SEFAKOR HELOO
Tema
Summary
Experienced Planning Officer with a proven ability to develop and execute strategic plans in alignment with organizational goals. Proficient in implementing resource management strategies and streamlining processes. Demonstrates expertise in project coordination and stakeholder communication, ensuring timely and efficient completion of initiatives.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
Development Planning Officer & Diplomatic Engagement Lead
Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology (MEST)
08.2018 - Current
- Contributed to bilateral and multilateral engagements with international partners (e.g., GIZ, IDRC, Scinnovent Centre, SGCI), resulting in a 25% increase in collaborative projects on sustainable development and climate security
- Cordinate policy research and formulation in STI, contributing to the development of Ghana-Tajikistan and Ghana-Zambia cooperation agreements
- Played a key role in securing sponsorship for the development of frameworks for intellectual property (IP) management, enhancing innovation and commercialization of research outputs
- Liaised with government agencies at various levels to coordinate efforts towards regional planning objectives while maintaining local context relevance.
- Created and implemented tracking systems to monitor progress and meet deadlines.
- Maintain a structured database of MEST news and institutional updates, improving policy tracking efficiency by 30%
Grants Management Officer & International Partnerships Coordinator
Science Granting Council
01.2020 - Current
- Managed $1M+ in scientific research grants, ensuring 100% compliance with international funding agreements
- Strengthened collaborations with 15+ global research institutions, enhancing innovation and sustainable development initiatives
- Developed frameworks for intellectual property (IP) management, leading to a 20% increase in commercialization of research outputs
- Managed high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability and open communication that ultimately led to better project outcomes.
- Oversaw vendor negotiations, securing favorable terms that positively impacted company profits.
- Utilized data-driven decision-making processes to guide critical business decisions, maximizing returns on investment while minimizing risk exposure levels where possible.
- Established performance metrics and monitored progress toward goals, ensuring timely adjustments were made as necessary for optimal results.
- Collaborated with other department leaders to ensure seamless coordination of efforts throughout the organization, promoting synergy among all functional areas.
Advisory & Administrative Support
SelData Solutions
05.2023 - Current
- Advised on business strategy and operational efficiencies, reducing administrative costs by 15%
- Streamlined documentation and coordination processes for GPS vehicle tracking solutions, improving delivery timelines by 10%
- Streamlined data entry processes, resulting in more accurate record-keeping and easier access to information.
- Contributed to a positive work environment by offering friendly assistance to colleagues when needed, promoting teamwork within the office setting.
Policy Advisor
GIZ Ghana - Sector Skills Bodies (SSBs)
10.2020 - Current
- Advise on environmental health, safety, and STI policy development, aligning national regulations with international standards
- Coordinate policy recommendations for technical skills development, impacting 5,000+ trainees across Ghana
- Evaluate the impact of enacted policies using data-driven methodologies, leading to informed decisionmaking.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to address complex policy challenges, ensuring comprehensive solutions.
- Monitore policy implementation, identifying areas for improvement and recommending adjustments as needed.
Technical Advisor / Learning Material Content Creator
The Commission for TVET (CTVET) Curriculum Development
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Expanded technical and vocational training curricula to include sustainability and environmental health measures, benefiting 10,000+ students annually
- Enhanced system performance by conducting thorough technical assessments and providing expert recommendations.
- Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams, ensuring optimal integration of new technologies and systems.
Dispatch Officer
Jumia Ghana: JADE-E Services
09.2017 - 07.2018
- Collaborated closely with IT department personnel on technical issues related to communications systems upgrades or repairs.
- Promoted a positive work environment through effective team building and conflict resolution strategies.
- Provided ongoing support to field officers, ensuring they had access to relevant information and resources during critical incidents.
- Communicated with drivers and personnel to coordinate timely delivery of goods and materials.
Teacher (National Service)
Ghana Education Service
09.2014 - 08.2015
- Delivered instruction and academic support to 100+ students, improving pass rates by 15%
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
Education
Master of Science - International Diplomacy
University of Gold Coast (UGC)
Accra, Ghana 05.2010 - 01.2014
Bachelor of Science - Environment & Development Studies
Central University
Accra, Ghana 05.2010 - 01.2014
W A S S C E - Agricultural Science
St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Accra, Ghana 01.2006 - 01.2009
Skills
- Cross-Cultural Negotiation Skills
- International Collaboration
- Global Relationship Management
- Policy Evaluation
- Academic Writing
- IT Skills
- Office administration
- Verbal communication
Websites
Research Writings
- The Climate Security Paradigm: Examining Its Role in Reinforcing Economic Dependency in Ghana—A Dependency Theory Perspective, 2025
- The Yentua Policy and Economic Diplomacy: A Critical Review of Ghana’s Foreign Policy under the NLC Regime, 2024
- Dependency Theory and Neocolonialism: An Nkrumahist Perspective, 2023
Hobbies
- Play strategy based video games
- Traveling and exploring cultures
- Reading historical and contemporary works on diplomacy
Bilateral Multilateral Engagements
- Ghana-Türkiye STI Agreement: Played a key role in shaping the agreement between MEST and T
- BİTAK.
- Ghana-Tajikistan Political Consultations: Provided strategic input on technology transfer and environmental governance.
- Ghana-Zambia Cooperation Agreement: Drafted recommendations for STI and skills development collaboration.
- FOCAC (Forum on China-Africa Cooperation): Delivered policy recommendations on green development, agricultural modernization, and digital innovation.
- IDRC Engagements: Collaborated on science and innovation projects.
- Scinnovent Centre & SGCI Collaboration: Participated in regional workshops on intellectual property management.
Certification
Training Workshop on Institutional IP Policies and Private Sector Engagement Strategies - The Scinnovent Centre - Lilongwe (Malawi)
Additional Information
- Cephas Adjei Mensah
Director, Research, Statistics, and Information Management, SGCI
Head of Research Council, MEST
Email: cephas.mensah@mesti.gov.gh | Phone: (+233) 244888566 - Dr. Mathew Lobnibe Arah
Lecturer, University of Education, Winneba (UEW)
Phone: (+233) 244968445 - Dr. Edward Nunoo
Head of Department, Lecturer, Central University
Email: nunooedward@gmail.com | Phone: (+233) 268569965
Timeline
Training Workshop on Institutional IP Policies and Private Sector Engagement Strategies - The Scinnovent Centre - Lilongwe (Malawi)
08-2024
Advisory & Administrative Support
SelData Solutions
05.2023 - Current
Technical Advisor / Learning Material Content Creator
The Commission for TVET (CTVET) Curriculum Development
01.2022 - 01.2024
Policy Advisor
GIZ Ghana - Sector Skills Bodies (SSBs)
10.2020 - Current
Grants Management Officer & International Partnerships Coordinator
Science Granting Council
01.2020 - Current
Training Course on Environmental Engineering Technology for Developing Countries - Suzhou University of Science and Technology - Suzhou (China)
11-2019
Development Planning Officer & Diplomatic Engagement Lead
Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology (MEST)
08.2018 - Current
Dispatch Officer
Jumia Ghana: JADE-E Services
09.2017 - 07.2018
Teacher (National Service)
Ghana Education Service
09.2014 - 08.2015
Master of Science - International Diplomacy
University of Gold Coast (UGC)
05.2010 - 01.2014
Bachelor of Science - Environment & Development Studies
Central University
05.2010 - 01.2014
W A S S C E - Agricultural Science
St. Thomas Aquinas High School
01.2006 - 01.2009
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