Maxwell Samaila Email & Phone Number

Somalia

Leads the strategy, coordination, delivery, and monitoring & evaluation of all programs within the country portfolio. Engendering collaborative team spirit that is focused on achievement of program goals and objectives with quality, accountability and measurable impacts. Represent Mercy Corps programs to donors, other NGOs/UN agencies and key stakeholders. Support the strategic positioning of Mercy Corps and development of new proposals. Ensure compliance to program management/quality standards and other organizational and donor policies.

Nigeria

I provided overall leadership, management, and strategic vision to the implementation of $29.2 USAID/BHA funded multisectoral program known as The Integrated Emergency, Recovery, and Resilience Response within a consortium comprising of NRC and DRC. I ensured effective collaboration with all consortium members during all phases of the project. I provided guidance and monitoring that guarantee program implementation is carried out in accordance with the agreed action plan, IRC and donor regulations. l provided high quality coordination, analysis, and strategic directions to the Consortium Management Team, Steering Committee, Government Stakeholders and other partners in ensuring project objectives are delivered on time, budget and scope. I promoted regular reviews of program progress both internal and external as well as budget spending. I ensured that through area-based approach there is optimal delivery of a comprehensive package of essential cross sectoral services to the targeted beneficiaries. Lead the harmonization of approach by the consortium, eg case management referrals, registration, modality selection, etc. As a cross-functional team leader, took full responsibility for the successful delivery across all the eight sectors including monitoring, collaborative learning and adaptation, and evaluation functions. Collaboratively worked with finance team to track budget and ensure compliance with donor regulations, timely implementation within the scope. I ensured the production of clear and quality donor reports, both narrative and financial by the consortium. I represented the consortium at different engagements including donor meetings.

Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

I oversaw the overarching leadership, management, and coordination of multisectoral deliverables within the consortium. As a cross-functional team leader, I was responsible for the successful delivery across all the eight sectors including monitoring, collaborative learning and adaptation, and evaluation functions. I was responsible and accountable for timely delivery of assistance in a dignified manner, on scope and budget. I ensured success through demonstration of an agile personality, great emotional intelligence, a solutions thinker with a desire for improvement in quality of human lives. I provided technical supports across the ten working sectors and ensure integration throughout program implementation period. I was responsible for the overall management of partnership with other consortium partners. Collaboratively worked with other humanitarian and early recovery projects within the portfolio to drive the organizations’ strategy. Collaboratively worked with finance team to track budget and ensure compliance with donor regulations, timely implementation within the scope. I Led the timely development and submission of donor reports. Worked closely with relevant stakeholders across the intervention areas and state to ensure adequate support and ownership of the program. I represented the consortium at different engagements including donor meetings.

Nigeria

I Provided overall leadership, technical oversight, management, and strategic vision for the program. I managed staff and resources to ensure that the program meets its targets and deliverables on-time, on scope, and within budget. I supervised key program staff and ensure high program quality by ensuring strict adherence to internal Mercy Corps policies and procedures as well as donor rules and regulations. Oversaw the performance of consortium partners and sub-grantees. Oversaw all aspects of design, monitoring, evaluation, and learning, and ensure that all program aspects are documented and archived according to internal/donor requirements. Coordinated with program, finance, and administration staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support field activities (including logistics, procurement, security, administration, and human resources). Worked closely with country-level security focal points to develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its work. I represented Mercy Corps to donors, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers, and external stakeholders.

Nairobi, Kenya

Provided overall management of drought response across affected locations. Set the direction by prioritizing and organizing emergency-focused actions and resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development. Conducted country level desk review of humanitarian response preparedness and capacity. Contributed to the development of country drought response strategy. Supported in the development of country level standard operating procedures for cash. Supported the business development initiative for drought response. Oversaw program start up and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations in line with relevant guidelines, principles, values, standards, quality and strategic plan. Led the program team in the implementation of quality cash, nutrition, and market-based livelihoods humanitarian response where 3500 households were supported through MPCA and 4,000 households received animal health services using vouchers. Ensured appropriate systems and support mechanisms are in place to track, analyze and report on results. Worked closely with stakeholders (National Drought Management Agency, Hunger Safety Net Program, and others) and represented Mercy Corps in various humanitarian coordination meetings (Cash Working Group, Kenya Humanitarian Program Team, etc)

Maiduguri, Borno, Nigeria

Directly managed and oversaw start up phase of a $18 million USAID/BHA funded multi-sectoral (Nutrition, Food Security, Livelihood, MPCA, WASH, Shelter & Protection) humanitarian program. Conducted start-up team kick off meeting to firm up the team, understand the program deliverables, roles and responsibilities. Developed/established start-up workplan to guide the execution of start-up activities. Coordinated with technical support team and other support units to develop detailed implementation workplan, recruitment tracker and procurement plan. Ensured that program and grant management tools such as PM@MC support plan, Standard Operating Procedures, issues log, risk register, communication plan and stakeholder register were developed. Ensured that there is sufficient resources (including staffing) to enable the completion of all start-up activities. Led a successful program kick off meeting with program implementation team including support units

Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Directly managed and oversaw the implementation and closeout of a $19.4 million USAID/BHA funded multi-sectoral (Nutrition, Food Security, Livelihood, MPCA, WASH, Shelter & Protection) humanitarian program. Ensured the program was on scope, time and budget where all output and outcome indicators were achieved successfully. Supported the design and implementation of new emergency programs based on needs analysis, assessments and sectoral information. Provided high level and management support to a program team of 70 staff across six offices. Led, managed and leveraged Mercy Corps complex board platform for the program which is part of the Mercy Corps complex program structure. Provided strategic visioning and operationalization of adaptations to the program in the context of changing security conditions and other external factorsOversaw the timely production of high-quality donor reports, sitrep and recommendation. Represented Mercy Corps in field and state-level coordination. Oversaw MEL initiatives for the program to ensure uptake of lessons learned into program strategy and new iterations.

Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Led the start up of a $19.4 million USAID/BHA funded multi-sectoral (Nutrition, Food Security, Livelihood, MPCA, WASH, Shelter & Protection) humanitarian program. Coordinated the transition of staff from closed awards to the new award. Conducted start-up team kick off meeting to firm up the team, understand the program deliverables, roles and responsibilities. Led kick off meeting with program team, support units and community stakeholders for the $19.4m USAID/BHA funded multi-sector program. Develop/establish start-up workplan to guide the execution of start-up activities. Worked with technical support team and other support units to develop detailed implementation workplan, recruitment tracker and procurement plan. Ensure that program and grant management tools such as PM@MC support plan, Standard Operating Procedures, issues log, risk register, communication plan and stakeholder register are developed. Ensured that there was sufficient resources to enable the completion of all start-up activities.

Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Responsible for coordination and implementation of humanitarian portfolio worth over $23.3million multisector (Food Security, Shelter, WASH, Livelihood, Protection, Cash, Nutrition) interventions for conflict affected households across LGAs of Borno State Nigeria within the spheres of program management to ensure its timely, within budget and scope.

Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Responsible for the coordination and implementation of USAID/OFDA funded multisector (Shelter, WASH, Livelihood, Protection, Cash) interventions for conflict affected households across LGAs of Borno State Nigeria.

North East (Borno, Yobe)

Served as surge capacity for humanitarian response by providing technical support to the team, lead program start-up and close out, ensure program quality, identify capacity building gaps, support the development of high quality humanitarian programs, keep track of all humanitarian events and provide regular sitreps for decision making.

Yobe

Coordinated emergency food assistance program through the use of monthly cash e-vouchers for food (ICT4D) to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees households while strengthening local economy and markets through market systems approach.

Kaduna

Coordination and implementation of HIV Prevention Intervention among key populations and general population through BCC and CP approach. Lead in the community level intervention through HTC service delivery.

Yola, Adamawa

Led the Mobilization of women for community outreach activities for the Women Health Project (WHP) and the Improved Reproductive Health In Nigeria (IRHIN), a USAID funded project. Co-ordination of HIV/AIDS and reproductive health intervention, a DFID funded project targeted at mostly the poor and vulnerable.

Gombe

Worked with In-school Youths and Out-of-School Youths on reproductive health issues through peer education approach.

Birnin-Kebbi

Community Volunteer on Stepping Stones and Response Project. Coordination of Community Resources Center activities. Provide counselling on HIV/AIDS and SRH to in-school and out-of-school youths.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Sustainable Development

Activities and Societies: Rural Sociology & Anthropology, Human Centered Design, Sustainable Social Change models & self-empowerment.

Master'S Degree, International Cooperation And Humanitarian Aid

Certificate, Global Health

Epidemiology

Certificate, Public Health

Fundamentals of Implementation Science

Certificate, Global Health

Leadership and Management in Health

Master'S Degree, Development Studies

Bachelor'S Degree, Zoology

Activities and Societies: Departmental Association, Football Club