Fellows

Alier has seven years of experience in the nonprofit sector and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with Accounting and Finance from Cavendish University Uganda. Alier also holds a Diploma in Social Work and Social Administration from Makerere Institute of Professionals in Kampala, Uganda. While working as a Senior Human Rights Officer (Team Leader) at the South Sudan Human Rights Commission office in Jonglei State, Alier managed to successfully monitor, inspect, advocate for, facilitate, administer and investigate in the field of South Sudanese human rights, with the South Sudan Human Rights Commission for a period of seven years. Alier is the Head of the Commission Office of the Jonglei state. In this position, Alier’s main responsibilities are identifying financial resources, maintaining the commission’s state budget, writing correspondences on behalf of the commission, and representing the commission in various meetings and fora at the state level. Alier is interested in human rights standards training, transitional justice, legal aid, security management, security sector reform, economics and human rights, law enforcement and human rights, and peace-building and prevention work. He is also committed to developing and applying effective early warning, prevention and peace consolidation systems and interventions for local, national, regional and international actors. He is also interested in project management training among the related thematic trainings and Gender mainstreaming. Alier’s motivation is to have the in-depth knowledge and skills to work for more efficient and effective performance in South Sudan.

Host Organization: Community Options, Inc.

Role at Host Organization: In collaboration with the Executive Director and the national office, Alier will identify funding resources and develop relationships with foundations at the local, state and federal levels with the ultimate goal of developing program and employment opportunities.

Alimure Ali is a prominent nonprofit organization practitioner with eight years’ experience working with USAID governance projects in the Republic of South Sudan. Alimure is skilled in identifying and advocating for persistent community issues for immediate government intervention. He has a long history of liaising and building relationships with national and state government institutions, international organizations, and other appropriate stakeholders to detect program synergies and increase impact of good governance in South Sudan. He worked as an Assistant Program Manager for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), a position that he assumed after holding several others in the organization. Alimure built the capacities of government officials, civil society organizations, and other appropriate stakeholders through workshops and trainings. He has trained and mentored government officials good governance initiatives best practices, budgeting, and work planning processes. Alimure holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Democracy and Development Studies from Uganda Martyrs University.

Host Organization: National Endowment for Democracy

Role at Host Organization: Alimure will contribute to the planning and preparation of the World Movement for Democracy’s 2015 Assembly in Accra, Ghana. Alimure’s work with the Africa Program will include intellectual contributions to the analysis of our South Sudan portfolio, research support on thematic and regional issues of interest to the Fellow and the Africa Program, and participation in team meetings and events at the Endowment.

Gabriel has almost two years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Accounting) from Kampala International University in Uganda. While working as an Assistant Finance Manager and a Zonal Grants Accountant for World Vision International (April 2012 – December 2013) in Western Equatoria State, South Sudan he helped transform and set up financial systems in the zone, introduced procedural accountability in the zone, as well as facilitiated zonal audit by various donors. Through his work experience, he has developed an incredible knowledge of financial and grants management for USAID, EU, UK and AUSAID, funded projects in Western Equatoria state, he also has helped build capacity for national staff in the zone through his fair and credible financial management skills. He has enhanced good relations with the state government on financial matters, advocated for the welfare of the children in the state, and conducted an advice project to officers/managers in proper budget prioritization. Previously, Gabriel worked for an International Commercial Bank in Juba as the head of Customer Care and Relationships Officer. Within three months of his duties, he helped promote the bank’s popularity and increased their customer base despite the growing competition in banking activities in the new country. Gabriel is a constant advocate of proper, fair and credible financial management in any profession.

Host Organization: Amir Project

Role at Host Organization: Yach will mainly work on budgeting, account management and reporting, and fiscal planning during his time at Amir Project. He will be responsible for ensuring monthly budget projects align with historical financial data and take into account organizational growth. He will also work to put together monthly expense reports, as well as work with CEO and Board of Directors to put together fiscal goals and upcoming milestones.

Hakim has ten years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and earned a Bachelor’s of Art in Public Administration from Kampala International University in Uganda. While working as an Executive Director in the Office of the Minister of Health (2011 – 2013), South Sudan, he improved health service delivery in the country through coordinating health policy formulation. Formerly, Hakim worked with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, South Sudan, in various positions such as Executive Secretary (2006 – 2011), Education Coordinator (2004 – 2006), and Curriculum Developer (2003 – 2004). He has greatly contributed in the improvement of South Sudan’s educational reform and service delivery through his roles in coordinating education policy planning and implementation; as well as curriculum development as a Subject Specialist. Hakim and his colleagues have established a local organization known as Community Initiative for Peace and Development (CIPAD) in 2012, with the vision of creating a society that upholds peace and social justice, and works towards human dignity, good governance, and sustainable development. Through these experiences, he developed strong project coordination, planning, management, administrative, and implementation skills. Hakim likes putting his interests on education planning, social cohesion, and empowerment of women.

Host Organization: Lost Boys Center for Leadership Development

Role at Host Organization: Hakim will include coordinating events such as education training for fellows, school system in South Sudan, consultation with government of South Sudan and other NGOs in the field, research new companies interesting in South Sudan and alliance them with our new mission, and program management.

Justin has in worked in the nonprofit sector in South Sudan for eight years. His area of expertise is in management, enterprise development, inclusive agriculture value chain development and Institutional/Organizational Development (ID/OD). He holds Bachelors of Science degree in Food Science and Technology from Makerere University in Uganda and Master of Science degree in International Natural Resource Development from Bangor University in the UK. Justin has extensive knowledge and experience in agribusiness and natural resource development. Over the years, Justin has worked with communities to build their entrepreneurship potential and help resolve natural resource related conflicts. He has worked with SNV Netherlands Development Organization as a Country Sector Leader for Agriculture. He has demonstrated experience in innovative initiatives for commercializing rural agriculture for the benefit of smallholder farmers. Justin led the implementation of agribusiness management and vocational skills development among youth through mentoring, training, joint planning, and coordination. Previously he was part of a team that set up an Agriculture Training Centre, as part of the South Sudan Agriculture Revitalization Program (SSRP) in 2005, a project funded by USAID, implemented in a consortium of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Chemonics and Government of South Sudan. Through these experiences, Justin developed strong leadership, management, implementation and monitoring skills. Justin enjoys focusing on the topics of inclusive business, gender sensitivity, agribusiness, human rights, and international development. Justin also has a strong passion for women and youth economic empowerment.

Host Organization: STEM Connector

Role at Host Organization: Justin will be assigned business development/client services roles to work on growing the STEMconnector client base and expanding its corporate outreach. His role will include supporting STEMconnector’s strategic outreach to service existing and potential clients. He will work on tasks including researching corporate social responsibility programs of major corporations, funding streams from government and foundation grant possibilities. Additionally, Justin will be an integral part of the STEMconnector team, contributing to their website by updating existing content and generating new research-based content.

Kaltuma Vanesa Ahmed is 26 years old and was born in Torit, Eastern Equatoria State, South Sudan. Kaltuma earned a Bachelor’s degree in journalism from Nkumba University in Entebbe-Uganda and has two years of experience in nonprofit organizations. While working as an assistant with the Makulu Fund for Children in Uganda for a year, identifying and registering these children to the organization under the supervision of her senior manager, she helped to improve the welfare of children living with HIV/AIDS and those whose parents died from HIV/AIDS in Uganda. Previously, Kaltuma worked with Radio Bilal volunteering in a project raising funds for the people who were destroyed in landslide in Bududa in Uganda for 6 months, sensitizing people on the impact and showing how these people can be helped. Currently, she is working as a reporter and presenter at Voice of Eastern Equatoria radio. Through these experiences, she developed strong project coordination, communication skills, and her love for media presentation. Kaltuma is interested in women/gender issues as well as other topics that need to be communicated to the public.

Host Organization: Voice of America

Role at Host Organization: “Kaltuma will serve with VOA staff to identify and research news and feature stories in Sudan and South Sudan that are of interest to the target audience, and will be called upon to conduct interviews. Kaltuma will produce radio reports for international broadcast and digital content for the voanews.com/southsudan website. In addition, she will support the editorial process of planning daily news coverage.

Kangu has four years of experience in nonprofit sector focusing on education, elections, agriculture, youth empowerment and development. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in development communications from University of Juba, and a certificate in freedom of expression and professional journalism from South Sudan Media Forum. Currently, Kangu works as a journalist for Bakhita Radio under Catholic Radio Network to promote peace and reconciliation among different communities. As head of the news department, he edits and prepares news bulletins to go on air, decides on the best way of presenting a story, prepares interview questions, and conducts live or prerecorded interviews. Previously, Kangu worked as a broadcast journalist with Eye Radio where he presented information in a fair, balanced and accurate manner. He wrote and edited stories for multiple platforms, evaluated and followed up on news tips to develop a story idea, and he was a solo anchor for the weekday segment on the news program. In addition, Kangu worked for Century Films and assisted director Sam Benstead whilst shooting films in Juba to be shown on the BBC TV, and provided translation services. Kangu was also a Trainer of Trainees during South Sudan Referendum where he trained polling staffs especially in Morobo County of Central Equatoria State to produce valid results leading to South Sudanese independence. Kangu was a mathematics and science teacher at Ombchi Keliko Primary school in Morobo County of Central Equatoria State and at Kings Academy School in Juba. Through these experiences, Kangu has promised to be a development communication support and offer versatile communication for behavior change in both international and local media to mitigate poverty, illiteracy and also improve the rule of law through radio.

Host Organization: Voice of America

Role at Host Organization: Kangu will serve with VOA staff to identify and research news and feature stories in Sudan and South Sudan that are of interest to the target audience, and will be called upon to conduct interviews. Kangu will produce radio reports for international broadcast and digital content for the voanews.com/southsudan website. In addition, he will support the editorial process of planning daily news coverage.

Kiden Gladys Robert Isaiah is a young female South Sudanese, currently volunteering with Community Empowerment For Rural Development (CEFORD), a local organization providing assistance to the refugees in West Nile region of Uganda. Kiden holds Master of Arts in Sustainable Development Practice from TERI School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi, India. Prior to joining her post-graduation studies, she has five years of work experience in the nonprofit sector and earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Adult and Community Education from Makerere University in Uganda. Kiden worked with Humanitarian Organizations in South Sudan to coordinate, liaise and promote beneficiaries’ participation in the projects. Her work as Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Peace Building Project Officer, Community Empowerment and Accountability Officer and Community Development Facilitator exposed her to most of the peace, ethics and governance challenges that have ravaged South Sudan as a country. She possesses leadership qualities as witnessed from her community voluntary service, living a sacrificial life to benefit and change the lives of many citizens of South Sudan. Kiden enjoys focusing on the topics of Community Development, Governance, Civic Education, Youth Participation and Community-Led Leadership. She also desires to examine the development, challenges, and success of all aspects towards the creation of a better South Sudan and passionate about being part of the global community of practitioners.

Host Org: Street Sense Media

Role at Street Sense Media: As a Vendor Manager, Gladys oversees the sales department – a Monday through Friday, 9am–5pm operation where vendors purchase newspapers from Street Sense as independent contractors and then sell those newspapers to the public. The Vendor Manager also works closely with the SW to identify and support the delivery of case management.

Gladys is the Madeline Turin Memorial Fellow. The Atlas Corps: Madeline Turin Memorial, established in loving memory of Madeline Turin (1987-2017), supports this promising young leader from South Sudan as an Atlas Corps Fellow in the United States. Madeline truly wanted to affect change and to help people. Madeline’s passion for South Sudan was forged when she was assigned to a project in Juba, South Sudan, where she worked work side-by-side with the people of South Sudan, helping them build their capacity to govern and grow their economy. While South Sudan could never be considered an “easy assignment,” Madeline embraced the opportunity to help build the world’s newest country, and have an impact in a place that truly needed assistance. She was tireless in her commitment to developing the capabilities of her South Sudanese colleagues—one of whom became the very first Atlas Corps Fellow from South Sudan to the United States.