Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-karanja-6639b49a
Timeline
Virginia Karanja

Virginia Karanja

Nairobi

Summary

I am fast and adaptive learner who is committed, hardworking person, competitive, computer literate, and working under pressure with or without supervision to meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality and on multiple priorities. I am a problem solver with good analysis, good research and presentation skills both written and oral arguments. Public relations and communications specialist adept at media relations, special events coordination, issues management and community relations.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience

Work History

Public Relations & Marketing Manager

Doshi Group Of Companies
01.2023 - 01.2024
  • Develop a marketing communications plan including strategy, goals, budget and tactics.
  • Develop media relations strategy, seeking high-level placements in print, broadcast and online media.
  • Direct social media team to engage audiences across traditional and new media.
  • Leverage existing media relationships and cultivate new contacts within business and industry media.
  • Manage media inquiries and interview requests.
  • Create content for press releases, byline articles and keynote presentations.
  • Monitor, analyze and communicate PR results on a quarterly basis.
  • Evaluate opportunities for partnerships, sponsorships and advertising on an on-going basis.
  • Build relationships with thought leaders to grow industry awareness.
  • Maintain a keen understanding of industry trends affecting clients and make appropriate recommendations regarding communication strategy surrounding them.
  • Directed informational programs per quarter designed to foster favorable public and stockholder perceptions of company's accomplishments.
  • Developed event recognition in press and on social media from driving increased ticket sales for successful fundraising event by [Number]%.

Personal Assistant

Uganda Human Rights Commission
09.2022 - 12.2023
  • Accessing and inspecting conditions of inmates in prison.
  • Making recommendations about how to improve prisons.
  • Establishing programs of research, education and information to enhance respect of human rights.
  • Investigate persons who have violated any human right.
  • Maintaining safety of commission records.
  • Data organizing the regional Human Rights Officer’s meeting.
  • Taking minutes and circulating decisions to the relevant action offices.

Personal Assistant

Parliament Of Uganda
05.2016 - 02.2021
  • Maintaining correspondence tracking systems and carry out tasks such as sending copies of minister’s replies, parliamentary questions and speeches to constituents.
  • Supporting the parliamentary office with responding to routine correspondence and enquiries from constituents.
  • Adherence to the Data Protection Act principles and respect the confidentiality of data at all times.
  • Monitoring media output for relevant news.
  • Monitoring changes of legislation and assessing local impact.
  • Researching subjects to be debated in parliament.

Call Center Co-0rdinator

Dunhill Consulting Limited
02.2016 - 05.2016
  • Overseeing the day to day operations of call center.
  • Ensuring the team is well trained, equipped with the proper tools and working towards common goals.
  • Monitoring call quality to ensure that agents are providing high quality customer service.
  • Recording details about each call including dates, times, issues discussed, outcomes, and follow up actions.
  • Scheduling agents work and providing support during call center operations.

International Relations Manager

Brooks And Luyts Inc
01.2015 - 01.2015
  • Developing and preparing in-depth analyses of assigned issues at the national, regional, and global level.
  • Evaluating issues and initiatives through the study of international policy standards, overseas developments and reports.
  • Formulating policy or program recommendations on assigned programs preparing papers and briefing materials.
  • Collaborating with foreign counterparts.

International Relations Officer

Brooks And Luyts Inc
09.2013 - 12.2014
  • Developing international cooperation projects in governmental and non-governmental forums and other activities.
  • Maintaining current knowledge of foreign and domestic affairs and their decisions.
  • Sharing research results through academic, professional publications written reports and public presentations.
  • Liaising with governmental officials, civic bodies, research agencies, the media and political parties concerned with foreign issues.
  • Analyzing and interpreting international policies, issues, legislations and the activities of the government businesses and organizations overseas.

Data Capturer

Brooks & Luyts Inc
03.2012 - 10.2012
  • Carrying out legal financial recoveries on behalf of large financial Institutions.
  • Using the legal process to assist with recoveries whilst being able to handle large volumes of instructions from clients.
  • Inputing the legal process which is required to boost recoveries and the development of in-house software.
  • To drive value added quality recoveries solutions for our client and their customers.
  • Data capturing of all the phone calls and updating the system for the files worked on.

Public Relations Manager

Our Mission To Serve Africa Development Foundation
06.2011 - 02.2012
  • Clarify organization’s point of view to its main audience through media releases and interviews.
  • Identify main client groups, audiences and determine the best way to reach them.
  • Designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source for media inquiries.
  • Help clients communicate effectively with the public.
  • Develop organization's corporate image and identity.

Front Office Manager

Nomand Palace Hotel
01.2008 - 06.2011
  • Reconciled end-of-day reports to determine accurate billing and payment processing.
  • Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
  • Reduced waste and pursued revenue development strategies to keep department aligned with sales and profit targets.
  • Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
  • Reporting to the Director of the hotel in all the matters related with the daily functioning of the front desk

Business Processing Outsourcing Executive

Techno Brain Group
03.2010 - 12.2010
  • Entering data into database software and checking to ensure the accuracy of data that has

been inputted.

  • Resolving discrepancies in information and obtaining further information for incomplete documents.
  • Answer to incoming calls and address emails from the clients.
  • Manage and update customer databases with the status of each customer.
  • Provide product and service information to customers.

Education

Master of Arts - Global Studies And Diplomacy

Victoria University, Kampala, Uganda
03.2025

Bachelor of Arts - International Relations And Diplomatic Studies

Victoria University , Kampala,Uganda
09.2019

Public Relations Management

Kenya Institute of Management, Nairobi,Kenya
06.2010

College - Certificate in Business Management

Kenya Institute of Management, Nairobi,Kenya
12.2009

College - Advanced Certificate in Business Management

Kenya Institute of Management, Naiorbi,Kenya
06.2009

College - Bridging in Business Management

Kenya Institute of Management, Nairobi, Kenya
06.2008

Certificate - Computer Applications

Compuera College, Nairobi,Kenya
03.2008

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education -

Trikha Girls, Nairobi,Kenya
11.2007

Kenya Certificate of Primary Education -

Kenyatta University, Nairobi,Kenya
11.2003

Skills

  • Inter cultural
  • Conflict resolution
  • Negotiation skills
  • Autonomy
  • Analytical skills
  • Written and verbal communication skills

www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-karanja-6639b49a

To work as a part of dynamic team that is actively oriented to positively make a contribution in meeting objectives and goals in customer and humanitarian organizations.

Timeline

Public Relations & Marketing Manager - Doshi Group Of Companies
01.2023 - 01.2024
Personal Assistant - Uganda Human Rights Commission
09.2022 - 12.2023
Personal Assistant - Parliament Of Uganda
05.2016 - 02.2021
Call Center Co-0rdinator - Dunhill Consulting Limited
02.2016 - 05.2016
International Relations Manager - Brooks And Luyts Inc
01.2015 - 01.2015
International Relations Officer - Brooks And Luyts Inc
09.2013 - 12.2014
Data Capturer - Brooks & Luyts Inc
03.2012 - 10.2012
Public Relations Manager - Our Mission To Serve Africa Development Foundation
06.2011 - 02.2012
Business Processing Outsourcing Executive - Techno Brain Group
03.2010 - 12.2010
Front Office Manager - Nomand Palace Hotel
01.2008 - 06.2011
Victoria University - Master of Arts, Global Studies And Diplomacy
Victoria University - Bachelor of Arts, International Relations And Diplomatic Studies
Kenya Institute of Management - , Public Relations Management
Kenya Institute of Management - College, Certificate in Business Management
Kenya Institute of Management - College, Advanced Certificate in Business Management
Kenya Institute of Management - College, Bridging in Business Management
Compuera College - Certificate, Computer Applications
Trikha Girls - Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education,
Kenyatta University - Kenya Certificate of Primary Education ,
Virginia Karanja