Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
References
Timeline
Generic

Maria Kisumbi

Gwynn Oak,MD

Summary

Dynamic leader with extensive experience at Humanity United, specializing in government relations and cross-functional team collaboration. Demonstrated success in strategic organizational development and project management, achieving significant advancements in policy objectives. Known for creativity and innovation, with a proven ability to cultivate impactful relationships across diverse sectors.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Director Policy and Government Relations

Humanity United
Washington DC , DC
08.2018 - Current
  • Build meaningful connections among key policymakers as well as various advocacy organizations.
  • Lead vision development for the HU policy function.
  • Establish and launch annual budget frameworks.
  • Manage and direct team-wide grantmaking initiatives.
  • Advocacy for advancement of HU and HUA's strategic priorities.
  • Lead and advise on policy matters within HU, representing a strong policy voice.
  • Collaborate with HU’s program teams to align on shared policy goals and maximize impact opportunities.
  • Act as the main liaison with legal staff to optimize internal compliance systems, enhancing organizational structure.
  • Collaborate with HU and HUA Board of Trustees.

Human Rights and Governance Technical Advisor

German Technical Cooperation (GIZ)
Kampala
02.2015 - 07.2018
  • Integrated Human Rights Based Approach into development strategies.
  • Enhanced operational capacity of the Ugandan National Planning Authority.
  • Offered strategic guidance to the Uganda Human Rights Commission, enhancing human rights protection in Uganda.
  • Allocated and oversaw budgets for civil society organization initiatives.
  • Assisted select civil society organizations in planning programs effectively.
  • Assisted in enhancing the capabilities of specific civil society organizations.
  • Identified potential partnerships with civil society organizations.
  • Designed Human Rights-Based Approach Training Program for staff capacity enhancement across National Planning Authority, sectors, and ministries.
  • Enhanced collaboration between the National Planning Authority and key government institutions like the Uganda Human Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission.
  • Enhanced the capacity of civil society actors to deliver services effectively.
  • Facilitated knowledge management for GIZ and partners by producing and assembling success stories.

Legal Officer

Avocats San Frontiers
Kampala
12.2014 - 11.2015
  • Created platform for delivering accurate legal services to communities experiencing adverse effects from regional oil operations.
  • Engaged target communities concerning business and human rights issues.
  • Participated in alternative dispute resolution sessions with external mediators.
  • Participated in shaping policy reform discussions under the Protect, Respect, and Remedy framework.
  • Identified methods to access assistance from a pool of lawyers serving project-impacted areas.
  • Facilitated effective communication with target communities, groups, agencies, and departments.
  • Collaborated within established networks to resolve challenges facing populations in project-adjacent regions.

Coordinator

Law And Advocacy For Women In Uganda
Kampala
01.2006 - 07.2013
  • Contributed to strategic program planning and performance tracking.
  • Contributed to the creation of legislative drafts for laws addressing trafficking in persons and female genital mutilation.
  • Coordinated cases challenging Female Genital Mutilation as a discriminatory practice.
  • Designed advocacy campaigns for expedited enactment of key legislation including the Prohibition of FGM Act and the Trafficking in Persons Act.
  • Designed comprehensive training modules to enhance understanding of newly enacted legislations.
  • Collaborated with Government departments and civil society organizations to advocate for gender-sensitive laws.
  • Contributed to creating civil society coalitions addressing maternal mortality from unsafe abortion.

Education

LLB -

Makerere University
Kampala
10-2016

Master of Laws -

Georgetown University Law Center
Washington DC
05-2014

Skills

  • Government Relations
  • Cross-Functional Team Management
  • Strong Communication Skills
  • Strategic Organizational Development
  • Project Management
  • Compliance Management
  • Relationship building
  • Creativity and innovation

Accomplishments

  • Recognized as a 2023 DINSN National Security & Foreign Affairs Leader,

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Director Policy and Government Relations

Humanity United
08.2018 - Current

Human Rights and Governance Technical Advisor

German Technical Cooperation (GIZ)
02.2015 - 07.2018

Legal Officer

Avocats San Frontiers
12.2014 - 11.2015

Coordinator

Law And Advocacy For Women In Uganda
01.2006 - 07.2013

LLB -

Makerere University

Master of Laws -

Georgetown University Law Center

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Maria Kisumbi