SHAMISO MARVEL CHIKEYA

Community Development Practitioner

Community development and engagement professional with experience in programme coordination, community needs assessment, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and inclusive service delivery. Served as a Programme Coordinator at Tsungirirai Welfare Programme, coordinating Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) initiatives, supervising district teams, monitoring programme implementation, managing operational budgets, and maintaining partnerships with community stakeholders. Currently serving as a Community Engagement Officer at Talents Project Development Consultancy LLC (Talents UAE), supporting inclusive community programmes, identifying participation barriers, advocating for the needs of children, women and Persons of Determination (PODs), and contributing to programme administration, resource management and reporting. Holds a BA Honours degree in Development Studies, with a strong foundation in community development, programme monitoring and evaluation, safeguarding, and stakeholder collaboration.

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Years experience

Languages

Skills

Work Experience

Community Engagement Officer

Talents Project Development Consultancy LLC (Talents UAE)Abu Dhabi, UAE

Aug 2025 — Present

Community Needs Assessment:Conduct community consultations, gather participant feedback and identify the social, educational, accessibility and participation needs of children, women, Persons of Determination (PODs) and other community groups. Analyse identified barriers and contribute to developing responsive, inclusive programmes and appropriate support interventions.
Community Support and Advocacy:Advocate for inclusive access to educational, cultural and community services, particularly for children, women and PODs. Identify barriers affecting participation, provide information and guidance, facilitate appropriate referrals and liaise with relevant stakeholders to support access to available services and resources.
Community Development and Programme Implementation:Plan, coordinate and deliver community engagement initiatives, educational workshops, outreach activities and public programmes that promote social inclusion, participation, learning and community development. Adapt engagement approaches to accommodate diverse needs and encourage meaningful participation.
Stakeholder Networking and Liaison:Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with community organisations, educational institutions, service providers, families and relevant stakeholders. Coordinate stakeholder engagement, facilitate information sharing, identify opportunities for collaboration and strengthen partnerships supporting community needs and programme objectives.
Programme Administration and Monitoring: Maintain accurate participant records, needs-assessment findings, attendance registers, referral records, feedback data and programme reports. Monitor participation and programme progress, identify implementation gaps and contribute to recommendations for improving service delivery and community outcomes.
Funding and Resource Management: Identify programme resource requirements, support budget preparation and expenditure monitoring, contribute to funding proposals and resource mobilisation activities, and assist in preparing donor or management reports. Monitor resource utilisation against approved programme objectives and organisational procedures.
Safeguarding and Protection:Apply child safeguarding, confidentiality, inclusion and health and safety procedures when working with children, women, PODs and other participants. Identify and escalate safeguarding concerns through established reporting channels and support the maintenance of safe, respectful and accessible programme environments.
Reporting and Continuous Improvement: Prepare activity summaries, stakeholder updates and periodic reports documenting community needs, participation levels, programme delivery and emerging issues. Use participant feedback and monitoring findings to inform improvements to engagement strategies and programme effectiveness.

Programme Officer

Tsungirirai WelfareNorton, Zimbabwe

Jan 2021 — Jun 2025

Coordinated the implementation of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) programme activities across designated districts, ensuring delivery against approved work plans, targets and programme objectives.
Provided operational oversight and technical guidance to district teams responsible for implementing child welfare and community-based support interventions.
Supported the development and review of district and sub-partner implementation plans, ensuring activities reflected programme priorities, timelines and donor requirements.
Monitored programme performance against established indicators, reviewed implementation progress and identified operational challenges requiring management attention or corrective action.
Oversaw the tracking of programme expenditure and resource allocation, working with district teams to promote responsible use of funds and compliance with approved budgets.
Consolidated and analysed district-level programme information to prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual narrative and financial reports for management and programme accountability.
Coordinated field monitoring visits to review activity implementation, verify progress, identify gaps and follow up on agreed improvement measures.
Supported implementing partners in understanding programme standards, reporting requirements, operational procedures and child safeguarding obligations.
Facilitated coordination between district teams, local implementing partners, community structures, consortium members and relevant stakeholders to resolve implementation challenges and maintain continuity of programme activities.
Organised programme review meetings, staff training sessions and partner workshops to strengthen implementation capacity, share progress updates and improve operational performance.
Monitored compliance with child protection and safeguarding standards, ensuring that programme implementation followed established policies and that concerns were escalated through appropriate channels.
Maintained programme documentation, implementation records, performance updates and supporting evidence to facilitate monitoring, reporting, audits and management decision-making.

Social Service Intern

Ministry of Social Welfare

Aug 2018 — Aug 2019

During my work-related learning placement at the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare in Zimbabwe, I gained practical experience in community welfare services, needs identification, and support for vulnerable individuals and families. I assisted with community outreach, beneficiary assessments, child protection and family welfare activities, stakeholder engagement, referrals to relevant social support services, and the maintenance of beneficiary records. This experience strengthened my understanding of community development, social welfare service delivery, and the challenges faced by vulnerable populations.

Skills

Community OutreachStakeholder EngagementProgram EvaluationGrant WritingConflict ResolutionData AnalysisConfidentiality, Professional Ethics and Safeguarding ComplianceCultural Sensitivity and Inclusive PracticePolicy DevelopmentNew skillCommunity Needs Assessment and Analysis Community Development and MobilisationMonitoring, Evaluation and ReportingProgramme Planning and ImplementationStakeholder Engagement and Partnership DevelopmentCase Coordination and Referral SupportDonor Compliance and Programme Accountability

Education

Bachelor of Arts (Honors) Degree, Development Studies

MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY

2016 — 2020

Certifications

NEBOSH International General Certificate in Health and Safety (IGC)

Languages

English

Fluent

Shona

Fluent

References available upon request.