Ochan Marino

Senior Humanitarian & Development Program Manager | Livelihoods & WASH Specialist
Kampala, UG.

About

Highly motivated and self-driven humanitarian and development professional with 13 years of extensive experience leading complex projects across various sectors for international and local NGOs. Proven expertise in designing, implementing, and monitoring programs focused on agriculture, emergency food security, WASH, livelihoods, social protection, and climate change adaptation, consistently delivering impactful results for vulnerable populations in conflict-affected regions. Adept at strategic planning, partnership development, and team leadership to drive sustainable community transformation and achieve critical humanitarian objectives.

Work

AWYAD/ECW
|

Team Leader

Uganda, Uganda, Uganda

Summary

Led comprehensive emergency project implementation and strategic development, overseeing staff and ensuring compliance with international humanitarian standards in refugee settlements.

Highlights

Successfully implemented 3 ECW-funded projects in Kyaka and Palabek, significantly increasing access to safe and inclusive education for all beneficiaries.

Developed robust project implementation strategies, detailed work plans, and comprehensive budgets to guide emergency projects, ensuring efficient resource allocation.

Conducted critical emergency needs assessments, market assessments, baseline surveys, and midterm evaluations to inform project design and adaptive management.

Led project implementation for emergency response activities in refugee settlements (Kyaka and Palabek) and selected districts across Uganda.

Supervised and monitored project staff, ensuring strict adherence to project compliance, benchmarks, targets, and performance indicators.

Ensured all organizational projects aligned with the Uganda Refugee Response Plan, CRRF, and international humanitarian standards, including CHS and Sphere Standards.

AWYAD/OXFAM/VSO
|

Project Coordinator

Uganda, Uganda, Uganda

Summary

Coordinated multi-sectoral livelihoods, food security, and youth employment projects, managing teams and resources to align with organizational mandates and strategic plans.

Highlights

Led and coordinated the implementation of integrated Livelihoods projects, focusing on asset creation, market access, and household incomes, alongside food security and youth employment initiatives.

Managed project teams, material, and financial resources, ensuring alignment with organizational mandates and strategic plans to achieve overall project direction.

Supervised, mentored, and coached project staff, conducting performance evaluations to enhance team capabilities and project delivery.

Participated actively in the development of project concept notes and proposals, contributing to successful fundraising efforts for consortium organizations.

Implemented Multi-Sectorial Assistance for South Sudanese Refugees and Host Communities in West Nile (Bidibidi, Palorinya, Rhino Camp) under ECHO funding.

AWYAD/DGD
|

Gender and Protection Officer

Uganda, Uganda, Uganda

Summary

Developed and implemented gender and protection work plans, ensuring integration across project levels and compiling reports to demonstrate project performance and impact.

Highlights

Developed comprehensive Project Work Plans to guide implementation, ensuring gender and protection activities were integrated at all project levels.

Compiled detailed project reports with assistance from MEAL officers, effectively demonstrating project performance, progress, accountability, and impact.

Conducted field support and supervision visits to verify the integration of gender and protection activities across project implementation stages.

Organized and led internal weekly project planning and review meetings with staff, optimizing workflow and reporting mechanisms.

Successfully implemented a project funded by the Belgium Government (DGD) to improve access to essential WASH, food security, and livelihoods services for conflict-affected populations in Ituri (Eastern DRC) and Uganda (Kyaka II, Kyangwali), coupled with strong advocacy and an improved protection environment.

Dan Church Aid (DCA)/UNHCR
|

Energy and Environment Officer

Uganda, Uganda, Uganda

Summary

Led the implementation of environment and energy activities, including training, distribution, and community engagement, while managing resources and promoting organizational visibility.

Highlights

Developed Project Work Plans and compiled environment and energy activity reports (weekly, monthly) to ensure structured program execution.

Led the implementation of environment and energy activities, including trainings, distributions, and community engagements, providing technical support and feedback.

Established and built the capacity of Community Environmental Protection and Energy Promotion Committees (CEPEPCs) and School Environment Protection and Energy Promotion Clubs (SEPEPCs), ensuring their sustained functionality.

Documented compelling case studies and success stories for publication in AWYAD newsletters, website, and social media, enhancing organizational visibility.

Produced impactful photo essays for key project activities and events, effectively communicating program achievements.

Identified and mitigated potential project risks, gaps, and challenges, proposing solutions and collaborating with the project team for support and approval.

Dan Church Aid (DCA)/ECHO
|

Livelihood Officer

Uganda, Uganda, Uganda

Summary

Responsible for strategic planning, proposal development, and implementation of new livelihood projects, incorporating innovative approaches and managing donor relations.

Highlights

Managed program strategic planning, including identifying new projects and developing comprehensive proposals with budgets, MEAL plans, and Results Frameworks.

Conducted periodic SWOT analyses to inform program reviews and suggest modifications, enhancing project effectiveness.

Designed and introduced innovative program implementation approaches by integrating best practices learned from other organizations.

Supervised project teams to ensure effective, efficient, and timely implementation of all projects, adhering to contracts, budgets, and specific donor requirements.

Ensured the collection, compilation, analysis, and distribution of relevant beneficiary data, and conducted necessary assessments in project areas.

Successfully implemented an Integrated WASH, Livelihood, and Cash Protection Response to the DRC and South Sudan refugee influx in South Western and West Nile regions of Uganda, funded by ECHO HIP.

Supervised the construction of 530 market stall structures in Bidibidi, supporting multi-sectoral assistance to South Sudanese populations.

VEDCO/UNDP
|

Project Officer

Uganda, Uganda, Uganda

Summary

Managed data collection, capacity building, and stakeholder collaboration for the ELNHA project, ensuring adherence to humanitarian standards and project objectives.

Highlights

Collected accurate and timely data for the ELNHA project, ensuring robust record-keeping and information management to measure progress and impact against humanitarian standards.

Participated in and facilitated capacity building sessions, including various trainings and workshops for project beneficiaries and partners.

Supported the Coordinator in preparing periodical work plans and reports, detailing project activities and achievements in line with project document requirements.

Collaborated effectively with local authorities, community leaders, civil society, NGOs, and implementing partners to achieve project objectives and facilitate implementation.

Conducted extensive research on poverty reduction for former IDPs and conflict/drought-affected communities across Pader, Agago, Moroto, Kaabongo, Amudat, Karenga, and Kotido districts, commissioned by VEDCO and funded by UNDP and the Government of Japan.

Worked as an Associate Consultant on a baseline survey for the World Vegetable Centre and IITA project in February 2015, focusing on tackling malnutrition through scaling up vegetable production and consumption in Kiryandongo and Mukono.

VEDCO/APT/Heifer International (HPI)
|

Project Extension Worker

Uganda, Uganda, Uganda

Summary

Provided cash-based interventions, agricultural training, and market linkage support to farmers, focusing on gender equity and post-distribution monitoring.

Highlights

Supported cash-based interventions, including distributing vouchers for agricultural inputs and protection cash grants to beneficiaries.

Conducted comprehensive trainings on good agronomic practices for selected enterprises, enhancing farmer productivity and sustainability.

Supported and trained Village Savings and Loan Associations (VLSAs), Income Generating Activities (IGAs), and farmer groups, while coordinating crucial market linkages.

Identified and implemented cash-for-work activities, providing capacity building to farmers and fostering economic resilience.

Conducted post-distribution monitoring using digital tools, market prices, and market complaints handling (MMT) to ensure accountability and effectiveness.

Initiated several research baseline surveys, including a climate change mitigation and adaptation project funded by APT in 2012.

Spearheaded the formation of farmer's cooperative societies in Pader town council, Kilark Sub County, and Lamwo, facilitating marketing, bulking of common enterprises, and increasing agricultural production.

Education

Wageningen University and Research
Wageningen, Netherlands, Netherlands

Bachelor of Science

Environmental Science and Innovation

Uganda Christian Institute for Professional Development (Lira)
Lira, Uganda, Uganda

Diploma

Animal Husbandry

Uganda Christian Institute for Professional Development (Lira)
Lira, Uganda, Uganda

Diploma

Crop Husbandry

Uganda Christian Institute for Professional Development (Lira)
Lira, Uganda, Uganda

Certificate

General Agriculture

Languages

English

Certificates

MEAL DPro: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

Issued By

Humanitarian Leadership Academy

Gender and Environment

Issued By

United Nations Institute for Training and Research

Remote Cash Transfer Programming

Issued By

Cash Learning Lab

Listen, Learn and Act

Issued By

DCA (Dan Church Aid)

Cash Transfer and Programming

Issued By

Oxfam

Advocacy, Lobbying and Influencing

Issued By

Oxfam

Core Humanitarian Standards

Issued By

DCA (Dan Church Aid)

DDR (Disaster Risk Reduction)

Issued By

DCA (Dan Church Aid)

Emergency Preparedness and Response

Issued By

DCA (Dan Church Aid)

Gender in Emergency Response Situation

Issued By

Oxfam

TOT on Farming as a Business

Issued By

IFDC Catalyst

Bio-intensive Farming and Sustainable Agriculture

Issued By

PELUM Uganda

Emergency Response Preparedness

Issued By

Oxfam

Special Advanced Stage III Course on Farmer Field School

Issued By

Ngetta ZARDI/NARO Institute

Peace and Mediation Skills

Issued By

Peace and Reconciliation Ministries in Africa

Computer Skills Training and Management

Issued By

EDAPRI Rural Development HIV/AIDS; OVC, and Youth Training Center

Skills

Program Management

Project Implementation, Strategic Planning, Budget Management, Grant Management, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL), Risk Management, Compliance, Reporting, Work Plan Development, Resource Mobilization.

Humanitarian & Development Aid

Emergency Response, Refugee Response, Protection, WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene), Food Security, Livelihoods Approaches, Social Protection, Climate Change Adaptation, Poverty Reduction, Disaster Risk Management (DRR), Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS), Sphere Standards, Cash Transfer Programming (CTP).

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships

Partnership Development, NGO Collaboration, UN Agency Coordination, Government Relations, Community Engagement, Advocacy, Donor Relations.

Leadership & Capacity Building

Team Leadership, Staff Supervision, Mentoring, Coaching, Training Facilitation, Curriculum Development, Performance Management.

Research & Analysis

Needs Assessments, Market Assessments, Baseline Surveys, Midterm Evaluations, SWOT Analysis, Data Collection & Analysis, Impact Measurement, Problem Solving.

Agriculture & Rural Development

Good Agronomic Practices, Bio-intensive Farming, Sustainable Agriculture, Farmer Field Schools, Cooperative Society Formation, Market Linkages, Value Chain Development, Crop Husbandry, Animal Husbandry.

Gender & Environment

Gender Integration, Protection Mainstreaming, Environmental Protection, Energy Promotion, Climate Change Mitigation, Community Environmental Committees.

Digital & Software

Computer Skills, Digital Tools for Monitoring.

References

Mr. Opoka James

Volunteer Efforts for Development Concern (VEDCO): Palabek Settlement Response Coordinator | Tel: (+256)-0393236946 | Email: jamesopoka@gmail.com

Mr. Esenu John

Finish Refugee Council (FRC): Area Field Coordinator Yumbe | Tel: (+256)-785584428 | Email: jesenu@yahoo.com

Okech Santos

Acholi Volunteers for Community Transformation (AVCT): Executive Director | Tel:(+256)-782608707 | Email: okecsan@gmail.com

Projects

Village Health Team Association Formation (MNCH Project)

Summary

Served as Lead Consultant with World Vision Uganda, partnering with Acholi volunteers for community transformation. Focused on forming village health team associations in the greater Amuru district under the MNCH project.

Farmer Field School Strategic Concept Development

Summary

Collaborated with Action Aid Pader to develop a strategic concept for farmer field schools, specifically for reflect facilitators.