Uko Ekott

• Oversighted the (Sharing Canadian Expertise for Inclusive Development and gender Equality -SHARE) program, CAD$87 million in funding from GAC covering 10 countries globally, with 6 in Africa (Ethiopia, Tanzania, DR Congo, Cameroun, Benin, and Nigeria).
• Provide oversight on other GAC-funded projects in the Africa region (including in Ethiopia: UGIRLS2 CAD$15M) and Talent Pluriels, DR Congo (TP; 2022-2026; $10.7M, GAC and SIDA)
• Oversighted the Skills for Improvement of Lives and Livelihoods for Refugees (SKILLS) with a $5M in funding from UNHCR in Nigeria.
• Provided visionary leadership and strategic guidance for Cuso International's global volunteer cooperation and bilateral programs in Africa. Successfully navigated budgeting challenges and implemented robust performance monitoring systems to ensure the optimal functioning of these impactful initiatives.
• In pursuit of the realization of the organization's strategic plan, I collaborated with relevant teams to secure substantial funding and pioneering innovative projects in Africa. This involved a dynamic approach to project management, ensuring that each initiative aligns with the organization's overarching goals and contributes significantly to the communities we served.
• The role involved spearheading the establishment and expansion of living learning communities, contributing to a vibrant and impactful educational landscape. This entails a hands-on approach to development, with a focus on creating sustainable educational environments that empower individuals and communities.
• Demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence, I meticulously gathered program impacts, actively engaged in public outreaches, and championed thought leadership and advocacy activities. This ensured that the organization remained at the forefront of positive change and innovation within the international development landscape.
• In terms of team management, I effectively led and supported a dedicated regional team, cultivating a positive work environment that fosters collaboration and growth. This involvedmentorship, strategic delegation, and creating opportunities for professional development to ensure the team's continued success.
• My responsibilities also included extensive travel within Africa and internationally to strengthen program initiatives and forge valuable partnerships. This proactive approach resulted in notable achievements and sustainable impact, reflecting my dedication to advancing the organization's mission on a global scale.

• Championed and directed the successful implementation of Sharing Canadian Expertise for Inclusive Development and Gender Equality (SHARE), CAD 87 million in funding from GAC in Nigeria, leveraging extensive networks to effectively mobilize resources and achieve notable outcomes.
• Innovatively designed and developed new programs, skillfully managing their startup phase and fostering strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance overall program success. Achieved funding of NGN 390 million in funding from UNHCR for Livelihoods and Economic Resilience Intervention under the Nigeria Refugee Program.
• Championed and directed the successful implementation of impactful programs within the designated region, leveraging extensive donor networks to effectively mobilize resources and achieve notable outcomes.
• Innovatively designed and developed new programs, skillfully managing their startup phase and fostering strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance overall program success.
• Played a key role in overseeing international volunteer placements, ensuring rigorous compliance with monitoring and reporting requirements, thereby contributing to the organization's commitment to transparency and accountability.
• Cultivated a positive work environment by actively promoting knowledge sharing and providing robust support to staff, resulting in enhanced team performance and achievements.

• Acquired profound understanding of VSO's mission, programs, and their substantial impact in Nigeria, West Africa, and Sahel region, showcasing expertise in VSO's unique approach to volunteering for development and its specific initiatives in region.
• Successfully cultivated and deepened relationships with diverse array of donors, including institutional donors, foundations, corporations, and implementing partners. Established and maintained strong connections with key partners and networks, such as government agencies, INGOs, local NGOs, and private sector.
• Identified and secured potential grant and contract opportunities aligned with VSO's strategic priorities. This achievement involved extensive research on potential funders, nuanced understanding of their priorities, and creation of compelling proposals that effectively secured funding.
• Proactively engaged with key donors, including UK FCDO, USAID, World Bank, EU, UN, and various foundations, employing strategic communication, conducting impactful meetings, and fostering engagement. This proactive approach effectively showcased VSO's impact and aligned initiatives with donor priorities.

• Led strategic engagements with clients, facilitating development of organizational strategies and operational plans.
• Cultivated positive relationships with media figures, influencers and business partners with potential to positively impact fundraising activities.
• Worked with volunteers to guide fundraising activities, managed finances and strategized with board members to innovate opportunities to attract new donors.
• Analyzed existing system architecture and identified areas for improvement.
• Resolved production application problems by troubleshooting code or data structures in a timely manner.

• Collaborated with consortium partners and led execution Girl Effect’s role in DFID NENTAD Third Party Monitoring of projects in Health, Food Security, Education in Emergencies, and Protection in over 20 communities in 3 states of North-Eastern Nigeria with £3 million in funding from FCDO.
• Led and proactively supported troubleshooting of operational issues to reduce project bottlenecks or delays.
• Collaborated with external vendors to negotiate contracts that met organizational requirements while ensuring value for money.
• Held regular one-to-one meetings with team members to review performance and priorities and provided feedback.
• Organized team activities to build camaraderie and foster pleasant workplace culture.
• · Played key leadership role in planning annual budgets for each department based on forecasted sales volumes.

· Led the execution of the 5-year Volunteers for International Cooperation and Empowerment- (VOICE) Program in Nigeria with funding from Global Affairs Canada (CAD 65 million for 17 countries including Nigeria)

· Supported the implementation of the Youth Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Access and Development (YouLead) Project, with CAD 15 million in funding from GAC.

· Worked independently and collaboratively to achieve the development of a 5-year (2015-2020) Health & Gender program under the Cooperation portfolio with funding from GAC, focused on Nigeria, and contributed to the development of a global program for 17 countries.

· Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.

· Completed thorough opening, closing and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.

· Created tactical relationships with teams to propel projects and attain results.

· Researched market trends related to industry-specific programs and developed strategic plans based on findings.

· Facilitated workshops designed to educate stakeholders about best practices for managing programs successfully.

· Facilitated campaigns and engagements of members with public and private institutions to advance the varying causes ranging from budgetary allocation improvements to design of policies to promote enabling environment for development.

· Organized meetings, conferences, policy briefs to address emerging issues around social sector investments.

· Coordinated participation of network members in thematic dialogues based on areas of specialization.

· Supported and created a helpdesk to provided assistance in resolving complaints or inquiries in a timely manner.

· Maintained secretariat by reviewing payroll, designing filing systems and reviewing and approving supply requisitions.

· Reviewed employee performance and provided ongoing feedback and coaching to drive performance improvement.

· Prioritized tasks and managed teams throughout multiple projects.

· Provided guidance and support to team members in order to achieve targets within defined deadlines.

· Drafted reports for senior management highlighting key milestones achieved throughout the program lifecycle.

· Planned and led team meetings to review business results and communicate new and ongoing priorities.

· Reviewed existing policies, procedures, regulations and contracts related to liaison activities; identified areas of improvement where required.

· Utilized document management system to organize company files, keeping up-to-date and easily accessible data.

· Conducted research into current market conditions and competitor activity; shared findings with relevant teams within the organization.

· Stayed abreast of current information regarding the socio-political space and successful strategies to document daily updates on the political environment and actors.

• Established strategic partnerships with external organizations, expanding program reach and impact.
• Enhanced program efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing data-driven improvements.
• Organized workshops and trainings for stakeholders, increasing understanding of program goals and objectives.
• Created and implemented program frameworks, performance standards and quality assurance requirements.
• Facilitated stakeholder engagement sessions, incorporating valuable feedback into program development processes.
• Conducted thorough program evaluations to identify areas of improvement and implement necessary changes.
• Kept programs in line with established mission parameters.
• Coordinated grant writing efforts, securing crucial funding for program initiatives.