Lamin Camara

Responsible for supporting the implementation of the UNFPA Country Programme with specific focus on communication/public information. Focal point for the Youth Work, CBOs and Networks of the programme providing technical support in the development, review and implementation of their work plan/activities and advising the office on support to be given to these Networks and CBOs. Assumed responsibility of facilitating UN Cares in the Gambia and the implementation of the UN Learning Strategy. *Developed and regularly update UNFPA The Gambia Country Office website (http://thegambia.unfpa.org) through CMS Platform. *Maintain UNFPA The Gambia Social Media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook which enhanced visibility. *Provided youth-specific technical and logistics support for the conduct of the first ever National Youth Forum on FGM in the Gambia to ensure the development of a comprehensive youth strategy against FGM *Provided guidance and technical support on youth related activities of the UNFPA AWP *Key in the development of the draft One UN Communication Strategy in The Gambia

Charged with participating and harmonisation of administrative and management systems within the UN in the Gambia and developing a comprehensive filing and inventory management system. Assumed responsibility of facilitating UN Cares in the Gambia and the implementation of the UN Learning Strategy. Responsible for managing and planning meetings including developing agendas and preparing background files, drafting minutes and notes for the records. Drafting and finalising correspondence and designing presentations and developing training agenda.  Developed a unique and creative approach to Work Place HIV which resulted in an increased understanding of the 10 Minimum Standards within the Gambia duty station.  Supported the organisation of the first Regional International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC) Treatment Literacy for treatment observatories in West Africa held in the Gambia by developing advocacy materials, providing operational and logistics support and coordination resulting in the establishment of a Gambia Treatment Observatory Group.  Mapped out most at risk populations most specifically Female Sex Workers establishing contraceptive needs resulting in the development of a condom distribution plan to avoid stock out  Spearheaded the training of 125 focal persons on gender, HIV and Human rights by drafting the training content and leading some of the sessions especially on HIV-related stigma and discrimination  Built capacity of Support Groups of People Living with HIV and networks of AIDS Support Societies through work plan development and proposal writing resulting in the mobilisation of resources from UNDP and UNICEF Country Offices in the Gambia for the implementation of a Joint Project on AIDS. 

Marketed products and services to existing and prospective customers and actively involved in instilling and maintaining a positive sales environment by building awareness using a weekly radio show. Considerably increased the loan profile working under the micro-finance department and provided business advisory to customers and potential customers.  Worked with a team of 4 individuals to market financial products and services to an otherwise un-banked and under banked population using innovative means and approaches leading to higher savings and loans portfolios.  Built a great customer services approach by constantly and regularly visiting and following up customers resulting in low loan defaulter rate and higher savings.  Worked on staff welfare to develop higher team ethics and bonding

Developed the annual Community and Civil Society Initiatives (CCSI) work plan and budget and built capacity of implementing partners. Screened project proposals and budgets and ensured their compliance with the CCSI Manual as well as with the Financial Management and Procurement guidelines. Developed a comprehensive CCSI Contract Register, monitored on-going sub-projects and followed up on retirements of disbursed funds. Drafted annual reports and took minutes of the National AIDS Council and the Technical Review Committee.  Ensured compliance and timely review of proposals leading to prompt disbursement of resources to implementing partners which resulted in high disbursements to 3,881 project partners including women’s and youth groups across the country.  Successfully led a team of Regional Coordinators to draft annual reports for 2004 and 2005 on the Community and Civil Society Initiatives component of the project leading to the identification of best practices and the mapping of future priorities.  Led and organised quarterly team retreats by developing concept notes and meeting agendas resulting in the sharing of experiences and best practices which helped in scaling up the implementation rates for the project component.

Developed training curricular and advocacy materials on Child Rights issues such as corporal punishment, child labour and child sexual exploitation. Organised local and national conferences and training workshops for different stakeholders.  Led a team of 3 youth coordinators and volunteers to organise an innovative children’s forum dubbed “Bantaba” (meeting place) which provided children with a voice to express themselves and as a result raised their plight with the authorities.  Successfully led the development of a project proposal on Child Sexual Abuse and HIV/AIDS which resulted in a project in 2003-2004.  Worked with partners to develop the first Code of Conduct on Child Sex Tourism in the Gambia which was endorsed by all the major hotels during its initial introduction

Supervised a pool of 14 secretariat volunteers and provided administrative supervision, management and discipline for a membership based organisation with over 100 members. Led resource mobilisation efforts for the maintenance and sustenance of the organisation and provided training on the ideas and concepts on LAHS, Public Speaking Skills, Child Rights issues, HIV/AIDS, Organizational Skills, Leadership Skills, Media Presentation and supervision of the LAHS weekly radio program.  Led a team of 11 volunteers and 13 professional teachers to provide and deliver low-cost, fun and innovative tuition for over 300 under-privileged children for two consecutive years.  Successfully led a team of volunteers to mobilise resources resulting in the provision of scholarships for over one hundred children mostly girls across the country.  Spearheaded the development of a proposal which led to the acquisition of a piece of land from the government for the Lend A Hand Society Resource Centre.