Faith Olayiwola
Lagos
Summary
Results-driven Program Officer with expertise in partnerships and strategic planning. Led global initiatives to enhance program evaluation and stakeholder engagement. Proficient in data analysis and team leadership, fostering youth empowerment and driving policy advocacy. Experienced in managing complex projects, coordinating teams, and implementing strategic programs, consistently optimizing operations and achieving impactful outcomes.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Lead, SDG Students Program
Sustainable Development Solutions Network Youth
Remote
05.2024 - Current
- Lead the strategic and operational coordination of a global youth platform, managing cross-regional teams, partnerships, and policy engagement aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Coordinated a 7-man cross-functional teams across 5+ continents, delivering programs aligned with SDG priorities, developed technical reports, and partnered with partner organizations to implement interventions to strengthen children and women and health protection solutions in underserved communities.
- Curated the Educational Programs; organized learning forums and exchanged groups to discuss best practices and challenges while implementing development programs.
- Advised NGIN on strategy planning and mentorship for sustainability-led agriculturists, enhancing skill development programs and facilitating connections with potential donors.
- Planned and implemented surveys, generating evidence on cost-effective delivery models for sustainability-led projects.
- Supported Migration for Youth Forum on a mental health and climate change consultation program, developed regional policy briefs to guide migrants’ health policy and strengthen youth capacity.
- Structured data and reporting workflow system, improving data sharing quality with partners to support informed decision-making within the organization.
- Increased the project management, analytical reasoning, business writing, meeting, and workshop management capabilities of 7 staff by over 10% (10%-80%) through the delivery of well-tailored in-class sessions and mentorship program.
Deputy Project Lead, SDG Students Program
Sustainable Development Solutions Network Youth
Remote
08.2022 - 04.2024
- Co-authored policy and research outputs disseminated across 100+ countries, contributing to global youth engagement efforts.
- Supported the United Nations Development Programme on youth related policy advocacy, training and program development.
- Coordinated global program efforts, fostering partnerships and engaging international stakeholders in policy initiatives.
- Facilitated strategic partnerships with universities and institutions, benefiting over 500 individuals across multiple regions.
- Designed sustainability-focused learning programs across Africa and Latin America.
- Contributed to international policy dialogues and coordinated multi-country development programs to enhance collaborative efforts.
- Worked with the London School of Economics and Political Science’s Volunteer Centre Programme on their volunteers’ projects and surveys processes.
Education
Master’s - International Affairs & Diplomacy (International Development)
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY
Zaria, Nigeria05-2026
Bachelor of Arts - German
UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN
Ibadan, Nigeria12-2021
Skills
- Partnerships
- Research & Analysis
- Policy Writing
- Secretariat Coordination
- Team Leadership
- Volunteer Management
- Cross-Regional Operations
- MS Excel
- Tableau
- Google Workspace
- Slack
- Communication
- Project management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Program evaluation
- Strategic planning
- Policy analysis
- Youth advocacy
Additional Information
Extensive experience working across global time zones and multicultural teams, Strong intercultural communication and facilitation skills, Committed to advancing youth-led advocacy and inclusive migration governance
Languages
- English (Fluent)
- Yoruba (Fluent)
- German (Intermediate)
- French (Beginner)
Publications
- Turning the Classroom Green, Faith Adedolapo Olayiwola, Antonio Díaz Aranda, 2025, https://sdg.iisd.org/commentary/generation-2030/turning-the-classroom-green/
- An Analysis of the Problems Associated with the Process of Integration Among Asylum Seekers in Germany: Three Brothers from Iran Report Their German Story, Faith Olayiwola, 2021, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hwo97mtvEM1gzXu-64daDEdrcngDWzVA/view?usp=sharing
- Sustainability Magazine, Faith Olayiwola, 2021, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O_RJzuUM-JfkKwMDDQ8QIQ9K5pOF8d8Q/view
Relevant Migration Experience
- GCM Youth Consultation Project (MYCP Collaboration), 2024/2025, Contributed to youth-led inputs into global migration policy discussions under the Global Compact for Migration, engaging in consultations and supporting inclusive youth representation.
- World Travel and Tourism Council, Saudi Arabia, 2021, Served as a youth consultant representing the SDSN Youth to discuss youth intercontinental movements and social assimilation.
- Undergraduate Thesis, 2021, Conducted research on the integration challenges faced by asylum seekers in Germany, analysing policy gaps, structural barriers, and lived experiences.
- Migration & Development Programming, Contributed to consultations and policy outputs on migrant health, climate vulnerability, and youth resilience.
Core Expertise
- Secretariat Leadership & Global Coordination
- Migration Policy & Youth Engagement
- Stakeholder Engagement & UN System Partnerships
- Team Leadership & Cross-Cultural Collaboration
- Fundraising, Grant Writing & Donor Engagement
- Governance, Reporting & Organisational Development
- Policy Research & Evidence-Based Analysis
- Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)
Timeline
Project Lead, SDG Students Program
Sustainable Development Solutions Network Youth
05.2024 - Current
Deputy Project Lead, SDG Students Program
Sustainable Development Solutions Network Youth
08.2022 - 04.2024
Master’s - International Affairs & Diplomacy (International Development)
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts - German
UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN