David Arakaza

Africa Regional Deployment Unit (ARDU) Manager , International NGO

Nairobi, Kenya

Results-driven Humanitarian and Development Program Manager with a stellar record leading complex refugee protection programs across Africa. Proven expertise in strategic planning, budgeting, and team management. Fluent in English and French. Demonstrated ability to work independently, solve problems, and thrive in high-pressure, multicultural environments.

Contact David Arakaza
Area of Expertise:
  • Disaster, Aid, Emergencies, Relief
  • Environment, Climate, Energy, Water, Sanitation
  • Human Rights, Law, Migration, Conflicts, Justice
  • Monitoring, Evaluation, Policy, Research, Analysis
Professional Experience:

JAN 2024 – TO DATE

Church World Service/ Resettlement Support Center Africa, Nairobi, Kenya – In-Processing Manager

• Manage resettlement processing activities for the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) in the Central African Region (Burundi, Rwanda, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Republic of Congo
• Manage the assignment of tasks and ensure they are prioritized accordingly
• Engage with and closely with key partners in the implementation of the USRAP
• Participate in high-level meetings, make presentations, draft reports
• Undertake monitoring missions in different countries in Africa
• Manage teams and budgets

JAN 2023 – JAN 2024

Church World Service/ Resettlement Support Center Africa, Nairobi, Kenya – Africa Regional Deployment Unit (ARDU) Manager

• Manage the Africa Regional Deployment Program, which mainly involves deployment of ARDU Experts to support UNHCR to process refugee resettlement cases
• Establish and maintain good working relationships and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders/partners
• Lead the ARDU reporting team, oversee data collection, analysis, and drafting of all ARDU reports
• Provide supervision, technical and operational support to ARDU Supervisors and to frontline staff on deployments

AUG 2021 – JAN 2023

Church World Service/ Resettlement Support Center Africa, Nairobi, Kenya – Africa Regional Deployment Unit (ARDU) Supervisor

• Contributed to the implementation of ARDU in Africa
• Oversaw deployments of ARDU Resettlement Experts to UNHCR from planning to closure
• Coordinated with internally and with UNHCR
• Provided leadership and supervision to frontline staff, including remote support when staff are on deployments to UNHCR

MAY 2019 – JULY 2021

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Iriba, Chad – Associate Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer

• Oversaw the implementation of the resettlement and complementary pathways program at the UNHCR Sub-Office in Iriba, Chad
• Conducted interviews with refugees to collect information and draft case documents
• Liaised and kept continuous collaboration with internal and external stakeholders and partners
• Contributed to the Sub-Office or Country Office reports

MAR 2018 – APR 2019

RefugePoint, Gore, Chad – Resettlement Expert (Deployment to UNHCR)

• Conducted interviews with refugees, to collect information and draft high quality case documents for submission to resettlement countries
• Analyzed human migration and refugees’ information to identify their suitability to resettlement

MAY 2016 – FEB 2017

Church World Service/ Resettlement Support Center Africa, Nairobi, Kenya – Resettlement Officer

• Achieved prolonged deployments to UNHCR every quarter to support resettlement activities in Africa
• Conducted resettlement interviews with refugee applicants, collect data and information, and draft case documents in line with UNHCR Resettlement Guidelines and country-specific Standard Operating Procedures
• Analyzed human migration and refugees’ information to identify their suitability to the USRAP

FEB 2015 – MAY 2016

Church World Service/ Resettlement Support Center Africa, Nairobi, Kenya – Senior Caseworker

• Contributed to the implementation of the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Accomplished frequent and prolonged missions to refugee camps and other places hosting refugees in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Conducted pre-screening interviews with refugees being considered for resettlement under the USRAP

JAN 2014 – AUG 2014

African Union Development Agency (AUDA/NEPAD), Pretoria, South Africa – Data Analyst

• Led data collection, analysis, and reporting activities for African Union member countries within the Designed data collection tools and led data collection, analysis and reporting activities.

Education:

I am a holder of a Masters degree in Development Studies, and a Bachelors of Social Work.

Available for:

  • Job opportunities
  • Being headhunted – make me an offer

Years of Experience:

5-10 years

Highest Qualification:

Masters

Languages:

English, French, Swahili, Kirundi, Kinyarwanda

Nationality:

Burundi