Sandra Oryema
Laywer
Kampala,Uganda
Summary
Transitioning from role in international environment where skills in planning, organizing and cross-cultural communication were developed. Demonstrates proficiency in managing complex projects and building partnerships. Seeking to leverage these abilities in new field to drive impactful results.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Country Representative
American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI)
Banjul
11.2024 - 04.2025
- Developed strategic plans outlining country-specific goals, objectives, and action steps aligned with the organization's mission and vision.
- Secured additional funding sources by submitting compelling grant proposals showcasing the organization's impactful work in the country.
- Conducted regular field visits to monitor project implementation firsthand, providing valuable insights for future improvements.
- Promoted a positive working environment by fostering open communication, teamwork, and professional development opportunities among staff members.
- Identified potential risks associated with program implementation proactively; devised mitigation strategies accordingly.
- Managed budgetary resources efficiently to ensure optimal allocation of funds for program activities and objectives.
- Enhanced partnership collaborations by establishing strong relationships with local stakeholders and organizations.
- Optimized the use of program resources by conducting regular audits and identifying opportunities for cost saving measures.
- Ensured compliance with local laws and regulations pertaining to non-profit operations within the country context.
- Increased program visibility through effective marketing strategies, community outreach, and media engagement.
- Elevated brand awareness via impactful public speaking engagements at conferences and other events related to the organization's area of focus.
- Led a diverse team of professionals in executing projects aimed at addressing key community needs and priorities.
- Efficiently managed multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining quality standards set forth by the organization.
- Leveraged partnerships with governmental agencies for greater policy influence on issues relevant to the organization''s mission.
- Facilitated capacity-building workshops for partners and beneficiaries, enhancing their skills and knowledge to effectively implement programs.
- Implemented comprehensive monitoring and evaluation systems to measure program impact and identify areas for improvement.
- Adapted global initiatives to local contexts, ensuring cultural sensitivity and relevance in all programming efforts.
- Recruited trained and supervised a team of dedicated volunteers to participate in community outreach initiatives and expand service provision.
- Coordinated closely with headquarters staff to provide timely updates on project progress, challenges, and successes.
- Monitored project progress, identified risks and took corrective action as needed.
- Tracked project and team member performance closely to quickly intervene in mistakes or delays.
- Reported regularly to managers on project budget, progress, and technical problems.
- Scheduled and facilitated meetings between project stakeholders to discuss deliverables, schedules and conflicts.
- Analyzed project performance data to identify areas of improvement.
- Developed and implemented project plans and budgets to ensure successful execution.
- Facilitated workshops to collect project requirements and user feedback.
- Sourced, vetted and managed vendors needed to accomplish project goals.
- Recruited and oversaw personnel to achieve performance and quality targets.
- Verified quality of deliverables and conformance to specifications before submitting to clients.
- Maintained open communication by presenting regular updates on project status to customers.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and service providers to secure cost-effective solutions that contributed towards overall organizational efficiency.
Program Manager
American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI)
01.2023 - 12.2024
- Strengthened regional partnerships with CSOs in Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe to design projects focused on strengthening media resilience against misinformation from malign influences
- I supported the design of seven programs through conceptualization meetings, concept notes, proposals and then onboarding of the new implementing partners
- Enhanced program efficiency by applying the M&E systems for data-driven decision-making
- Used DevResults to report on progress
- MEL plans and work plans developed to track progress
- Represented ABA ROLI at regional forums, advocating for legal protections for journalists and human rights defenders
- Organized a regional meeting on developing strategies to counter malign influence
- Oversaw research and technical reports, ensuring alignment with international legal standards
- Supported the development of Legal Coercion curriculum and research report on the Safeguarding Information Rights in Africa- China Relations: An Assessment of Legal Subversions
- Optimized sub-grantee performance and compliance through mentorship meetings, joint monitoring visits and through workshop on Most Significant Change stories to document their successes
Head Legal Aid Unit
Public Interest Law Clinic (PILAC)
Kampala
01.2012 - 12.2022
- Replicated the University Legal Aid Clinic model to five universities in Uganda and East Africa through the East African Network of University Law Clinics
- Supported the development of the University Legal Aid Clinic in Makerere University
- Spearheaded mobile legal outreaches to six prisons and 6 slum communities on criminal law, land law and family law
- Coordinated policy advocacy on the Legal Aid Bill in Uganda
- Developed monitoring tools like the client intake form, the referral form, the activity form, the community outreach form, the training report template and the pre and post tools for trainings
- Developed the client charter for the legal clinic
- Trained sixty community leaders on how to become paralegals
- Supported the simplification of the three laws for the communities
- Supervised over six hundred law students in their projects focused on human rights issues, mooting and analysis of bills
- Lectured over two hundred law students in the clinical legal education class on professional ethics, mediation and legal writing
Senior Legal Officer
Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
Gulu
01.2007 - 12.2012
- Represented over hundred vulnerable IDPs and returnees in civil and land cases, securing favorable legal outcomes.
- Mediated over twenty land disputes to ensure that internally displaced persons would return to their land.
- Provided legal advice to over a hundred people during community outreaches on various legal issues particularly on land & family matters.
Education
Master of Science - Leadership and Governance
Makerere University Business School
Kampala 08.2012 - 07.2016
Post-graduate diploma - Legal Practice
Law Development Center
Kampala 08.2006 - 07.2007
LL.B. (Hons) - Law
Makerere University
Kampala 08.2000 - 10.2004
Skills
Conflict management
Cross-cultural communication
Teamwork and collaboration
Strategic thinking
Problem-solving
Team leadership
Adaptability and flexibility
Organizational skills
Staff management
Documentation and reporting
Work Planning and Prioritization
Project management
Project planning
Compliance monitoring
Budget control
Certification
Project Monitoring and Evaluation, 03/02/17 - 03/03/17, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Timeline
Country Representative
American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI)
11.2024 - 04.2025
Program Manager
American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI)
01.2023 - 12.2024
Master of Science - Leadership and Governance
Makerere University Business School
08.2012 - 07.2016
Head Legal Aid Unit
Public Interest Law Clinic (PILAC)
01.2012 - 12.2022
Senior Legal Officer
Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
01.2007 - 12.2012
Post-graduate diploma - Legal Practice
Law Development Center
08.2006 - 07.2007
LL.B. (Hons) - Law
Makerere University
08.2000 - 10.2004
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