In this week’s edition, we bring you the profile of the Former aspirant for Mayoral Position in the Kanifing Municipality, Mohamadou Musa (Papa) Njie.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Mohamadou Musa (Papa) Njie served as the Project Coordinator of UNESCO –EU Media and Journalists Capacity building Project UNESCO the Gambia office from August 2016 to September 2017.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible for coordinating and implementing 35 million Dalasi EU and UNESCO funded project for capacity building in media for Gambian Journalists.

Cultural Affairs Assistant

Njie was from Feb 2011–Mar 2015 serving as the Cultural Affairs Assistant, Press Assistant and Education Advisor at the US Embassy Banjul office.

Main activities & responsibilities

Njie’s main task was to setup and train the first UTG Debate Association members, plan and organize m

ulti-media programs in the Gambia for U.S cultural presentations, which included finding/advising on sponsors and location, coordinating with the sponsors, arranging logistical details and promotion, draft correspondence including press releases and media advisories.

Response to enquiries on public diplomacy issues and also engage the Embassy’s target audience through social media, Liaison Officer with the Gambian Media thus Contributed toward the improved positive media perception of the U.S. Embassy Banjul office, facilitated the broadcasting of Voice of America to Unique FM and KWT radio stations.

Built and maintained successful relationship with the local media (TV, radio, print) reporters and journalists and drafted over 300 press releases to the local media, facilitated the provision of several media trainers from the USA and Europe and contributed towards creating a more positive image of the Embassy and its U.S.A policies, maintained US Embassy’s main Facebook page and its Education USA page.

• He also established Competitive College Clubs (CCC) which coaches the 10% of high school

students to enter highly competitive colleges/universities in the U.S. -Assisted over 20 students with scholarships to study both in the USA and at other Universities. Facilitated an alumni of the CCC, Ali Sumbundu, receive a US$ 400,000 scholarship to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Provided information to the public about higher education opportunities in the United States, through individual advising and group sessions- Assisted in counseling over 300 students to study in the USA and was able to secure substantial financial aid to over 20 students.

Papa supervised the operation, maintenance, purchase and inventory of USG audio-visual equipment and supplies for preparing and disseminating promotional material for the Embassy.

His task also included to:  Assist in negotiations with Comium and Africell to establish two American Corners and did over 200 presentations countrywide promoting U.S education, Public speaking, Skills, Power point Presentations Skills and internet research.

 Professional Trainings

Data Analysis Training using SPSS; FANTA ADRA in Nairobi, Kenya, attended an internship program at the at the Jamaica Investment Promotion Centre to understand how they became successful in promoting Jamaica and FDI Centre, successfully completed training on Investment Promotion through the Internet in Jordan with the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency and civil Service Management Training at MDI.

From March 2015 to date Executive Director of Global Education Center  and 2014   to date Founder and Director Youth Empowerment through Education and Sports (YETES), Banjul office.

Public Diplomacy

Njie served as Public Diplomacy Assistant and Education Advisor at the U.S Embassy in Banjul, from March 2007 to January 2011.

Main activities and responsibilities

His main activities was to developed and implemented engaging public diplomacy programs and activities, develop and maintain strong partnerships with educational, media, government and private institutions to build stronger understanding of values and culture between the U.S. and Gambia.

Administered developed and monitored budgets and grant opportunities for project development in The Gambia; this also involved implementation of M&E guidance for grantees.

He managed special initiatives including the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP), Fulbright program and the American Corners and also Maintained and managed Embassy’s media relationships.

GM Digital Planet

February 2004 to February 2007 a cum politician served as the General Manager (GM), Digital Planet, Banjul office.

 Main activities & responsibilities

Established ‘Digital Planet ‘as a household brand, managed and molded young staff of 45 into professional sales and communication experts through weekly in-house training programs and captured 40% of the Gambian electronic market in the first year of operations.

Director of Marketing at GIPFZA

From January 2002 to January 2004 served as Director of Marketing and Investment Promotion Department at The Gambia Investment Promotion and Free Zone Agency The Gambia.

 Main activities and responsibilities

His main responsibility was to develop the overall long-term strategy for Marketing and Promoting the Gambia in 2003 and under his supervision, the department attracted over 40 million US Dollar in FDI and successfully managed to attract over 10 new companies (Dream Park, TAFF estate, Sheraton Hotel, etc.

From July 2001 to December 2002 served as the Manager, Marketing and Investment Promotion Department at GIPFZA and from August 1999 to June 2001 served as Program Manager, National Women Farmers Association and from December 1994 to July 1999 as Principal Planner, MoA.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

He has Masters of Science in Agricultural Economics from 1993–1994 at the Wye College (University of London, United Kingdom and from 1992 to 1993 served as the Post graduate Diploma in Agricultural Development/Economics at Wye College University of London, United Kingdom.

Main subjects/courses

His main courses at the said Universities includes: Rural financing, project Monitoring and Evaluation, household Economic Analysis, agricultural marketing in developing countries and data Collection and analysis

Papa has excellent Communication skills, interpersonal, administrative and management skills with digital competences and self-assessment grid on Microsoft Office Professionals, Audio and Video production and SPSS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Cum politician has training manuals on Creative writing, Communication and presentation skills, guidelines to the preparation and appraisal of projects, DOP 1995, drafted the Public Expenditure Review Document and DOSA/DOP 1996, National Fisheries Development and Management Project,  National Research Master Plan.

NARI/DOSA, Investor Perception Study 2000, CBG/ GIPFZA, Investing in The Gambia 2001 (DVD, PowerPoint Presentations), Developed Excel based software to appraise financial and economic viabilities of projected submitted to GIPFZA and Procedures in preparing and analyzing investment projects in the Gambia 2001.

Membership to Associations

Chair GNOC Culture and Education Committee, Board Member at the American Chamber of Commerce, Secretary General of the Soumpoo Doo Khatty Youth Group, committee member of the GNOC Annual Award Committee, executive President of Ascend Together Local Board and President of the Soninkara Annual Football Tournament.

Honors, Awarded by US Embassy

Five Extra Mile award for his exemplary service and extraordinary effort in doing his duties, four Meritorious Awards, “in recognition of the valiant efforts to ensure that the Public Diplomacy goals at post are delivered beyond expectation, one Meritorious Award, “for ensuring the continued excellence of PD programs and services relating to freedom of the press during the extended absence of the Public Affairs officer and one Meritorious Award, “for serving with distinction over the past years in his role as education adviser.