Cissy Namuzimbi
Senior Social Worker
Kampala
Summary
Talented Manager with expert team leadership, planning, and organizational skills built during successful career. Smoothly equip employees to independently handle daily functions and meet customer needs. Diligent trainer and mentor with exceptional management abilities and results-driven approach.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
12
12
years of post-secondary education
Work History
MANAGER SURVIVOR SERVICES
International Justice Mission
6 2016 - Current
- Leading the implementation of a survivor care model within IJM which is an outcome-based model for survivor care
- The process has increased access to services based for survivors on assessed needs, enhanced resilience, and participation in processes for their restoration
- Set up survivor empowerment interventions such as survivor support groups to build resilience and economic empowerment
- Survivor Support Groups have accelerated capacity of women in violent relationships to access funds to start small income generating activities to reduce household poverty
- Documenting progress made on cases and aftercare best practices
- This included updating CTMs, writing quarterly reports and supporting the communications team during the profiling of Survivor stories
- Support to the Regional Aftercare Specialist and Aftercare Global team to review Aftercare strategies which included reviewing tools (Assessment of Successful Outcomes tool), Needs Assessments, Aftercare Protocols and Policies
- This helped the Aftercare Global teams to do their work efficiently
- Linking and coordinating other partners providing psychosocial support for survivors such as counseling before trial, transport, food, shelter that is vital for women and children to complete their justice journey and speeding up their recovery process
- Documenting and sharing Aftercare Best practices for Kampala Field Office with the Global IJM team
- The Survivor Support Group model has been adopted as a tool for incorporating survivor voice in Programming
- Developed trainings and shared learning material on trauma focused crisis intervention and psychosocial support to stakeholders in the Judiciary, Prosecution, Police and Community Based services
- This translated into adoption of new approaches such as safe spaces at Office of the DPP, Safe spaces for children in courts, Visual audios for children's cases that have increased engagement of children and women in justice processes
- Mapping partners and identifying capacity gaps for effective case management
- Identified and worked with partners in the Social Service Network at National level
- This includes the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development (MOGLSD)
- As part of this partnership building, I was trained by the MOGLSD as a National Trainer in Case Management
- Member of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Child Protection in the MOGLSD
- Through this TWG I have been able to contribute to current interventions like building Protection Systems for Violence Against Women/Children and Trauma Informed Approaches in Case Management
- Referral and networking through established government structures
- I have worked with the Probation and Social Welfare Officers (PSWOs) to find shelter for survivors and supported Police to interview survivors in a trauma informed way
- This has improved evidence gathering hence increased access to justice.
- Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- Communicated clearly with employees, suppliers and stakeholders to keep everyone on same page and working toward established business goals.
PROGRAM MANAGER
NATIONAL FORUM OF PLHIV NETWORKS IN UGANDA
10.2011 - 06.2016
- Provided oversight in the implementation of advocacy interventions in 50 Districts aimed at promoting Meaningful and Greater Participation of PLHIV in health and social service delivery in their districts through training, training and mentoring PLHIV to through training, mentoring, and Coaching
- And national HIV Program
- Led resource mobilization through writing proposals, attending Donor Conferences, looking for funding opportunities on different websites
- There was sustained funding through big funders like DGF, Civil Society Fund, Partnership Fund, CAFOD among others
- Supervising all Field Office staff and mentoring them to improve their capacity to deliver
- The trainings were tailored to advocacy, report writing, resource mobilization among others
- Supported Networks of People Living with HIV at district level to form sub county groups for People Living with HIV
- This also helped them to start their saving groups which eventually gave funds to members to start income generating activities
- Led the writing of Annual and quarterly reports for the organization according to donor specifications
- Managing the Program budget and ensuring that funds are spent according to planned activities and donor requirements
- Developed programme outcomes and indicators and ensured that the adopted strategies were in line with the broader outcomes
- This was done through periodic monitoring and reviews
- Worked with PLHIV and other partners to roll out campaigns with an aim of reducing stock out of ARVs to and increasing access to all eligible people in Uganda
- Participated in HIV sectoral reviews at National level and presented status reports from the PLHIV Networks
- Also attended Partnership Committee meetings in Uganda AIDS Commission that advocated for increased HIV funding; member of the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG); member of the Consortium for increased Access to ART (CAAT)
- Organised duty bearers' meetings every quarter in 25 districts with the HIV Focal Persons and DHOs; Sub County level meetings with Health Center in Charges, Hospital Management Committees and Sub County Chiefs
- Action points from the Sub County were discussed in the District AIDS Committee meetings
- Policy Analysis and Review Using Community Score Cards
- Monitored the Implementation of the National Health Policy 2010 in 15 Health Facilities in Uganda and made recommendations for improved staffing and equipping health centers to improve their performance
- Provided oversight in the development and review of organization's policies such as Advocacy Strategy, Strategic Plan and operations plan (2015/2019); Resource Mobilization Strategy 2015; Communication Strategy 2015
- Part of major surveys and studies such as the Stigma Index Survey 1 (2015) and Financing Income Generating Activities for PLHIV (2015))
- The research findings were instrumental in policy reviews and formulation at National Level but also helped District Local Governments improve Health service delivery.
- Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within deadlines and budgets.
- Managed multiple strategic projects with numerous sub-projects or workstreams.
- Collaborated with business leadership to set priorities based on business needs, resource capacity and risk exposure.
- Implemented agile methodologies into program management processes, increasing adaptability in dynamic environments.
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring support for program initiatives.
SOCIAL WORKER
MILDMAY UGANDA
02.2007 - 09.2011
- Identifying patients in need of Social Support through assessments and designing case plans to empower them
- At community level, I worked closely with existing structures of Community Based Volunteers to carry out routine visits in such households
- Worked closely with Medical Doctors during ward rounds to give unique information about each patient on the ward to ensure that they too provide treatment basing on the unique circumstances of everyone
- Managed the School program which involved mobilizing funds for school fees, managing budgets, assessing students who needed school fees, conducting home visits and parents' meetings
- I encouraged staff to contribute to the scheme which saw many children from poor households attend school
- Supported vulnerable children find alternative care such as placement in shelters, foster care to help them live dignifying lives
- Worked with PLHIV households to start livelihoods by linking them to training centers and providing startup capital
- Organised workshops for caregivers of children living with HIV & AIDS on HIV care, treatment and support
- This reduced HIV stigma among children thus fostering adhere to treatment
- Forming support clubs for HIV positive children to strengthen peer to peer support and build resilience among the youth
- Documented and shared success stories of Social Work Interventions which helped the multi-Disciplinary team appreciate the role of Social Workers in a Medical Setting.
- Supported clients and families with empathy and compassion during difficult times.
- Educated families on available community resources, connecting them with essential services such as housing assistance, financial aid, or healthcare providers.
- Advocated for clients'' rights, navigating complex systems to secure necessary resources and benefits.
- Conducted home visits to assess family dynamics, providing guidance on effective communication strategies and conflict resolution techniques.
- Maintained accurate case documentation, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and facilitating informed decision-making by team members.
SOCIAL WORKER
UGANDA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT LINK
11.2003 - 12.2004
- Rolling out an Anti-HIV Campaign in 40 schools in Kampala
- The campaign had a component of ending child abuse especially Child Sexual Abuse and was done through school talks on HIV & AIDS and narcotic drugs and drama
- Through this program, I worked closely with schoolteachers, community support persons and police to end violence against children
- Worked at the drop-in centers in Mpererwe and Nakulabye as a social worker supporting youth and children out of school
- Through this program, I was able to support youth adopt livelihoods that are not in conflict with the law by providing information on risky behaviors, connecting them to training centers among others
- Organised annual camps for both school and non-school going children living in Kawempe
- These camps were avenues for sensitizing children on HIV and drugs
- Identifying apprenticeship and vocational centers for children out of school and monitoring them to ensure that they complete their courses
- Coordinating the child rights protection project in Mukono and Kalangala Districts
- This program was run jointly with the Child and Family Protection Unit of Uganda Police (Kibuli)
- Developing Information Education and Communication materials for children.
- Supported clients and families with empathy and compassion during difficult times.
- Educated families on available community resources, connecting them with essential services such as housing assistance, financial aid, or healthcare providers.
- Advocated for clients'' rights, navigating complex systems to secure necessary resources and benefits.
- Conducted home visits to assess family dynamics, providing guidance on effective communication strategies and conflict resolution techniques.
- Maintained accurate case documentation, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and facilitating informed decision-making by team members.
Education
Master of Arts - Ethics in Development
Uganda Martyr's University Nkozi
Uganda 04.2001 - 05.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
Makerere University
Uganda 04.2001 - 05.2004
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Lubiri Secondary School
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Christ the King SSS
Skills
Team Leadership
Operations Management
Strategic Planning
Performance Management
Time Management
Staff Development
Financial Management
Workforce Management
Business Development
Currentemployer
International Justice Mission
Shorttrainingsattended
- TOT Case Management Processes in Child Protection (MOGLSD March 2019)
- Resource Mobilization training (USAID August 2015)
- Community mobilization and advocacy action planning (USAID 2015)
- Policy Advocacy and Strategy Development (USAID 2015)
- Certificate in Communicating with children (Mildmay 2008)
Languagesandskills
Fluent in English and Luganda, Proficient in Microsoft
Trainingsconducted
- Multidisciplinary case Management - Project Connect March 2020
- Trauma Informed Prosecution - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Dec 2019
- Case management processes for SVAC - World Bank SCOPE Project-May 2018
- Trauma Informed Legal Advocacy for Prosecutors and Judges in Uganda - IJM Nov 2018
- Sustainability Planning -IJM staff April 2019
Currenttitle
MANAGER SURVIVOR SERVICES
Publications
The role of support groups in managing stigma and discrimination among children living with HIV & AIDS in Uganda; Case study of support groups at Mildmay Uganda (International HIV & AIDS Conference 2012 Washington DC; Thesis for M.A Development Studies 2010)
References
- Mr. Gilbert Agaba, Head of Programs (former), International Justice Mission, +256 772712894
- Mrs. Grace N. Kabunga, Dreams Project Coordinator, Mildmay Uganda, grace.kabunga@mildmay.or.ug, P.O Box 24985 Kampala, +256 781799485
- Mr. Byron Mwanje, Senior Manager Justice Systems Interventions, International Justice Mission, bmwanje@ijm.org, +256 702522298
- D/SP Nusura Kemigisha, Trafficking in Persons Police Laison Officer for the Office of the DPP, +256 782275350, nusurakemmy@gmail.com
Languages
English
Native language
Timeline
PROGRAM MANAGER
NATIONAL FORUM OF PLHIV NETWORKS IN UGANDA
10.2011 - 06.2016
SOCIAL WORKER
MILDMAY UGANDA
02.2007 - 09.2011
SOCIAL WORKER
UGANDA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT LINK
11.2003 - 12.2004
Master of Arts - Ethics in Development
Uganda Martyr's University Nkozi
04.2001 - 05.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
Makerere University
04.2001 - 05.2004
MANAGER SURVIVOR SERVICES
International Justice Mission
6 2016 - Current
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Lubiri Secondary School
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Christ the King SSS
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