Avril Abena Kudzi
Tema
Summary
Seasoned leader with a track record of driving program development and stakeholder engagement at Jacobs Foundation and VSO International. Expert in financial management and grants, adept at mobilizing communities and fostering organizational change. Achieved significant advancements in education and community development, demonstrating exceptional relationship-building and analytical skills.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Country Lead
Jacobs Foundation
08.2021 - Current
- Lead the effective execution of JF’s programs, ensuring alignment with JF's global strategies and objectives, and serve as JF’s representative overseeing the implementation of large scale, national initiatives (e.g., multi-stakeholder co-funding mechanisms, policy-facing education evidence labs, and sub-national implementation of evidence-based teaching and learning interventions)
- Manage multi-stakeholder partnerships aimed at improving quality education in Ghana with a focus on pursuing change in policy and practice and using evidence for policy decision and practice
- Identify and establish key partnerships for Jacobs long term success
- Drive the development and management of trusting relationships with Government officials to ensure a collaborative approach to program design and implementation
- Lead the engagement at country level with Global Partnership for Education (GPE), the World Bank, JF and Private Industry Funders and the Ministry of Education to develop a pooled Co-funding Mechanism to support foundational Learning in Ghana
- Represent Jacobs Foundation on the Ghana Education Outcomes Programme (GEOP) as a social investor
- Represent Jacobs Foundation on the Local Education Group/Education Development Partners
- Oversee all in country partnerships and projects including Ed-Lab and Communities of Excellence
- Act as advisor to Jacobs on the Ghana Ministry of Education
- Developed a Strategy for Jacobs Foundation’s work in Ghana
- Identified and developed partnerships for JF’s work in Ghana
- Managed grants and contracts with key grantees including UNICEF, and T-TEL to implement Learning Ecosystems in District aligned with the Ghana Education Strategic Plan (ESP)
- Coordinated the Ministry of Education led development of a Strategy for the Communities of Excellence Program
- Provided Technical oversight and input in the development of the National Education Leadership Institute Strategy Development
- (NELI)
- Participated in various stakeholder processes for the Design of the Ghana Education Evidence and Data Lab (GEEDLAB)
- Participated in development of the Partnership Compact and Project Paper
- Facilitated/coordinated the establishment of a pooled Co-Funding Mechanism which included 1:1 multiplier fund
Executive Director/Co-Founder
Partnership for Volunteering and Development
01.2019 - Current
- Company Overview: A Ghanaian non-governmental organization established to champion volunteering by the youth and promote the development of women and young people
- The Partnership for Volunteering and Development (PVD) is a Ghanaian non-governmental organization established to champion volunteering by the youth and promote the development of women and young people by providing additional livelihoods and opportunities for economic empowerment and Education
- PVD Implemented the Mondelez CocoaLife Community Development Programme in 151 Cocoa Communities through a partnership with Touton SA
- A Ghanaian non-governmental organization established to champion volunteering by the youth and promote the development of women and young people
- Developed Community Action Plans for 151 communities
- Set up Village Savings and Loan (VSLA) schemes in 88 communities
- Set up and trained child protection committees in 151 communities
- Trained Youth on agricultural and other livelihoods to ensure economic empowerment
Consultant – Senior Relationship Manager
Education Partnership Group
08.2020 - 07.2021
- Company Overview: UK
- Led a stakeholder mapping exercise in line with Jacobs Foundation areas of interest
- Work with the Jacobs Foundation team to develop a country strategy for Ghana
- Identified and establish key partnerships for Jacobs long term success in Ghana
- Keep abreast of the latest research, news and trends in Ghanaian education, developments in the country and share this information with relevant stakeholders
- Oversaw the development and management of trusting relationships with Government officials to ensure a collaborative approach to program design
- UK
- Completed a Stakeholder Mapping of the Education ecosystem in Ghana
- Completed a Desk Review of the Complementary Basic Education Program in Ghana and made recommendations for support to Complementary Basic Education Agency
- Identified and built key relationships with Government and Education Stakeholders
- Developed a matrix of civil society organizations as potential partners for Jacobs
Country Director
VSO International
07.2017 - 07.2020
- Company Overview: An international development charity that works through volunteers to fight poverty
- Responsible for overall leadership and management of the VSO International Ghana Country office and Operations in Sierra Leone and Nigeria
- Lead the program team to develop exciting and ambitious programs in Inclusive Education, Agricultural Livelihoods, Maternal and Child Health and Youth Empowerment and Enterprise
- Led a team of staff and volunteers to ensure full cost recovery for programs and sound financial management and Human Resource Management
- Directly line managed Head of Finance and Operations, Head of Programs, People Country Manager, and Business Development Manager
- Led the development of strategic partnerships and represented VSO International to the Governments, the private sector, donors, international organizations, and local civil society organizations and stakeholders in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria
- As a member of VSO's global team of senior leaders, contributed my experience and skills to global change process in the organization and managed the change process for the three counties
- Manage the FCDO funding for Volunteering of Development Grant in the 3 countries
- An international development charity that works through volunteers to fight poverty
- Developed a Country Strategies for the 3 countries
- Worked with global team to develop a Global Education strategy for the whole organization which is being implemented in 18 countries across VSO
- Engaged and with Government of Ghana and facilitated the development of the inclusive Education Policy for Ghana Education Service
- Engaged with Ministry of Education in Sierra Leone to develop a funding proposal seeking funding to provide learning tablets to improve the quality of education for primary school children in partnership with One billion organization
- Successfully implement the Tackling Education Needs Inclusively in Northern Ghana Project funded by Comic Relief
- Engaged with the Government of Ghana and other stakeholders to develop the National Inclusive education policy
- Developed strategic partnerships in Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone
Global Sponsor for Education
VSO International
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Company Overview: An international development charity that works through volunteers to fight poverty
- Developed a Global Education Strategy and Framework for 18 VSO presence countries
- Reviewed Education Strategies for Countries
- Supported the development of Education proposal for fund raising
- An international development charity that works through volunteers to fight poverty
Country Manager
Youth Challenge International
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Company Overview: A Canadian non-profit organization that engages youth in international development
- Provided leadership and management of the HUB projects, across the three national HUB locations in Ghana, including management of personnel, project activities and financial and material resources
- Ensured program quality and timely program delivery through implementation of project review systems, comprehensive M&E systems, and staff/partner development
- Led the development and update of sector strategies in relevant areas of programming and ensure it is complimentary to strategic planning at both the country level and globally
- Identified new partners and manage partner and stakeholder relations
- Supported activities to build partner capacity and multi-stakeholder networks
- Established and maintain positive, collaborative, and productive relationships with project staff, implementing partners, consortium partners, sector stakeholders and private sector actors
- A Canadian non-profit organization that engages youth in international development
- Selection and management of strategic partnership with private sector
- Provide guidance, support and leadership to Canadian volunteers
- Set up 2 HUBs in Ghana (Tamale and Accra)
- Created safe spaces for young people to get together and discuss issues
- Set up session on CV
Country Manager
International Cocoa Initiative
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Company Overview: An organization dedicated to improving the lives of cocoa farmers and their communities
- Responsible for overall leadership and management of ICI Ghana team and office to ensure sound administrative, finance and technical management of the Ghana programs and team
- Led the development and implementation of the Child-Centered Community Development Program in 4 regions in Ghana to help eliminate child labour using education as the tool
- Oversaw the financial management of the office and all in-country operations as well as for local donor relations, ensuring regular and systematic information sharing within the office
- Led in the development of polices and ensured compliance
- Represented ICI to government in country
- Supervised the program team to ensure effective program implementation
- Identified funding opportunities and promoted the work of ICI amongst in-country donors, and provided ICI program briefings to donors and other stakeholders as needed
- An organization dedicated to improving the lives of cocoa farmers and their communities
- Engaged and facilitated with the Government to develop the National Plan of Action for the Elimination of Child Labour
- Engaged with the Government to ensure that Social Intervention Programs focused on elimination of Child Labour elimination
- Implemented the Child-Centered Community Development Program
- Engaged and built the capacity of community Youth Service Groups in cocoa communities
- Formed and empowered School Child protection Clubs
- Secured new funding from Cocoa Industry Partners through the development of proposals
- Engaged with key private sector companies to gain additional resources of the projects
- Developed the Employee manual, HR policies and Finance Manual
New Business Development – Consultant
Winrock International
04.2014 - 06.2014
- Supported Winrock International in developing winning proposals for projects in Ghana
- Identified implementing partners and develop pre-award questionnaires
- Proposed appropriate operational and staffing structure
- Identified appropriate staff to be hired for projects
- Assisted in research and scoping for proposal development and provided technical input in the proposal
Deputy Chief of Party/Behavior Change Specialist
Winrock International
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Company Overview: Ghana Water Sanitation and Hygiene Project
- Led the Winrock team to implement the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) and the Behavior Change strategy of the Ghana Water Sanitation and Hygiene Project
- Oversaw, managed, and provided technical guidance and support to Behavior Change and Community-Led Total Sanitation teams in five regions of Ghana, including managing 8 local implementing partners working in 200 communities
- Ghana Water Sanitation and Hygiene Project
- Secured funding from private sector for WASH Activities
- Over 105 School Health Education Clubs (SHEP) formed and trained in the project
- Over 150 community Water and Sanitation Management committees (WATSAN) formed and trained
- Worked with over 5000 households in 70 communities to build their own household latrines
- 51 Communities attained Open Defecation Free (ODF) status regions
- Led the development of Water and Sanitation Activity books for the school children between the ages of 6-12 to impart positive hygiene behaviors in their communities
Deputy Team Leader/Finance and Grants Manager
Tetra Tech ARD
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Company Overview: USAID Early Warning and Design Support project
- Participated in the strategy development and strategic planning and the development of the yearly work-plan for the project and managed all the finance for the US$4.5 million two-year project
- Tracked project expenditures, pipeline, and participated in budget revisions and modifications
- Developed a competitive grants program for non-governmental organizations in West Africa
- Supervised the Administrative staff for petty cash accounting, bookkeeping, and inventory control
- USAID Early Warning and Design Support project
- Efficient and cost cutting in-country project accounting for the project with no adverse audit findings
- Established and managed a grants program which awarded grants to 10 Civil Society Organizations across West Africa to implement Peace Building initiatives in communities to support the ECOWAS early warning system
- All grants awarded and accountability and compliance with USAID regulations followed by grantees
- Financial management capacity of grantees improved through training and coaching
- Developed Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) for project
- Timely submission of quarterly and annual reports for the project including success stories
Governance Program Officer
Christian Aid Ghana
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Managed all governance interventions from the Governance and Transparency Fund from the UK Government
- This included the management of 5 implementation partners in Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone
- Reviewed and approved partner projects and budgets and encouraged learning in individual countries across West Africa and across the GTF programs
- Ensured compliance with DFID procedures, regulations, and processes
- Represented Christian Aid on the GTF program externally in the region
- Identified capacity gaps in implementing partners and developed capacity building plans to fill the gaps
- Reviewed the development of project activities and supported the development and implementation of an overall M&E system including the development of work plans
- Effective, efficient and timely financial management and reporting in the Governance and Transparency Fund program in West Africa
Admissions Centre Manager
University of Portsmouth
01.2005 - 01.2008
- Company Overview: A public university in Portsmouth, England
- Oversaw the admissions process for all undergraduate and postgraduate study within the 8 schools of the Faculty of Science and supervised and managed the workloads and performance of 5 admissions officers and appraised them
- Responsible for financial management of the Admissions Centre, Managed the operation of the computerized management information system for admissions
- A public university in Portsmouth, England
- Set up the new Faculty of Science Admissions Centre at the University of Portsmouth
- Admissions Centre staff with fully trained up admissions officers
- Analytical and timely monthly quantitative and qualitative reports on admissions produced
- Coordinated students' enrolment process
- Trained new staff members on the admissions process
- Made presentations on the faculty's recruitment position to members of the Faculty Board and the University's Board of Governors
- Undertook recruitment trips to Ghana and Nigeria on behalf to the international office of the University of Portsmouth and made presentations to international students on the university
Deputy Team Leader
USAID/GHANA
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Company Overview: The United States Agency for International Development in Ghana
- Managed the community participation program of USAID/GHANA's Democracy and Governance Office Program
- Co-Managed the $11 million “Government Accountability Improves Trust” (GAITI and GAITII) Projects which sought to increase community participation in local governance
- Oversaw, facilitated, and coordinated the implementation and management of program activities and monitored performance of implementing partner field activities
- Attended policy meetings with Government of Ghana Ministers to develop and discuss policies on decentralization
- The United States Agency for International Development in Ghana
- Developed and managed a strategy and work plan for the Local Government and Civil Society portfolio of the USAID/Ghana Democracy and Governance Project
- Successfully secured additional funding from the Education team to support the GAIT II project activities due to the success of GAIT I
- Ensure efficient financial management of projects and managed the accruals process on behalf of the Team
- Served as the team leader in the Democracy and Governance Office for 4 months
- Successfully managed all aspects of the $15 million Democracy and Governance Project
- Attended senior management meetings and represented USAID at government, and diplomatic events
Program Coordinator
USAID/GHANA
01.1997 - 01.2003
- Company Overview: The United States Agency for International Development in Ghana
- Implemented the US Presidential Initiative - Education for Development and Democracy Initiative (EDDI) which sought to promote the use of internet technology in Education and Democratic Governance
- Conducted periodic site visits to monitor the progress of the USAID-funded Information Technology activities in Ghana and tracked and inspected all computer procurements
- The United States Agency for International Development in Ghana
- Successfully managed the establishment of following:
- The Electoral Commission Regional Wide Area Network and Website
- Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice Regional Wireless Network
- Computer installation and networking of the Parliamentary Research Centre
- Seven Computer Learning Centers in major cities in Ghana using broadband and wireless which became financially viable after 18 months
- Established school-to-school partnerships linking 5 primary schools in Accra to schools in the US to communicate and exchange information on their various cultures
Administrative Assistant
USAID/GHANA
01.1992 - 01.1997
- Company Overview: The United States Agency for International Development in Ghana
- Managed the Office Director's calendar, received phone calls and made appropriate appointments
- Screened and determined disposition of all incoming communications and maintained the office filing
- Prepared cable faxes, letters, reports
- Made required arrangements for both local and international travel including hotel reservations as well as arrangements for workshops and conferences
- The United States Agency for International Development in Ghana
Education
Masters in Development Management -
Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration
Accra, Ghana01.2012
BSc. (Hons) - Business Administration, Banking & Finance
University of Ghana Business School
Legon, Ghana01.2003
Diploma - Computer Programming and Software
International Computers Limited
Accra, Ghana01.1988
Skills
- Program development and management
- Grants Management
- Financial Management including Budget development
- Grants management
- Leadership
- Community Mobilisation
- Organizational Change management
- Relationship Building and Stakeholder Management
- Self-motivation
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Analytical and Problem solving skills
- Communication skills
- Writing skills
Awards
- Best Student of Master’s in Development Management (MDM), 06/2012
- Meritorious cash award, University of Portsmouth, UK, 09/2004
- On the Spot Cash Award, USAID/Ghana, 06/2004
- Long Service Award, USAID/Ghana, 06/2002
- Foreign Service National of the Year Award, USAID/Washington, 06/1996
Personal Information
Title: Sustainable Development Professional
Voluntaryservices
- Advisory Group Member, EDUSPOTs, A UK registered charity with a vision of a world in which communities unite to create the sustainable future that they want to see through education.
- Co-Founder and Executive Director, Partnership for Volunteering and Development (PVD), A Ghanaian non-governmental organization established to champion volunteering by the youth and promote the development of women and young people.
- CSO- Capacity support, Star Ghana Foundation, Works to increase the effectiveness of citizens and civil society to achieve an equitable, inclusive society.
- Chairperson, Committee for Education and Youth Development, Ebenezer Methodist Church, Identify education programs and support the youth of my local church.
Accomplishments
· Best Student of Master’s in Development Management (MDM) - graduating class of 2012
Meritorious cash award, University of Portsmouth, UK, for establishing an efficient admission center for the Faculty of Science, September 2004
On the Spot Cash Award - USAID/Ghana for performing exceptionally as acting Team Leader and leading the efforts with the audit June 2004
Long Service Award - USAID/Ghana for the completion of 10 years of service – June 2002
· Foreign Service National of the Year Award – USAID/Washington, in recognition of devotion to duty and sustained superior performance. June 1996.
Timeline
Country Lead
Jacobs Foundation
08.2021 - Current
Consultant – Senior Relationship Manager
Education Partnership Group
08.2020 - 07.2021
Executive Director/Co-Founder
Partnership for Volunteering and Development
01.2019 - Current
Country Director
VSO International
07.2017 - 07.2020
Global Sponsor for Education
VSO International
01.2017 - 01.2018
Country Manager
Youth Challenge International
01.2016 - 01.2017
New Business Development – Consultant
Winrock International
04.2014 - 06.2014
Country Manager
International Cocoa Initiative
01.2014 - 01.2016
Deputy Chief of Party/Behavior Change Specialist
Winrock International
01.2012 - 01.2014
Deputy Team Leader/Finance and Grants Manager
Tetra Tech ARD
01.2009 - 01.2011
Governance Program Officer
Christian Aid Ghana
01.2008 - 01.2009
Admissions Centre Manager
University of Portsmouth
01.2005 - 01.2008
Deputy Team Leader
USAID/GHANA
01.2003 - 01.2005
Program Coordinator
USAID/GHANA
01.1997 - 01.2003
Administrative Assistant
USAID/GHANA
01.1992 - 01.1997
Masters in Development Management -
Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration
BSc. (Hons) - Business Administration, Banking & Finance
University of Ghana Business School
Diploma - Computer Programming and Software
International Computers Limited
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