Ochan Marino

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

• 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.

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

• 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.

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

• 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.

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

• 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.

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

• 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.

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

• 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.

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

• 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.

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.

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