Teresia KIARIE
Advocacy Officer
Nairobi, Nairobi Province,30
Summary
A dynamic advocacy professional with over six years managing children’s rights and community development programs, specializing in marginalized informal settlements and vulnerable populations. Proven track record in strategic advocacy, program management, and capacity-building to empower children and families affected by extreme poverty. Skilled in addressing systemic barriers to social inclusion, education, healthcare, and access to information. Demonstrated success in a cross-cultural teams and multi-stakeholder collaborations across Africa and Europe to advance sustainable social change and policy impact.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
6
6
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
International Advocacy Officer
ATD Fourth World Headquarters – France
09.2023 - Current
- Directed strategic planning and execution of global advocacy initiatives, ensuring alignment with ATD Fourth World's mission and long-term objectives.
- Led high-level engagement with international organizations, UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society stakeholders to advance key advocacy priorities.
- Managed and mentored a diverse international team, building capacity and fostering effective movement member participation in global advocacy efforts.
- Oversaw the production of advocacy reports, policy briefs, and position papers, integrating data-driven insights to inform ongoing strategies.
- Represented the organization at major international forums, including United Nations conferences, promoting systemic policy change and inclusive representation of marginalized communities.
- Provided strategic counsel and coordination for ATDs delegates engaging with international institutions, ensuring consistent and coherent messaging.
Country Coordinator
ATD Fourth World – Nairobi, Kenya
08.2021 - 09.2023
- Directed the strategic development and operations of the JWC Documentation Centre’s Nairobi antenna in collaboration with Tangaza University, enhancing academic partnerships and program visibility.
- Led the expansion and coordination of the East Africa Academic Network, promoting regional collaboration and cross-sector knowledge exchange.
- Designed and executed regional seminars and academic events, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and fostering stakeholder engagement.
- Co-developed a regional advocacy framework to address persistent poverty, integrating local insights with ATD Fourth World’s global advocacy agenda.
- Established and monitored Key Performance Indicators for programmatic activities, delivering consistent reporting, impact evaluation, and performance improvements.
- Provided high-level managerial support to the Regional Leadership Team, overseeing operations, team coordination, and resource management across country programs.
Coordinator and Cultural Mediator for Tapori Children program
ATD Fourth World – Africa Region (Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya)
10.2019 - 07.2021
- Managed the coordination, planning, and implementation of Tapori programs in Kibera, aligning community-based initiatives with ATD Fourth World's regional strategy.
- Designed and led facilitator training programs, strengthening capacity and improving the quality of child-centred educational activities.
- Oversaw the collection and management of children’s records, ensuring data integrity, confidentiality, and alignment with monitoring frameworks.
- Supervised the drafting of program reports, delivering actionable insights to regional leadership and international partners.
- Developed and maintained strategic partnerships with local organizations to enhance program impact and visibility.
- Served as the central liaison between Tapori children, facilitators in Kibera, and the Tapori international coordination team in France, ensuring smooth communication and program coherence.
- Acted as the primary representative for ATD Fourth World’s Nairobi-based activities, providing organizational leadership and local coordination across operations.
Onsite Child Protection Officer / Vice-Chairperson
Edmund Rice Karibu Camps – Nairobi, Kenya
05.2018 - 08.2019
- Led the design and delivery of training and onboarding programs for new volunteers, ensuring full compliance with child safeguarding policies and organizational standards.
- Developed and implemented accessible, child-friendly safeguarding frameworks, enhancing awareness and accountability across stakeholders.
- Managed and coordinated community outreach programs and youth seminars in Kibera, supporting program expansion and deepening community engagement.
- Represented the organization at regional safeguarding forums, conferences, and stakeholder meetings, advocating for ethical standards and best practices in child protection across East Africa.
- Oversaw safeguarding documentation systems, ensuring accurate, confidential, and efficient record-keeping in line with legal and organizational requirements.
- Provided strategic input as Vice-Chairperson, contributing to the governance, planning, and operational oversight of youth-focused programming.
Trainer (Community Empowerment & Education)
Education for Life – Kenya
05.2017 - 05.2018
- Managed the design and delivery of life skills programs for parents in informal settlements, covering key areas such as hygiene, personal development, and family well-being.
- Led education initiatives on entrepreneurship, including training in business planning, savings culture, and table banking, to enhance economic resilience among low-income families.
- Directed cultural mediation sessions between parents and children, promoting understanding of rights and responsibilities within family structures.
- Oversaw the planning and execution of national youth holiday workshops focused on self-awareness, leadership, and personal growth, coordinating multi-site logistics and facilitator teams.
- Provided strategic support to community outreach efforts, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and the socio-economic realities of the target communities.
Child Rights Peer Educator (Child Protection & Policy Advocacy)
Kabarak University Law School & Pink Elephant Organization – Kenya
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Managed the planning and facilitation of child-focused workshops across affiliated schools, delivering rights-based education in accessible, child-friendly formats.
- Led teacher training sessions on child protection principles and safeguarding policy implementation, enhancing institutional capacity to uphold children's rights.
- Coordinated the collaborative drafting of child safeguarding policies, working closely with school-based child protection officers to ensure legal and contextual relevance.
- Directed the organization of outreach events and awareness campaigns on child rights, increasing stakeholder engagement and public visibility of the initiative.
- Oversaw the documentation and archiving of all project materials, maintaining a comprehensive repository to support learning, reporting, and policy refinement.
- Contributed to project planning, monitoring, and evaluation, supporting strategic decision-making and ensuring outcomes aligned with child protection objectives.
Education
Bachelor of Law - Law
Kabarak University
Nakuru 04.2001 -
Skills
Cross-cultural communication
Certification
Bachelor of Laws (LL. B) – 2021
References
- Martin, Kalisa, Deputy Director General, martinkalisa@gmail.com, +33 7 88 40 20 36, ATD Fourth World
- Wetengere, Kitojo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, wetengerekkj1@yahoo.com, +255 655 479 85, Arusha University
Conferences, Seminars & Webinars
- October 2024-Convener ,ATD Fourth World &UNICEF ,Dakar-Seminar on legal identity and Birth registration,Dakar Senegal.
- February 2024 – Participant, joint ATD Fourth World & World Bank–IMF conference on “Addressing the Hidden Dimensions of Poverty in Knowledge and Policies”, World Bank Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
- November 2022-ATD Fourth World Delegate to COP 27,Sharm El Sheikh,Egypt.
- August 2022 – Participant, public seminar on “People Living in Extreme Poverty as Agents of Research”.
- May 2022 – Participant, Mater Heart Run, annual fundraising event supporting cardiac surgeries for disadvantaged children.
- August 2021 – Participant, sensitization workshop on “Deepening the Merging of Knowledge Methodology”, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
- May 2020 – Panellist, global webinar on “Impact of COVID-19 on Child Poverty in Africa and Beyond”.
Timeline
Advocacy Training -2025
02-2025
International Advocacy Officer
ATD Fourth World Headquarters – France
09.2023 - Current
Country Coordinator
ATD Fourth World – Nairobi, Kenya
08.2021 - 09.2023
Coordinator and Cultural Mediator for Tapori Children program
ATD Fourth World – Africa Region (Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya)
10.2019 - 07.2021
Onsite Child Protection Officer / Vice-Chairperson
Edmund Rice Karibu Camps – Nairobi, Kenya
05.2018 - 08.2019
Trainer (Community Empowerment & Education)
Education for Life – Kenya
05.2017 - 05.2018
Child Rights Peer Educator (Child Protection & Policy Advocacy)
Kabarak University Law School & Pink Elephant Organization – Kenya
01.2015 - 01.2016
Bachelor of Law - Law
Kabarak University
04.2001 -