Sauda Mapunda
Dar es Salaam
Summary
Highly organized and detail-oriented professional with nearly a decade of experience providing comprehensive administrative, logistical, and executive support in the international development sector. Expertise in managing complex schedules, coordinating high-level meetings, and preparing official correspondence while maintaining meticulous documentation and records. Proven track record in organizing travel logistics, workshops, conferences, and multi-stakeholder engagements to ensure seamless coordination for senior leadership. Strong ability to liaise with government institutions, donors, and international partners, exemplified by the successful management of the U.S. Embassy’s Emerging Leaders Program in Tanzania, with a focus on safeguarding, gender equality, and inclusion in all support functions.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Program Associate
National Democratic Institute (NDI)
12.2022 - 02.2025
- Provided programmatic and administrative support to a multi-country program across Sub saharan Africa ,coordinating efforts between five different countries' offices including Kenya, Malawi and Zambia.
- Coordinated with NDI Headquarters in Washington to provide administrative and logistical support in designing and implementing strategies and activities that promoted the inclusion of youth, women, and persons with disabilities in political processes.
- Fostered partnerships with key government stakeholders, including the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), the Tanzania Youth Parliamentary Caucus (TYPC), Tanzania Women Parliamentary Group (TWPG), Women in Politics (WiP), academia, media, and the private sector to promote democratic reforms.
- Organized high-level meetings with government officials including Tanzania Youth Parliamentary Caucus (TYPC), Tanzania Women Parliamentary Group (TWPG), Women in Politics (WiP), donors, and partners on behalf of the CoD, maintaining action trackers and follow-up.
- Providing administration support to the Country Director, including drafting reports, preparing briefing materials, and representing the office in high-level meetings.
- Prepared invitation and visa support letters for international fellows and visiting experts under the Emerging Leaders Program, ensuring timely processing and smooth travel arrangements.
- Organized and coordinated multi-stakeholder forums on governance and democracy, managing logistics, scheduling, and participant communications to ensure smooth execution of high-level events.
- Provided logistical and administrative support for training and capacity-building programs for CSOs in collaboration with USAID TMELA, including venue coordination, materials preparation, and participant management.
- Coordinated communications with donors, government institutions, and CSOs, ensuring timely responses and follow-up.
- Supported travel logistics, donor engagements, and leadership events, ensuring seamless coordination.
- Strengthened safeguarding and inclusion in program design, advancing participation of women, youth, and PWDs.
- Managed grants and sub-awards to CSO partners such as contract negotiations, budgeting, reporting, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements.
Program Assistant
National Democratic Institute (NDI)
10.2020 - 11.2022
- Coordinated logistics for international programs, ensuring timely execution and resource allocation.
- Supported program development through research, analysis, and documentation of best practices.
- Facilitated communication among stakeholders to streamline project workflows and enhance collaboration.
- Managed scheduling and calendar coordination for senior leadership, optimizing time management efficiency.
- Managed grants and sub-awards to CSO partners such as for election observation, overseeing proposal reviews, contract negotiations, budgeting, reporting, and ensuring compliance with donor (USAID) requirements.
- Worked closely with media stakeholders to organize press conferences, publish articles, and communicate program impact to the public.
- Represented the organization in high-level meetings with government officials, donors, and other key stakeholders, advocating for inclusive governance reforms.
- Developed country-level M&E processes, methodologies, and tools for planning, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) in line with National Democratic Institute (NDI) standards.
- Established and ensured the quality and consistency of M&E data collection and reporting systems, including the DIS and CEPPS databases.
- Designed and implemented a comprehensive M&E plan, conducting regular progress monitoring to align program activities with intended outcomes.
- Provided technical expertise in questionnaire development and data collection programming, supporting robust evidence-based decision-making among Ushiriki Tanzania coalition members.
- Led data quality assessments and audits, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and compliance with donor (USAID) and institutional requirements.
- Conducted beneficiary interviews, focus group discussions, and quality improvement verification visits to assess program effectiveness and capture key lessons.
- Compiled project monitoring data into internal and external reports, ensuring accountability to beneficiaries, stakeholders, and donors while informing programmatic decisions.
- Develop success stories, case studies, and visual documentation, enhancing program visibility and knowledge sharing.
- Collaborated with HQ teams, CSOs, Election Management Bodies (EMBs), the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), and the Registrar of NGOs to implement the Tushiriki Pamoja Project, strengthening inclusive political participation.
- Organize multi-stakeholder engagement including the multiparty democracy on the Government National Unit (GNU) Zanzibar, legal reforms, and governance frameworks, enhancing policy advocacy efforts.
Program Officer
Asasi ya Uwezeshaji Tanzania (ASUTA)
10.2017 - 12.2019
- Conducted and facilitated training among youth ,peer educators and Empowerment workers on gender based violence, management committee training for young women’s (MCT), Social Behaviour change and communication (SBCC), My Worth Application, financial literacy, youth employability and better parenting.
- Supervised peer educators and Empowerment workers in all program activities, including provisional biomedical services to the adolescent and young women’s (AGYWS).
- Trained Local Government Officials (VEO, WEO, WCDOs, MCDO,)and Police gender desks on Gender Based Violence.
- Participated in building capacity among adolescent girls and young women (AGYWs) to participate in decision making affecting their lives and take on various leadership positions at street/village and ward level through WORTH+ groups.
- Prepared and submitted project implementation reports as agreed by the organization and donors (Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly).
- Worked with LGAs to identify and recruit peer educators and empowerment workers for data collection.
- Monitored and Evaluated attendance and performance of youth and children (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) Vocational Scholarship in collaboration with caregivers and community leaders.
- Worked closely with Youth officers to conduct field visits to monitor and evaluate youth income generating activities (IGA) and advise accordingly.
- Supervise the implementation of the project activities in collaboration with, Local Government Authority (LGAs), Ward Executive Officer (WEOs), Village Executive Officer (VEOs) in Temeke Municipal.
- Designed, developed and distributed field data collection tools to empowerment workers and peer educators.
- Organized and participated in monthly team meetings with empowerment workers (young women) to assess implementation results, challenges and lessons.
- Supervised the formation of WORTH+ groups for income savings, lending and development of income generating activities (IGA).
- Participated in the preparation and planning of program activities,resolving issues and initiating appropriate corrective action and defining the program's governance arrangements.
Program Officer
Amend organization
04.2015 - 02.2017
- Coordinated national, regional, and community-level road safety roundtables, facilitating continuous engagement with government institutions, local authorities, transport stakeholders, and community representatives.
- Partnered with EACOP’s safety and logistics departments to establish robust response mechanisms for road traffic incidents, with a focus on reducing injury severity and preventing fatalities.
- Oversaw the implementation of community-based road safety interventions including tailored road safety education to schools and community groups.
- Collaborated with EACOP to Conducted road infrastructure assessments to identify hazardous locations and recommend technical and behavioral safety improvements.
- Contributed to the planning and execution of road safety capacity building, awareness campaigns, and media outreach initiatives to promote behavioral change and risk awareness.
- Developed an in-depth understanding of Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs), Livelihood Restoration Plans (LRPs), to ensure effective delivery of social safeguards across project zones.
- Supported the implementation of the RAP welfare monitoring program, tracking the progress and wellbeing of physically and economically displaced Project-Affected Persons (PAPs).
- Maintained and regularly updated the Vulnerable Households Register (VHR), working in close coordination with zonal leads and livelihoods supervisors to identify and respond to cases requiring urgent or extended support.
- Conducted routine monitoring of displaced households, including those receiving transitional assistance, to assess changing needs and ensure the provision of timely support.
- Identified barriers limiting the participation of vulnerable households in livelihood restoration activities and contributed to the design and implementation of inclusive support strategies.
- Prepared and submitted timely and accurate monitoring reports daily, weekly, and monthly informing program adjustments and strategic planning.
- Assisted in organizing program assessment and periodic evaluation of the project in the targeted schools.
- Assisted in facilitating primary school children Clubs and annual drawing road safety competitions for targeted primary schools in Dar es Salaam.
- Participated in project planning, implementation, budgeting, and monitoring process in collaboration with all program development partners.
- Assisted in organizing program assessment and periodic evaluation of the project in the targeted schools.
- Prepared and submitted activity report, monthly and quarterly report.
- Coordinated stakeholder engagement efforts to ensure alignment with organizational goals and local needs.
- Managed project budgets, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and responsible resource allocation.
- Organized workshops and trainings for stakeholders, increasing understanding of program goals and objectives.
Education
Master of Project Planning and Management -
University of Dar es Salaam
01.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of Dar es Salaam
01.2014
Skills
- Strategic project coordination
- Performance assessment
- Report writing expertise
- Proficient in MS Office
- Collaborative team member
- Effective communication abilities
References
Sandy, Quimbaya, Senior Country Director, squimbaya@ndi.org, 0752805410, National Democratic Institute
Simon Kalolo, Program manager -Amend Organisation Email: skalolo@amend.org, Phone no: 0718079550
Training
- Data Visualization and power BI by NDI HQ Washington
- Entrepreneurship training course by AsasiyaUwezeshaji Tanzania
- Data quality assessment by USAID Tanzania
- Resource mobilization and contingency planning by NDI
- Police and gender desk GBV training by AsasiyaUwezeshaji Tanzania
- Monitoring and Evaluation framework training by PACT Tanzania
- Case Management Training at Seashells hotel Dar es Salaam by PACT Tanzania
Timeline
Senior Program Associate
National Democratic Institute (NDI)
12.2022 - 02.2025
Program Assistant
National Democratic Institute (NDI)
10.2020 - 11.2022
Program Officer
Asasi ya Uwezeshaji Tanzania (ASUTA)
10.2017 - 12.2019
Program Officer
Amend organization
04.2015 - 02.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of Dar es Salaam
Master of Project Planning and Management -
University of Dar es Salaam
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