Mariam Umarji is a seasoned international development consultant with over 15 years of experience working across Africa and Europe, specializing in strategic policy advice, technical assistance, and capacity building. Her extensive expertise spans the public and private sectors, making her a versatile and impactful professional in delivering high-quality solutions in diverse environments.
As a chartered accountant and recognized finance, management, and fiduciary risk expert, Mariam has successfully led numerous high-level projects. She has provided invaluable support as a Senior Expert for various UN agencies, including World Food Programme and UNICEF, where she has delivered strategic advice and technical assistance to enhance program effectiveness and sustainability. Her work with these agencies highlights her commitment to advancing global sustainable development goals and improving outcomes for children and vulnerable populations.
Mariam's profound understanding of countries legal and institutional frameworks and as well their political economies, positions her as an asset in navigating the complexities of public policies and government operations. Her comprehensive knowledge extends to various sectors, including Health, Agriculture, Industry, Trade, and Education, enabling her to provide holistic and informed strategic advice.
She is adept at creating and nurturing strategic alliances within and among organizations, aligning with key business initiatives to support sustainable development goals. Her high-level project management competencies, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) skills, and leadership experience have been pivotal in implementing capacity building, technical assistance and reforms in multi-cultural environments.
Mariam's work with ministries of finance and economy showcases her ability to collaborate seamlessly with government officials, guiding them through complex reforms and capacity-building initiatives. She has developed and implemented comprehensive training programs, tailored materials, and manuals, focusing on building the capabilities of government, municipalities, companies, and civil society organizations.
Her projects often involve diagnosing, reviewing, and reforming financial and management systems, conducting socio-economic appraisals, baselines, and feasibility studies, and performing institutional and fiduciary assessments. Mariam's skills include integrating gender and cross-cutting dimensions into her work, emphasizing her commitment to inclusive development. Since 2004, she has been actively engaged in pro bono work to advance women's economic and financial rights in Mozambique.
Mariam is proficient in developing communication strategies to raise awareness about critical issues such as Gender, Food Security, Health Security, and Nutrition. Her experience facilitating participatory and consultative approaches ensures meaningful stakeholder involvement in dialogues and decision-making processes. She has supported the establishment and developing of civil society platforms and collaborated with plan and budget committees in Sub-Saharan African Parliaments.
Mariam Umarji's dedication to sustainable development, expertise in capacity building, and ability to foster strategic partnerships make her an ideal candidate for roles within UN agencies like UNICEF, where she can continue to contribute to transformative change and improve the lives of vulnerable populations.