Saima Nambahu Shaanika
Advocacy, Strategic Partnership And Engagement Officer
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven leader with over 20 years of experience in government relations, strategic communications, and advocacy. Proven expertise in building partnerships across SADC and African Union bodies, leading political affairs, media management, and change initiatives. Skilled in aligning political priorities with operational delivery and fostering cross-sector collaboration.
Professional in operational management with track record of driving efficient processes and optimizing performance. Adept at implementing strategies that align with organizational goals and fostering collaborative work environments. Known for adaptability and reliability in dynamic settings, ensuring seamless team operations and goal achievement.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Advocacy, Information and Government Partnership Officer (P4)
World Food Programme (WFP)
01.2022 - Current
- - Spearhead government partnerships across SADC countries and engage with regional bodies (African Union, AUDA-NEPAD, Pan African Parliament, SADC Secretariat).
- - Orchestrated high-level engagements between WFP RBJ and multiple SADC Presidents and Ministers.
- - Integrated operational projects with continental development agendas, leveraging AUDA-NEPAD and private sector networks.
- - Facilitated SADC Digital School Initiative rollout in SADC countries via partnerships with the UAE.
- - Focal person for South South Triangle Cooperations and International Financial Institution at RBJ.
Deputy Executive Director & Head of Prime Minister's Private Office
Office of the Prime Minister
01.2018 - 01.2022
- - Directed administrative and logistical teams supporting the Prime Minister's whose constitutional responsibility is Head of Government Administration and Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly.
- - Coordinated governmental, stakeholder, and international delegate engagement of the Prime Minister inside and outside the country with different governments and international and regional bodies.
- - Managed official speeches and communications for the Prime Minister.
Director of Communications
Office of the Prime Minister
01.2015 - 01.2017
- - Led strategic communications to maintain the Prime Minister's public image.
- - Developed speeches and official statements of the Office of the Prime Minister.
- - Spearheaded drafting and approval of the Namibian Government Communication Strategy 2015-2024.
Editor, State House
Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC)
01.2011 - 01.2015
- - Coordinated media coverage of presidential activities, including foreign visits and national addresses.
- - Managed interviews with visiting Heads of State and dignitaries.
- - Overall, in charge of all media activities at State House.
- During the 2014 U.S-Africa Leaders Summit, while accompanying the Namibia President to the three Day US-Africa Leaders Summit, I was given opportunity to interview President Barack Obama on wide range of issues including US's policy on Africa.
Editor, Political and Economic Affairs
Namibia Broadcasting Corporation
01.2009 - 01.2011
- - Directed editorial content on political and economic developments for the Namibia Broadcasting Cooperation.
- - Training of Political and Economic Reporters.
- - Introduce a program called “Business Today” which has now become a flagship program on business news on Namibia Broadcasting Cooperation.
Senior Producer, Political and Economic Affairs Desk
Namibia Broadcasting Cooperation
01.2005 - 01.2009
- - Assist the Editor in running the day-to-day affairs of the Political and Economic Affairs Desk.
- - Responsible for all interviews with Senior Government officials including the Head of State, Prime Minister and Speaker of the National Assembly.
- - Coordinated interviews and media coverage involving international relations, foreign dignitaries, and all stories of international nature at the Namibia Broadcasting Cooperation.
Producer, Political Affairs Desk
Namibia Broadcasting Cooperation
01.2003 - 01.2005
- - Covered parliamentary proceedings and political developments in the country under the guidance of the Editor, Political and Economic Affairs Desk.
Senior Political Journalist
New Era Newspaper
01.1998 - 01.2003
- - I started as a general reporter at the Government owned New Era Newspaper in 1998. I was later promoted to the position of Senior Political Journalist responsible for Political Affairs.
- Among others, I covered parliament, and I also covered international meetings such as SADC, African Union and the United Nations.
- - In 2002, covered the Youth Solidarity meeting in Havana, Cuba and was selected as one of the youths from Africa to interview President Fidel Castro, then President of Cuba.
Producer and Presenter
Katutura Community Radio
01.1997 - 01.1998
- - Produced daily current affairs program for the community of Katutura and Khomasdal Township by looking at wide range of issues affecting the daily lives of the communities of these two towns.
- - It was at this community Radio Station that I started covering parliament.
- - While here, I was also involved in another community project, called Bricks Community project where we used to produce theatre dramas to positively change the lives of people.
Education
MSc - Leadership and Change Management
Namibia University of Science and Technology
MSc - Political Science
University of Namibia
Honors Degree - Media Studies
University of Namibia
Diploma - Information Studies
University of Namibia
Certificate - Administration
International of University Management (IUM)
Skills
- Leadership & Team Management
References
Menesia, Muinjo, Chief Programming Officer, mmuinjo@nbc.na, +264 61 2913111, Namibia Broadcasting Corporation, Namibia
Affiliations
- - Founder, Omkhai Namibia Trust – Empowering marginalized communities and girls' education
- - Board Member, Women at Work – Women's empowerment NGO
Reading
Rich State, Poor State: Why Some Countries Succeed and Others Fail by Mills Greg
Timeline
Advocacy, Information and Government Partnership Officer (P4)
World Food Programme (WFP)
01.2022 - Current
Deputy Executive Director & Head of Prime Minister's Private Office
Office of the Prime Minister
01.2018 - 01.2022
Director of Communications
Office of the Prime Minister
01.2015 - 01.2017
Editor, State House
Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC)
01.2011 - 01.2015
Editor, Political and Economic Affairs
Namibia Broadcasting Corporation
01.2009 - 01.2011
Senior Producer, Political and Economic Affairs Desk
Namibia Broadcasting Cooperation
01.2005 - 01.2009
Producer, Political Affairs Desk
Namibia Broadcasting Cooperation
01.2003 - 01.2005
Senior Political Journalist
New Era Newspaper
01.1998 - 01.2003
Producer and Presenter
Katutura Community Radio
01.1997 - 01.1998
MSc - Political Science
University of Namibia
Honors Degree - Media Studies
University of Namibia
Diploma - Information Studies
University of Namibia
Certificate - Administration
International of University Management (IUM)
MSc - Leadership and Change Management
Namibia University of Science and Technology
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