MITSI GLADYS THABANI TUTISANI
Harare,HA
Summary
Executive Assistant with strong organizational and interpersonal skills and experience on maximizing executive productivity executive productivity by providing exceptional service and coordinating team activities. Seasoned international exchange program manager with over 20 years of experience in professional, educational, cultural, and academic initiatives. Demonstrated ability to coordinate multi-disciplinary programs, while fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including students, professionals, and artists. Proven expertise in managing small to medium-scale grants of up to USD 500,000, with a strong background in reviewing grant proposals
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Assistant to the System Board Chair
CGIAR
Harare
03.2024 - 09.2024
- Managed the diary of the SB Chair, and proactively communicated diary priorities.
- Made travel bookings (visa applications, flights, hotels, ground transport, and other arrangements);
- Proactively ensuring protocol functions are satisfied in line with agreed policies
- Collated all relevant documentation for participation in key meetings.
- Advanced and follow-up communications.
- Prepared and reviewed time sheets and expense reports.
- Proactively managed requests to and from a wide range of senior stakeholders, vis-à-vis the work of the Board Chair, and prioritized these appropriately.
- Formatted and enhanced presentations, communications, blogs, and any other outputs by the System Board Chair, if and when requested.
- Acted on behalf of the System Board Chair, as appropriate, when liaising with stakeholders and prioritizing requests for time.
- Improved the overall quality of services by assessing the need for, implementing changes within approved administrative guidelines and standards, and exploring opportunities that add value to the System Board Chair.
- Organized and managed complex calendar of appointments, meetings, and travel arrangements for executive team.
- Maintained confidential records and files related to executive operations.
- Coordinated with internal departments on a regular basis to ensure efficient functioning of day-to-day operations.
Cultural Affairs Specialist
U.S. Embassy
Harare
01.2006 - 01.2021
- Management and implementation of academic programs
- Worked directly with university Vice Chancellors, Registrars, Deans and Chairpersons on academic exchanges and university linkages programs
- Facilitated the transition of American Fulbright exchange grantees resident in Zimbabwe by working closely with the Research Council, Immigration Department to ensure that all regulations were met, and all paperwork followed the laws of Zimbabwe
- Coordinated outbound Fulbright programs; Fulbright Foreign Student and Fulbright Visiting Scholars program from recruitment to selection including interview writeups
- Management and implementation of cultural exchange programs
- Worked directly with Zimbabwe and American artists, arts organizations, festival directors on performances, collaborations, and skills transfer workshops
- Liaised with partner and regulatory organizations on programming American artists in-country
- Oversaw the recruitment, selection, and participation of Zimbabwean artists in exchange programs including drafting selection justifications
- Management and implementation of professional exchange programs
- Drafted recruitment strategies for professional programs; TechWomen, Hubert Humphrey, Community Solutions, Fortune500 Global Women’s Mentorship and, espnW
- Put together interview panels including program alumni for above programs
- Drafted interview notes and transmitted the same to American program agencies for final selection of participants
- Management and implementation of educational exchange programs
- Liaised with and promoted educational exchange programs to high school principals, deans of students and students’ organizations
- Oversaw recruitment and selection of high school and university students for the Pan African Youth Leadership (PAYLP), Undergraduate Global (UGRAD) and Study of U.S
- Institutes on Civic Engagement for Student Leaders
- Grants proposal review, monitoring and management
- Point person for the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP)
- Liaised with the National Museums & Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) and other cultural organizations on AFCP projects
- Reviewed AFCP grant proposals and recommended proposals for funding
- Contacts management and relationship building
- Advised American officers on local atmospherics, program opportunities and recommended key contacts for engagement
- Engaged and networked with alumni by integrating them into Embassy representational events with the Front Office as official visitors
Cultural Affairs Assistant
U.S. Embassy
Harare
01.1997 - 01.2005
- Coordinated and implemented Fulbright and Hubert Humphrey programs from recruitment to selection including interview writeups
- Managed and maintained good working relations with universities and regulatory organizations
- Recommended candidates for nomination to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) through reading widely and following up on prospective nominees
Project Administrator
McKnight Foundation
01.1995 - 01.1997
- Company Overview: Multi-Disciplinary Small Grains Project, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zimbabwe
- Coordinated research activities including surveys and outreach to smallholder famers in project areas
- Organized brownbag lunches for milestone mapping events
- Facilitated travel to the U.S
- For project investigators
- Oversaw the ordering of project supplies
- Multi-Disciplinary Small Grains Project, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zimbabwe
Education
MSc. - Development Studies
National University of Science & Technology
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe01.2013
BSc. Honors - Biochemistry
University of Zimbabwe
Harare, Zimbabwe01.1993
Skills
- Administrative support specialist
- Logistics and schedule management
- Information confidentiality
- Schedule & calendar planning
- Articulate and well-spoken
- Travel administration
- Talent Acquisition
- Policy administration
- Regulatory Compliance
- Multitasking Abilities
- Vendor Management
- Collaborate cross-functionally
- Reporting and documenting
- Project Management
References
- Jillian Bonnardeaux, Department of State, BonnardeauxJF@state.gov
- Lindiwe Majele Sibanda, CGIAR System Board Chair, l.sibanda@cgiar.org, +263-778-496-628
- Sizani Weza, Media Specialist, U.S. Embassy, No. 2 Lorraine Drive, Bluffhill, Harare, Zimbabwe, WezaSX@state.gov, +263867701697
Boardsandadvisoryroles
- Board Chairperson, Ona Zimbabwe
- Board Member, Female Students Network Trust, Zimbabwe
Timeline
Executive Assistant to the System Board Chair
CGIAR
03.2024 - 09.2024
Cultural Affairs Specialist
U.S. Embassy
01.2006 - 01.2021
Cultural Affairs Assistant
U.S. Embassy
01.1997 - 01.2005
Project Administrator
McKnight Foundation
01.1995 - 01.1997
MSc. - Development Studies
National University of Science & Technology
BSc. Honors - Biochemistry
University of Zimbabwe
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