Ezioma Akabike

As the Project Coordinator at Global Air Drone Academy (GADA), I drive the successful execution of our regional and international programs. Notably, I manage the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund (BCYF) program in the United States, the Kenya Drone Business Competition (KDBC) in Kenya, and the U.S. Consulate grant projects. My responsibilities are:

encompass ensuring the adherence to processes by external and internal stakeholders, intricate financial management(budgeting, cost savings) and reporting, as well as the supervision of program implementation

• Supervise multiple projects from project start through delivery by prioritizing needs and delegating assignments.
• Lead the program's monitoring and evaluation (M&E) process, framework design, data collection and the in-depth data analysis.
• Lead the scale-up of GADA's STEAM Education projects for children and youth groups in multiple countries.
• Managed competing demands and professionally adapted to frequent change and unexpected events.
• Design project plans, implementation strategy, OKRs and key milestones.
• Analyzed project performance data to identify areas of improvement.
• Recruited and oversaw personnel to achieve performance and quality targets.
• Keep projects on schedule by managing deadlines and adjusting workflows.
• Oversee communications, e-marketing, contracts, budget management, procurement, and project reporting.

I served as an International Consultant for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Somalia.

• Provided in-depth technical and compliance guidance for Women-led Organizations (WLOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to integrate gender policies in Somalia.
• Wrote, edited and produced a high-level facilitator's manual for WLOs and (CSOs) that integrates gender concepts, strategies against Gender-based Violence (GBV), and awareness of Sexual Rights and Reproductive Health (SRHR).
• Gathered insights and learnings from previous intervention practices on mainstreaming gender in Somalian communities.
• Led the local and international research team to investigate and provide empirical data on activities and peculiarities in Somalian communities, particularly in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, policies, and gender rights.
• Developed and implemented data collection, data analysis framework and survey tools: Using both quantitative and qualitative data analysis methodologies.
• Reported to the board of Gender Specialists at UNFPA Somalia and oversaw the implementation of gender policies in research and community interventions to enhance sustainability and drive behavioural change.

At TEP Centre, I lead the Assessment and Learning Programmes team, with core focus on designing and supervising the execution of all organizations' learning programmes and initiatives. I have successfully written proposals which have won at least $4 million in funding and led international donor-funded programmes for organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Open Society Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Google.org. I represent Nigeria, as one of the 14 country-members in the PAL Network (People's Action for Learning Network) in the global South, as the winner of the 2023 WISE Award (World Innovation Summit for Education award) for the innovative approach to pressing education issues and positive social impact. My key duties include;

• Curate and design training modules for teacher/facilitator capacity building, leveraging on behavioral change methodologies in education policies, pedagogy for improved learning outcomes of learners, mid-level management, communication and quality of education.
• Develop and initiate projects, manage costs, and monitor programme performance.
• Plan, train and supervise field officers on several missions of the LEARNigeria large-scale citizen-led assessment with over 10,000 respondents till date.
• Develop and anchor high-level presentations and reports, lead communication and engagement with high-target stakeholders, donor organizations and government officials.
• Lead the digital transition of TEPs' learning programmes and assessments by leading the design and development of a Digital Learning platform (web-based and mobile applications) for learning, intervention and assessment.
• Outline work plans, determine required resources, and generate initial budgets as part of project scope determination.
• Lead the learning programmes and action research studies that contributed to improved learning outcome of 670+ students by at least 33%, and professional capacity of about 420 learning instructors by at least 29.3%.

In my capacity as the Programmes and Operations Manager, my role encompassed diverse responsibilities that extended beyond program development to include financial reporting and operations management. Within this multifaceted position, I oversaw the creation of impactful and sustainable programs that aligned with the foundation's five core focus areas: Health, Education, Food Security, Climate Action and Women/Youth Empowerment. Key duties performed were;

• Designed and implemented SOF's policy handbook and process improvement to shape organizational culture, optimize procedures for higher efficiency and help company evolve and grow.
• Introduced new methods, practices, and systems to reduce turnaround time by setting, enforcing, and optimizing internal policies to maintain responsiveness to partner and beneficiary demands.
• Developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency, the Foundation's culture and overall working strategy.
• Recommended adjustments to monitoring, measuring and analysis strategies to effectively assess progress toward programme goals.
• Determined performance indicators and how to measure and assess success of grant beneficiary programmes.
• Launched a series of virtual courses and access to e-resources that cater to the needs of NGOs and CSOs, bolstering their operational capabilities.
• Managed grant portfolio, structure and execution of grantee projects.
• Designed SOF's strategic 5-year growth plan for well-structured programs, grant opportunities and sustainable elements for impactful partnerships.
• Orchestrated the foundation’s annual flagship convening, Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS), and established collaborations with stakeholders from across the African continent.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Hawksworth Advisors, I was responsible for the planning, design, implementation and execution of projects, specifically the MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning), and reporting of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and UNICEF funded 'Contingency Education Response Plan' executed (in-country) by the Federal Ministry of Education.

• Designed process manual for the independent verification, evidence gathering, evaluation and field analysis for the $13.8 million projected to reach 12 million children, 30,500 teachers, and 43,000 schools in 16 states.
• Compiled research data and gave professional presentations highlighting finds and recommended optimizations.
• Leveraged on-site observation and focus-group discussions and key informant interviews to identify gaps and strengths of the project.
• Analyzed information and provided recommendations to the programme based on field responses and observations.
• Maintained partnership and led communications with representatives from the federal, state and local institutions including; FME (Federal Ministry of Education), UBEC (Universal Basic Education Commission), SUBEB (State Universal Basic Education Board), SMoE (State Ministry of Education), UNICEF, NERDC (Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council), CSOs (Civil Service Organizations) and Technical agencies.
• Recruited and trained field actors, using the techniques and methodologies developed in my training manual, for effective data collection, verification and quality assurance.
• Engineered the qualitative and quantitative data analysis process for statistical illustrations and info-graphics reporting.

Programme officer responsible for coordinating reports, resources and field monitoring of the GLOBAL FUND: HIV Testing Services (HTS), Malaria and Most at Risk Persons (MARPS) project.

• Coordinated and managed community peer mentoring programmes for youth groups within underserved communities (these groups included most at risk persons {FSW, MSM, PWIDs}).
• Monitored and updated the Management Information Systems (MIS), Logistics Management Information systems (LMIs) and datasheet.
• Coordinated the health services and referrals for 6000+ persons including testing, referrals, counseling, treatment, monitoring and mentoring.
• Trained and supervised counseling teams assigned to provide counseling and referral support im local communities.
• Represented the Global Fund project youth group at convenings and stakeholder workshops.

• Advocate for awareness and counsel on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH).
• Advocated for awareness and counsel on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH).
• Built and maintained partnerships with youth/youth leaders, adult allies and youth serving organizations.
• Supported communications unit: Write white papers, posts, short messages and articles supporting ASRH.
• Monitored traditional and social media events promoting awareness on ASRH.
• Co-hosted on a series of radio talk shows on ASRH awareness.
• Organized ASRH centered campus outreach events, town hall meetings and training sessions.
• Managed expenses for team logistics, welfare, field activities and vendor resources.
• Developed and implemented strategies to increase youth awareness and campus outreach engagements.
• Created promotional materials to advertise programmes and ASRH services.

• Managed all activities and social engagements for PLAY Network.
• Introduced new methods, practices, and systems to reduce turnaround time.
• Initiated, planned and coordinated the first annual fashion and networking cocktail gala for PLAY Network’s regional and international partners, clients and brands.
• Managed recruitment process for staff, vendors and brands under the network.
• Scouted new investors and high-level clients.
• Set, enforced, and optimized internal policies to maintain responsiveness to demands.
• Developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency.

• Supported gender team in designing training programmes for women and young girls to end the practice of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C).
• Followed detailed directions from management to complete daily activities and data entry responsibilities.
• Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity.
• Planned and coordinated logistics and materials for board meetings, committee meetings and workshop events.
• Proofread and edited documents for accuracy and grammar.
• Supported facilitation of training and workshops on gender mainstreaming and integration.
• Provided logistics and resource support for convenings and intra-state field exercises.