PAULINE AYAKO OMOTO
Advocate Of The High Court
Kisumu
Summary
Seasoned Program Officer adept at evaluating progress and implementing strategic improvements, with 3 years of experience in project and program implementation and management and another 1 year of experience in legal practice. Excellent organizational skills backed by a positive attitude, team spirit and a strong work ethic. Decisive and forward-thinking leader with a resourceful approach
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
PROGRAM OFFICER
Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV & AIDS (KELIN)
07.2024 - Current
- Coordinated the Transform Health Kenya Coalition (35 organizations, 6 implementing partners) to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through digital technologies and data utilization
- Spearheaded strategic planning workshops with stakeholders including the Ministry of Health, Data Protection Commissioner’s Office, county governments, and the private sector
- Supported Kisumu County in developing, validating, and launching its first-ever County Digital Health Roadmap
- Guided implementation of the Digital Health Act, contributing to the passage of the Act and drafting of three supporting regulations
- Sensitized over 80 stakeholders (community members, CSOs, county officials) on the Act to ensure people-centered digital health standards
- Built capacities of 15 government digital health champions through coalition partners to enhance digital health governance and advocacy
- Conducted research and supported evidence-based advocacy on standards and guidelines for digital health technologies
- Led media and public awareness campaigns on digital health, leveraging social media platforms and engaging digital strategists for advocacy outreach
- Facilitated cross-regional dialogues and strategic planning workshops to promote healthy diets and NCD prevention, working closely with partners such as APHRC, UNICEF, WHO, and the Ministry of Health
- Oversaw the development of policy proposals and guidelines restricting marketing of unhealthy foods and non-alcoholic beverages to children, collaborating with a technical committee and recruiting a consultant to support drafting regulations
- Chaired multiple technical committee meetings to align the Kenya Nutrient Profile Model (KNPM) with international standards and evidence-based practices, contributing to mandatory front-of-pack labeling (FOPL) standards
- Supported resource mobilization efforts, securing additional project funding (USD 500,000 under the GHAI project and USD 308,190 under Transform Health Phase 2)
- Coordinated multi-partner activities including community engagement forums (reaching over 90 community leaders), training of lawyers, journalists, and community health providers, and strengthening CSO and CBO capacities in advocacy and policy engagement
- Conducted outcome harvesting sessions, quarterly coordination meetings, and provided technical support to sub-grantees, improving project management and accountability
PROGRAM ASSOCIATE
Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV & AIDS (KELIN)
07.2023 - 02.2024
- Provided support to team members in HIVTB & KAP, SRHR projects, assuming leadership roles in the successful implementation of over six key activities
- Directed a team through a full grant cycle, whose objective was advocacy for body autonomy and Sexual & Reproductive Health Rights
- Engaged in advocacy initiatives aimed at shaping health sector policies and enhancing transparency
- Played a key role in providing technical and legal expertise to the Ministry of Health in drafting the Digital Health Act 2023 and two additional policies, ensuring a Human Rights Based Approach was integral to their development
- Supported the Ministry of Health in achieving compliance with the Data Protection Act
- Facilitated the Data Protection Impact Assessment of all National Health Information Systems and guided the development of compliance tools, such as consent forms for Community Health Providers
- Fostered collaborative partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including communities, Civil Society Organisations, community-based organizations, County Governments, the Ministry of Health, and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, to advocate for health-related social justice issues
- Contributed significantly to evidence-based advocacy efforts through comprehensive research support
- Played a pivotal role in resource mobilization by actively participating in joint proposal development efforts, resulting in the acquisition of over Kshs
- 50,000,000
- Produced high-quality project reports, concept notes, and other project-related materials to ensure effective communication and project management
- Collaborated closely with government agencies and donors, including the Ministry of Health, to achieve project objectives and ensure alignment with organizational goals
LEGAL ASSISTANT
Owiti, Otieno & Ragot Company Advocates
01.2023 - 06.2023
- Researched laws and gathered evidence to develop strategies and arguments in 7+ cases
- Prepared correspondence with the judiciary staff and clients on 15+ cases
- Drafted 20+ legal documents including pleadings, applications, affidavits, submissions, bills of costs, agreements and wills
- Litigation support by preparation and filing of documents
PUPILAGE
Owiti, Otieno & Ragot Company Advocates
04.2022 - 12.2022
- Analyzes cases followed by the creation of legal opinions, case strategies and summaries
- Conducted Research for both Civil and Criminal litigation matters
- Assisted in Pre-litigation and Litigation Matters
- Drafted over 60+ legal documents including, pleadings, applications, affidavits, submissions, bills of costs, agreements and wills
- Corresponded with clients to give legal advice as well as updates on the status of their cases
Project Associate and Policy Graduate Assistant
Sera Afrika
10.2019 - 06.2021
- Evaluated policy gaps in the cashew nut, rice, sweet potato and fishing value chains as well as youth unemployment in Kenya to design interventions and achieve sustainable development
- Supported engagements with the public sector (Homabay, Mombasa, Kwale Kilifi, tana river, Lamu, Taita Taveta and Kisumu counties), partners and private organisations in the above sectors by convening meetings and preparing meeting materials
- Managed and Coordinated 2 pilot program teams, one in testing the application of data in the fishing sector in Lamu and the other in collecting and applying curated data in policy formulation in the cashew nut value chain in 5 coastal counties in Kenya
- Worked closely with Jumuiya ya Kaunty za Pwani (JKP) together with Agricultural cooperatives ie
- PUFCO, in the coastal region, to come up with innovative solutions and policies to increase cashew nut production and sale
- Created plans and communicated deadlines to ensure projects were completed on time
- Preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations
- Compiled reports and recorded activities for projects as part of comprehensive, compliance-driven recordkeeping strategies
- Identified, evaluated and developed a policy to remove roadblocks to changing the fishing, cashew nut, rice and warehousing sectors
- Drafted and presented reports outlining policy actions to be taken to elevate the standard of living of farmers in the cashew nut industry as well as fishermen in Lamu County
- Worked closely with Jumuiya ya Kaunty za Pwani (JKP) to design a youth innovation and incubation hub to reduce unemployment in the coastal region
- Generation of web content for social media platforms
Legal Intern
OrongaEsonga & Co Associates
03.2019 - 06.2019
- Created 20+ highly researched and articulate legal paperwork such as pleadings, contracts and briefs under the supervision of the firm’s Advocate
- Reviewed 25+ legal information and proofread documentation for errors
- Conducted research for upcoming cases for the firm's advocates
- Attended court proceedings and prepared summaries on cases
- Participated in and took notes during client meetings
- Gained valuable insight into regulations and policies associated with litigation, commercial and conveyancing law
Legal Intern
Kisumu Law Courts
04.2018 - 06.2018
- Managed the electronic filings of documents, initiated billing statements and performed administrative duties
- Answered inquiries from the general public regarding judicial procedures, court appearances and trial dates
- Examined 150+ legal documents submitted to courts for adherence to laws and court procedures
- Prepared and distributed 20+ court orders, probation orders and sentencing information under the supervision of the court clerks and officers at the registry
- Prepared courtrooms every day for 3 months, for sessions by supplying the courtrooms with stationary and electronic equipment
- Wrote, reviewed and submitted 100+ reports (aggregate) at the end of each day for department records
- Researched statutes, legal articles and codes on 15+ ongoing cases under the supervision of the regional magistrate
Intern
Impact Research and Development Organisation (IRDO)
03.2017 - 06.2017
- Worked under the Determined Resilient Empowered AIDS-free Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) women program as a program intern
- Worked with 6+ groups of 10 to 20 girls within western Kenya to establish table banking systems and agricultural ventures to create financial independence
- Assisted the program coordinator with administrative duties such as documentation, preparation of presentations, meeting management and preparation of funding proposals
- Took detailed meeting minutes, prepare meeting rooms and compiled paperwork to support the program
- Facilitated communication within different departments in the Program and the management team
- Community Mobilization of 200+ schoolgirls to join safe spaces to get access to health interventions such as HIV tests, treatment, entrepreneurship classes and sponsorships to go back to primary and secondary school
Education
Post-Graduate Diploma - Law
KENYA SCHOOL OF LAW
01.2021 - 01.2022
Bachelors of Law - undefined
STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY
01.2016 - 01.2020
High School Diploma - undefined
ALLIANCE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL
01.2012 - 01.2015
Skills
Litigation
Legal Advice
Advanced Problem solving
Legal & Legislative Writing and Drafting
Microsoft Word, Word & Powerpoint
Advocacy & Policy Influence
Project coordination & Implementation
Grant Management
Proposal Writing
Fundraising
Human Rights Law
Health Law
Stakeholder Management & Engagement
Strategic Planning
Monitoring & Evaluation
Certification
Introduction to Planning Monitoring and Evaluation and Learning (PMEL), Southern Hemisphere, 2023
Timeline
PROGRAM OFFICER
Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV & AIDS (KELIN)
07.2024 - Current
PROGRAM ASSOCIATE
Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV & AIDS (KELIN)
07.2023 - 02.2024
LEGAL ASSISTANT
Owiti, Otieno & Ragot Company Advocates
01.2023 - 06.2023
PUPILAGE
Owiti, Otieno & Ragot Company Advocates
04.2022 - 12.2022
Post-Graduate Diploma - Law
KENYA SCHOOL OF LAW
01.2021 - 01.2022
Project Associate and Policy Graduate Assistant
Sera Afrika
10.2019 - 06.2021
Legal Intern
OrongaEsonga & Co Associates
03.2019 - 06.2019
Legal Intern
Kisumu Law Courts
04.2018 - 06.2018
Intern
Impact Research and Development Organisation (IRDO)
03.2017 - 06.2017
Bachelors of Law - undefined
STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY
01.2016 - 01.2020
High School Diploma - undefined
ALLIANCE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL
01.2012 - 01.2015
Introduction to Planning Monitoring and Evaluation and Learning (PMEL), Southern Hemisphere, 2023
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