Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
Timeline
My hobbies include debate on current affairs, music, writing and reading.
Generic

SHILAWINGE MARGARET KILEO

Dar es Salaam

Summary

Accomplished Executive Assistant | Personal Assistant | Senior Administrative Professional with over 15 years of experience providing high-level executive support to Directors, C-suite leaders, and Senior Management Teams within research institutions, international development, donor-funded organizations, and multinational corporations. Skilled in executive office management, diary and meeting coordination, governance support, stakeholder engagement, travel management, executive communications, and confidential records administration. Proven ability to manage complex priorities with discretion, sound judgment, and attention to detail while supporting effective executive operations in multicultural environments.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
2
2
Languages

Work History

Executive Assistant to the Director & Project Development & Administration Unit Focal Point

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
10.2025 - Current
  • Provide strategic executive, administrative, and operational support to the Eastern Africa Hub Director and Country Representative, managing complex calendars, executive correspondence, and departmental priorities to ensure effective delivery of organizational objectives.
  • Coordinate executive meetings, governance forums, official missions, and stakeholder engagements by preparing agendas, briefing materials, presentations, minutes, and action trackers to facilitate timely decision-making and accountability.
  • Support effective resource management through monitoring procurement requests, budget utilization, and expenditure tracking, contributing to accurate financial reporting and operational efficiency
  • Coordinate Hub work plans, project activities, and cross-functional workflows, ensuring alignment of priorities, timely implementation of activities, and effective collaboration across teams.
  • Develop executive reports, briefing notes, management updates, and presentation materials to support strategic planning, leadership discussions, and informed decision-making.
  • Manage confidential records, executive filing systems, and administrative processes, ensuring data integrity, compliance with institutional procedures, and audit readiness.
  • Serve as the Project Development and Administrative Unit (PDAU) Focal Point, coordinating project reporting, tracking deliverables, and facilitating collaboration among multidisciplinary teams to strengthen project implementation and reporting processes.

Development, Outreach & Communications Specialist

USAID/Tanzania
01.2022 - 09.2025
  • Coordinated high-level meetings, workshops, donor and partner engagements, and official missions, managing logistics, stakeholder coordination, documentation, and follow-up actions to ensure timely delivery of organizational priorities.
  • Prepared executive reports, briefing notes, presentations, correspondence, and communication materials to support leadership decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and institutional visibility.
  • Supported outreach, branding, and public engagement initiatives by coordinating communications activities and ensuring consistent messaging aligned with organizational priorities.
  • Managed international travel arrangements, protocol requirements, and administrative support for senior leaders, visitors, and stakeholders, ensuring seamless execution of official engagements.
  • Maintained executive records, document management systems, and communication archives, ensuring confidentiality, compliance, and effective information management.
  • Coordinated cross-functional workflows, tracked action items, and supported teams in implementing departmental priorities and commitments.
  • Provided executive coordination support for senior-level meetings and official engagements, managing preparation, documentation, follow-up actions, and stakeholder communication.

Executive Assistant to the Mission Director

USAID/Tanzania
01.2018 - 01.2022
  • Managed executive office operations for the Mission Director, overseeing complex calendars, executive correspondence, meeting coordination, and competing priorities to enable effective leadership support and execution of strategic objectives.
  • Coordinated Mission-wide work plans, tracked management action points, and followed up with senior leaders to ensure timely implementation of commitments, decisions, and operational priorities.
  • Prepared executive briefing materials, reports, presentations, agendas, and meeting minutes, providing accurate and timely information to support leadership decision-making and strategic discussions.
  • Coordinated high-level meetings, governance forums, stakeholder engagements, documenting decisions and monitoring follow-up actions to strengthen accountability and effective execution.
  • Supported administrative and financial operations by coordinating procurement processes, monitoring expenditures, maintaining records, and ensuring compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
  • Supervised administrative support staff and coordinated office operations, improving workflow efficiency, service delivery, and adherence to established administrative standards.
  • Served as a key liaison between the Mission Director’s Office, government counterparts, development partners, donors, and internal teams, facilitating effective communication, collaboration, and alignment of priorities.

Personal Assistant – HR Director

Vodacom Tanzania Limited
01.2017 - 01.2018
  • Provided executive administrative support through diary management, correspondence, meeting coordination, and preparation of management documentation.
  • Managed confidential HR records, executive files, and document management systems, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance.
  • Coordinated meetings, interviews, workshops, and administrative workflows to support effective departmental operations.

Personal Assistant – President East Africa & Country Director

Shell Tanzania
01.2013 - 01.2016
  • Provided executive support through calendar management, correspondence, meeting coordination, travel arrangements, and preparation of executive materials.
  • Coordinated leadership meetings, official visits, and stakeholder engagements, including agendas, presentations, minutes, and action tracking.
  • Supported procurement coordination, expenditure monitoring, reporting, and administrative operations.
  • Prepared management reports and business correspondence to support leadership planning and communication.
  • Prepared management reports, executive presentations, briefing documents, and business correspondence to support leadership planning, decision-making, and stakeholder communication.

Executive Assistant – Managing Director

Airtel Tanzania Limited
01.2011 - 01.2013
  • Provided executive support through diary management, correspondence, meeting coordination, travel arrangements, and executive reporting.
  • Coordinated leadership meetings, stakeholder engagements, presentations, and follow-up of strategic action items.

Supported procurement processes, administrative reporting, records management, and confidential executive documentation

Branch Manager / Team Leader

Airtel Tanzania Limited
01.2008 - 01.2011
  • Managed branch operations and a TZS 200 million operating budget, ensuring financial control, compliance, and efficient resource utilization.
  • Coordinated procurement, vendor management, reporting, logistics, and administrative operations.
  • Supervised teams, managed work plans, monitored performance, and supported service delivery improvements.

Education

Post-Graduate Certificate - Strategic Human Resource Management

University of Roehampton
United Kingdom
12-2017

Diploma - Human Resource Management & Strategic Planning

Tanzania Public Service College
Tanzania

Certificate in Secretarial And Administration - Secretarial and Administrative Management

Arusha Secretarial College
Arusha, Tanzania

Skills

  • Executive and Secretarial Support
  • Calendar management
  • Travel arrangements
  • Document preparation
  • Document management systems
  • Stakeholder Coordination
  • Cross-functional coordination
  • Budget & Planning
  • Administration
  • Strong decision-making
  • Professional correspondence
  • Client relations

Certification

  • Administrative & Secretarial Assistance Workshop – Frankfurt, Germany - 2018
  • Administration Supervisory Certification Course – Washington DC, USA - 2019
  • Media Communication & Advocacy Training – Institute of Capacity Building, Kigali, Rwanda 2024
  • Legislative Public Affairs & Communications Training – US Federal Service Institute, Pretoria, South Africa - 2024

Languages

Kiswahili (Fluent in spoken and written)
English – (Fluent in spoken and written)

Timeline

Executive Assistant to the Director & Project Development & Administration Unit Focal Point

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
10.2025 - Current

Development, Outreach & Communications Specialist

USAID/Tanzania
01.2022 - 09.2025

Executive Assistant to the Mission Director

USAID/Tanzania
01.2018 - 01.2022

Personal Assistant – HR Director

Vodacom Tanzania Limited
01.2017 - 01.2018

Personal Assistant – President East Africa & Country Director

Shell Tanzania
01.2013 - 01.2016

Executive Assistant – Managing Director

Airtel Tanzania Limited
01.2011 - 01.2013

Branch Manager / Team Leader

Airtel Tanzania Limited
01.2008 - 01.2011

Diploma - Human Resource Management & Strategic Planning

Tanzania Public Service College

Post-Graduate Certificate - Strategic Human Resource Management

University of Roehampton

Certificate in Secretarial And Administration - Secretarial and Administrative Management

Arusha Secretarial College

My hobbies include debate on current affairs, music, writing and reading.

My hobbies include engaging in debates on current affairs, which helps me stay informed and develop critical thinking and communication skills. I also enjoy reading, writing, and listening to music, activities that enhance my creativity, broaden my perspectives, and support my personal growth.

SHILAWINGE MARGARET KILEO