Adaba Briggs

Multilingual Foreign Service Officer, serving as Second Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya with 15 years of experience in diplomacy and international business and trade. Passionate about fostering relationships and innovative development, Adaba seeks to blend the best of her public service experience and private sector exposure to contribute to a transformative organization.  Her goals being primarily to make a difference on the global stage through use of her unique experience and background. She is fluent in English, French, and Spanish as well as conversant in Mandarin Chinese and Kiswahili.

In her work as a Political Affairs Officer, Adaba has demonstrated her ability to engage and communicate professionally with statespersons from all over the world.  In her immediate former position at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations Office at Geneva, she was assigned to over ten (10) international organizations and UN bodies specializing in telecommunication, humanitarian, disarmament and water issues. In the past four years in this capacity, she managed coordination with the Ministry and other Government Agencies at the Headquarters, as well as provided support and advice, drafted speaking points, speeches, executive briefs, and situational analysis reports.

Prior to this, she worked as Political Affairs Officer in the African and African Union Directorate at the Ministry, where she covered the desks of Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon for almost two years. At the onset of her diplomatic career for three years and currently in the position of Protocol Officer, she has worked directly with Heads of State, members of Royal Families, Ambassadors, and other State Officials and executed her responsibilities in adherence to stated standards and protocols. Adaba has served as translator and interpreter for various foreign service charges including translating correspondence and documentation for the Permanent Mission and the Ministry as well as the Presidential Interpreter for His Excellency the President of Kenya.

As a result-oriented professional, Adaba has also contributed to efficiencies in administrative areas of the foreign service. A notable example is she reviewed and conducted analysis on reciprocal agreements related to tax and other privileges to foreign service staff and international organization personnel while on mission, which continue to yield and safeguard Treasury resources for the country. Most recently, she played a key coordinating and reporting role in the purchase and relocation of the chancery of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations Office at Geneva, as the Secretary to the Procurement and Asset Disposal Committee and key point person for the contractors. 

Before joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Adaba worked in international business in Asia.  She commenced her career in Shanghai, China, at Allied Pickfords, where she began as the Customer Relations, Marketing and Corporate Sales Manager. She developed the first ever customer relations department and created new products, displaying innovation throughout her time there, and earning herself a promotion to International Sales Consultant.  Following her tenure at Allied Pickfords, Adaba went on to work for the Chinese Office of Maine Sawmills, a French company. She held the post of Business Development and Country Manager for three years during which she increased the company’s client base tenfold and expanded geographic coverage of the company from the single market of China into Indonesia, Vietnam and India. She used this time to develop her Chinese language skills.

Adaba holds a Master of Arts Degree in International Relations from Webster University in St. Louis, MO, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in French Studies from Rice University in Houston, Texas. She holds accreditations in French and Spanish, and has extensive international and multicultural exposure having lived in Africa, USA, Europe, Asia and South America.  

FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER

Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Republic of Kenya

Protocol Directorate, Nairobi: Jul 2022 – Present

Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Geneva: Jul 2018 – Jul 2022                                      

Africa & African Union Directorate, Nairobi: Dec 2016 - Jul 2018

Protocol Directorate, Nairobi: Jan 2014 – Dec 2016

The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs is the government ministry established in 1963 to oversee the foreign relations of Kenya. The mission of the Ministry is to project, protect and promote Kenya’s image and interests globally through innovative diplomacy, and contribute towards a just, peaceful and equitable world. 

Specialization

• Political analysis, report analysis, preparation and continuous update of comprehensive and executive country/situation briefs, update of situational developments in assigned countries and international organizations, preparation of congratulatory messages and speeches, liaison with diplomatic missions in Kenya and Kenya missions abroad, liaison with other Government Ministries/Departments on matters relating to assigned countries and international organizations, coordination of Joint Commission meetings and follow-up on implementation with respective Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for respective areas of responsibility.
• Foreign Service protocol, foreign dignitary visit facilitation, foreign affairs event planning and management, strategic planning and implementation, state level administrative translation, diplomatic meeting facilitation, client engagement and relationship management, and operational unit support.

Achievements

• Managed the affairs of over 10 International Organizations at the Permanent Mission in Geneva including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Conference on Disarmament, Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC), Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty (APMBC), United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), Disaster Risk Reduction, Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Universal Postal Union (UPU), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), among others.
• Served as Elections Officer at the Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office at Geneva
• Developed and delivered national statements in fora such as the Human Rights Council and the Standing Committee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
• Formed part of Kenya delegations to various meetings within the multilateral framework.
• Drafted talking points, speeches, executive briefs, situational analysis reports, coordination with other governmental and organizational bodies as well as provided support and advice to senior government officials.
• Managed the affairs of Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon and Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) under the Africa & African Union Directorate.
• Served as Protocol Officer at the highest levels of government.
• Coordinated revamping of the Mission website and increased social media visibility.
• Coordinated Africa Day 2017 celebrations hosted by the Government of the Republic of Kenya.
• Conducted administrative translation for over 60% of correspondence and documentation received through the Ministry from French to English, including letters to government officials, CVs and ambassadors’ letters of credence. 
• Served as translator for various presidential delegations as well as official events and meetings.
• Developed strategy and streamlined processes for tax exemptions for diplomatic missions and international organizations. This was done through careful analysis of reciprocity measures.
• Organized and managed key ministry and permanent mission events including luncheons, conferences, summits and public holiday functions.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND COUNTRY MANAGER

SA Les Scieries Du Maine (Maine Sawmills), Shanghai, China: Jan 2010 – Mar 2013

Les Scieries Du Maine (Maine Sawmills) is a logging company specializing in Oak and Beech hardwoods. Based in France, Maine Sawmills was established in 1954. The company exports 60% of its product to Australia, New Zealand, China, Malaysia, Japan, India, Morocco and the main EU countries. 

Specialization

• Client engagement and relationship management, financial planning and management, strategic marketing, business development, company representative, deal origination and negotiation, Logistics implementation and advisory, strategic marketing advisory, identification of best practices in sales and integration of the same, project management, operational unit support

Achievements

• Served as Business Development and County Manager for 3 years at Maine Sawmills in China. 
• Successfully Increased clientele database from 5 to 50 companies 
• Negotiated and drafted sales contracts for a wide range of products for both private and government facilities growing market revenues from 0% to 30% of the overall business.
• Grew geographic Maine Sawmills’ coverage from 2 cities in China to 3 countries in Southeast Asia including Vietnam, Indonesia and India, as well as 4 new ports in China. 
• Managed all financial and accounting responsibilities including budgeting and planning for marketing and customer service operations in Asia.
• Developed and implemented key performance indicators for strategic marketing and business development.
• Represented the company as Asia Manager at conferences and trade shows.

Negotiated and drafted sales contracts for a wide range of products at Maine Sawmills for both private and government facilities growing market revenues by 30%.

INTERNATIONAL SALES CONSULTANT

Allied Pickfords, Shanghai, China: May 2009 – Dec 2009

Allied Pickfords is an international moving company specializing in local and international home moving. With over 600 locations in more than 40 countries Allied Pickfords uses the most advanced shipping and transportation methods to ensure quality moving to all its clients.

Specialization

• Deal negotiation, quality control, customer service, client engagement and relationship management, strategic marketing, business development, company representative, identification of best practices in sales and integration of services, and project management.

Achievements

• Conducted residential sales surveys to determine volume for packing and established special client requirements to ensure the highest service quality.
• Successfully negotiated and composed sales contract for services based on clients’ needs.
• Established client follow-up protocol to ensure efficient dealings between the company and client up until point of delivery.
• Ensured best service delivery by performing quality control on packing and unpacking day.
• Efficiently handled customer service issues.

MANAGER: CUSTOMER RELATIONS, MARKETING AND CORPORATE SALES

Allied Pickfords, Shanghai, China: May 2008 – Oct 2009

Specialization

• Client engagement and relationship management, financial planning and management, strategic marketing, business development, company representative, deal negotiation, team supervising and management, identification of best practices in sales and integration of the same, project management

Achievements

• Managed and maintained a client portfolio of over 100 companies in the corporate sales department.
• Developed and executed over five (5) new campaigns targeting potential and existing clients.
• Revamped the company’s marketing collateral and contributed to at least 5% increase in brand presence.
• Developed first ever customer relations department and developed procedures for improving customer satisfaction.
• Improved customer relations by creating a personal connection between staff and clients through CRM implementation. 
• Created welcome packages for new clients that involved partnerships with five (5) local brands that provide a variety of services including healthcare, travel, food and catering, accommodation, etc. thereby generating increased sales. 

Increased service delivery to French based companies and doubled penetration for Allied Pickfords among those companies.

Mar 2014 – Jul 2016 Webster University, St. Louis, MO USA

Master of Arts, International Relations

Aug 2001 – May 2006 Rice University, Houston, TX USA

Bachelor of Arts, French Studies