessons on young entrepreneurship and WASH program.
- Also trained local vendors in entrepreneurship for sustainable livelihoods. The “Happier Home, Healthier Life” project achieved a 70% improvement in household hygiene practices, demonstrating strong community engagement and lasting change.
- Designed and implemented effective monitoring and evaluation tools to track project progress against key indicators, enabling timely data collection, analysis, and reporting. This ensured informed decision-making, improved accountability, and contributed to the achievement of 95% of project targets within the implementation period.
- Running sessions of culture and diversity to over 100 volunteers which includes Tanzanians and UK before them going to the villages
- Managing a team of 12 members, 18-30-year-olds from Tanzania and the UK to deliver an entrepreneurship program in the rural communities of Kwadoli (mvomero district and Gongwe, training local entrepreneurs on how to start up a business. Conduct meetings for the community and village leaders.
- I led training sessions for village entrepreneurs, teaching them practical skills in starting a business, managing money, and finding new sources of income. I organized community exhibitions to display their products and helped them access startup funds. This empowered participants to create sustainable businesses and improve their lives. As a result, 85% of the trainees started income-generating businesses within three months, significantly increasing household income and strengthening the community's economy.
- Successfully delegated responsibilities and facilitated an inclusive team environment, enabling all team members to actively contribute to project outcomes while gaining valuable skills and confidence resulting in increased team performance and the personal development of staff as empowered individuals and active citizens within their communities.
- Effectively managed project budgets while ensuring the safety and well-being of beneficiaries and staff by coordinating timely first aid assistance and organizing successful medical evacuations during emergencies resulting in zero major incidents and improved staff confidence in field operations.
- Increased team cohesion by implementing regular feedback sessions.
- Conducted regular performance reviews to identify areas of improvement for each team member.
Senior protection clerk
UNHCR-TANZANIA
Kigoma, Tanzania
2017.09 - 2018.08
- My role was to support the identification and implementation of durable solutions for refugees, which include voluntary repatriation, local integration, and resettlement. My responsibilities involved conducting interviews and eligibility screenings and preparing case documentation in line with UNHCR and Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines, ensuring compliance with legal frameworks and safeguarding principles. These activities were conducted at Katumba, Mashimo, and Ulyankulu with the integration from the president's office (RAS), MHA, immigration, and the UNHCR department.
- Key achievement.
- Conducted interviews with refugees, ensuring that safeguarding measures were implemented in their protection plans.
- Documented protection violations and facilitated case management, ensuring survivors receive timely support.
- Supported the implementation of safeguarding policies within UNHCR programs, ensuring compliance with international protection standards.
- Led efforts to raise awareness of safeguarding issues, including sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) such as preparing the 16 days of activism which is globally conducted in the month of September every year.
- I successfully created a movement document for a family of refugees residing in Katumba, Katavi region, who wished to return to their home in Burundi. The documentation involved preparing the budget, arranging accommodation, and accompanying them to the bus station.
- Took minutes at meetings, facilitating clear communication among staff members.
Education
Bachelor of Adult and community education (BACE) - Education
Makerere University
Uganda 2014.06 - 2017.05
Skills
- Safeguarding and compliance measures skills
- Oral and written communication skills
- Community Engagement skills
- Conflict Resolution skills
- Humanitarian Assistance skills
- Computer literate (Ms Word, Ms Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Publisher) skills
- Resource Management skills
- Educational Software skills
- Mentoring and Coaching skills
- Information Management skills
- Cultural Sensitivity skills
- Project management and field work skills
- Data Collection and Analysis skills
- Curriculum Development
- Interpersonal Communication skills
- Leadership excellence
Languages
English: Fluent, Excellent Speaking, Excellent Reading, Excellent Writing, Excellent Understanding
Kiswahili: Fluent, Excellent Speaking, Excellent Reading, Excellent Writing, Excellent Understanding
REFERENCES
- Benjamin, Ngolope, education manager, Benjamin.Ngolope@rescue.org, 0767800385, 0763840396
- George, Ndaro, Education associate, Ndaro@unhcr.org, +255 711 326 016, UNHCR
- Jonathan, Ngonyani, Livelihoods and NRM Project manager, ngonyanijonathan04@gmail.com, 0769003175, Raleigh Tanzania
Training attended
- Communication skills - Stellar Communications - 2021-09-16 to 2021-09-17
- Time management - Harvard Business Publishing - 2022-02-14 to 2022-07-30
- Stress management - Harvard Business Publishing - 2022-02-14 to 2022-07-30
- Delegating - Harvard Business Publishing - 2022-02-14 to 2022-07-30
- Presentation skills - Harvard Business Publishing - 2022-02-14 to 2022-07-30
- Feedback essential - Harvard Business Publishing - 2022-02-14 to 2022-07-30
- Team management - Harvard Business Publishing - 2022-02-14 to 2022-07-30
- Wellness and Resilience for Frontline Workers and Managers - Humanitarian Leadership Academy - 2022-03-04
- Living the leadership standard - International Rescue Committee (IRC) - 2023-05-11
Education and Training
COMPASS Six months Virtual learning - Harvard Business Publishing - 2022-02-14 to 2022-07-30
Timeline
Education Protection Officer
International Rescue committee (IRC)
2020.09 - 2025.09
Team leader-livelihood and WASH
Raleigh international-Tanzania
2018.09 - 2020.09
Senior protection clerk
UNHCR-TANZANIA
2017.09 - 2018.08
Bachelor of Adult and community education (BACE) - Education
Makerere University
2014.06 - 2017.05