Khetho Dlamini
1 Highland Avenue, Bryanston, Johannesburg
Summary
Motivated team leader with 20 years of progressive experience of which 10 of those were at management level. 5 years of progressive experience of which 10 of those were at management level. 5 years of progressive experience of which 10 of those were at management level. 5 years working experience in Open Society Foundation (OSF), 3 years in SOS Children's Villages and 13 years in UNICEF. Energetic self-starter and team builder. Navigates high-stress situations and achieves goals on time and under budget. Vast field experience around grants management and project partnerships in 24 countries located in Southern Africa, East Africa, West and Central Africa Regions.
Able to problem solve complex issues. Consistently applies the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) principles in the workplace. Detail-oriented team leader with strong organizational skills. Able to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. Responsible for ensuring the highest standards of programme implementation, namely through the revision and development of tools and systems to ensure project relevance, quality, impact, sustainability, monitoring, and reporting in coherence with impact-oriented concepts.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Africa Region Social Policy Officer
Open Society Foundation (Africa Regional Office)
2022.08 - Current
- Managed an annual budget of $6-10 million.
- Managed multi-million US$ project partnerships in DRC, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, Kenya, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Mozambique, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe.
- Built and strengthened an ecosystem that advances the priorities of the organization's mission, vision, goals, and values.
- Managed multi-year grants with core implementing partners to advocate and safeguard the socioeconomic, civil, political, and cultural rights of marginalized groups including LGBTQI community, refugees, immigrants, workers, children, women, teachers, healthcare workers, prisoners, stateless persons, and persons with disabilities.
- Programme Leadership, within the humanitarian-development-peace nexus framework.
- Led national capacity development initiatives.
- Led partnerships and advocacy initiatives.
- Prioritized resource mobilization and resource management.
- Kept confidential information and documents private to avoid negative impacts on people, organizations, or other entities.
- Delivered high-quality training programs, enhancing employee skill sets and contributing to professional development efforts.
- Boosted team morale through recognition programs, resulting in higher productivity levels.
- Mitigated potential risks by proactively identifying potential issues and implementing appropriate countermeasures or contingency plans as needed.
- Optimized resource utilization by reallocating personnel based on workload assessment resulting in balanced workload distribution among the team members.
- Utilized data-driven decision-making techniques to inform strategic planning processes and measure progress towards goals.
- Championed diversity initiatives within the department, promoting an inclusive work environment where all employees felt valued and respected.
- Spearheaded successful projects from conception through completion, showcasing strong project management abilities.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to address complex issues, leading to more efficient problem-solving processes.
- Established effective relationships with key stakeholders both internally and externally for increased collaboration opportunities.
- Developed and implemented strategic plans to meet organizational goals, ensuring alignment with company objectives.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors optimally, securing best deals for the organization while maintaining excellent working relationships.
- Managed budgets effectively, prioritizing resource allocation for maximum impact on departmental goals.
- Enhanced communication between team members by organizing regular meetings and fostering open dialogue.
Southern Africa Regional Education Manager
Open Society Initiative For Southern Africa(OSISA)
2019.11 - 2022.07
- Managed an annual budget of $4-7 million.
- Managed over 70 grants with implementing partners (NGOs, FBOs, universities and government ministries) working in the education and health sectors in Angola, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
- Supported implementing partners working in highly complex operating environments.
- Achieved the demilitarization of 500 plus primary and high schools in Swaziland during the 2021 political uprising which left 70 people shot dead by State security forces and 1,200 people arrested on arbitrary charges.
- Applied strategic litigation and secured a court order for armed police and soldiers to vacate school premises.
- Led important programme and political partnership engagement for example facilitating an amicable solution in resolving the shutting down of Internet services during the peak of state-sponsored violence.
- Undertook regional representation of the organization.
- Worked flexibly with staff members to move areas of work to respond to workload peaks.
- Complied with individual and organizational responsibilities under Data Protection Act, Information Security Policy and supporting operational policies.
- Produced accurate work to tight and competing deadlines in fast-paced environments.
- Used data-driven decision making to pioneer the establishment of OSISA's strategic partnerships with 5 teacher trade unions in Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe representing over 700, 000 teachers collectively.
- Received feedback from most partners that after the capacity building and mentorship from me their online and physical visibility has increased by over 50% and their resource mobilization had seen an upward trajectory.
- Worked on both the demand and supply side of programming to ensure holistic programming.
- Skilled in data analytics and drawing insights.
- High proficiency in report and proposal writing.
- Organized professional development workshops for educators within the region, enhancing teaching practices and classroom strategies.
- Collaborated with other regional managers to share best practices and optimize educational offerings across districts.
- Analyzed data from various sources to identify trends and areas for improvement within the regional education programs.
- Increased regional education program efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing innovative training techniques.
- Served as liaison between district leadership teams and regional education management staff, ensuring clear communication of goals and expectations.
- Established strong relationships with local school administrators, fostering ongoing collaboration and partnership in the pursuit of high-quality education.
Senior National Foster Care Manager
SOS Children's Villages
2017.01 - 2019.10
- Managed an annual budget of US$1 million.
- Supervised a team of 4 regional managers and 4 regional social workers.
- Led political engagements with His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet in Swaziland.
- Provided technical support to Members of Parliament (MPs), Magistrates, Regional Administrators Governors), Department of Social Welfare, Ministry of Justice, UN agencies, NGOs, and Faith based organizations.
- Co-designed with two Professors from Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada a government-owned Foster Care Project for the kingdom of Swaziland.
- Co-developed the National Policy Framework for Foster Care in Swaziland namely: National Guidelines on Foster Care and Kinship Care 2018, National Quality Service Standards for Foster Care 2018, and National Training Manual for Foster Parents 2019.
- Used excellent problem-solving and issue-resolution strategies to rectify difficulties quickly and effectively.
- Supervised and delegated tasks to employees to meet key productivity targets.
- Monitored staff performance, continually seeking ways to improve team delivery for optimized financial success.
- Generated strategic weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets, motivating and incentivizing staff to continually achieve and exceed expectation.
- Conducted competitive analysis to identify market trends and capitalize on emerging opportunities for growth.
- Built high-performing teams through effective recruitment, onboarding, and talent development initiatives.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations and legal requirements by implementing comprehensive policies and training programs for staff members.
- Optimized resource allocation by conducting regular performance evaluations and providing personalized coaching for staff development.
- Drove operational efficiency through data-driven decision-making processes, leveraging analytics tools for informed strategy development.
- Reduced operational costs through comprehensive process improvement initiatives and resource management.
- Developed a strong company culture focused on employee engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Led change management initiatives to drive organizational transformation without compromising employee morale or productivity levels.
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
- Championed diversity and inclusion efforts within the workplace, resulting in an inclusive environment that fostered creativity and innovation among employees from various backgrounds.
Child Protection Specialist
UNICEF Ghana
2015.10 - 2016.07
- Managed a team of 4 staff members, two local and two expatriates.
- Led the Tamale field office Child Protection Program development and strategic planning, management, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation within the Country Program.
- Collaborated with other 7 United Nations UN agencies namely WHO, UNFPA, FAO, UNDP, UNODC, UNAIDS, and WFP.
- Planned and collaborated with internal and external partners and actors to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/United Nations UN system indicators.
- Led a national birth registration campaign for under 5's in collaboration with the Births and Deaths Registry resulting in over 800,000 being registered and receiving their birth certificates throughout the country.
- Strengthened performance accountability, coherence, and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the Child Protection programs.
- Developed, distributed, and supported uptake of analysis, resources and exchange of knowledge and practices on international legal responsibility and jurisdiction and other complex legal issues.
- Maintained strong working relationships with Programs and Geographic Officers to identify areas of alignment.
- Enhanced communication between agencies by establishing clear protocols and maintaining regular contact with relevant stakeholders.
- Strengthened community partnerships by actively participating in local events, workshops, and training sessions related to child protection issues.
- Facilitated family reunification efforts by developing and monitoring progress on individualized service plans.
- Provided ongoing support for foster families through regular check-ins, offering guidance on managing challenging behaviors or situations.
- Streamlined workflow processes to expedite decision-making regarding child placement recommendations to the court system.
- Improved child safety by conducting thorough assessments and implementing effective intervention plans.
- Assisted in the development of agency-wide initiatives aimed at improving overall child welfare outcomes.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to create comprehensive support systems for at-risk children and families.
- Collaborated with schools and healthcare providers to ensure that children''s educational and medical needs were met in a timely manner.
- Reduced risk of harm to children by identifying potential hazards and taking appropriate preventive measures.
- Supported children''s emotional well-being by providing trauma-informed care and connecting them with appropriate mental health resources.
- Promoted positive parenting practices through education, coaching, and resource referrals for parents or caregivers.
- Maintained confidentiality of sensitive information while navigating complex legal proceedings involving child abuse or neglect allegations.
- Increased efficiency in case management through diligent organization, documentation, and timely follow-up on assigned cases.
- Aided in the prevention of child maltreatment through community outreach, public education campaigns, and advocacy efforts.
- Implemented research-based interventions and strategies to support positive behavior and social-emotional development.
National Inclusive Education Manager
UNICEF Swaziland
2015.01 - 2015.09
- Managed a team of 3 staff members, two local and one expatriate.
- Led the advocacy calling for incorporating a 50% increase inclusion lens for children with developmental delays and disabilities in regular primary schools.
- Led the advocacy for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the inclusive education program.
- Provided staff mentorship and advocated for the strengthening of the Disability Unit under the Department of Social Welfare.
- Championed diversity and inclusion efforts within the workplace, resulting in an inclusive environment that fostered creativity and innovation among employees from various backgrounds.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations and legal requirements by implementing comprehensive policies and training programs for staff members.
- Launched new products and services with thorough market research, leading to increased revenue growth.
- Developed a strong company culture focused on employee engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Built high-performing teams through effective recruitment, onboarding, and talent development initiatives.
- Cultivated partnerships with external stakeholders to maximize business opportunities and extend network reach within the industry sector.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Set aggressive targets for employees to drive company success and strengthen motivation.
Child Protection Officer-In Charge
UNICEF, Swaziland
2014.01 - 2014.12
- Supported the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of UNICEF's Gender-Based Violence GBV related emergency preparedness and response.
- Conducted research and systems analysis to understand political systems, current actors, and leverage points for change through partnerships.
- Ensured overall efficiency, effectiveness, and delivery of results in accordance with the UNICEF Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action, National, and international standards.
- Kept abreast of development trends to enhance program management, efficiency, and delivery.
- Experience of managing a portfolio of diverse stakeholder relationships.
- Leveraged strong communication skills to build rapport with children, families, colleagues, and external partners alike.
- Reduced risk factors for child abuse through the delivery of targeted prevention programs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive support plans for at-risk children and families.
- Ensured legal compliance in all aspects of casework, including court hearings and testimony preparation.
- Promoted a strengths-based approach when working with families, identifying their unique assets and capabilities as part of tailored interventions plans.
- Actively participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on effective strategies for promoting children''s wellbeing.
- Improved child safety by conducting thorough investigations and assessments of reported cases.
- Coordinated with law enforcement agencies and legal representatives when necessary to address child protection concerns, ensuring the best possible outcomes for children involved.
- Provided crisis intervention services to address immediate safety concerns for children in need.
- Strengthened relationships between families and community resources by providing referrals and follow-up assistance.
- Supported family reunification efforts by offering guidance, mediation, and resources to parents navigating the process.
- Contributed to policy development initiatives aimed at enhancing child protection practices within the organization.
- Enhanced community awareness on child protection issues through regular presentations and workshops.
- Completed comprehensive assessments that informed the creation of individualized case management plans addressing specific needs identified during evaluations.
- Managed complex caseloads while maintaining a high standard of service quality for each individual client interaction.
- Maintained accurate case records, ensuring timely documentation and compliance with agency policies.
- Facilitated training sessions for new staff members on proper procedures, protocols, and best practices in child protection work.
- Continuously updated knowledge of relevant legislation, research findings, and industry trends to inform best practice approaches in daily activities.
- Navigated sensitive situations with empathy and professionalism, fostering trust among vulnerable clients during difficult times.
- Attended court proceedings, submitted documents and offered testimony.
- Maintained case records and legal documentation.
- Responded to claims of abuse, neglect or safety concerns.
- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
- Completed comprehensive assessments of families to identify needs and develop treatment plans.
Child Protection Officer
UNICEF Swaziland
2008.01 - 2013.12
Assistant Child Protection Officer
UNICEF Swaziland
2004.01 - 2007.12
Education
Master of Arts - Children's Rights
University of Fribourg
Fribourg, Switzerland10.2013
Certificate - Designing And Implementing Social Protection Progr
Maastricht University
Maastricht, Netherlands07.2013
Certificate - Business Writing And Legal Documents
University of Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa06.2013
Post Graduate Certificate (NQF Level 8) - Social Impact Assessment
University of Johannesburg
Johannesburg, South Africa10.2010
Post Graduate Certificate - HIV/AIDS Management in Africa
University of Limpopo
Polokwane, Limpopo09.2009
Post Graduate Diploma (NQF Level 7) - Cyber Law
University of Johannesburg
Johannesburg, South Africa05.2006
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
University of Zululand,
Empangeni, South Africa10.2003
Skills
- Strong communication skills and interpersonal skills, including report writing.
- Strong commitment to promoting social justice.
- Experience in regional programme planning, development, monitoring and evaluation.
- Experience in managing regional programs and projects in 24 countries in Southern Africa, East, West and Central Africa.
- Competency in multi-tasking and balancing competing demands from grantees and the program team.
- Willingness to handle complex and detail-oriented tasks, sometimes under tight deadlines.
- Knowledgeable about budgeting, analysis, reporting and grants management.
- Competency in working independently and analytically, exercising discretion and good judgment.
- Competency in grantmaking through Open Society Foundations (OSF), UNICEF, and the Joint UN Programme of Support (JUNPS ).
- Experience in reviewing grant requests and supporting documentation for adequacy and accuracy.
- Experience in Monitoring grant projections, approvals, and budgets.
- Monitoring and tracking grantee payments and reports through close-out, maintaining documentation for each action.
- Managing and analyzing grant-related data and supplying requested information.
- Assisting grantees to understand their administrative responsibilities under the terms of the grant.
- Assisting the communication of program strategy and grantee learning.
- Quality assurance and quality improvement.
- Competency in communicating and engaging actively with senior government representatives, NGO partners, religious leaders, politicians, trade unionists, children, and youth.
- Advanced level of understanding of child rights principles and concepts, as contained in international child rights instruments, and in general, in national laws in the region.
- Partner dialogue and stakeholder management.
- Operational programming and implementation.
- Independent and proactive in initiating and developing own ways and strategies to complete tasks and responsibilities, with minimal supervision.
- Demonstrated abilities in team leadership, mentorship, conflict resolution, and problem solving, with a commitment to child and human rights.
- Experience in supervising, coaching and mentoring staff.
- Experience in working with people from different cultures.
- Committed to child rights and human rights.
- Confident to constructively give and receive feedback.
- Is consultative and participatory in management.
- Good organizing and facilitation of trainings.
- Able to work in a team and follow instructions on delegated tasks.
- Good communication, advocacy, networking, and alliance building skills.
- Conflict resolution and problem solving, applies the do no harm principle.
- Proactive, consultative, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Emergency Response Coordination.
- Advanced level of understanding on child rights programming, child participation, child rights advocacy and network management in the region and preferably in the continent.
- General understanding of national situation of child rights and human rights context in Africa.
- Understanding of gender and safeguarding concepts.
- Donor relations.
- Advanced knowledge of the project cycle in all its stages.
- Advanced knowledge of programme strategic planning and tools.
- Organizational development and management for NGOs or human rights organizations.
- Is gender sensitive.
Timeline
Africa Region Social Policy Officer
Open Society Foundation (Africa Regional Office)
2022.08 - Current
Southern Africa Regional Education Manager
Open Society Initiative For Southern Africa(OSISA)
2019.11 - 2022.07
Senior National Foster Care Manager
SOS Children's Villages
2017.01 - 2019.10
Child Protection Specialist
UNICEF Ghana
2015.10 - 2016.07
National Inclusive Education Manager
UNICEF Swaziland
2015.01 - 2015.09
Child Protection Officer-In Charge
UNICEF, Swaziland
2014.01 - 2014.12
Child Protection Officer
UNICEF Swaziland
2008.01 - 2013.12
Assistant Child Protection Officer
UNICEF Swaziland
2004.01 - 2007.12
Master of Arts - Children's Rights
University of Fribourg
Certificate - Designing And Implementing Social Protection Progr
Maastricht University
Certificate - Business Writing And Legal Documents
University of Cape Town
Post Graduate Certificate (NQF Level 8) - Social Impact Assessment
University of Johannesburg
Post Graduate Certificate - HIV/AIDS Management in Africa
University of Limpopo
Post Graduate Diploma (NQF Level 7) - Cyber Law
University of Johannesburg
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
University of Zululand,
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