Millicent Oloo

Accomplished and visionary Senior Executive and Programme Management Professional with over 15 years of distinguished leadership experience steering large-scale humanitarian, peacebuilding, and development portfolios across East Africa. Proven expertise in strategic planning, institutional governance, multi-stakeholder diplomacy, and donor engagement with international organizations such as GIZ. Adept at transforming complex policy frameworks into impactful operations, championing human-centered design (including Alternative Justice Systems and MHPSS), and managing high-performing multi-disciplinary teams.

Recognized for driving institutional resilience, fostering strategic partnerships with national and county governments, and securing sustainable funding for vulnerable populations.

Deputy Programme Coordinator at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (2022-03 – Present)

• Provide executive-level leadership and strategic oversight for the Civil Peace Service (CPS) Kenya portfolio, aligning field operations with country strategy, impact frameworks, and selected methodologies.
• Direct the implementation of complex multi-component peacebuilding programs, driving institutional coherence across national and county levels.
• Spearhead high-level coordination for two national technical working groups (MHPSS and Dialogue), bridging gaps between traditional justice mechanisms, mental health systems, and state frameworks.
• Exercise fiduciary responsibility and oversight over financial, administrative, and PME (Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation) systems in close collaboration with senior finance and program leadership.
• Lead, mentor, and supervise a multidisciplinary team of 7+ senior technical advisors, cultivating a culture of high performance, accountability, and staff well-being.
• Represent GIZ CPS in strategic forums with government ministries, the judiciary, county governments (Turkana, Garissa, Nairobi), and international development partners.

Programme Advisor – Refugee Component (Civil Peace Service-SIF) at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (2019-09 – 2022-02)

• Guided strategic interventions and spearheaded the operational rollout of the refugee inclusion component, navigating complex multi-agency frameworks and transitioning from encampment models to area-based development.
• Conducted rigorous macro-level conflict analyses and advised executive leadership and local partners on emerging legal and policy frameworks concerning refugees and internal displacement (e.g., Refugees Act 2021, Shirika Plan).
• Forged strategic partnerships with national and county government bodies, civil society organizations, and refugee-led entities to co-create sustainable community-led dispute resolution systems.
• Designed capacity-building frameworks, institutional training modules, and strategic advocacy materials to strengthen local governance and multi-stakeholder coordination.

Associate Director – Safe House and Case Management at RefuSHE (2018-06 – 2019-02)

• Provided executive oversight for 24/7 safe house operations, child protection mandates, and comprehensive psychosocial support programming for high-risk populations.
• Spearheaded strategic program design, annual work planning, and budget execution, ensuring strict compliance with donor requirements and impact targets.
• Served as the primary institutional liaison to high-level external stakeholders, including government children's departments, UNHCR, IOM, foreign missions, and the judiciary.
• Oversaw monitoring and evaluation systems, authored comprehensive executive reports for the board and donors, and guided organizational policy updates.

Lead Psychosocial Counsellor / Assistant Programme Manager at Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) (2014-08 – 2018-06)

Progressed through various leadership roles including Lead Psychosocial Counsellor, Jan – June 2018.

• Managed field office operations, programmatic execution, and administrative oversight for regional offices (Buruburu and Dadaab field deployments).
• Directed the strategic design and technical delivery of organizational psychosocial and legal aid support programs under institutional grants.
• Authored successful fundraising proposals, securing critical donor funding and ensuring meticulous programmatic and financial reporting.
• Supervised project staff, social workers, and counselors while maintaining robust client databases and protection monitoring protocols.

Assistant Programme Officer (Advocacy), Field Psychosocial Officer (Dadaab), and Counsellor/Social Worker at Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK)

Earlier career progression includes serving as Assistant Programme Officer (Advocacy), Field Psychosocial Officer (Dadaab), and Counsellor/Social Worker across multiple field locations (Nairobi, Eldoret).

Master of Science in Project Management – Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) (2020)

Bachelor in Counselling Psychology – Mt.

Kenya

University (2015)

Advanced Diploma in Community Development – ABMA, UK (2008 – 2009)

Higher Diploma in Counselling Psychology – Kenya Association of Professional Counsellors (K.A.P.C) (2005 – 2006)