Noris Kelly Mangulama Chirwa
Johannesburg
Summary
Seasoned Child Rights Practitioner with 18+ years of experience in child protection, safeguarding, and advocacy. Skilled in investigating child rights violations, monitoring systemic abuses, and delivering human rights education and training. Strong background in human rights-based research and documentation. Successful in leading child rights programs, engaging key stakeholders, and building strategic networks. Contributed to policy reviews and advocacy efforts to influence change and strengthen child protection frameworks. Committed to creating safer environments for children and advancing their rights at every level.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Consultant
International Telecommunication Union
05.2023 - 09.2023
- Finalization of the draft Malawi Child Online Protection Strategy
Co – Consultant
Tithetse Nkhanza Malawi VAWG Prevention
09.2019 - 12.2019
- Designing a VAWG referral pathway and associated comprehensive services for formal and informal Justice sector;
- Evaluated program effectiveness using data-driven approaches, identifying areas of improvement and linking the VAWG available services accordingly.
- Streamlined internal processes to enhance team efficiency and how to improve overall service delivery according to institutional Charters.
Director for Children's Rights
Malawi Human Rights Commission
07.2010 - 01.2019
- Provided strategic leadership for the Children’s Rights Directorate.
- Led program planning, including work plan preparation and implementation.
- Managed projects (funded by OSISA, UNICEF, Plan International, Save the Children, AUSAID) and budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Monitor and evaluated activities, preparing reports for submission.
- Contributed to Complaints Handling System reviews and improvements.
- Advise the Commission on children’s rights legal matters.
- Led over 600 investigations into child rights violations, including gender-based violence, child trafficking, and harmful practices and resolution of high-profile child rights cases.
- Design and implement human rights education initiatives for children’s rights.
- Plan and execute advocacy and lobbying activities for child rights.
- Reviewed laws, policies, and decisions affecting children’s rights and provide recommendations for law and policy reform.
- Facilitated ratification of international human rights instruments.
- Contributed to state party and shadow reports focused on children’s rights.
- Lead National Human Rights Research Agenda on child rights.
- Represent the Commission at meetings and forums, ensuring staff participation.
- Developed key child protection policies, including the Revised School Readmission Policy and the End Child Marriage Strategy.
- Conducted national research and inquiries on child justice, alternative care, violence in schools and access to child maintenance.
- Played a key role in lobbying for child protection laws, such as the Child Care Protection and Justice Act and the Trafficking in Persons Act.
- Collaborated with international organizations like UNICEF, UNDP, Save the Children, Plan International, UNCRC, ACERWC and GANHRI to strengthen child rights advocacy and legal reforms.
Co- Consultant
Southern Africa Litigation Centre
04.2017 - 06.2017
- Research on prosecuting sexual violence Against Women and Girls with Disabilities
- A preliminary analysis of the attrition of sexual offence cases in the criminal justice system
- Review of laws of how Government handled cases regarding cases with Disabilities,
- Translated research findings into actionable recommendations, influencing law and policy as the research findings led to a draft Bill.
- Developed training materials and conducted training sessions with Magistrates and Social Workers to enhance knowledge and skills in procedure coordination.
Director for Education Information and Training
Malawi Human Rights Commission
07.2008 - 06.2010
- Provided leadership to the Commission on all human rights education programs and the Department.
- Planned, coordinated, monitored, and evaluated all activities related to human rights education, information, and training.
- Developed a comprehensive human rights education and training strategy for the general public, as well as capacity-building initiatives for staff and partners.
- Conducted human rights information assessments and developed tailored resources for diverse community groups and staff.
- Designed and produced training manuals, informational materials, community engagement programs, and training sessions for staff and partners.
- Collaborated with educational institutions to integrate child rights into curricula and training materials.
- Established and maintained networks with key stakeholders, including NGOs, the private sector, media, and other organizations involved in human rights education.
Education
Advanced International Training Diploma - Child Rights, School and Classroom Management
Lund University
Lund, Sweden02.2016
Master of Laws - International Law and the Law of International Organisations
University of Groningen
Groningen, The Netherlands08.2001
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations
United States International University in Africa
Nairobi Kenya06.2000
Skills
- Child Rights Program Development
- Project Management Expertise
- Knowledge Transfer
- Human rights investigations
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Executive leadership and management
- Policy development and strategic planning
- Resource optimization and efficiency
- Research and analytical proficiency
- Strong team collaboration skills
- MS Office and data management expertise
Certification
- FXB001 Child Protection: Children’s Rights in Theory and Practice, Harvard X, 2020
- Protecting Children in Humanitarian Settings, ColumbiaX, 2025 (in progress)
- Investigation Qualification Training Scheme Tier 1, Foundation of SEAH Investigations, CHS Alliance, 01/01/25
- Leadership in Safeguarding in the International Aid Sector, The Open University and FCDO, 2024
- Getting care right for all children: Implementing the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children, University of Strathclyde and CELCIS, 2019
- Caring for child moving alone: Protecting unaccompanied and separated children, University of Strathclyde and CELCIS, 2019
- Executive Management, Management Development Centre, University of Malawi, 2006
Referees
1. WINSTON MWAFULIRWA, Malawi Human Rights Commission,
+265 994 399 998
2. GRACE MALERA, Office of the Ombudsman, Malawi, +265 888 875 392
3. PACHARO KAYIRA, Permanent Mission of Malawi to the UN, +41772075404
Timeline
Consultant
International Telecommunication Union
05.2023 - 09.2023
Co – Consultant
Tithetse Nkhanza Malawi VAWG Prevention
09.2019 - 12.2019
Co- Consultant
Southern Africa Litigation Centre
04.2017 - 06.2017
Director for Children's Rights
Malawi Human Rights Commission
07.2010 - 01.2019
Director for Education Information and Training
Malawi Human Rights Commission
07.2008 - 06.2010
- FXB001 Child Protection: Children’s Rights in Theory and Practice, Harvard X, 2020
- Protecting Children in Humanitarian Settings, ColumbiaX, 2025 (in progress)
- Investigation Qualification Training Scheme Tier 1, Foundation of SEAH Investigations, CHS Alliance, 01/01/25
- Leadership in Safeguarding in the International Aid Sector, The Open University and FCDO, 2024
- Getting care right for all children: Implementing the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children, University of Strathclyde and CELCIS, 2019
- Caring for child moving alone: Protecting unaccompanied and separated children, University of Strathclyde and CELCIS, 2019
- Executive Management, Management Development Centre, University of Malawi, 2006
Advanced International Training Diploma - Child Rights, School and Classroom Management
Lund University
Master of Laws - International Law and the Law of International Organisations
University of Groningen
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations
United States International University in Africa
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