Results-oriented leader with extensive experience managing Field Offices at UNICEF, driving impactful Humanitarian and Development programs across diverse, complex environments. Proven expertise in strategic partnership building, advocacy, and mobilizing resources to enhance access to essential services for children and vulnerable groups. Skilled in overseeing multisectoral programs and budgets up to USD 12 million, with a strong focus on equity and gender integration. Committed to fostering inclusive teams and strengthening community resilience through a Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus approach.
Hi, I’m
Olivier CHIZA MIRINDI
Diffa
Summary
Overview
23
years of professional experience
Work History
United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF
Chief Field Office
01.2024 - Current
Job overview
- Strengthened social service financing through local government resource mobilization initiatives.
- Led multisectoral programs with annual budgets of USD 8–12 million.
- Coordinated emergency preparedness efforts, ensuring continuity of essential services during crises.
- Oversaw program delivery impacting up to 1 million people, focusing on equity and gender.
- Managed and mentored teams of 25 staff, enhancing performance and accountability.
World Food Programme, WFP
Emergency Response Coordinator
12.2011 - 06.2014
Job overview
- Ensured timely aid delivery by coordinating emergency responses across multiple sectors.
- Enhanced preparedness through development and maintenance of disaster response operational plans.
- Streamlined resource allocation by collaborating with authorities and humanitarian partners during crises.
- Provided critical data for decisions by monitoring and reporting on emergencies.
- Contributed to strengthening humanitarian interventions and recovery planning in northern Mali.
- Fostered a culture of readiness by training teams on emergency protocols and practices.
World Food Programme, WFP
Education Programme Officer
03.2010 - 12.2011
Job overview
- Enhanced school feeding program by evaluating post-earthquake school conditions.
- Collaborated with Ministry of Education to restore educational access post-earthquake.
- Analyzed data trends to optimize humanitarian assistance program strategies.
- Supported sustainable briquette production through WFP–UNDP joint initiative for recovery.
- Established partnerships with local organizations to extend program outreach effectively.
- Streamlined resource allocation processes, improving operational efficiency significantly.
World Food Programme, WFP
Vulnerability, Assessment and Mapping Officer
12.2005 - 03.2010
Job overview
- Improved food security assessments by coordinating with government and partners.
- Implemented P4P project, enhancing maize productivity for smallholder farmers.
- Facilitated market access, increasing small producers' incomes through reduced intermediaries.
- Coordinated Food for Assets programs, creating durable community resources.
- Conducted market surveys to analyze essential goods' prices and trends.
World Food Programme, WFP
Programme Assistant
06.2003 - 12.2005
Job overview
- Monitored food aid interventions for Angolan refugees and displaced persons' assistance.
- Conducted quality control for food items at WFP warehouses effectively.
- Ensured beneficiaries received proper therapeutic items for acute malnutrition care.
- Consolidated data on commodities, updating distribution plans and activity reports.
- Coordinated timely planning and monitoring of food distribution and assessments.
- Streamlined data collection processes, enhancing reporting and program analysis efficiency.
Education
University of KinshasaKinshasa, Democratic Republic Of Congo
Master’s Degree from Rural Economics And Development
06-2000
University Overview
Courses taken and completed: Economic theory and Econometrics, Public and financial economy, Agricultural economics and Farm Management, Monetary Economics, Budget Management, Comparative Accounting Systems, Econometrics, Demography, Statistics, Macro and Micro economics.
- Master's Thesis in Rural Economics and Development on “The contribution of local Development NGOs in the Kivu agricultural efficiency growth, University of Kinshasa, 1999”
- Co-founder and member of the CERERD (Center for Studies and Research in Rural Economy and Development), University of Kinshasa, 1997
Higher Institute of Commerce - ISC GombéKinshasa, Democratic Republic Of Congo
Post-Secondary Degree in Financial Management from Financial And Commercial Management
06-1995
University Overview
Courses taken and completed: Accounting, Human Resources and Administration management, Public finance and budget management, Bank operations, Marketing, Customs and Excise.
- Research project on “The Comparative Analysis of the Importance of Customs and Excise Revenues in the Zairian State Budget from 1985 to 1994”, Higher Institute of Commerce, Kinshasa-Gombé, 1995
Secondary School - Groupe Scolaire WEZA IIINyangezi - Bukavu,Democratic Republic Of Congo
State Diploma from General Pedagogy
07-1988
University Overview
Courses taken and completed: General Teaching Methodology, Special Teaching Methodology, French and English Languages, General Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry
Skills
Leadership:
I have consistently demonstrated strategic and people-centered leadership in complex field environments As Chief of Field Office across multiple countries, I provided clear vision and direction to teams of over 25 staff, fostering accountability, inclusion and performance I led decentralized offices through development programming and emergency response, prioritizing staff safety, wellbeing and capacity development while delivering results for children My leadership approach emphasizes trust, delegation and alignment with UNICEF’s values and equity-focused mandate
Drive for Results:
I have a strong track record of delivering high-impact results under challenging conditions I oversaw annual programme budgets ranging from USD 8–12 million, ensuring effective planning, timely implementation and compliance with UNICEF policies My work contributed to sustained programme delivery reaching up to one million people, even in fragile and emergency-prone contexts I use results-based management, Evidence and data-driven decision-making and continuous monitoring to adjust strategies and maximize outcomes
Partnership:
Building and sustaining strategic partnerships is central to my work I have represented UNICEF at national and sub-national levels with government counterparts, UN agencies, donors and civil society, strengthening coordination and convergence across sectors Through high-level advocacy and technical dialogue, I supported system strengthening in health, nutrition, education, child protection, Social Policy and Emergency Response I am adept at navigating politically complex environments and positioning UNICEF as a trusted partner
Communication:
I communicate clearly and persuasively with diverse audiences, from senior government officials to community stakeholders Fluent in English and French, with working exposure to Spanish, I tailor messages to context and audience, translating evidence into actionable policy recommendations and advocacy messages aligned with children’s rights
Working with People:
I value diversity and inclusion and promote a respectful, collaborative work culture I have managed multicultural teams across Africa and Haiti humanitarian and development contexts, addressing conflict constructively and supporting staff development I actively mentor emerging leaders and encourage innovation and learning within my teams
Accomplishments
Accomplishments
- Led UNICEF–WFP BMZ-funded joint programming in Diffa, Niger, integrating emergency preparedness, response and community resilience; results prompted donor-driven replication of the model with UNICEF Maiduguri.
- Spearheaded local government resource mobilization initiatives to strengthen financing of basic social services for children at commune level.
- Supervised team of +/- 25 staff members
- Implemented P4P (Purchase for Progress) for the maize value chain in Katanga, DRC, improving productivity, market access and incomes for smallholder farmers.
- Coordinated Food for Assets and Cash for Assets programmes creating durable community assets.
- Contributed to the WFP–UNDP “Fuel Efficient Stoves” joint initiative in Haiti, establishing sustainable briquette production as an alternative to firewood and supporting post-earthquake recovery and environmental protection.
Key Achievements
With UNICEF:
With WFP:
Additional Information
Additional Information
Key training completed and workshops attended:
- Masterclass in Management, UNICEF 2019
- Public Finance for Children, UNICEF 2024
- Results-Based Management, UNICEF 2014 with regular updates
- Emergency Preparedness and Response, UNICEF 2018 with regular updates
- Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, UNICEF 2018
- Emotional Intelligence, UNICEF 2025
- Manager Support Programme: People Management Fundamentals, UNICEF and UN Modules, UNICEF 2025
- Fraud, Update, UNICEF 2025
- 3 DROPS workshops attended in Dakar and Abidjan
- 2 Emergency Preparedness and response workshops attended in Dakar
- 1 workshop attended in Dakar on humanitarian access
- 1 workshop attended in Ouagadougou on Access constraints analysis
- 2 workshops attended in Central African Republic and Burkina Faso on the programme criticality
Languages
English
Full Professional
French
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Elementary
Timeline
Chief Field Office
United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF
01.2024 - Current
Emergency Response Coordinator
World Food Programme, WFP
12.2011 - 06.2014
Education Programme Officer
World Food Programme, WFP
03.2010 - 12.2011
Vulnerability, Assessment and Mapping Officer
World Food Programme, WFP
12.2005 - 03.2010
Programme Assistant
World Food Programme, WFP
06.2003 - 12.2005
University of Kinshasa
Master’s Degree from Rural Economics And Development
Higher Institute of Commerce - ISC Gombé
Post-Secondary Degree in Financial Management from Financial And Commercial Management
Secondary School - Groupe Scolaire WEZA III
State Diploma from General Pedagogy
Reading, Sports, Musique and time with family
Reading, Sports, Musique and time with family
I enjoy reading scientific books, detective novels, and published professional articles. My favorite sport is football, which I used to play, and walking, which I do now. I like listening to music and playing musical instruments, especially the guitar and piano, without being a virtuoso. I love spending time with my family whenever I have the opportunity.