Mary Wanjiru Muhura
Ruaka
Summary
Results-driven individual with a solid track record in delivering quality work. Known for excellent communication and teamwork abilities, with a commitment to achieving company goals and delivering exceptional service. Passionate about continuous learning and professional development.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
French Teacher
Alliance Française de Nairobi
04.2023 - Current
- Provide French language instruction for corporate clients.
- Facilitate orderly conduct during French examinations, both written and oral.
- Evaluate academic exams efficiently to ensure timely grading.
- Maintain learning continuity through substitute teaching responsibilities.
Private French Tutor
09.2017 - 04.2023
- Facilitated personalized instruction fostering individual student growth.
- Created customized assignments to align with individual learning objectives.
- Provide private tuition for students preparing for secondary school finals and university diplomas.
- Developed conversational classes tailored to professional needs.
Private Tutor /French Teacher
Premier Professional Institute (PPI- Ruaka, Kikuyu and Limuru Campus)
06.2016 - 07.2017
- Conducted tailored French lessons focused on developing communication skills for vocational courses in multiple industries.
- Delivered French lessons to Kindergarten and Primary students through engaging interactive methods, combining indoor and outdoor experiences.
- Delivered customized academic lessons to students across various proficiency levels.
- Created resources and assignments aligned with diverse learning requirements.
- Prepared and graded French exams to ensure academic rigor.
- Delivered targeted tutoring sessions to aid students in achieving academic goals.
- Customized training sessions based on client requests.
- Executed translations between French and English for routine correspondence.
Administrative Assistant
United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO)
09.2001 - 07.2015
- Managed daily administrative functions of the Division, incorporating four Sections (Humanitarian Affairs, Human Rights, Child Protection, and Gender).
- Selected candidates for interviews and organized recruitment process.
- Implemented efficient processes to manage staff check-ins and check-outs.
- Managed debriefing programs and onboarding plans.
- Streamlined records management processes to keep division employee data up to date.
- Prepared bilingual documents, including reports and correspondence, ensuring accuracy before submission to leadership.
- Assisted in strategic planning for optimal space management.
- Facilitated scheduling and execution of meetings, workshops, and annual staff retreats.
- Delegated responsibilities to enhance workflow efficiency.
- Managed monthly processing of 250-300 travel requests from humanitarian and development sectors, ensuring oversight and coordination.
- Assess compliance with registration standards for humanitarian actors.
- Created detailed reports featuring statistics, graphics, and trends related to logistical support provided to external partners.
- Managed Section's travel fund utilization, ensuring alignment with Budget Office standards.
- Supported tracking and assessment of Quick Impact Projects executed by implementing partners.
- Facilitated communication during field missions by offering interpretation services in English, French and Kiswahili.
Senior Bilingual Secretary
Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for the Great Lakes Region (OSRSG/GLR-UN)
05.1999 - 08.2001
- Arranged logistical aspects of Senior Management's offsite events for VIP visitors.
- Streamlined local preparations to assist regular visiting delegations.
- Prepared and disseminated agendas for regular Senior Management Staff meetings.
- Revised, verified and refined reports and presentations.
- Contributed to the preparation and revision of sensitive monthly mission documents.
- Coordinated and streamlined procedures for handling office correspondence flow.
- Managed collaborations between the organization and external governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.
- Ensured accuracy and consistency of SRSG contact records.
- Maintained current records in the electronic file system.
- Handled translation of routine correspondence in English and French effectively.
- Handled staff contracts, leave requests, and entitlements with efficiency.
- Contributed to onboarding processes for new hires.
- Monitored progress of designated tasks consistently.
- Assumed responsibilities of the SRSG's Personal Assistant in her absence.
Senior Secretary (Bilingual)
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR –Kakuma Refugee Camp)
07.1998 - 04.1999
- Ensured central operations remained current through direct assistance to HoSO.
- Oversaw scheduling of meetings while planning travels for national and cultural festivities via shared management of HoSO calendar.
- Coordinated meetings between Refugee Representatives and HoSO to address urgent security issues.
- Accompanied HoSO and implementing partners to assess ongoing community project progress within the camp.
- Engage actively in routine border screening activities for incoming refugees.
- Supported HoSO by consolidating and refining weekly updates from implementing partners.
- Coordinated the hiring process through managing background checks and reference verifications.
- Facilitated onboarding process for newly hired employees.
- Delegated responsibilities to team members.
- Document and share detailed notes from weekly meetings.
- Serve as primary contact for bi-weekly staff and refugee pouch services.
- Handled all aspects of travel coordination for diverse groups such as researchers and medical personnel.
- Facilitated communication in interviews related to asylum seekers using multilingual skills.
French Teacher (Full-time)
Blanes Secretarial College
01.1998 - 07.1998
- Tailored teaching strategies to accommodate all proficiency levels in French.
- Prepared aspiring secretaries with advanced proficiency in French professional communication techniques.
- Designed customized instructional resources to cater to various student learning styles.
- Assessed student achievements based on performance metrics.
- Design evaluative tests for internal use.
- Oversee exam-sitting activities.
- Designed and executed personalized study plans for optimal student success.
- Recorded and summarized key points from teacher staff meetings.
Bilingual Secretary
Environment Liaison Center International (ELCI)
05.1996 - 12.1997
- Served as main contact for article contributions within Desertification and Biodiversity programs Africa.
- Supervise general office functions to maintain consistent work flow.
- Supported data management tasks for Program Officers.
- Ensured accuracy and cultural relevance in English-French translations of program articles.
- Participated in various nationwide initiatives to educate on the negative impacts of deforestation.
- Coordinated and executed tree-planting events in partnership with UNEP to mark World Desertification Day.
- Oversaw distribution efforts ensuring publications were delivered to program affiliates in Africa.
- Supported Project Coordinator in overseeing staff recruitment processes.
- Kept member information current within the system.
- Streamlined structure for enhanced file accessibility.
- Assembled detailed documentation for participant preparation.
- Ensured follow-up of action points by participating in regular meetings.
French Teacher (Full-time and part-time)
Alliance Francaise de Nairobi
06.1993 - 12.1997
- Teaching the French Language to both national and international students at all levels (beginners, intermediate, advanced) using monthly modules and audiovisual facilities;
- Conduct private tuition for students preparing for end of secondary education and university diplomas;
- Teach customized French lessons commensurate to individual students’ needs;
- Identify different instructional resources and methods to meet students varying needs;
- Conduct specialized training for professionals (administrators, office managers, tour guides, hotel staff, airline crew, UN and INGO employees, teachers, translators etc;
- Participate as a panel member for annual adjudication of French Drama Festivals in high schools at national level;
- Supervise written and oral exams both certificate (every six months) and diplomas (every 2 years);
- Prepare regular end of module tests to determine movement to next level;
- Assign and grade class work, tests and assignments;
- Instruct and monitor students in the use of learning materials and equipment;
- Use relevant technology to support instruction;
- Maintain accurate and complete records of students’ progress and development;
- Create interactive French classroom sessions to encourage students to use the French language in their daily routine and working or studying environment;
- Translation of documents from other International Organizations and Individual Consultants
Receptionist/Secretary/ Sales Trainee
Boehringer Ingelheim
01.1986 - 02.1989
- Managed intake and coordination of incoming medication requests.
- Ensured comprehensive documentation for every order processed.
- Issued billing documents for delivered goods.
- Exercised skillful handling of complaints, ensuring swift resolution through product replacement or reimbursement.
- Supervised logistics planning for prompt service execution.
- Supported accounting workflows and ensured accurate financial record maintenance.
- Executed timely handling and restocking of pharmaceutical supplies.
- Maintained sufficient inventory levels with regular system updates.
- Oversaw coordination of incoming shipments from international suppliers.
- Conducted needs assessment missions to identify specific requirements.
- Compiled crucial financial data for periodic sales analysis.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration -
New Port International University
01.2005
Diploma in Management -
Strathmore College
Kenya01.2000
Certificate in Teachers Training -
Centre de Langues du Tampon
La Reunion01.1994
Certificate in French Commercial Studies -
Alliance Française de Paris
France01.1993
Certificate in Translation -
Alliance Francaise de Paris
France01.1993
Certificate in Commercial French and Economics -
Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Paris
France01.1993
Advanced Diploma in French Studies -
Nantes University
France01.1991
Diploma in Bilingual Secretarial - English/French
Kianda College
Kenya01.1985
Skills
- Administrative Support
- Logistics Management
- Educational Instruction
- Interpersonal Communication Skills
- Experienced with MS Office Applications
- Kenyan Sign Language
Training
- Habilitation des Examinateurs /Correcteurs DELF/DALF (A1-B2), France Education International, 06/01/24
- La formation pédagogique des Enseignants, Alliance Française de Nairobi, 04/01/24
- La formation pédagogique des Enseignants, Alliance Française de Nairobi, 05/01/23
- Kenyan Sign Language Interpretation, 09/01/20 - Ongoing
- Kenyan Sign Language for the Deaf, 09/01/16 - 12/01/16
- Business Success Blueprint, 12/01/15
- The Global Leadership Summit, 11/01/15
- Christian Discipleship (Living as a Disciple), 12/01/14
- Working Together Profession Ethics and Integrity in our Daily Work, 09/01/14
- The Global Leadership Summit, 06/01/14
- General Office Administration, 05/01/14
- Supervisory Skills Training for Supervisors, 03/01/12
- Leadership and Management Skills, 11/01/11
- Performance Management and Learning Development, 06/01/11
- Management des Projets, 07/01/09
- Basic Counselling Skills I & II, 02/01/01
Languages
- English
- French
- Kiswahili
- Kenyan Sign Language
- Kikuyu
- Lingala
Languages
English
First Language
French
Proficient (C2)
C2
Kiswahili
Proficient (C2)
C2
Kikuyu
Proficient (C2)
C2
Kenyan Sign Language
Intermediate (B1)
B1
Lingala
Intermediate (B1)
B1
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
French Teacher
Alliance Française de Nairobi
04.2023 - Current
Private French Tutor
09.2017 - 04.2023
Private Tutor /French Teacher
Premier Professional Institute (PPI- Ruaka, Kikuyu and Limuru Campus)
06.2016 - 07.2017
Administrative Assistant
United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO)
09.2001 - 07.2015
Senior Bilingual Secretary
Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for the Great Lakes Region (OSRSG/GLR-UN)
05.1999 - 08.2001
Senior Secretary (Bilingual)
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR –Kakuma Refugee Camp)
07.1998 - 04.1999
French Teacher (Full-time)
Blanes Secretarial College
01.1998 - 07.1998
Bilingual Secretary
Environment Liaison Center International (ELCI)
05.1996 - 12.1997
French Teacher (Full-time and part-time)
Alliance Francaise de Nairobi
06.1993 - 12.1997
Receptionist/Secretary/ Sales Trainee
Boehringer Ingelheim
01.1986 - 02.1989
Bachelor of Business Administration -
New Port International University
Diploma in Management -
Strathmore College
Certificate in Teachers Training -
Centre de Langues du Tampon
Certificate in French Commercial Studies -
Alliance Française de Paris
Certificate in Translation -
Alliance Francaise de Paris
Certificate in Commercial French and Economics -
Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Paris
Advanced Diploma in French Studies -
Nantes University
Diploma in Bilingual Secretarial - English/French
Kianda College
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