Celeste Staley Email & Phone Number

Sierra Leone

Oversight of the UNICEF section ensuring the successful implementation of education programming in alignment with SDGs, UNICEF, and government priorities. Regularly liaised with the Minister of Education, the Local Education Group, and other education stakeholders to ensure progress on government Free Quality School Education programme. Led strategic discussions with education donor partners to improve sector coordination, advocacy and evidence generation. Overall management of the $17.2 M Global Partnership for Education (GPE) program. Managed the coordination and implementation of Education Sector Analysis and Education Sector Plan, a large-scale national learning assessment, and expansion of ECD opportunities. Managed a team of international and national staff to ensure education programming met strategic goals and objectives. Oversaw the UNICEF response to the global COVID – 19 pandemic in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and education partners to ensure that children have continuity of learning in a challenging context. Contributed quality inputs into development of Country Programme, donor reports, end of year reporting. Acted as OIC for Representative and Deputy Representative, ensuring representation and successful oversight of office.

Bangui, Central African Republic

Overseeing the implementation of UNICEF's education program in CAR, including education in emergency programming, donor and partner coordination and liaison, staff supervision, financial management, and short and long term planning.

South Sudan

Responsible for overseeing the implementation of Plan’s Education in Emergencies programming for conflict affected areas in South Sudan. Conducted regular monitoring visits to field project sites, often in highly insecure areas, carried out multi-sectorial and education rapid assessments, oversaw and facilitated psychosocial teacher training, prepared proposals, concept notes and UN CAP project sheet, resulting in over $1.5 million of funding for emergency response initiatives in EiE, WASH, FSL, and Nutrition and participated in Government and Cluster forums in order to ensure coordination of emergency response activities,.

Abidjan, Cote D"Ivoire

Responsible for the overall implementation and operations for Save the Children’s Emergency Response in Abidjan and the South of Cote d’Ivoire. Managed a team of over 120 national and international staff covering six priority sectors. Developed and oversaw the successful implementation of a specific intervention that met immediate needs of displaced and host families and return populations through small micro grants. Liaised with donors and other NGOs through coordination and cluster meetings. Provided weekly reports including financial, procurement and HR tracking analysis.

Banjul, The Gambia

Authored the Situation Analysis for Children and Women in The Gambia, which included comprehensive research and analysis of issues as related to the UNCRC and CEDAW. Tasks included; primary and secondary data collection, conducting Round Table Discussions with Key Stakeholders, interviewing Key Informants, supervising Focus Group Discussions in all administrative regions and municipalities, leading participatory meetings with The National Task Force for on-going review and final validation.

Auki, Solomon Islands

Overall management for an education project focused on improving community participation in basic education. Major tasks included staff supervision, capacity building for local government officials, development and implementation of reporting systems, implementation of baseline assessment, development and targeted distribution of IEC materials focusing on Child Rights. Set up of sub-office in remote island region, including staff recruitment and training.

Goma, Drc

Responsible for the overall management of the education project including assessment for new areas of intervention, start up of emergency education project in and around IDP camps, proposal development, annual reports, liaison with government officials, staff supervision, and on- going project monitoring and supervision throughout Eastern DRC.

Monrovia, Liberia

Responsible for the overall coordination of all UNDP reintegration and rehabilitation activities related to former fighters in post conflict Liberia. Supported six field offices with oversight and ongoing supervision. Provided technical expertise to National DDRR program counterparts in project implementation, monitoring and planning for successful capacity building. Supervised six international and over 20 national staff providing mentoring and evaluation. Conducted monthly coordination meetings with partners for project assessment. Reviewed financial and narrative reports to assure accurate expenditures coincide with progress achieved. Prepared and submitted reports on project progress for UNDP Senior Management. Participated in weekly senior management meetings. Ensured ongoing and accurate monitoring of projects in a collaborative manner with national counterparts. Led a team of 30 staff in conducting a sensitive payment exercise in an intense security environment, which helped maintain national security.

Monrovia, Liberia

Responsible for overall management of the ALP program in coordination with the Ministry of Education. Organized teacher training. Conducted supervisory field visits. Authored regular and end of consultancy reports. Worked closely with MoE ALP Coordinator for effective capacity building. Coordinated and provided oversight of ‘school in a box’ supplies. Led coordination meetings with MoE, USAID and other implementing partners.

Monrovia, Liberia

Managed an USAID funded education program which provided academic opportunities for children who were denied access to basic education due to Liberia’s 14 year civil crisis. Developed and provided training for trainers and teachers including the design of training manuals and materials. Performed budget analysis. Assisted in the design and implementation of a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, including the data base. Supervised national staff. Drafted yearly and quarterly work plans and budgets. Responsible for ongoing reporting to USAID and CAII. Facilitated school renovations under the grants program. Conducted coordination meetings for ALP partners including Ministry of Education staff. Facilitated the design and implementation of a National Curriculum Survey.

Responsible for the management, supervision and implementation of CRS/The Gambia’s Development and Emergency Relief Projects. Participated in the development, and oversaw the implementation of a $10,000,000 Development Activity Proposal for a joint Senegambia country program spanning five years. Oversaw the monetization process in order to support program activities. Worked in close coordination with government partners in project design and implementation. Designed and conducted a needs assessment of Gambia’s education system exploring the formal and informal sectors. Participated in weekly senior management meetings. Assessed literacy project in collaboration with CRS and MoE staff. Participate in the design and implementation of pilot projects, including HIV/AIDS projects, literacy, peer counseling, and agriculture projects. Facilitated training and developed reporting formats for CRS partners. Conducted regular monitoring of project activities. Responsible for authoring of annual program reports for donors. Supervision of over 20 international and national staff.

Reproductive Health Manager - Agadez, Niger Directed a regional reproductive health program funded by USAID. Drafted yearly work plans with subsequent reporting. Initiated and conducted training programs to introduce family planning methods, counseling, and patient practices based on specific community needs. Collaborated with local health officials in developing regional health policies. Created and distributed family planning educational tools. Forecast future personnel training and support needs. Organized educational sessions and the distribution of contraceptives to HIV- high -risk populations. Developed and successfully utilized drama to increase community awareness of reproductive health programs.Health Educator - Safo, Niger. Monitored Infant growth and maternal child health care activities and performed ante and post natal consultations. Co-ordinated training programs for midwives and village teams in ten surrounding villages. In collaboration with local health authorities and Medicins Sans Frontieres conducted a vaccination campaign and set up static EPI services in clinics with a catchment area of 70,000. Developed, implemented, and conducted weekly health education programs in the local primary school. Secured funding for hospital extension and sanitation improvements for village.

Ma, Education

Activities and Societies: Mississippi Teacher Corps - posted to Yazoo City Mississippi

Ba, Bs, Political Science, Psychology

Activities and Societies: Students Against Apartheid, Coalition to Stop Apartheid