Margaret Mathiang

A Gender, Inclusion, and Development Specialist with extensive experience in Gender Mainstreaming, Protection from Sexual exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Inclusion and Women Empowerment. She brings additional diverse experience in Project Management, Advocacy, Resource Mobilization, Governance, Research, Disability Inclusion, Mine Action and Peace Building. She is familiar with key governance processes such as constitutional making process, elections and other additional professional knowledge gained from working in different fields that include International Organizations, Governments, Civil Societies, and Faith-based Organizations.

Has strong relationship management and coordination skills, with the ability to establish partnerships and engage with complex networks of stakeholders including Civil Societies and Private Sectors. Possesses strong ability to work with grass- root initiatives, and diverse groups. Academically, she holds a Master’s degree and Postgraduate diploma in Development, Training and Education from the University of Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom (UK) and has a Bachelor’s degree in Community Development with a minor in Communication from Daystar University in Kenya. She also has additional certificates in areas such as Mine action (Middle and Senior Management level) acquired from Cranfield University (UK) and James Madison University, United States of America (USA) and advanced Research Methodologies from Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR) in Nairobi, Kenya. 

1.Gender and Inclusion Specialist, UNDP Sierra Leone (Detailed Assignment),  Oct 2022-Jan 2023. 

key Responsibilities and Achievements.

• Coordinated the implementation of the Gender and Inclusion component of the elections and United Nations Peace Building Fund (UN PBF) projects in with the project documents.
• Liaised with Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), Civil Society Organization (CSO)and State institutions to hold Gender and Inclusion meetings.
• Developed Capacity through support for monitoring and coaching of the Women and Inclusion Desk of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone.
• Advised on drafting Gender, Youth and Disability responsive public outreach messages in close coordination with national stakeholders.

2. Gender Analyst (Gender and PSEA Focal Person for Country), UNDP South Sudan, December 2018 - Present.

key Responsibilities and Achievements.

• Represents the Country Office in Inter-agency gender related activities and bodies e.g member of the United Nations Country Team (UNICT) Gender Technical Group led by UN-Women.
• Supports Gender Mainstreaming efforts in the country office as a member of Project Management Support Unit and coordinates the Gender Equality Seal Certification Process and the development of the Gender Equality Strategy and Work plan.
• Supports the formulation and implementation of the Institutional Transformation Area of the Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025.
• Coordinates technical support to the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare (National and State).

3. Gender Advisor, Catholic Relief Services, South Sudan, Jan 2017 - Nov 2018.

Key Responsibilities and Achievements.

• Developed processes such as Gender and culturally sensitive toolkit used by Peace Mobilizers for facilitation of several community conversations on peace issues which enabled them to  monitor gender performance and achievement.
• Participated in field visits to assess feedback mechanism for the communities served by the project.
• Offered Advisory role to the Reconciliation for peace and reconciliation project on Gender mainstreaming and other relevant areas.

4. Commissioner, National Constitutional Review Commission, South Sudan, Jan 2012 - Dec 2016.

Key Responsibilities and Achievements.

• Participated in the deliberation and review of the 2011 South Sudan Transitional Constitution.
• Led the Civil Education Subcommittee that developed the civic education manual and the national civic education plan.
• Established networks with national an international partners in production of civil education materials and implementation of constitutional review workshop plans.

5. Undersecretary, National Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, South Sudan,  Oct 2010 - Nov 2011. 

Key Responsibilities and Achievements.

• Senior Most technical staff to the Ministry and the Accounting Officer, responsible for management and advisory services on gender, child and social welfare at institutional level and inter-ministerial level.
• Supervised over 200 staff members of the Ministry and functioning institutions under the Ministry's responsibility.
• Implemented several gender, children and social welfare related projects with partners such as UNDP, UN Women, UNICEF and UNFPA.
• Initiated the development of policies and action plans such as the disability policy and the national plan on ( United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325.
• Supervised relevant research to ensure standardized and effective performance of the Ministry.

6. Deputy Chairperson, South Sudan Mine Action Authority , South Sudan, Jun 2006 - Oct 2010.

Key Responsibilities and Achievements.

• Supported the Chairperson in the formulation, coordination and implementation of plans for mines removal from roads, paths and other places where they are suspected to be laid or buried.
• Liaised with other indigenous and foreign institutions  with expertise in the field and worked closely with the engineering corps of the Sudanese People Liberation Army (SPLA) and   Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and other agencies such as  Disarmament  Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (DDR) United Nations Mine Action Service (UNIMAS) as well as participating in International conference and advocacy events organized by Geneva Center for Humanitarian Demining. 
• Assisted in the coordination and formulation of policies and service delivery for victims of landmines and adherence to International Treaties signed by South Sudan. 

University of Wolverhampton, UK

Master's degree (MSc) in Development, Training and Education, Centre for International Development and Training (CIDT), Sept 2001- June 2003.

• Thesis on Disability and Development.

 University of Wolverhampton, UK.
 ​Postgraduate Diploma in Development Training and Education, Centre for International Development and Training (CIDT), Aug 2001 - Sept 2002. 

Daystar University, Kenya.
Bachelor's Degree in Community Development, Minor Communication, Aug1993 - may 1997

• Representative, International Students, Daystar University Student Association.
• Member of the Basketball Team.
• Member, University Choir.