Daniel Ibrahim Kamara
About Candidate
Location
Education
The Master of Development Practice (MDP) is a 21-month practice-oriented STEM-designated program in sustainable development. Combining the academic excellence and social relevance of UC Berkeley with peer learning and experiential learning, the UC Berkeley MDP draws on its location in the Bay Area, the global center of technology and innovation to cultivate leaders and changemakers in the field of sustainable development.
The UC Berkeley MDP is part of the MDP Global Association, which is a network of over 30 MDP programs globally, and the SDG Academy through the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UNSDN). The SDG Academy and the UNSDSN reflect the belief that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires an investment in interdisciplinary academic training combined with practical experience to address development challenges and opportunities.
As part of the Goldman School of Public Policy (GSPP), the Berkeley MDP uniquely benefits not only from the tech ecosystem of the Bay Area, but also other departments at Berkeley, such as the College of Natural Resources, the Haas School of Business, and the School of Public Health, among others. The UC Berkeley MDP draws on the expertise of the UC Berkeley Graduate Group on Development Practice and the MDP Executive Committee, composed of faculty from across these departments to reflect on sustainable development education and explore cross-campus synergies.
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, where I gained a strong foundation in governance, public policy, international relations, and political theory. This program taught me critical analytical skills and a deep understanding of how political institutions function and influence development outcomes, particularly in emerging democracies. My academic training also sharpened my research, communication, and problem-solving abilities, skills that have proven essential in my work across policy advocacy, program management, and community development initiatives.
I hold a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, which has equipped me with globally recognized skills in project planning, execution, monitoring, and risk management. This credential has enhanced my ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage complex timelines and budgets, and deliver results that align with organizational goals. Through the PMP framework, I apply structured methodologies to ensure efficiency, stakeholder alignment, and measurable impact across every phase of a project.
Work & Experience
Supervised a cross-continental team of 26, improving program development efficiency by 50% within 8 months through streamlined workflows and collaborative planning.
Oversaw an annual budget of $250,000, ensuring compliance with donor requirements and achieving efficient strategic resource allocation.
Spearheaded new partnerships with 3 government agencies and 2 local NGOs, expanding program reach and influence.
Instituted a real-time monitoring and reporting system that improved program performance tracking and reduced reporting delays by 40%.
Designed and implemented risk mitigation strategies that addressed operational vulnerabilities, ensuring zero major incidents during tenure.
Led the design of 3 new community-centered initiatives, resulting in a 30% increase in community participation and enhanced alignment with organizational goals.
Developing Policy Strategic Partnerships by identifying and engaging sustainability start-ups, potential partners, that align with the Council’s mission.
Growing collaborations with local and global initiatives to enhance the Council’s impact and reach globally.
Researching and tracking relevant grant opportunities, accelerator programs, and funding initiatives that align with the Council’s mission.
Played a key role in the design, development, and implementation of high-impact programs, including the $26M Sierra Leone Coastal Resilience Project (funded by the Green Climate Fund) and the $3M National COVID-19 Education Emergency Response Project (funded by GPE via the World Bank), reaching over 5,000 direct beneficiaries nationwide.
Led country-wide research across thematic areas (education, climate change, health, gender, livelihoods), producing context analyses that informed five+ successful donor proposals and enabled alignment with results-based financing frameworks.
Strengthened program quality by supporting M&E of multi-sectoral projects, using data analysis to inform adaptive design and ensure 100% donor reporting compliance.
Facilitated strategic engagement with local stakeholders and community-based organizations, coordinating over 20 consultations and partnership dialogues that ensured participatory design and strengthened local ownership.
Contributed to a 30% increase in proposal success rate through improved evidence-based project design, logical frameworks, and integration of climate resilience and gender-sensitive approaches.
Chaired a multi-agency Advocacy and Communications Working Group of 10+ members, leading strategic engagement for the National COVID-19 Education Emergency Response Program, which reached all 16 districts nationwide.
Co-authored and executed a consortium-wide communications strategy, aligning with donor requirements (Global Partnership for Education) and enhancing visibility among key stakeholders in the Ministry of Education and development partners.
Planned and managed logistics for 5+ high-level stakeholder events, including national back-to-school campaigns, media briefings, and community dialogues, improving stakeholder engagement and public outreach by over 40%.
Researched, wrote, and disseminated 5+ policy briefs, case studies, and donor-facing articles, contributing to increased donor confidence in education program funding during the pandemic.
Developed and implemented program policies for the catalyzing youth leadership for education reform project.
Support the recruitment of 12 Youth-Led CSOs and distribute $10,000 in grants to each CSO for education programming.
Worked with the Monitoring and Evaluation, Finance, and Procurement units to ensure effective program delivery in 16 districts.
Provided technical assistance, such as Project Reporting and Community Engagements, to implementing partners.
Led education and adolescent sexual health initiatives in two slum communities, reaching over 500 youths.
Developed stakeholder engagement strategies, trained 40 peer educators, and facilitated 15+ dialogues addressing child protection.
Empowered about 500 adolescents in slum areas to advocate for child rights and community change.
Awards
In recognition of my dedication to community development services in Sierra Leone.
In recognition of my work with Save the Children as a Community Volunteer from 2019-2021
