Work Preference
Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Awards Honors
Technical Skills
Languages
Certification
Work Availability
Websites
Timeline
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HADJARA LAOUALI BALLA
Open To Work

HADJARA LAOUALI BALLA

Communications Specialist
Niamey,Niamey

Work Preference

Desired Job Title

Communications & Knowledge Management ExpertMarketing & Communications ManagerLinking & Learning OfficerInformation CoordinatorHumanitarian Program Assistant

Work Type

Full TimeConsulting

Location Preference

On-SiteHybridRemote
Location: Niamey, Niger, NigerWest africa
Open to relocation: Yes

Important To Me

Career advancementWork-life balanceCompany CulturePersonal development programsHealthcare benefitsWork from home option401k matchPaid sick leave

Summary

Communications and Knowledge Management professional with extensive experience in humanitarian settings. Specializes in developing impactful knowledge products, facilitating learning events, and embedding strategic communications within program implementation to enhance organizational learning and visibility.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Communications & Knowledge Management Expert

Lutheran World Relief
Niamey
06.2023 - Current
  • Led KM and communications strategies to enhance project alignment and stakeholder engagement
  • Developed knowledge products, including case studies and multimedia, to capture and disseminate insights
  • Facilitated learning events and cross-project knowledge sharing to promote collaboration and innovation
  • Enhanced documentation processes for best practices and lessons learned in project management.
  • Train staff on storytelling, branding, and content generation

Marketing & Communications Manager

Catholic Relief Services
Niamey
03.2018 - 05.2023
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to create impactful marketing campaigns.
  • Created content for various media platforms including websites, blogs, social media posts and newsletters.
  • Oversaw development of press releases and other documents for distribution.
  • Organized events such as press conferences, product launches and promotional activities.
  • Provided guidance on branding guidelines across all channels of communication.
  • Coordinated with internal teams to develop communication strategies.
  • Trained staff on effective communication practices and brand messaging standards.
  • Assisted in developing budget plans for marketing initiatives.
  • Interviewed and hired talented individuals to add value to marketing team.

Linking & Learning Officer

Oxfam
Niamey
09.2017 - 05.2018
  • Directed strategic planning and implementation of organizational goals.
  • Developed and maintained relationships with key clients and stakeholders.
  • Collaborated with partners to strengthen alliances and expand outreach efforts.
  • Represented the organization at external events and conferences.

Information Coordinator

Oxfam Novib
Niamey
07.2013 - 01.2017
  • Managed internal communications and knowledge flows to ensure timely access to critical information.
  • Coordinated communication between teams to foster collaboration and streamline project workflows.
  • Led communications department, delivering consistent employee job training to improve skills.
  • Produced internal newsletter and employee communications to enhance awareness of organizational events and programs.
  • Organized and managed high-profile events, including press conferences, project and campaign launches, and donors' field trips.
  • Established and maintained relationships with media outlets to ensure favorable coverage and manage public relations.
  • Collaborated with management team to meet organizational and departmental goals.
  • Produced informational papers like flyers, fact sheets, and brochures.

Humanitarian Program Assistant

Oxfam GB
Niamey
11.2011 - 06.2013
  • Coordinated program logistics for humanitarian initiatives and community outreach, facilitating seamless project execution.
  • Coordinated and documented humanitarian initiatives, enhancing implementation effectiveness and stakeholder communication.
  • Supported data collection efforts for program evaluation and impact assessment activities.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency within programs.
  • Maintained comprehensive records of program activities and evaluation results, ensuring compliance and accessibility for stakeholders.
  • Maintained project documentation and reports for internal review and compliance purposes.
  • Attended weekly team meetings to provide updates on individual projects and assist colleagues with issues.

Senior Lead Sales Advisor

Club Demonstration Services
Wilmington
07.2006 - 10.2007
  • Guided team members in product demonstrations and customer engagement strategies to enhance sales performance.
  • Trained new sales advisors on effective sales techniques and product knowledge, contributing to improved team competency.
  • Monitored stock levels to ensure adequate inventory was available at all times.
  • Assisted customers with inquiries, fostering a positive shopping experience and building customer loyalty.

Resident Assistant

UCA Housing and Residence life
Conway
01.2001 - 08.2005
  • Supported a diverse residential community of up to 30 residents
  • Established and enforced residence hall policies to create a safe and respectful community.
  • Planned and implemented programs to strengthen relationships between residents
  • Mediated resident conflicts to foster a harmonious living environment and enhance community relations.
  • Conducted regular floor meetings to engage residents and address their concerns effectively.
  • Assisted in the onboarding process for new residents and staff members.
  • Maintained accurate records of incidents and resident interactions.
  • Conducted routine rounds to check on resident well-being, checking with residents to meet care needs.

Education

Master's Degree - Community & Economic Development

University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR, USA

Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance

University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR, USA

Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education (K-6)

University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Wilmington, NC, USA

Skills

  • Knowledge management
  • Strategic communications
  • Content strategy
  • Digital storytelling
  • Brand Strategy Development
  • Best practices documentation
  • Event facilitation
  • Cross-functional teamwork
  • Capacity building
  • Interpersonal communication

Awards Honors

  • Dean's List three consecutive years (UNCW)
  • Graduate Assistantship Award (UCA)
  • Member of International Education Honors Society- Phi Beta Alpha

Technical Skills

  • Microsoft Office
  • Canva Pro
  • Content Production Tools

Languages

English
Advanced (C1)
C1
French
Proficient (C2)
C2
Hausa
Native
Native
Arabic
Elementary (A2)
A2

Certification

Certificate in MEAL Essentials, Disaster Ready, April 2025

Designing social media campaigns on Facebook, CRS/Facebook, Sept. 2021

Content production training for social media, June 2019, Baltimore, USA

Spokesperson Fellowship Award, CRS, November 2019

Gender equity, Catholic Relief Services, Niger, December 2018

Event planning, organizational and time management, CRS, Baltimore 2018

Photography, storytelling and communication in a conflict situation, Catholic Relief Services, Baltimore, USA, September 2018

Monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning, Oxfam, Netherlands, October 2017

Linking and learning & monitoring and evaluation, Oxfam Novib/Hivos- Manilla, The Philippines, February 2017

Outcome harvesting for projects, Oxfam, Niger, September 2017

Media and social media for network influence, Oxfam, Dakar, March 2015

Media and communications’ best practices, Oxfam International, Addis-Ababa-Ethiopia, December 2013

Gender and humanitarian responses, GenCAP, Oxfam Novib, Niamey- Niger, April 2013

Project cycle management, Oxfam International, Niger, February 2015

Promotional media and digital campaigns, Oxfam International, Nairobi- Kenya, June 2015

Training in gender mainstreaming in humanitarian responses, Oxfam Great Britain, Niamey- Niger, September 2012

Work Availability

monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Websites

Timeline

Communications & Knowledge Management Expert

Lutheran World Relief
06.2023 - Current

Marketing & Communications Manager

Catholic Relief Services
03.2018 - 05.2023

Linking & Learning Officer

Oxfam
09.2017 - 05.2018

Information Coordinator

Oxfam Novib
07.2013 - 01.2017

Humanitarian Program Assistant

Oxfam GB
11.2011 - 06.2013

Senior Lead Sales Advisor

Club Demonstration Services
07.2006 - 10.2007

Resident Assistant

UCA Housing and Residence life
01.2001 - 08.2005

Master's Degree - Community & Economic Development

University of Central Arkansas

Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance

University of Central Arkansas

Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education (K-6)

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

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HADJARA LAOUALI BALLACommunications Specialist