LOISE GITERU
Summary
Program Management professional with foundational training in community development studies and counseling psychology complemented by 10+ years’ multi-sector experience in program design, management and implementation in humanitarian action within INGOs. I have in-depth experience and understanding of quality protection and GBV programming, child protection and protection monitoring programming in humanitarian action, emergency and post-conflict development with urban and camp-based refugees and host communities. I am also adept at building partnerships with and coordination of various actors including government departments and UN agencies. With excellent oral and written communication skills as well as a track record of managing multi-functional teams. I have experience working with Donors like EU,Danida,UNHCR,SIDA and USAID.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
13
13
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Certifications
1
1
Language
Work History
Children Protection Officer
Save the Children
Nairobi
09.2020 - Current
- Worked with Directorate of Children Services and NCCS to strengthen community referral mechanisms
- Builded the capacity of partners on Safeguarding/Child Protection policies and systems within the organizational context and ensure all adopt and adhere to organization’s safeguarding policy
- In partnership with the Ministry of Education, Government of Kenya we develop child and gender sensitive educational material around the Rights of Children and protection
- Identified and liaised with all partners involved in Safeguarding / Child Protection at a local and national level
- Lobbied at local and national level for improved child protection systems and service provision
- Ensured assessment in gender and disability were adequately done for JOFA project as per EU (donor) standards
- Ensured the participation of the community (especially children), cultural leaders, religious leaders and local authorities in the planning key events on child rights and child protection e.g during International Day of the African Child, the international day of children's rights, international day of people with disabilities
- Regularly updated the detailed implementation plan, monitoring tools, procurement plan, and risk matrix among other relevant project documents
- Actively supported grant monitoring through development of detailed/activity implementation work-plan, phased budget, procurement plans, and conduct budget tracking and narrative/financial reporting on outputs
- Including children’s groups and community child protection committees/networks through monitoring, problem solving and producing community-led action plans
- Ensured Gender, Equality, disability and Social inclusion issues were well mainstreamed in JOFA project
- Ensured a confidential, child-friendly reporting systems for identifying, documenting, and reporting cases is maintained and adhered to.
Protection officer
Danish Refugee Council
09.2019 - 09.2020
- Developed and ensured implementation of psychosocial activities that are responsive to the needs of refugee women, girls’ men & boys
- Coordinated and collaborating with other UN agencies, government entities, NGOs and other stakeholders that contribute to enhancing protection and achieving solutions through people-centered, community-centered, and gender-responsive approaches
- Supported in effective mainstreaming of gender Equality, disability and social Inclusion in all technical programs and grants
- Took lead in preparing all relevant reports regarding the DRC’s Urban protection activities, beneficiary databases
- Spearheaded the design and development of project concept notes and proposals
- Through established relationships with PoCs and specific vulnerable groups such as survivors of GBV, LGBTIQ+, the chronically ill, elderly, persons with disabilities, vulnerable women and girls etc
- Provided analysis of the socio-political, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment and advise senior management
- Provided technical support and guidance to operational and implementing partners to ensure good quality implementation of projects in line with the operations GBV Strategy and global GBV minimum standards
- Regularly updated the projects budget tracker for all project expenditure and participated in monthly budget review meetings with the finance officer
- Mentored and provided technical support to staff involved in the program implementation
- Strengthened and maintained networks with all partners including community leaders, women leaders, service providers to ensure that survivors receive compassionate support from the community and to encourage greater communication, collaboration and coordination among partners
- Supported community awareness creation within the refugee community, organized and facilitated community dialogues, drama shows, training community leaders and opinion shapers on GBV issues, sexual and reproductive health
- Supported the development and strengthening of an effective GBV referral system and coordination mechanisms
- Took lead in ensuring that all protection staff participate in debriefing and professional supervision
- Supported the HR in ensuring all the staff were well versed on the DRC's Code of Conduct, accountability, respectful dialogue with the Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Host Community, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse
Protection Assistant
Nairobi, Danish Refugee Council
04.2018 - 08.2019
- Provided comprehensive case management and MHPSS support to SGBV survivors focused on the survivor centered approach
- Participated in the development of the case management monitoring tools and GBVIMS systems and ensure that all staffs that are required to utilize it are trained on the correct way of handling the systems
- Managed the strategic development and guide the implementation of the DRC Safety Nets
- Maintained and strengthened existing networks through other service providers at the camp level, to ensure that survivors receive quality services and support both at the agency levels
- Actively participated in scheduled meetings such as the Case Conferences, safe haven inter-agency meetings and as assigned
- In collaboration with other partners, I designed psychosocial interventions within the refugee community focusing on the psychosocial needs of adults, youth and children
- Participated in conducting trainings for partners on relevant organizational development areas and support peer learning between DRC and other partner agencies
- Conducted sensitization, dialogue and mediation sessions with the wider population about issues of trauma, gender, disability and SGBV
- Ensured Core Humanitarian Standards are mainstreamed in the day to day project implementation
- Provided supervision to the Para counsellors and ensure effective provision of Psycho-social services.
Psychosocial Counselor
Heshima Kenya
03.2015 - 12.2017
- Conducted field visits for case assessments in coordination with other HK staff and keep track of socio-environmental risks faced by refugees at heightened
- Conducted Best Interest reports (BIA&BID) for unaccompanied and separated minors as per UNHCR guidelines
- Conducted field visits for case assessments in coordination with other Refushe staff and kept track of socio-environmental risks faced by refugees at heightened risk
- Ensured staff and community partners are aware of expectations and standards regarding gender sensitive behavior, recognizing or reporting gender discrimination to appropriate channels
- Implemented and monitored merit based social assistance informed by socio-environmental assessment in individual cases with timely updates to the psychosocial panel
- Provide comprehensive psychosocial counselling to women and children who have experienced war trauma, torture or SGBV both individual and group counselling
- Ensured all work with clients is confidential and that ethical practices are observed
- Assisted in the designing, planning, implementing and facilitating trainings in child protection and Mental health trainings for numerous target groups
- Developed new and strengthened existing referral systems with UN, government and other stake holders.
Project Officer
Community Aid International
05.2011 - 03.2015
- Assisted in identification of community structures and resources of the project
- Identification and engagement of role models and train them or build their capacity to introduce behavior change communication through routine interactions and events with adolescents and young people
- Conducted gender sensitive training and needs assessment to come up with training gaps for partners, community health centers and teachers
- Supported the development of a joint advocacy strategy with partners to address risky behaviors in adolescents and young people
- Ensured detailed implementation plans are in place and approved by the project manager to deliver on the project objectives in accordance with the budget allocated
- Liaised with the M&E team in regular collection of project data, participate in the establishment of M&E framework for the project
- In collaboration with the project manager, I managed partners by maintaining active dialogue with relevant stakeholders to foster collaboration, ensure alignment with government priorities and standards and solicit feedback to make regular improvements.
- Developed and deepened relationships with key stakeholders.
Volunteer tele-counselor
Child Line Kenya
09.2010 - 05.2011
- Developed and expanded referral system of service providers to assist clients in attaining services.
- Guided clients in developing skills and strategies for dealing with problems.
- Communicated closely with other counselors to devise programs and activities based on developmental and academic levels.
- Acted as client advocate to coordinate required services or resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
Volunteer
Kenya Youth for Christ
09.2007 - 06.2010
- Helped program leaders with administrative support duties.
- Helped program leadership with planning and fundraising responsibilities.
- Engaged in community outreach to support program mission.
Volunteer
Life Skills Promoters
01.2004 - 12.2006
- Volunteered with groups and organizations to help make measurable differences for program recipients.
- Coordinated individual referrals to obtain community services, advocate for client needs and resolve roadblocks.
- Helped program leadership with planning and fundraising responsibilities.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Community Development
St. Paul’s University
01.2015 - 10.2018
Diploma - Development Studies
Daystar University
01.2008 - 07.2009
Higher Diploma - Counseling Psychology, Life
Life Skills Training Center
01.2005 - 12.2007
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education -
Loreto Secondary School
01.1999 - 12.2003
Skills
Protection/Child protection Programming
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with the national council of children services in revamping of Kenya Children assemblies un Nairobi County.
- Developed a safeguarding and Child protection policy document for Nairobi County through effectively working and mobilizing key partners to support the process.
- Collaborated with other consortium members in developing and publicizing case studies on the approaches used in JOFA projecting to support in learning.
- Supported MoE to roll out mentorship and life skills lessons to 24 primary schools in 2 counties.
- Supported resource mobilization through proposal writings to acquire grants with a keen focus on safeguarding details.
- Supervised team 20 staff members.
Certification
Licensed -Associate counselor
Additional Information
Additional Training:
- Community Based Protection, UNHCR (2018)
- TOT People First Impact Method (PFIM) (2018)
- People First Impact Method (PFIM) (2017)
- Child Protection – Best Interest Determinant and BIA,UNHCR (2015)
- Coaching Network Training (2010)
- Diversity and Inclusion of Persons of Concern course.
- Transformation Leadership (2010)
- Safeguarding- Kaya(2022)
- Project Management Methodology PMM+ (2021)
- DPro-Foundation(2022)
- Public Investment in Children- Silver course (2022)
- Parenting Without Violence-Bronze (2022)
Timeline
DPro-Foundation-Certification
09-2022
Project Management Methodology
07-2022
Children Protection Officer
Save the Children
09.2020 - Current
Protection officer
Danish Refugee Council
09.2019 - 09.2020
Protection Assistant
Nairobi, Danish Refugee Council
04.2018 - 08.2019
Licensed -Associate counselor
02-2017
Psychosocial Counselor
Heshima Kenya
03.2015 - 12.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Community Development
St. Paul’s University
01.2015 - 10.2018
Project Officer
Community Aid International
05.2011 - 03.2015
Volunteer tele-counselor
Child Line Kenya
09.2010 - 05.2011
Diploma - Development Studies
Daystar University
01.2008 - 07.2009
Volunteer
Kenya Youth for Christ
09.2007 - 06.2010
Higher Diploma - Counseling Psychology, Life
Life Skills Training Center
01.2005 - 12.2007
Volunteer
Life Skills Promoters
01.2004 - 12.2006
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education -
Loreto Secondary School
01.1999 - 12.2003
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