Umar Ddamba

I am responsible for creating and maintaining a safe and secure environment for our company's employees, visitors and property. My role involves keeping track of the security status on a regular basis, and communicating with the management team about any problems or recommendations for enhancement. I do this in collaboration with the UPDF, Oil and Gas Police as well as local security office, to ensure the safety and security of our operations and staff.

• Serve as liaison with public officials, company negotiators and other departments to maintain big picture understanding of security needs covering all corporate assets.
• Coordinate protective service operations with other emergency response agencies.
• I manage all security operations of our company, including hiring, training and supervising a team of over 20 security personnel
• I develop and implement security policies and procedures that meet the standards of our worksite in the Kingfisher region of the oil field of Uganda, a challenging border area
• I monitor and evaluate the security situation regularly, and report to management on any issues or improvements needed
• I handle any security incidents or breaches that may occur, and coordinate the staff response to emergencies and alarms
• I provide ongoing training and guidance to the employees of the company on personal and general security matters as well as conducting drills to keep security staff on alert and proficient with established plans.
• Liaise with corporate headquarters on compliance with manpower, travel, replacements and operational requirements.
• Move around different security stations and vital areas to check on officers and adjust workflow to cover changing needs.
• Implement comprehensive security plans to provide highest levels of protection for facilities.
• Cultivate relationships with external security vendors to make additional security resources available if necessary.
• Oversee contract negotiations, budget implementation, disciplinary reviews, training and manpower work schedules.
• I am responsible for hard facilities management, which includes maintaining and repairing the physical infrastructure and equipment of the company sites
• I also oversee soft facilities management, which involves ensuring the cleanliness, security and comfort of the occupants and visitors of the company sites.

Worked as a distribution coordinator for Ubuntu Connect (U) Ltd, a contractor for the National Medical Stores and the Ministry of Health.

• Managed the countrywide delivery of treated long lasting mosquito nets to all sub county headquarters in Uganda
• I evaluated the road conditions and security risks for each possible route and assigned the appropriate trucks, drivers and delivery clerks accordingly
• I ensured that the deliveries were made in a timely and efficient manner through coordination with other departments, while minimizing any potential hazards or delays
• Negotiated more favorable rates and delivery times with vendors.
• Facilitated regular team meetings to discuss challenges, successes and strategies.
• Identified and communicated customer needs to supply chain capacity and quality teams.
• Provided leadership, guidance and direction to delivery team members, offering assistance with any need at any time.
• Trained and coached delivery team members on best practices for people management.
• Supervised the documentation and verification process with the District Health Officers and Resident District Commissioners
• Achieved a 100% success rate in the delivery of the nets, which was unprecedented

Worked as an operations manager for a multi-disciplinary advertising agency that creates transformative experiences and engagements across various channels.

• Ensured the quality, efficiency and timeliness of all business operational tasks
• Set, enforced, and optimized internal policies to maintain responsiveness to demands.
• Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers to obtain best pricing and terms.
• Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
• Devised processes to boost long-term business success and increase profit levels.
• Built and maintained good working relationships with the company's main clients
• Analyzed and reported on key performance metrics to senior management.
• On boarded and retained several big clients such as PEPSI, Nice House of Plastics, ISUZU MAC Uganda, HERO, Best Western Plus The ATHENA Hotel and more
• Led a team of 15 employees, coordinated with suppliers, customers and stakeholders to ensure timely delivery and customer satisfaction, and resolved any issues or complaints
• Applied lean principles and quality control measures to reduce delivery time of projects by 25%
• Analyzed data and reports to identify areas of improvement and optimize performance, and presented the results to senior management
• Implemented innovative programs to increase employee loyalty and reduce turnover.
• Conducted training and mentoring sessions for new hires and existing staff, and evaluated their performance and feedback
• Developed new business opportunities and expanded existing accounts by building relationships with potential and current clients
• Contributed positively to the organization's bottom line for six years

As the Corporate Accounts Relationship Manager at Orange Uganda, I was responsible for building, maintaining and managing strong relationships with clients and partner organizations, and for finding new business opportunities for the company.

• Managed client relationships and analyzed business requirements for product upgrades
• Worked with marketing and intelligence networks departments to facilitate communication and deliver personalized solutions to customers.
• Coordinated with customers and identified sales opportunities
• Monitored project progress and reported to Client Services Manager
• Responded to customer inquiries and resolved complaints to establish trust and increase satisfaction.
• Participated in sales processes and resolved application issues
• Facilitated communication between clients and internal departments for product upgrades
• Analyzed product defects and enhancements and communicated to product management
• Maintained paperwork on client services and product enhancements
• Participated in staff meetings to discuss innovative strategies to improve services.
• Facilitated workshops and seminars to educate customers on product features and benefits.
• Participated in industry events and trade shows to promote products and services.
• Monitored customer feedback and generated reports to identify areas of improvement.
• Processed transactions and maintained customer accounts
• Exceeded monthly targets for the 18 months I was employed and contributed positively to the company

My role was to ensure the optimal performance of the organization, delivering a high-quality service that satisfied or surpassed the Director's expectations.

• Established and optimized day-to-day operations of the company
• Established positive and effective communication among unit staff and organization leadership, reducing miscommunications, and missed deadlines.
• Advised the CEO and management board on key planning issues and business decisions
• Planned and allocated resources strategically for various projects
• Managed project strategy implementation, especially regarding budgets and timelines
• Coordinated and led meetings to inform management and stakeholders of operational challenges and suggested improvements.
• Contributed to business development efforts to drive revenue and meet corporate objectives.
• Established and maintained productive staff relationships to Improve workplace morale, increase productivity and enhance personal growth.
• Established operational processes and improved them over time
• Ensured compliance with quality management, legal stipulations and general duty of care
• Handled high-priority crises effectively Joined the company as a startup and grew with it until it was sold off to the Uganda Law Society, earning an equity stake based on my contribution

I had to grow the business by offering additional products and services to our new and existing clients, according to the client needs and sales goals that were established. Some of the products and services that I offered were account opening, home equity loans, refinancing options, insurance plans, and financial advice

• Profile new companies and attract their employee salary accounts, loans and mortgages to the bank
• Developed extensive network of referral partners to source new mortgage loan opportunities.
• Analyzed loan applications and credit reports to determine loan eligibility and risk level.
• Participated in industry events and conferences to build relationships and gain market intelligence.
• Processed loan applications and monitored progress from start to finish.
• Explained very technical financial information to applicants in easy to understand language.
• Evaluated loan requests and documents to verify accuracy and completeness.
• Negotiated loan terms and conditions with customers to secure best deal.
• Identified opportunities to cross-sell and upsell loan products to customers.
• Grow the business by increasing customer numbers and expanding business portfolios of existing clients
• Maintain and improve customer satisfaction by providing excellent service

This job was my first opportunity to apply the skills I learned at the university and to demonstrate my readiness for any challenge. I successfully completed the three months of probation and training, and consistently met all the monthly targets in this role.