Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 17 years of experience, the expert excels in project management, procurement, and grant management, with a strong focus on education and health sectors. Responsibilities have included managing budgets and grants for international initiatives, notably with UNICEF projects funded by DFID. Proficient in SAP, Microsoft Office Suite, and data management tools, the expert has held leadership roles such as Senior Programme Associate at UNICEF, overseeing financial operations and donor reporting. Career highlights include coordinating multi-donor grants and implementing community-based surveillance projects to enhance maternal health in Nigeria.

Project experience and donor exposure

With a background in collaborating with international donors like DFID and USAID, the expert has focused on projects in education and health sectors. At UNICEF, responsibilities included budget management and grant monitoring for donor-funded initiatives, such as the GEP3 project co-funded by DFID. The expert's role encompassed project implementation and financial oversight. Additionally, as a consultant for USAID's TSHIP project, the expert facilitated qualitative research in family planning. These projects were primarily national in scope, conducted in Nigeria.

Sectors and geographic focus

Worked across diverse projects involving sectors such as education, health, procurement management, and disaster reduction. Previously held roles like Senior Programme Associate at UNICEF and Program Officer for community-based health initiatives. The expert's interdisciplinary expertise includes integrating technology into maternal health surveillance and leveraging digital tools for data management. The geographic scope of work is primarily country-specific to Nigeria, involving collaboration with both local and international stakeholders in various development projects. The expert's deep understanding of local governance and cultural dynamics has been demonstrated through work with international organizations like UNICEF and USAID.

Languages and education

Fluent in English and Hausa, with some proficiency in French, the expert has utilized language skills extensively in professional settings, including teaching Hausa at Columbia University and conducting research in Nigeria. Roles have involved translation and communication in multilingual environments, particularly in projects with international donors and local communities. The expert is pursuing a Master of Arts in Leadership in Education at Liverpool John Moores University, U.K., and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria. Additionally, the expert completed a non-degree program at Columbia University, U.S.A., focusing on Language Pedagogy, African American Studies, and other subjects. Certificates in Computer Networking from CISCO Networking Academy and Computer Applications from Iya Abubakar Computer School, both affiliated with Ahmadu Bello University, further complement the expert's qualifications.