Abigeya Getachew Wolde
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Dynamic professional with a strong interest in the intersection of law, economics, policy, and society, dedicated to crafting innovative policies for the greater good. A lawyer by training, a diplomat by heart, a life-time student by choice, an explorer by passion, and an investor by interest. Committed to leveraging expertise in legal and policy analysis, leadership, and strategic engagement to prioritize the well-being of people. Passionate about human development and bridging the gap between research and practical application in institutional systems, especially in the use and regulation of technology to advance institutions. Aspiring to make impactful contributions in national and global strategic leadership roles.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Freelance
09.2023 - Current
- Anchoring the establishment of a private practice health care business with the development of policy documents necessary for credentialing and contracting with insurance companies, reviewing contracts, and developing various administrative forms and templates for the successful launch and operation of the business.
- Consulting and developing a grant application and securing a strategy document for a non-profit organization that works on tech education for children with special needs.
- Document translation for Arizona State University Simien Mountains Research Project.
Graduate Assistant
Pepperdine University
09.2022 - 08.2023
- Managed more than 2000 confidential personal identifiable information of alumni and donors, ensuring 100% accuracy of personal information on Raisers Edge and Live Alumni database systems ensuring accuracy for development and fundraising works.
- Interacted with average of 20 visitors daily, maintained a strong alumni and customer base through providing personalized guidance, resolving issues, following up on actions, and inventory management.
- Researched innovative ways to promote & strengthen strategic goals of Vice President for Community Belonging & Office of Community Belonging.
- Developed more than 60 contents and design for social media platforms including Instagram and twitter to promote Pepperdine's strategic goal of building strong community and belonging culture.
- Produced one full historical briefing book for a book project and five current international affairs briefing books based on an average of six global daily media outlets coverage.
- Facilitated speaking engagements and on campus visit of nine former & sitting high level senior US government officials and experts for a second year National Security and International Relations course on 'How to Run the World'.
Director of Programs and Special Assistant to the Chief Justice
Office of the Chief Justice, Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia
01.2020 - 07.2022
- Design and implementation of a $20 mil USD Judicial Reform Program, Formation of a Reform Office with Ten Staff, Revision of two foundational laws, Development of regulations and directives to implement the laws, Initiation of a Comprehensive Justice Sector Support Program, Organization of the First State of the Judiciary Conference, Coordination of International Organizations and Development Agencies Support for the Judiciary (More than 10 mil USD), Increasing international and national visibility of the federal judiciary.
- Directed the implementation of activities under the judicial reform plan.
- Developed action plans, work documents and reports.
- Drafted speeches, memos, and correspondence of the Chief Justice.
- Supervised and managed a team of 10 Program Office.
- Managed and coordinated the support of international partners mainly the support of UN agencies, Open Society Foundation, USAID, and the European Union.
- Focal person for External Relations and Strategic Partnerships of the Chief Justice.
- Provided technical assistance to the Chief Justice in her role within the judiciary, as chair of the Council of Constitutional Inquiry, and chair of the Justice Sector Steering Committee.
Project Manager, Judicial Reform Support Program
UNDP
01.2020 - 07.2022
- Establishment of strong partnership between UN agencies and the federal judiciary as well as the justice sector, initiation of the design of Comprehensive Justice Sector Support Program between five UN agencies (UNDP, UNODC, UNOHCHR, UNICEF, & UN Women) and the justice sector (Federal Supreme Court, Office of the Attorney General, Federal Police Commission, Federal Prison Administration, & Addis Ababa Police Commission).
- Coordinated the design of a project between UNDP and the Federal Supreme Court to support crucial components of the 'Judicial Reform Program'.
- Managed UNDP's 'Support to Judicial Reform Project.'
- Facilitated the development of a Comprehensive Justice Sector Support Program between five UN agencies (UNDP, UNODC, UNOHCHR, UNICEF, & UN Women) and the justice sector which includes the judiciary, the attorney general, the police, and prison administration.
- Supervised the implementation of UN Interim Support for the Justice Sector Project.
- Prepared reports to UNDP and the Federal Supreme Court simultaneously.
Special Assistant to the Chief Justice & Reform Program Coordinator
Office of the President/Chief Justice, Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia
11.2018 - 12.2019
- Establishment of strong partnership between the Federal Supreme Court and international actors including the US Department of State, USAID, UNDP, EU, British Embassy; the adoption of three years’ reform implementation plan; recruitment of international and national consultants and staff members; anchoring the mandate of the Chief Justice strategic matters as well as on day to day operations.
- Led the design of a project between UNDP and the Federal Supreme Court to support crucial components of the 'Judicial Reform Program'.
- Coordinated the development of three years’ judicial reform plan to the Federal Judiciary.
- Mobilized and managed resources from development partners and international organizations.
- Provided legal and technical support to the Chief Justice in her role as the President of the Federal Supreme Court, the Council of Constitutional Inquiry, and Chair of the Justice Sector Steering Committee.
- Planned and executed the expansion of the Federal Supreme Court Reform Team.
- Managed the increased visibility of reform works of the judiciary and the Chief Justice on international forums.
Protection Litigation Assistant
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
08.2018 - 11.2018
- Provided legal protection advice and recommendation for more than 250 Refugees in UNHCR-ARRA Kule Refugee Camp.
- Investigated on issues of family reunification, identity substitution, name change, and fraud cases in relation to refugees undergoing level 3 comprehensive registration.
- Ensured the application of international and national laws as well as ARRA's and UNHCR's Standards of Procedure in litigations.
- Provided recommendations and counselling on 260+ individual and household litigation cases.
- Enrolled investigation findings on the Global Personal Profile (proGress) database.
- Collaborated with IPs such as Plan International, IMC, and RaDO on case referrals in relation to best interest assessment for children, SGBV for victims of violence and abuse, and persons with disability.
Lecturer
Addis Ababa University
09.2017 - 07.2018
- Developing Lecture Plan, Delivering Lectures within the Academic Calendar, 80% student success.
- Prepared Lectures, Assignments, and Exams.
- Lectured in Environmental Law and Customary Law.
- Continuously Evaluated Students.
Governance and Economic Transformation Intern
Department for International Development (DFID)
11.2017 - 05.2018
- Establishment of a Database of Political Economy Assessments commissioned by Governance and Economic Transformation Portfolio, Establishment of DFID Youth Advisory Panel.
- Consolidated and summarized more than 75 DFID commissioned Political Economy (PE) Analyses across its programme portfolios.
- Established an in excel and system database for the consolidated PE analyses.
- Prepared brief notes and updates on political, legal and governance developments in the country.
- Established DFID Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) including recruitment of youths from all over the country and organizing YAP first session.
- Assisted the governance and economic transformation team in program management across its pillars.
Consultant
Plan International
03.2018 - 04.2018
- Quality Reports and on time delivery.
- Prepared the Report of the Outcome Harvesting Meeting of the Girls Advocacy Alliance African Programme.
- Prepared the Report of the African Children’s Charter Project Review and Planning Workshop.
Consular Staff
U.S. Department of State
10.2017 - 11.2017
- Abiding by the high confidentiality and integrity requirements of the Consular Unit.
- Prepared and processed applications and relevant documents for visa interviews.
- Translated guideline documents and interviews.
Legal Researcher
African Union Commission
08.2014 - 02.2016
- Company Overview: African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC)
- Drafting high quality Documents to be sent for State Parties (eg. Republic of Lesotho, Republic of South Africa, Republic of Mozambique, etc.), Preparing Ordinary and Extra-Ordinary session Reports to be adopted on last days of sessions, successful organization of Ordinary and extraordinary sessions.
- Drafted List of Issues, Recommendations and Concluding Observations to State Parties.
- Organized ACERWC Ordinary and Extraordinary Sessions.
- Followed up State Parties and CSOs reporting on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the consideration of these Reports before the Committee.
- Drafted periodic Reports of ACERWC Sessions, meetings and activities including specific missions.
- Engaged with other organs of the African Union Commission such as the Peace and Security Council.
- International NGOs and National Human Rights Institutions on the implementation of the African Children's Charter.
- Collected and compiled national best practices on child rights issues.
- Assisted the Secretary in the coordination and administration of the everyday work of the Committee.
- African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC)
Lecturer
Addis Ababa University
02.2015 - 08.2015
- Developing Lecture Plan, Delivering Lectures within the Academic Calendar, 80% of class passed the courses.
- Prepared lectures, assignments, and exams.
- Provided Lectures in Family Law.
- Evaluated students.
Legal Intern
African Union Commission
04.2014 - 08.2014
- Company Overview: African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC)
- Drafted Committee session reports, list of issues and concluding observations for State Parties.
- Assisted in the day-to-day administration of the Secretariat of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
- African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC)
Education
Joint Master of Public Policy and Master of Business Administration - Public Policy And Business Administration
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA08-2023
Master of Laws (LLM) - Comparative Constitutional Law
Central European University
06.2017
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - undefined
Addis Ababa University
01.2014
Skills
Global legal frameworks
Board Leadership
- Executive Board Member and Secretary, The Spark Valley, Non-Profit, 2022-02-01, present
- Executive Board Member, International Bible Society/ Biblica Ethiopia, Non-Profit, 2021-11-01, present
- Chairperson, Executive Board, New Life Teen Challenge Development and Relief Program, 2021-03-01, 2022-08-31
- Executive Board Member, Association of Women in Business/Boldness (AWiB Ethiopia), Professional Association, 2020-01-01, 2021-12-31
- Student Representative to the Academic Forum, Central European University (CEU), 2016-10-01, 2017-06-30
- President, Class of 2014, Addis Ababa University, 2013-12-01, 2014-07-31
- Chairperson, Main Campus Chapter, Evangelical Students’ & Graduates Union of Ethiopia (EvaSUE), 2012-03-01, 2014-03-31
- President, Class of 2009, Nativity Girls’ School, 2008-11-01, 2009-06-30
Continuous Learning
- Certificate, Summer University, Constitution Building in Africa, Central European University, 2019
- Professional Certificate, International Policy Skills, Centre for Political and Diplomatic Studies, 2018
- Advanced Certificate, Children’s Rights in Africa, University of Pretoria, 2015
- Certificate, Leadership, UN University for Peace (UPEACE), 2013
Panel Moderations Presentations
- Moderator, Utilitarian Leadership, Hosted by AWIB Ethiopia, 2022-05-01
- Moderator, Society, Religion, Culture, and Leadership, Hosted by Sophos Africa, 2022-03-01
- Moderator, Women of Power Speaks, Hosted by AWIB Ethiopia, 2022-03-01
- Presenter, Write-shop on Constitutional Assessment from Gender Perspective; Judicial Decisions, Hosted by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and Setaweet Movement, 2022-02-01
- Moderator, Think Independently and Act Collectively, Hosted by AWIB Ethiopia, 2022-01-01
- Moderator, Lack of Women’s Engagement in Politics, Hosted by AWIB Ethiopia, 2021-11-01
- Moderator, The Art of Teaching, Hosted by AWIB Ethiopia, 2021-09-01
- Moderator, Does the Ethiopian Constitution Protects the Rights of People Living in Ethno-Regional States?, Hosted by Habbegar Public Debate Forum, 2021-08-01
- Moderator, Servant Leadership, the Crux of Holding Public Office, Hosted by AWIB Ethiopia, 2021-04-01
- Presenter, The Art of Dialogue, Seminar by AWIB Ethiopia, 2021-02-01
- Presenter, Making the Right Choice, Round Table Discussion, 2021-06-01
- Moderator, She at the Core: Engagement in the Public Sphere, Hosted by AWIB Ethiopia, 2020-05-01
- Presenter, Reforms of the Federal Supreme Court, State of the Judiciary 2019
Awards
- Most Informative Award, UN Women and Duksung Women's University, 2012-08-01
- CEU Master's Excellence Scholarship, Central European University, 2016-09-01
- Dean's Honor List, Addis Ababa University, School of Law, 2009-09-01, 2014-06-30
Publications
Editor in Chief, The RUN Reform Updates Newsletter, https://www.fsc.gov.et/Digital-Law-Library/Publications/Newsletter/PgrID/1036/PageID/2, Editor in Chief, Women in Courts, https://www.fsc.gov.et/Digital-Law-Library/Publications/Newsletter/PgrID/1036/PageID/2, Associate Editor, The Activist, 2016-2017, https://communityengagement.ceu.edu/sites/communityengagement.ceu.edu/files/basic_page/field_attachment/the-activist-2017-finalv4_0.pdf, Editor, EvaSUE 2015 Annual Update Newsletter, Special Edition, Editor, Students Law Journal, Addis Ababa University, 2011-2013, For the Love of Jewellery, http://awib.org.et/newsite/for-the-love-of-jewelry-samrawit-meressa/, 2022-03-31, Cultivating Human Capital, http://awib.org.et/newsite/cultivating-human-capital-genet-abebe/, 2021-04-30, Arming the Youth for National Impact, http://awib.org.et/newsite/siham-ayele-arming-the-youth-for-national-impact/, 2021-01-30, Fearless Woman Still on the Rise, http://awib.org.et/newsite/professor-hirut-woldemariam-fearless-woman-still-on-the-rise/, 2020-11-30, Excellence and Congruency, http://awib.org.et/newsite/embodiment-of-excellence-and-congruency-bilen-aynu/, 2020-10-01, Bringing Beauty Closer to Home, http://awib.org.et/newsite/mulumebet-iori-gebreselassie-bringing-beauty-closer-to-home/, 2020-08-01, Women in Politics: Participation at National and Regional Organizations Governance, http://awib.org.et/newsite/women-in-politics-participation-at-national-and-regional-organizations-governance/, 2020-04-01, Constitutionalism in Multi-ethnic Countries: Land and Natural Resources as the Cynosure for Conflict and Harmony, Academia.edu, 2017-07-01, Seize the ACERWC: Conditions and Procedures for Communications, ACERWC Tribune, Vol:1 Issue 002, 2014-12-01, The Normative Understanding of the Right to Development under the ACHPR: Lessons for Ethiopia, Academia.edu, 2014-08-01
Accomplishments
- Drafted high level legal and policy documents
- Spearheaded the execution of effective projects
- Traveled to four continents, lived in multiple cultures and countries
- International scholarships and awards
- Published articles, blogs, and stories
- First generation to graduate from a university and with great distinction
- Friendships that span from elementary school to intergeneration, and to multi-cultures
Timeline
Freelance
09.2023 - Current
Graduate Assistant
Pepperdine University
09.2022 - 08.2023
Director of Programs and Special Assistant to the Chief Justice
Office of the Chief Justice, Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia
01.2020 - 07.2022
Project Manager, Judicial Reform Support Program
UNDP
01.2020 - 07.2022
Special Assistant to the Chief Justice & Reform Program Coordinator
Office of the President/Chief Justice, Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia
11.2018 - 12.2019
Protection Litigation Assistant
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
08.2018 - 11.2018
Consultant
Plan International
03.2018 - 04.2018
Governance and Economic Transformation Intern
Department for International Development (DFID)
11.2017 - 05.2018
Consular Staff
U.S. Department of State
10.2017 - 11.2017
Lecturer
Addis Ababa University
09.2017 - 07.2018
Lecturer
Addis Ababa University
02.2015 - 08.2015
Legal Researcher
African Union Commission
08.2014 - 02.2016
Legal Intern
African Union Commission
04.2014 - 08.2014
Master of Laws (LLM) - Comparative Constitutional Law
Central European University
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - undefined
Addis Ababa University
Joint Master of Public Policy and Master of Business Administration - Public Policy And Business Administration
Pepperdine University