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Rungano Bakasa

Rungano Bakasa

Safeguarding Gender and Inclusion Officer

Highest degree :

Masters

Field of study :

Gender Studies

Location :

Harare

Citizenships :

Zimbabwean

Experience :

20 Year(s)

Countries :

Zimbabwe, South Sudan

Gender :

Male

Sectors :

GBV Programming

Experience

Women Peace and Security Advisor

Juba South Sudan

Nonviolent Peaceforce(NP)

February 2021

-

September 2024

Spearheading the provision of comprehensive technical advice on women's protection and empowerment at all levels of program management, with a primary focus on GBV prevention, survivor protection, and establishing referral pathways. ï‚· Participating in national-level GBV AoR and Protection Cluster Meetings, concurrently fostering support for Protection Clusters at the field level through targeted capacity-building initiatives. ï‚· Delivering ongoing technical guidance, training, and capacity-building sessions for staff assisting GBV survivors, with a specific emphasis on Psychological First Aid (PFA) skills. ï‚· Playing a pivotal role in supporting the implementation of NP's GBV prevention and community-based women's protection and empowerment programs across field sites, ensuring alignment with organizational goals through regular and strategic field visits. ï‚· Collaborating closely with the Program Development Department to contribute to the design, evaluation, and reporting of women's protection and empowerment initiatives. ï‚· Developing tools and strategies to enhance NP's women's protection and empowerment programming, with a particular focus on GBV prevention. ï‚· Contributing significantly to NP's Protection Mainstreaming work, ensuring seamless integration with Gender Mainstreaming practices. ï‚· Ensuring gender sensitivity in NP's Child Protection Work, particularly in assessing the impact of Child Protection practices on mothers. ï‚· Coordinating effectively between teams on specific cases and liaising with other agencies as needed for optimal collaboration. ï‚· Currently representing NP at national-level GBV/Women's protection and empowerment coordination forums in South Sudan. ï‚· Supporting NP's advocacy efforts by providing insightful analysis on the impact of conflict and violence on women in South Sudan. ï‚· Assisting women's protection teams in engaging with local authorities, community leaders, and structures to influence policies and legislation related to women's participation in peacebuilding and protection issues. ï‚· Networking to identify, develop linkages, and coordinate with emerging local actors working in the field of GBV/women's protection and empowerment. ï‚· Contributing significantly to recruitment processes for both international and national women's protection and empowerment officers, including active participation in interview panels. ï‚· Providing direct coaching to staff involved in women's protection and empowerment programming. ï‚· Actively supporting the development of budgets for women's protection and empowerment activities. ï‚· Conducting ongoing training, awareness, and sensitization sessions for NP staff and associates on Safeguarding, PSEA, survivor assistance, and relevant support services, in coordination with the Safeguarding Advisor. ï‚· Offering crucial support to survivors during investigations and providing recommendations to management for enhancing prevention strategies for Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) at the workplace. ï‚· Facilitating PSEAH investigations within the organization.

Team Leader

Raja South Sudan

Nonviolent Peaceforce(NP)

June 2020

-

February 2021

Cultivated robust networks and collaborative partnerships, resulting in effective protection mainstreaming encompassing GBV awareness, prevention and response, child protection, and general protection. 3  Demonstrated excellence in communication and coordination by facilitating impactful coordination meetings with partners, communities, NGOs, and local- and state-level government stakeholders. Notably, built partner capacity in Gender Awareness, GBV Prevention and Response, and Protection Mainstreaming.  Spearheaded the generation of innovative programming ideas, drawing from lessons learned at other field sites and insights shared with the Program Management Team in Juba. These initiatives directly addressed identified needs in the area.  Achieved significant success in empowering team members to excel in GBV Prevention and Response and Protection Mainstreaming, ensuring their proficiency in implementing project objectives.  Conducted regular field supervision and monitoring, ensuring the efficient utilization of project funds, materials, and equipment.  Directed the preparation of high-quality and timely weekly and monthly reports, consistently meeting or exceeding expectations set by the NP Program Support Team in Juba.  Successfully orchestrated periodic project reviews and lessons learned exercises, aligning seamlessly with NP’s donor requirements and ensuring comprehensive documentation of valuable insights.  Established and maintained a cohesive teamwork environment for field teams, instituting clear reporting and communication channels, and meticulously documenting regular meetings.  Played a pivotal role in the recruitment of qualified local staff, collaborating closely with the Human Resources Officer and the Program Manager.  Managed field assets, including equipment and materials, demonstrating keen oversight and collaboration with the Program Manager and Operations Manager.

Team Leader

Rumbek, South Sudan

Nonviolent Peaceforce(NP)

September 2018

-

December 2019

Led the Protection Cluster of Rumbek, facilitating the swift sharing of information and taking prompt, effective actions to address protection concerns in a timely manner, resulting in a heightened level of community safety.  Established and nurtured effective networks and collaborative relationships focused on GBV Awareness, prevention, and response. This included forging connections with Protection organizations, entities providing psychosocial support, and health institutions, enhancing the scope and impact of protection initiatives.  Demonstrated excellence in strengthening communication and coordination by conducting proactive coordination meetings with partners, communities, NGOs, and local- and state-level government stakeholders. Additionally, elevated partner capabilities in Gender Awareness and GBV Prevention and Response through targeted capacity building initiatives.  Managed, guided, and supported a dynamic team of nine members (including two international staff and seven national staff) in both proactive and reactive activities, showcasing adept leadership in fostering a cohesive and high-performing team.  Developed programming ideas, drawing inspiration from lessons learned at other field sites and insights shared with the Program Management Team in Juba. These initiatives directly addressed identified needs in the area, contributing to program effectiveness.  Conducted thorough field supervision and monitoring of activities, ensuring meticulous oversight of project funds, materials, and equipment utilization, leading to streamlined and efficient project implementation.  Oversaw the preparation of high-quality, timely weekly, and monthly reports, meeting or surpassing expectations set by the NP Program Support Team in Juba, showcasing commitment to transparent and accountable reporting practices.  Successfully conducted periodic project reviews and lesson learning exercises in alignment with NP’s donor requirements, resulting in valuable insights documented for future improvements.  Fostered a collaborative teamwork environment for field teams, establishing clear reporting and communication channels, and ensuring the conduct of regular, documented meetings, contributing to enhanced team efficiency.  Took charge of all aspects related to HR, Logistics, and Finance for the team, including capacity building, performance appraisal, and overall management of NP, demonstrating proficiency in multifaceted leadership responsibilities and organizational stewardship.

Women's Protection Officer

Bentiu and Juba IDP Camp

Nonviolent Peaceforce(NP)

January 2017

-

September 2018

Distinguished as the Focal Point for GBV Sub Cluster and Protection Cluster Meetings, successfully engaging a diverse range of stakeholders and motivating active participation in preventing sexual and gender violence. Demonstrated leadership in promoting these stakeholders as proactive protective agents.  Monitored all SGBV protection issues, collaborating with local authorities and NGOs to ensure comprehensive awareness among relevant protection partners. Ensured timely responses to emerging situations, showcasing a proactive and preventative approach.  Conducted comprehensive Context Analysis research, with a specific focus on the gender perspective of protection. Compiled quarterly reports utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data, contributing valuable insights to organizational decision-making.  Delivered impactful training workshops for women’s organizations, covering a spectrum of topics such as GBV, Child Protection, case management, basic human rights, women’s rights awareness, advocacy, conflict analysis, and conflict mediation. Empowered women's groups through knowledge transfer and skill development.  Established Women Peacekeeping Teams (WPTs) and provided coaching and mentoring, empowering women's groups and actively involving them in community peace and security matters.  Produced high-quality activity, field, and training reports, along with success stories, meeting donor requirements. Supported the team leader in internal and external reporting, showcasing a commitment to transparent and accountable reporting practices.  Assumed the role of Team Leader, effectively managing a team of seven staff and overseeing support team-level logistics and operations. Executed responsibilities, including procurement requests, supporting asset management, and compound management, demonstrating adept leadership and organizational efficiency.

Child Protection Officer

Harare, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference(ZCBC)

February 2014

-

December 2016

Conducted comprehensive Gender Awareness sessions for both staff and community members, including Clergy and teachers of Catholic Institutions, ensuring seamless integration into Child Protection practices.  Mobilized resources effectively to support the robust implementation of Child Protection initiatives within church institutions, showcasing adept fundraising and resource allocation skills.  Spearheaded the development and printing of the ZCBC Child Protection Policy, establishing a foundational framework for ensuring the safety and well-being of children within the institution.  Established and provided training for Child Protection Committee members at the community/diocese level, ensuring a solid foundation for the effective implementation of the child protection policy and fostering a culture of vigilance and responsibility.  Conducted impactful sensitization and awareness campaigns on child protection within Catholic institutions, actively contributing to the creation of a protective environment for children.  Formed crucial linkages and collaborations with national organizations dedicated to protecting and empowering children and youth, facilitating a broader and more impactful approach to child protection initiatives.  Led and facilitated training workshops in Child Protection and Gender Awareness for staff members, community members, and the Clergy. This proactive approach aimed to enhance the church’s mission to educate the country and underscored the commitment to continuous improvement in safeguarding practices.

Program Officer

January ,1,2014

Women's Coalition of Zimbabwe(WCoZ)

December 2012

-

December 2013

Spearheaded the successful implementation of WCoZ projects, notably a campaign focused on enhancing women's awareness of the National Constitution. This initiative empowered women to assertively demand the protection of their rights, marking a significant achievement in advancing gender equality.  Orchestrated the coordination of 72-member organizations for diverse campaigns, including impactful initiatives centered around promoting the rights of women and girls. Key events encompassed International Women’s Day and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, fostering a collective and powerful voice for women's 5 rights.  Conducted targeted training sessions on constitutional awareness in selected communities across the country, effectively equipping individuals with knowledge to advocate for and safeguard women's rights.  Organized and facilitated workshops addressing critical topics such as GBV Awareness, Gender Mainstreaming, and foundational gender concepts. These workshops played a pivotal role in raising awareness and fostering a deeper understanding of gender-related issues.  Engaged in networking with like-minded organizations and collaborated in conducting comprehensive gender assessments. This collaborative effort aimed to ensure effective lobbying and advocacy for the development and implementation of gender-sensitive policies in the country, contributing to systemic change.  Expanded collaborations with other organizations, fostering a stronger network and leveraging collective expertise to conduct gender assessments. This approach not only enriched advocacy efforts but also contributed to the development of more informed and impactful gender-sensitive policies in the country.

Regional Programme Officer

Harare, Zimbabwe

National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations(NANGO)

December 2009

-

October 2011

Played a key role in mobilizing and coordinating Civil Society Organization (CSO) activities at the regional level, contributing to the timely execution of interventions and amplifying policy influence and impact. This involvement marked a significant achievement in ensuring a synchronized and effective CSO response. ï‚· Contributed to the development of strategic alliances and networks among NGOs and other stakeholders, fostering collaborative efforts that strengthened the collective impact on shared objectives. These efforts resulted in the establishment of enduring partnerships for sustained influence. ï‚· Demonstrated proficiency in project activity monitoring by meticulously maintaining various records, including correspondence, reports, project inputs, budgets, log sheets, and financial expenditures. Adherence to NANGO requirements showcased a commitment to transparency and accountability, marking a notable achievement in project management. ï‚· Played an instrumental role in the logistical preparation for a range of activities, including workshops, seminars, presentations, research initiatives, and field trips. This comprehensive support ensured the seamless execution of events, contributing to the overall success of these endeavours.

Research and Documentation Officer

Harare, Zimbabwe

Women and Land in Zimbabwe

December 2006

-

December 2007

Conducted targeted research aligned with the organization's objectives, effectively contributing to advocacy efforts aimed at securing and safeguarding women’s land rights. The research findings played a pivotal role in advancing the organization's mission and constituted a significant achievement in advocating for gender-inclusive land protection.  Coordinated the membership of Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA), Women Aids Support Network (WASN), Zimbabwe Women’s Resource Centre and Network (ZWRCN), Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA), and Zimbabwe Women’s Bureau (ZWB) within the Women's Land and Water Rights Coalition (WLZ). This collaborative effort represented a noteworthy achievement in fostering a united front for the cause.  Conducted in-depth research and analysis of national trends and topics concerning women’s access to, control, and ownership of land and related resources. The insights gained contributed significantly to a nuanced understanding of the challenges, enabling more targeted and effective advocacy strategies.  Prepared and reported research findings, disseminating results both orally and in written form, showcasing a commitment to transparent communication and information-sharing. This dissemination of knowledge marked a critical achievement in raising awareness and driving conversations on women's land rights.  Documented research findings and skillfully developed intervention strategies, providing a foundation for informed decision-making and targeted initiatives. This strategic approach reflected a noteworthy achievement in translating research into actionable steps for positive change.  Demonstrated effective communication by developing and printing a bi-annual organizational newsletter, distributing approximately 100 copies annually to funding partners and partner organizations. This initiative represented a significant achievement in maintaining transparent and proactive communication channels with key stakeholders.

Gender and HIV/AIDS Programme Assistant

Harare, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Women's Resource Centre and Network

August 2005

-

December 2006

Spearheaded the design and successful implementation of a robust gender and HIV and AIDS action strategy, coupled with an effective information delivery strategy. This proactive approach marked a significant achievement in fortifying the organization's commitment to addressing the complex intersections of gender and health. ï‚· Played a pivotal role in the production of public educational materials for campaigns, specifically focusing on relevant legislation associated with the gender dimensions of HIV and AIDS. This contribution represented a tangible achievement in advancing public awareness and understanding of critical legal aspects. ï‚· Assisted in the development of mechanisms for consistently monitoring ZWRCN's impact on HIV and AIDS policies and programs. This strategic oversight served as an achievement in ensuring the organization's ongoing influence and effectiveness in shaping policies related to HIV and AIDS. ï‚· Represented ZWRCN in networking efforts with identified partners, actively contributing to the establishment of a strong national voice advocating for the mainstreaming of gender into HIV and AIDS plans, policies, and programs. This collaboration stood as a noteworthy achievement in fostering impactful partnerships for broader systemic change. ï‚· Played a vital role in research initiatives concerning Gender and HIV and AIDS, contributing valuable insights and data to the organization's knowledge base. This research-oriented approach marked an achievement in building a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics at the intersection of gender and HIV and AIDS.

Education

Gender and Development

Wageningen ,Netherlands

Van Hall Larenstein

October 2011

-

October 2012

It was a full time taught Masters Degree which I passed with 70 Credits.

BSC Honours Degree in Sociology

Harare,Zimbabwe

University of Zimbabwe

July 2002

-

July 2005

It was a full time taught degree program which I passed with a 2:2 Class(Lower second class)

Awards & Certificates

Masters of Management of Development in Gender and Development

Netherlands

Van Hall Larenstein

2011

It was a taught Masters for one year

PSEA Certificate

On line learning course

UNHCR

2022

I successfully completed an online course on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse on 30 May 2023.

Prevention of Sexual Harrassment and Abuse of Authority(2021 version)

Online course

UN and UN Agencies

2024

I completed a certificate in PSHAA(Prevention of Sexual Harrassment and Abuse of Authority online on 23 February 2025.

Languages
English
Speak
Excellent
Read
Excellent
Write
Excellent
Skills

Facilitation

Report writing

GBV programming

Proposal development

Gender mainstreaming and inclusion

Gender Analysis

Proposal writing

Networking

qualitative research

Child Protection

Experience with financing agencies

0