Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Languages
Additional Information
Timeline
Generic

Charles Murata

Oldenburg (Oldb)

Summary

Goal-focused academic and development research professional with a proven track record of successfully implementing development projects in Africa. Experience in conducting academic research on topics such as refugee displacements, education and climate change. Research background spans intersectional aspects such as disability, child rights, gender and refugee status, with a focus on promoting access to social protection, inclusion, integration, human rights, justice and gender equality. Equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in challenging roles within the academia and development sectors.

Overview

6
6
years of professional experience

Work History

Volunteer

Platform for the Undocumented
01.2024 - Current
  • Working on a Newsgathering project (at least 2 stories per week) on Criminalization of solidarity and Access to housing for the undocumented migrants
  • Mentored new volunteers, fostering a supportive and inclusive team environment.

EMMIR Student Assistant

Oldenburg University
01.2024 - 06.2024
  • Conducted rigorous eligibility assessments for 300+ prospective students applying to the EMMIR program edition 11.
  • Spearheaded initial system checks for 100% of applications, ensuring complete document submission and evaluating expertise in migration and intercultural relations.
  • Provided support for 15+ administrative challenges in the EMMIR office, improving operational efficiency.

Internship: Events and Partnership Coordination

UNICEF
07.2023 - 09.2023
  • Participated in a 10-year organizational financial evaluation from 2013 to 2023, which improved field operations efficiency through coming up with innovative financial and reporting techniques.
  • Collaborated with 3 different departments to ensure advocacy and cohesive event planning and execution for 10+ major events with children and refugees.
  • Increased attendee satisfaction by 30% through prompt addressing of concerns and providing exceptional customer service to over 500 event participants.

Census Enumerator

Zimbabwe Statistical Office
03.2022 - 05.2022
  • Contributed to the 2022 Zimbabwe Population and Housing Census, collecting and reporting data for approximately 15 million citizens across 10 provinces.
  • Attended over 10 team meetings and participated in a 20-day training session to enhance job knowledge.
  • Ensured 100% accurate geographic coverage by reviewing maps and address listings for assigned areas.
  • Maintained confidentiality for over 200 households, adhering to federal regulations. This role supported the successful completion of the census using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) method, enabling preliminary results within 3 months.

Volunteer Programmes Co-ordinator

Chikukwa Research Trust
01.2021 - 01.2022
  • Orchestrated comprehensive programs promoting indigenous practices, cultural rights, disaster resilience, and education for over 500 community members across 2 districts.
  • Enhanced water access for 100+ households and facilitated monthly food support for 150 vulnerable families, improving the community.
  • Spearheaded efficient programming, resulting in a 25% increase in participant engagement and a 20% reduction in operational costs.
  • Managed project timelines for 10+ initiatives, ensuring 95% of milestones were met on time and deadlines were adhered to.
  • Collaborated with 6 like-minded organizations and government departments to develop strategic plans, aligning with organization objectives.
  • Entered data, generated 15 comprehensive executive reports, and produced 20+ tracking documents, enhancing project visibility and decision-making processes.

Project Officer-Flood Resilience

Practical Action
01.2021 - 12.2021
  • Conducted field research, collecting qualitative and quantitative data from 200+ participants across 10 project sites.
  • Analyzed data and produced 15 comprehensive reports for management and 2 funding partners, leading to a 25% increase in project funding.
  • Developed and monitored project schedules, budgets, and objectives for concurrent projects, ensuring a 95% on-time completion rate.

Volunteer-Disaster Risk Reduction Officer

Tsuro Trust
01.2020 - 12.2021
  • Facilitated 15 Participatory Film Screening Sessions and Youth Theatre Art Trainings across the district, collaborating with STEPS South Africa & Voluntary Service Overseas, engaging over 300 youths.
  • Trained 100 primary and secondary school teachers in Disaster Risk Reduction, enhancing disaster management and child protection strategies.
  • Represented TSURO Trust at 25+ community events, participated in 2 provincial radio presentation sessions to raise awareness on Disaster Risk Reduction and reached approximately 2,500+ community members.
  • Provided guidance and support to 500+ participants, ensuring memorable experiences and fostering skill development in participatory filmmaking and theatre arts.
  • Participated in 10+ wrap-up sessions, offering critical feedback for program improvement and contributing to a 20% increase in participant satisfaction

Project Assistant Researcher

Muthengo Development Solutions
01.2020 - 01.2021
  • Maintained 99% accuracy in project documentation across 10+ projects, ensuring consistency and clarity throughout their lifecycle. Assisted in preparing 15+ project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
  • Evaluated the impact of COVID-19 on food markets among rural subsistence farmers, analyzing data from 375 households and identifying key factors affecting food security, such as rising prices and reduced market access.

Project Officer

GOAL Zimbabwe & Plan International
01.2020 - 12.2020
  • Implemented comprehensive recovery and resilience-building projects for over 270,000 people affected by Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani.
  • Developed and monitored project schedules, budgets, and objectives for 2 concurrent recovery projects (food distribution and livelihoods), achieving a 95% on-time completion rate.
  • Spearheaded collaborative efforts with international organizations and local government to restore essential services and implement innovative resilience-building strategies.

Field Officer-Cyclone Idai Resilience Building

Chikukwa Ecological Land Use Organisation
01.2019 - 12.2020
  • Participated in more than 20 district meetings leading to the formulation of the Chimanimani Biosphere Reserve.
  • Developed comprehensive sustainability reports for management, highlighting progress and recommending improvements to enhance environmental stewardship.
  • Improved water conservation measures by conducting facility audits and recommending upgrades, potentially reducing water consumption by 15-50% and enhancing environmental sustainability.

Student Assistant

Catholic University of Zimbabwe
01.2019 - 12.2019
  • Assisted visiting lecturers in providing 20+ lectures and 15 tutorials on Project Management, Monitoring and evaluation to 50 students in an Executive Certificate program, achieving a 95% student satisfaction rate.
  • Provided excellent front desk service to over 200 students and staff members monthly, addressing inquiries and concerns with a satisfactory resolution rate within 24 hours.

Education

Master of Arts - Migration And Intercultural Relations

Carl Von Ossietzky University Oldenburg
08-2024

No Degree - Certificate in Project Monitoring And Evaluation

Catholic University of Zimbabwe
12-2019

Bachelor of Arts - Development Studies

Midlands State University
07-2019

Skills

  • Team Leadership
  • Empirical Research Conduct
  • Effective Communication
  • Data Compilation
  • Data Interpretation
  • Literature Review
  • NVivo and MAXQDA Data Analysis tools
  • Microsoft tools
  • Project Monitoring and Evaluation

Languages

English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Shona
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Ndebele
Advanced (C1)
Deutsch
Intermediate (B1)

Additional Information

Academic Coordinator:

Michal Musialowski

Phone +49-441-798 2530

emmir.academic@uol.de


Academic Supervisor:

Mgr. Ingrid Baloun, Ph.D.

Assistant professor

Faculty of Health and Social Sciences

J. Boreckého 1167/27, České Budějovice, the Czech Republic

email: ibaloun@zsf.jcu.cz

Timeline

Volunteer

Platform for the Undocumented
01.2024 - Current

EMMIR Student Assistant

Oldenburg University
01.2024 - 06.2024

Internship: Events and Partnership Coordination

UNICEF
07.2023 - 09.2023

Census Enumerator

Zimbabwe Statistical Office
03.2022 - 05.2022

Volunteer Programmes Co-ordinator

Chikukwa Research Trust
01.2021 - 01.2022

Project Officer-Flood Resilience

Practical Action
01.2021 - 12.2021

Volunteer-Disaster Risk Reduction Officer

Tsuro Trust
01.2020 - 12.2021

Project Assistant Researcher

Muthengo Development Solutions
01.2020 - 01.2021

Project Officer

GOAL Zimbabwe & Plan International
01.2020 - 12.2020

Field Officer-Cyclone Idai Resilience Building

Chikukwa Ecological Land Use Organisation
01.2019 - 12.2020

Student Assistant

Catholic University of Zimbabwe
01.2019 - 12.2019

No Degree - Certificate in Project Monitoring And Evaluation

Catholic University of Zimbabwe

Bachelor of Arts - Development Studies

Midlands State University

Master of Arts - Migration And Intercultural Relations

Carl Von Ossietzky University Oldenburg
Charles Murata