Sauda Mapunda
Dar es Salaam
Summary
Highly organized and detail-oriented professional with extensive experience providing administrative, logistical, and executive support within international development, governance, and diplomatic settings. Skilled in managing complex schedules, coordinating high-level and community-based meetings, overseeing protocols, drafting official correspondence, and maintaining accurate records. Experienced in organizing international and domestic travel, workshops, conferences, and multi-stakeholder engagements for senior leadership and international delegations. Proven ability to liaise effectively with government institutions, including the National Parliament of Tanzania and line ministries, as well as international partners such as the U.S. Embassy and EU diplomatic mission. Provided comprehensive support administration and logistics support to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) International Election Observation Mission, coordinating observer deployment, accreditation, travel, accommodation, briefing materials, and stakeholder engagement. Proven experience in project planning management, logistics, and stakeholder liaison. Successfully coordinated multi-country programs in Sub-Saharan Africa, enhancing inclusive development and fostering strategic partnerships.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Program Associate
National Democratic Institute (NDI)
Dar es Salaam
12.2022 - 02.2025
- Provided comprehensive programmatic, administrative, and logistical support to a multi-country democracy and governance program across Sub-Saharan Africa, coordinating implementation with five country offices, including Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
- Supported international and domestic travel logistics, donor engagements, and leadership events, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and compliance with institutional procedures.
- Coordinated closely with NDI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. to deliver administrative and logistical support for strategies and activities advancing the inclusion of youth, women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
- Supported and administered the U.S. Embassy–linked Emerging Leaders Program, including preparation of official correspondence, invitation and visa support letters, fellow coordination, scheduling, and international travel logistics.
- Coordinated closely with NDI Headquarters Washington to maintain the database system (DIS) contact lists, stakeholder databases, participant records, and program tracking systems, ensuring data accuracy, confidentiality, and readiness for reporting and follow-up.
- Fostered and maintained strategic partnerships and communication with key government and civic stakeholders, including the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), Tanzania Youth Parliamentary Caucus (TYPC), Tanzania Women Parliamentary Group (TWPG), Women in Politics (WiP), academia, media, and private sector actors to promote democratic reforms.
- Organized and supported high-level meetings with government officials, embassy-linked partners, donors, and CSOs on behalf of the Country Director, maintaining action trackers and ensuring timely follow-up.
- Provided executive and administrative support to the Country Director, including drafting meeting notes and reports, draft logistic memos, preparing briefing materials, managing schedules, and representing the office in high-level meetings when required.
- Organized and coordinated multi-stakeholder forums, workshops, and conferences on governance and democracy, overseeing logistics, scheduling, protocol requirements, and participant communication to ensure smooth execution of high-level events.
- Coordinated communications with the government institutions, embassies, and CSOs, ensuring timely responses, accurate documentation, and effective follow-up.
Program Assistant
National Democratic Institute (NDI)
Dar es Salaam
10.2020 - 11.2022
- Provided executive and administrative support to the Country Director, including drafting meeting notes and reports, draft logistic memos, preparing briefing materials, managing schedules, and representing the office in high-level meetings when required.
- Coordinated closely with NDI Headquarters Washington to maintain the database system (DIS) contact lists, stakeholder databases, participant records, and program tracking systems, ensuring data accuracy, confidentiality, and readiness for reporting and follow-up.
- Designed and implemented MEL frameworks, conducted data quality assessments, and produced quarterly and annual donor reports.
- Represented NDI in high-level meetings with government, donors, and stakeholders, advocating for inclusive political and governance reforms.
- Worked with media partners to raise visibility of NDI programs and share impact stories.
- Supported design and execution of M&E systems (DIS, CEPPS databases), ensuring data integrity and evidence-based reporting.
Program Officer
Amend Organization
04.2015 - 12.2019
- Coordinated community and government road safety roundtables and awareness campaigns.
- Partnered with EACOP on resettlement and livelihood restoration monitoring (RAPs, LRPs).
- Implemented community-based road safety education in schools and local communities.
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
- Project Planning Management
- Stakeholders and diplomatic Liaison
- Inclusive & Locally-Driven Development
- Administration and Executive support
- Logistics and event coordination
- Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL)
References
- Sandy Quimbaya, Senior Country Director, squimbaya@ndi.org, +255 752 805 410, NDI
- Frankline Kobelo, Program Manager, vanynyanda@gmail.com, +255 686 515 762, EISA
- Simon Kalolo, Program Manager, skalolo@amend.org, +255 718 079 550, Amend
Languages
- Kiswahili
- English, Fluent
- Kiswahili, Native
Consultancy Experience
Program and Administration Assistant Consultant, Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa, 10/01/25 – Present
- Coordinated EU diplomatic engagement and strategic messaging ahead of the elections, ensuring communication was balanced, nonpartisan, and aligned with democratic principles
- Provided comprehensive administrative and logistical support to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) International Election Observation Mission, supporting mission deployment, observer accreditation, travel and accommodation arrangements, briefing documentation, and coordination with electoral stakeholders
- Organized and facilitated comprehensive training sessions for civic educators and election observers to enhance their understanding of electoral processes, observation methodologies, and conflict-sensitive reporting
- Maintained and managed contact lists, stakeholder databases, participant records, and program tracking systems, ensuring data accuracy, confidentiality, and readiness for reporting and follow-up
Timeline
Senior Program Associate
National Democratic Institute (NDI)
12.2022 - 02.2025
Program Assistant
National Democratic Institute (NDI)
10.2020 - 11.2022
Program Officer
Amend Organization
04.2015 - 12.2019
Master of Project Planning and Management -
University of Dar es Salaam
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of Dar es Salaam