Dr. Truphena E. Mukuna

Truphena Mukuna is transdisciplinary transformative researcher with a PhD in Curriculum Development and Communication Technology. She holds a Master of Education degree in Curriculum studies and bachelor’s in education. Her areas of interest are education, social science research, capacity building and mentorship of early career researchers, gender studies, youth, women and children, climate change, disaster risk reduction, peace and conflict resolution, governance, and social justice. She also focuses on the bottom-up, top-down research approach in comparative research that cuts across rural and urban areas as well as building innovation capacity and open science virtual platforms to ensure greater public access to scientific knowledge. The aim is to link research to communities and advocacy through partnerships for change, promotion of equality and sustainable development. Her career spans from public to private institutions. She has over 9 years of international experience and 12 years of academic leadership. She has trained extensively in gender studies, human rights activism, monitoring evaluation and learning, and project management. She has published her research extensively and translated this research into knowledge products for policy decision making. As a pragmatist, She empowers vulnerable populations by amplifying their voice and bringing it to decision making tables through online and off-line knowledge and policy dialogue workshops. She works in a multi-cultural environment. She initiates, develops, implements, and sustains partnerships to advance organizational goals. Her career spans from both public and private sectors with solid experience in developing, establishing, and sustaining partnerships. She has led major multidisciplinary, multicultural, multi-layered transformative and innovative research projects based on action research and forged partnerships with a broad spectrum of stakeholders to co-create and generate evidence and knowledge through data for sustainable development. She is a Higher Education Technical expert in linking Research to Policy and society by generating and using evidence to strengthen knowledge systems and engage policy makers and society for decision making and research uptake. She is also a Human Rights advocate with keen interest on social justice and inclusion matters especially social protection and gender issues of the marginalized vulnerable groups. She is a competent project manager with specialization in Monitoring and Evaluation. She is a highly creative strategic thinker and team leader who can take business to the next level through the creation and launch of impactful programs that drive awareness, deliver value, increase profitability, accountability for results and transform livelihoods. She has excellent interpersonal, communication, writing, presentation, analytical and leadership skills coupled with staff development and team building expertise. She utilizes her expertise and hands-on experience to her fullest potential. Currently, She is the Executive Director at Organisation for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA). Some of her notable transdisciplinary research include PhD Thesis entitled: Integration of Disaster Risk Reduction Education into the Primary School Curriculum: A case study of Budalangi Flood Plains, Kenya; Evidence and Lessons from Latin America to Africa -Accountability of the Executive to the Legislature: The Kenyan Case Study. Youth-Inclusive Mechanisms in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in the IGAD region, Climate in Research and Capacity Learning Enhancement (CIRCLE), Informal Cross-Border Trade and Cross-Border Security Governance (ICBT-CBSG). Currently, she is the Principal Investigator of an IDRC funded project entitled, COVID-19 and the Youth Question in Africa: Responses, Impacts and Prevention.

Role in the Project: Principal Investigator

Alemu Tesfaye 

 Manager for information and Knowledge Management at OSSREA since December 20008. Have several years of experience in research uptake, communication, online learning and knowledge management in the field of social sciences. Got considerable skills in various technologies suitable for research uptake and communication such as content management systems, knowledge management systems, e-learning systems, Infographic development systems, animated videos development systems and social networks. Interested in multi-disciplinary research and online learning. Currently working as communication & Dissemination Manager for the InnoFoodAfrica project funded by EU, and as a Public Engagement Officer for the 5S Foundation project funded by the NHIS UK and Displacement Economies project funded by GCRF UK. He has Worked at different capacities for various organizations as a software solutions expert. He is a graduate in Information Technology with an MBA from Manipal University of India. 

  Role in the Project: Communication and Knowledge Manager  

Prof. Peter L Barasa (PhD)

This Laurette (ERAA Award) of the Outstanding Mentor of Educational Researchers in Africa 2018/2019 is a Professor of Education in the School of Education, Moi University and holds a Ph.D., from the University of Hull, UK. He was Dean School of Education, Moi University and is currently the Deputy Principal (Academic, Research & Student Affairs) Alupe University College (a Constituent College of Moi University, Kenya). He has developed extensive expertise and published in the areas of Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Research, Language Education and Internationalization of Higher Education. He is a DAAD alumnus, an ORS (UK) award recipient, a Wingate Scholar and a Salzburg Fellow. Prof Barasa is the Liaison Officer Organisation of Social Sciences for Research in East and South Africa (OSSREA) Kenya-Chapter and is a Member and Head of Research, the African Network for the Internationalization of Education (ANIE). He has carried out research with both local and international organisations including: International Development Research Centre (IDRC)-OSSREA project (2021 -2023); International Labour Organisation/UNESCO Projects (July 2021 – October 2021); Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR) and African Network for Internationalisation of Education (2021- 2022); International Labour Organisation/UNESCO Projects (June 2020 – October 2020): Kenya community development foundation (KCDF); Organisation of Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA) (June – August 2016); British Council/DAAD (2016 – 2018); Aga Khan Foundation (K) April 2016 – June 2016); Aga Khan Foundation (K) (July 2015 – October 2015); Research Methodology Training, Research School (RESSESA)- OSSREA (2010 – 2014); African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD), Kenya (July – October 2007); African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD), Kenya: (2003 – 2006).

Role in the Project: 

Jerome Ntege

Experienced lecturer/social scientist in Makerere and Kyambogo University in Kampala Uganda. A Ph.D. with a focused on Social Anthropology. Areas of Expertise: Medical anthropology esp. Ebola and trans-border diseases, Anthropology lecturer in; Human Rights, Ethics, Peace, and conflict resolutions, Research, Ethnographies, Livelihood, and Land Tenure. Electoral monitoring and observation, Behavior change communication, community mobilization and development, inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue. Research Interests: Social and medical anthropologist with interest in the conflict, epidemics; HIV and Ebola, borderland dynamic, gender and youths, and applied interdisciplinary research that addresses issues of the epidemic, conflicts, and religion and sustainable community development.

I am a social anthropologist with more than ten years of professional experience in teaching at the University at Makerere and Kyambogo University in Kampala. I was a fellow at the Turin University in 2017/18 and the University of Bergen in 2014. My most recent publications focus on, Ebola in borders as a new dimension of human insecurity., Social distancing in epidemics highlighting the need for increasing indigenous health-seeking knowledge for epidemic control, and other publications focus on Ebola as a critical event that shapes society; Showing that ebola does not only destroy the internal organs of the body of the infected persons but also alters the socio-cultural set up of the community in which it occurs and its impact lasts for a long time including; stigma, discrimination, trauma, poverty, and creation of new identities. My current research focus is on strengthening the ethnographic research in the studying infectious epidemic like Ebola and Covid19. Other interests’ conflict, epidemics; HIV and Ebola, borderland dynamic, gender applied interdisciplinary research which addresses issues of the epidemic, conflicts, and religion, and sustainable community development. I have presented several papers at national international conferences.

I have leadership, and research experience with more than ten years of involvement in project design, implementation, and evaluation of HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, as well as social marketing, including behavior change communication, public health, and peer counseling. I have also provided technical services to the UN in the 2011 Southern Sudan Referendum at IOM in Uganda as a facilitator and Out country voting officer representing the UN in the referendum. Besides, I have experience in electoral processes, monitoring observation was in have worked with the UN and EU in Uganda. I have completed writing the Ph.D. thesis in Social anthropology waiting for graduation. The research topic was: The constructions of Ebola and the struggle against the epidemic in the Bundibugyo district. My research on Ebola led to several high-profile speaking engagements at conferences and workshops where I was invited to present my findings in Africa, Europe, and Asia. Hence gaining skills in professional speaking of scientific information, creating and dealing with power points presentations, and answering questions properly. Currently, I am doing post-doc research at Makerere University. I hold an MA. in Peace Keeping Management from the University of Turin in Italy. BA. in Social Anthropology from Makerere University.

Role in the Project: Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning Coordinator - Uganda

Dr. Jude Ssempebwa 

 Dr. Jude Ssempebwa is an Associate Professor of Education and editor based at the East African School of Higher Education Studies and Development, College of Education and External Studies, Makerere University. A professional teacher, he has training and experience in various aspects of education, including in curriculum design, innovation and evaluation; pedagogy; andragogy; and in education planning and management. He has worked with youths in a diverse array of educational settings including Uganda Martyrs University, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Muteesa I Royal University, Kigali Independent University and Makerere University. He has also researched and published on education for development, with a specific focus on youths that are traditionally excluded from formal education systems. In the past, he completed assignments with Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans, Forum for African Women Educationalists, United Nations African Research Institute, OSSREA, Comparative Research Programme on Poverty, the International Federation of Catholic Universities and Carnegie Corporation. 

  Role in the Project: Uganda Country Lead  

Mistre Zergaw

She has been working as a secretary for 14 years in different governmental organizations in Addis Ababa. Currently she is working as a secretary at OSSREA and data collector in the COYOQA project which is run by OSSREA. Furthermore, she graduated BA Degree in the field of Public administration and Development Management, and also MA Degree from College of Development Studies, Centre for Rural Livelihood and Development at Addis Ababa University. Regarding educational carrier and experience, she has got Diploma in secretarial science and office management from St. Mary University College. Additionally, took many trainings related to the field, she has a good skill on facilitating meetings, Conferences, Seminars, Writting minutes, general office duties such as ordering supplies, maintaining records management systems, and performing basic book keeping work and good interpersonal relation and team work.

Role in the Project: Research & Administrative Assistant

Melkamsera Abera

Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 08, August, 1986
Age: 34
Citizenship: Ethiopian
Address: Addis Ababa
Marital Status: Single
Education: Master of Public Health (MPH) candidate
Work Experience: More than12 years of work experience

Role in the Project:   Ethiopian Country Lead  

Beth Armanda Maloba

 My name is Beth Maloba, a Monitoring, Learning & Evaluation Coordinator for the COYOQA project, currently based in Kenya. I am currently undertaking an advanced diploma at Kenya Institute of Management (KIM). I am a certified M & E practitioner, and a data analyst using SPSS and STATA. I have contributed in the production of a report on Sexual Reproductive Health and Commodities (SRHC) 2019 ( https://haiweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SRHC-2019_Kenya.pdf ) for Health Action International. I have experience working with organizations both in the public and the private sector.During my free time, I enjoy reading novels, watching documentaries, and cooking. I am passionate about global health, refugee rights, and youth empowerment. I love working with women and youth.  

  Role in the Project: Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning Coordinator - Kenya  

Fasika Getu Kebede

Fasika is a Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Coordinator at The Organization for Social Science research in Eastern and Southern Africa. Fasika graduated in Chemical Engineering Bachelor Degree and is now learning Masters degree in Project Managment and regularly attends life skill training events. A strong believer in the power of positive thinking in the workplace. Fasika enjoys a good refreshing vacations outside the city to the rular areas but can also be found taking a long hiking walks.

Role in the Project:  Ethiopia MLE officer 

Mikias Dawit 

 ICT assistant at OSSREA since August 2020. After completing BSc. Program in Electrical and Computer Engineering (In Computer) from Addis Ababa University involved in data processing at Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI). He has earned his certification in database foundation from oracle academy. Worked on data collection, organization and analysis using Open Data kit (ODK) as an internship at OSSREA. Got significant skills in various ICT areas fitting for communication and research such as web scraping, content management systems (CMS), Social Networks, data management and analysis. Moreover he is Skilled and knowledgeable ICT expert who has excellent installation and troubleshooting abilities in both software and hardware. Good in a data management systems and softwares, including Excel, MySQL, SPSS, Oracle and web based database.  

  Role in the Project: Data Manager