Communications & L&D Strategist · 2015–2026

Naigha Ethel Otieno

10+ years of measurable impact across broadcast journalism, strategic L&D, high‑stakes events, and internal communications. Ready for leadership.

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10+

Years driving impact

7

Fundraising scripts → $ raised

414+

Staff inducted (AKU)

5

Newsletter editions

Core Capabilities

The value I add to every team

A dedicated, efficient and enthusiastic professional with cross‑functional experience in communications, L&D, media, PR, and event management.

Leadership & Team Management

I am a natural leader who has successfully led training delivery sections, mentored junior staff, chaired inter‑departmental planning meetings, and handed over processes with documented continuity. I thrive in cross‑functional, dynamic teams and consistently add value by bridging gaps between communications, learning, and operations.

My leadership philosophy: I believe leadership is not about a title – it's about creating clarity, empowering others, and driving measurable outcomes. I am actively seeking senior roles where I can lead teams, shape strategy, and build cultures of excellence.

Core Value Proposition
  • I translate complex ideas into compelling narratives (stories that raise money, newsletters people read, training that changes behaviour).
  • I build systems from scratch – onboarding frameworks, newsletters, training calendars, event processes.
  • I lead with empathy and structure – managing up, across, and down to deliver on time and on budget.
  • I measure impact – every project I touch, I ask: "What changed because of this?"

I am ready to step into leadership. My experience as Interim Lead at AKU, chair of MSF EA's End of Year planning, and founder of multiple strategic initiatives proves I can lead, not just execute.

Shaping strategy, driving change

I serve on working groups and committees that shape policy and practice – and I lead strategic projects from conception to handover.

Cross-functional Working Groups

Onboarding, Scholarships & Performance Management

I bring an operational and people-centred perspective to strategic committees:

  • Onboarding Working Group (MSF EA): Helped design the first-ever structured onboarding framework, including 5 tailored induction pathways and a 90-day integration plan.
  • Scholarship Committee (MSF EA): Review and recommend staff sponsorship applications, ensuring fair, transparent, and impactful use of L&D funds.
  • Performance Management Review (AKU): Contributed to the review and awareness of the performance management system, aligning it with organisational goals.

Why this matters: I don't just implement systems – I help design them from the inside. My voice at the table ensures that policies are practical, people-centred, and aligned with MSF's humanitarian mission.

Strategic Project Leadership

From conception to handover – leading complex initiatives

I have led multiple strategic projects from start to finish, including chairing cross-functional planning teams and documenting processes for seamless handover:

  • MSF EA End of Year Events (2023, 2024, 2025): Led the planning for three consecutive years. In 2025, I chaired the committee and successfully handed over the process to ensure continuity.
  • AKU Connect General Orientation (2022–2023): Led the monthly orientation programme for 414+ new staff – standardising onboarding across the hospital and university.
  • MSF EA L&D Newsletter (2023–present): Founded, designed, and managed the first-ever L&D newsletter – now in its 5th edition and a flagship internal comms channel.
  • Language Learning Programme (MSF EA): Developed a language learning framework and coordinated immersion plans for staff in Dakar and Cameroon to build bilingual capacity across the region.

Why this matters: I don't wait for permission to lead. I see a gap, build a solution, and bring others along. And I leave behind documentation so the work doesn't die when I move on.

Stories that raised funds and changed lives

NETFUND award-winning stories – each one helped secure funding for grassroots environmental innovations.

NETFUND Green Innovation Award · Green Village 2014

Mulukhu Women Group – 15 boreholes, 11 springs, 100+ homes

Esther Tunguta's group of elderly women turned a merry-go-round into a water revolution. My story helped them gain visibility and attract support. Impact: 115 secondary students, 250 primary pupils, and 100 homes now have clean water. Grades improved. Waterborne diseases dropped.

“School going children were getting sick. We realized we could do something as a group.” — Esther Tunguta
NETFUND GIA · CBO Category · KSh 1M prize

Art Youth Centre – From street youth to 15 employees

Young people in Eldoret turning waste into wealth. My story highlighted their journey from garbage collection to producing 28 bags of briquettes per batch. Impact: 15 jobs created, KSh 1M in funding, partnerships with USAID and Mercy Corps.

“Our vision is a clean environment, creative people in a peaceful society.” — Edwin Owino
NETFUND Prestigious Green Award · Clean Energy 2014

St. Agatha Mokwo Girls – From 24 tonnes of firewood to biogas

The school converted animal dung into methane for cooking. Impact: 24 tonnes of firewood saved per term, now a demonstration centre visited by schools across East Africa.

“A well-conserved environment equals good health, long life and economic growth.” — Agnes Nkirote, Principal

Daily news & feature reporting for Kenyan national audiences

As a KTN TV Reporter Intern (Jan–May 2014), I researched, scripted, edited and produced news stories – including field reporting, interviewing sources, and delivering on-camera segments.

KTN News Feature · Produced & reported by Naigha Otieno

KTN News Feature · Produced & reported by Naigha Otieno

KTN Feature Story · Research, scripting, coordination

KTN News: Police arrest 65 aliens in Ruiru · Produced & reported by Naigha Otieno

KTN Friday Briefing · Guest appearance

Research & Logistics Manager

As Head of Research and Logistics for the nationally-broadcast Outliers show (Jun–Dec 2014), I developed feature stories weekly, conducted research, contacted sources, planned shoots, and assisted the videographer – reaching Kenyan audiences with powerful human-interest stories.

Outliers: Going an extra mile for cancer patients · Research & story development

Outliers: The girl who turned disappointment into opportunity · Research & story development

Joy Divine featured on Outliers · Research & story development

Outliers: Gospel rap & hip-hop – Holy Dave · Research & story development

Outliers: Kompyuta Mashinani – bridging the digital divide · Research & story development

Outliers: Sammy Gitau – from Mathare slum to scholarship winner · Research & story development

Content strategy, campaigns & analytics

Strategic social media management across three organisations – developing content calendars, implementing campaigns, and measuring impact.

NETFUND (2015)

Social Media Strategy & Leadership

Developed the social media strategy and led a team to implement it. Drafted and managed online and social media communications designed to promote NETFUND's image and values across platforms.

Family Media (Dec 2019)

Content Creator & Campaign Manager

Developed social media strategy, content calendar, and overall content for social media. Created festive campaigns, monitored progress using analytical tools, tracked industry trends, and prepared daily/weekly reports for management.

Nehemiah Project Fund (Jan–Apr 2020)

Social Media & Communications Lead

Developed a social media strategy, content calendar, and implemented them. Responsible for public and media relations, event coordination, and in-house communication. Set up campaigns based on business requirements.

Event organisation: Coordinated logistics for internal and external activities including graduations, coaching sessions, and events. Planned and executed engagement activities that fostered stakeholder relationships.

Newsletters people actually read

Founding editor, designer, writer, and manager of MSF EA's L&D Newsletter (Dec 2023–present) and contributor to NETFUND's Greenologues (2015).

MSF Eastern Africa · L&D Newsletter

Founded, Designed, Written & Managed – Dec 2023 to Present

What I built: The first-ever L&D newsletter for MSF EA. Launched Dec 2023, published biannually (July/Dec). I conceptualised the format, wrote articles, designed layout, sourced contributions, and managed the editorial calendar.

Editions published: Dec 2023 | July 2024 | Dec 2024 | Dec 2025

Key impact highlights from the newsletters:

  • 90+ staff attended Internal Interviews Webinar (July 2024)
  • 280+ staff attended joint end-of-year event (Dec 2024)
  • 24+ AV projects supported in 2025 across MSF entities
  • Leadership Skills Programme: 2 cohorts completed in 2025, 3 more planned for 2026
  • First-ever Structured Onboarding Framework launched (Oct 2025) – featured in Dec 2025 edition
“It was a wonderful training, very engaging, nothing boring. Thank you very much.” – TOT participant (July 2024)

Outcome: The newsletter has become a flagship internal communication channel, recognised by staff as a valuable source of learning updates, success stories, and professional development opportunities across MSF entities.

Newsletter Founding · Editorial Management · Content Writing · Design · Bi-annual Production
NETFUND · The Greenologues (2015)

Regular Contributor & Columnist

Wrote published articles including "Know Your Colleague" profiles, CEO feature, opinion column on conversation skills, and humour section. Impact: Humanised leadership, celebrated staff, and fostered a culture of sharing – laying the foundation for my later newsletter work.

Column Writing · Profile Writing · Internal Comms

Fundraising & Crowdfunding Scripts

Seven scripts for NETFUND's Green Innovation Awards – each one helped raise money for environmental innovations.

Featured: John Magiro – Bicycle Hydro Power

Opened with: "That electricity is essential to our lives is undebatable…"

A 21-year-old who produced hydro-electric power from bicycle parts. The script moved donors to act.

Women's Empowerment

Mulukhu Women Group: 10 elderly women, 15 boreholes, 15 latrines – water revolution.

Green Economy

George Ngare: From charcoal dust to smokeless briquettes – KES 1,000,000 raised.

Education Access

Kalondu – Light a Life: 13-year-old studies by kerosene lamp – target KES 545,000.

Training that transforms behaviour

Measurable outcomes from facilitation, curriculum design, and programme coordination.

Aga Khan University · General Orientation (2022–2023)

414+ Staff Inducted – Standardised Onboarding for Hospital & University

Impact: Created a consistent, high-quality welcome for every new hire. Consistently high satisfaction scores.

Aga Khan University · Interim Lead (Sep–Dec 2022)

In Charge of Training Delivery – Hospital & University (East Africa)

Led training operations for 4 months. Impact: Seamless execution of training calendar, facilitator coordination, and team mentorship.

Aga Khan University · AIDET Patient Experience (2022)

384 Frontline Staff Trained – Patient complaints decreased

Challenge: Patient feedback cited poor communication (rude nurses, unclear explanations). Action: Co-facilitated AIDET framework workshop. Impact: Post-training, staff reported higher confidence; patient complaints about communication reduced.

“The nurse was very rude, the tone of his voice was not nice.” – Before