Justina Ntabgoba
Communications Specialist
Kampala
Summary
Seasoned public relations professional with substantial experience developing and executing successful PR campaigns. Skilled at creating positive relationships with media, stakeholders and clients. Strategic and committed to staying responsive and proactive in dealing with crises.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Strategic Lead-Gemini Consult
Gemini Consult
8 2019 - Current
- Gemini Consult Uganda provides strategic planning and consultancy services in the areas of Corporate Communications and Public Relations, Reputation and Crisis Management as well as strategy development for Corporate Social Investment and Sustainability programmes.
Strategic Communications Consultant
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
04.2022 - 03.2023
- Provided Strategic Communication support for priority areas under the Strategic Development Goals
- Provided support on aligning and structuring of processes in the Communications Unit
- Developed comprehensive media outreach plan to increase visibility of organization in local, regional and national markets.
- Optimized social media presence for clients by conducting regular audits, implementing best practices, and creating engaging content strategies.
- Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders to identify key messages and create compelling content for press releases and other materials.
- Secured positive media coverage for clients through timely press releases, targeted pitches, and well-crafted op-eds that positioned them as industry thought leaders.
- Created and executed targeted PR campaigns to raise awareness of organization and initiatives.
Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Manager
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO- BAT(U)
04.2021 - 05.2022
- Managed information flow for the BAT(U) brand both internally and externally to ensure alignment to the global brand and its ethos
- Acted as point person with the media to ensure positive media relations and engagements that provided the brand
- Managed media relations on behalf of the BAT Uganda office and fed into the regional hub to advise on any media management issues
- Ensured that BAT(U) is ably represented in the regulatory space; as a highly regulated industry, my role is to ensure that I keep a keen eye on any changes within the regulatory landscape and inform the business in time.
Corporate Affairs Management
MTN UGANDA, Kampala- Uganda
01.2011 - 07.2019
- Developed the annual strategic plan to guide the execution of annual CSR programmes as well as ensure management of the MTN Foundation, the philanthropic arm of MTN Uganda
- Managed the annual CSR projects calendar and rollout of countrywide activities under the focus areas of Education, Health and National Priority Areas
- Managed the community relations to leverage MTN Foundation projects that form the CSR portfolio of MTN Uganda so as to drive its reputation as a responsible corporate citizen
- Managed MTN Uganda's information portfolio to publicize company related information and events
- This included information management of both digital and non-digital platforms, post analysis reviews for continual improvement and stakeholder management
- Acted as lead spokesperson for public information programmes; development and dissemination of new communication strategies and methods
- Media relations management, creation and operation of a centralized 'media desk' channel that ensured that all media queries were received and responded to in a timely manner
- Was responsible for roll out of the MTN stakeholder management framework used for engagement with both Government and Regulators as well as other identified key publics
- Ensured regular engagement with different Government ministries to drive partnerships for the MTN Foundation and planned CSR initiatives
- Managed the internal communications portfolio to ensure alignment between management and all internal stakeholders i.e., permanent staff, contract staff and dealers across the MTN Uganda distribution footprint
- Was a member of the Crisis and Risk Management Committee tasked with mitigating potential risk through a proactive crisis management framework
- Supported analysis, ideation and solution profiling to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities to improve
- Supported and leveraged MTN Group sustainability projects and provided input for annual Carbon Footprint and Sustainability reports
- Ensured alignment of all MTN Uganda Corporate Social Investment initiatives to the Group Sustainability framework and UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Change Management
AIRTEL UGANDA LIMITED, Kampala- Uganda
06.2005 - 11.2010
- Supported alignment of corporate strategy to communication strategy to ensure external and internal stakeholders are appraised on strategic direction and achievements
- Corporate culture and brand development and training for internal stakeholders and partners
- Supported re-branding change management (from Celtel to Zain and Zain to Airtel) with a focus on Internal Communication strategy
- Supported the Corporate Culture change management company-wide training.
Public Relations
AUDLEY LIMITED, Kampala- Uganda
01.2005 - 06.2005
- Handled public relations related duties
- Handled publicity and advertising for Audley Limited
- Assisted in provision of human resource and training guidelines for the short-term staff
- Maintained the standards of the Audley Brand including its subsidiaries.
Strategic Public Relations
TERP GROUP, Kampala-Uganda
01.2004 - 08.2004
- Handled different accounts, the main one being- CALTEX Uganda (Chevron Texaco) on their 'Arrive Alive' Corporate Responsibility road safety initiative
- Planned and facilitated public relations and communication strategy on different accounts
- Ensured client-supplier relations through provision of a contact information database
- Prepared weekly briefs on potential business opportunities for the company and ensured that the clients were informed and updated on all progress on the account.
Public Relations
RALPH J. BUNCHE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS CENTRE, Washington D.C, USA
08.2001 - 08.2003
- Prepared press releases and media briefs concentrating on international affairs related topics - the core area of focus for the organization
- Edited a bi-annually produced magazine- 'The Globe', a publication that was dedicated to getting both students and professionals interested in international relations and public affairs in the Washington D.C
- Metropolitan area
- Assisted in the organization of Center programs and events such as 'Foreign Service Preparation Sessions' for both oral and written exams, panel discussions and a various number of conferences and meetings.
Public Relations Coordinator/Intern
INTERNATIONAL LAW INSTITUTE (ILI), Kampala- Uganda
06.2001 - 09.2001
- Coordinated meetings and conferences for visiting international delegates
- Designed and created advertising brochures for the Institute.
Marketing Assistant
WHU TV, Howard University Television, Washington D.C, USA
01.1999 - 06.1999
- Performed office management duties as assigned in the television station's Marketing Department and provided assistance to the marketing professionals
- Participated in 'still-advertisement, prepared and organized posters for television advertising.
Education
Executive Masters in Business Administration - Digital Marketing and Social Media
Eaton Business School
06.2024 -
B.A. COMMUNICATION Hons. - Journalism (Mass Communications, Media Studies and Public Relations)
Howard University
Washington D.C, USA 01.1998 - 1 2002
Skills
Time Management
Cross-cultural communication
Teamwork and Collaboration
Media Relations
Goal Setting
Team Collaboration
Spokesperson experience
Multitasking
Timeline
Executive Masters in Business Administration - Digital Marketing and Social Media
Eaton Business School
06.2024 -
Strategic Communications Consultant
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
04.2022 - 03.2023
Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Manager
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO- BAT(U)
04.2021 - 05.2022
Corporate Affairs Management
MTN UGANDA, Kampala- Uganda
01.2011 - 07.2019
Change Management
AIRTEL UGANDA LIMITED, Kampala- Uganda
06.2005 - 11.2010
Public Relations
AUDLEY LIMITED, Kampala- Uganda
01.2005 - 06.2005
Strategic Public Relations
TERP GROUP, Kampala-Uganda
01.2004 - 08.2004
Public Relations
RALPH J. BUNCHE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS CENTRE, Washington D.C, USA
08.2001 - 08.2003
Public Relations Coordinator/Intern
INTERNATIONAL LAW INSTITUTE (ILI), Kampala- Uganda
06.2001 - 09.2001
Marketing Assistant
WHU TV, Howard University Television, Washington D.C, USA
01.1999 - 06.1999
B.A. COMMUNICATION Hons. - Journalism (Mass Communications, Media Studies and Public Relations)
Howard University
01.1998 - 1 2002
Strategic Lead-Gemini Consult
Gemini Consult
8 2019 - Current