Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Key Skills
Languages
Websites
Certification
References
Timeline
Generic
Lula Yibaleh

Lula Yibaleh

Addis Ababa

Summary

Dynamic and impact-driven Program Manager with over 13 years of experience leading education and inclusion programs, including projects for displaced and marginalized populations. Proven ability in program design, partner coordination, research and advocacy, and results-based management. Strong background in multilateral development environments, with an emphasis on gender-responsive approaches, youth leadership, and inclusive policy implementation. Demonstrated success in supporting high-level stakeholder engagement and communicating results to diverse audiences.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Education Officer – STEP for Girls and Learning

UNICEF
Hawassa
01.2025 - Current
  • Led the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the STEP for Girls and Learning programme across targeted woredas in the assigned region, ensuring timely and results-driven execution of education interventions.
  • Provided technical assistance and capacity strengthening to Regional Education Bureaus (REBs), Woreda Education Offices, Cluster Resource Centers, and schools to promote equitable, inclusive, and gender-responsive access to quality education, particularly for girls and children with disabilities.
  • Ensured full integration of STEP activities into REBs’ Rolling Work Plans, aligning targets, budgets, and M&E frameworks, and contributing to the overall results-based management and sustainability of interventions.
  • Facilitated effective coordination with UNICEF Field Offices, the Programme Management Office (PMO), and implementing partners (including REBs, CSOs, and WEOs) to jointly plan, execute, and monitor key interventions financed through GPE’s STG and GEA mechanisms.
  • Oversaw grant management processes, including financial forecasting, DCT tracking, HACT assurance activities, and reporting of expenditures and commitments to ensure transparency and compliance with donor and government requirements.
  • Supported the design and refinement of monitoring tools and databases to enhance real-time tracking of implementation, budget utilization, and supply distribution.
  • Contributed to the development of donor reports, human-interest stories, and photo documentation to showcase programme outcomes and community impact.
  • Organized and participated in joint field monitoring missions, supportive supervision visits, and review meetings with national, regional, and woreda-level stakeholders, providing evidence-based feedback and strategic recommendations.
  • Supported the analysis and synthesis of education data to identify gaps in learning outcomes and inform adaptive programming, with a focus on inclusion, gender equity, and child well-being.
  • Collaborated with regional Teacher Education Colleges to enhance school-college linkages, contributing to improved teacher quality and pedagogical support.
  • Supported social mobilization efforts by strengthening Parent-Teacher-Student Associations (PTSAs) to generate community demand for inclusive and quality education.
  • Provided hands-on technical and operational support for the procurement, budgeting, disbursement, and liquidation processes, ensuring alignment with both UNICEF and government procedures.
  • Coordinated high-level donor and media field visits, and supported innovation and knowledge-sharing across government and CSO partners through systems strengthening initiatives and digital monitoring solutions.

Program Manager

Luminos Fund
Addis Ababa
05.2022 - 08.2024
  • Led the design and implementation of the Second Chance Education Programme in post-conflict Tigray, supporting education recovery for out-of-school children, with a focus on accelerated learning and reintegration.
  • Spearheaded the selection and capacity development of implementing partners (IPs) and facilitated their annual work planning and budgeting, ensuring alignment with programme objectives and donor expectations.
  • Developed and operationalized education recovery strategies tailored to the local context, including learning assessments, remedial education models, and inclusive pedagogy.
  • Provided technical leadership in the delivery of activity-based learning, lesson planning, and formative assessments by organizing and facilitating capacity-building trainings for IP staff, educators, and community facilitators.
  • Oversaw programme resource management, including budgeting, procurement, and logistical support, ensuring efficient use of funds and compliance with donor and organizational policies.
  • Coordinated field activities related to baseline, midline, and end-line evaluations, learning assessments, and operational research in collaboration with monitoring teams and external consultants.
  • Produced timely, high-quality reports on programme progress, challenges, and impact for internal leadership, donors, and external stakeholders.
  • Served as the child protection and safeguarding focal point, ensuring all interventions uphold the rights and safety of children, and that staff are trained on protection protocols.
  • Built and maintained strong partnerships with community leaders, local government bodies, and education authorities to ensure programme ownership and sustainability.
  • Collected and analyzed learning data to assess student outcomes and inform adaptive programming, sharing findings with national programme leadership and partners.
  • Supported strategic communications by preparing case stories, best practices, and lessons learned for publication across Luminos Fund’s media platforms and knowledge-sharing events.
  • Contributed to organizational visibility and program scale-up efforts by assisting in the preparation of advocacy materials, donor briefs, and marketing content, in close collaboration with the national communications team.
  • Supported change management processes, including adjustments to program scope, timelines, and budgets, ensuring risks were mitigated, and deliverables remained on track.

Learning and Development Manager

Idea Consulting PLC
Addis Ababa
12.2021 - 05.2022
  • Led comprehensive training needs assessments in collaboration with department heads, HR teams, and field staff to identify capacity gaps in programme design, inclusive pedagogy, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Designed and implemented targeted learning interventions—including workshops, onboarding sessions, e-courses, and seminars—to strengthen staff competencies in activity-based learning, data-informed instruction, and inclusive education practices.
  • Aligned learning and development initiatives with organizational strategy by collaborating closely with Programme, Impact & Measurement, and Communications teams to ensure content addressed evolving operational needs and reinforced programme effectiveness.
  • Managed a learning management system (LMS) to deliver structured onboarding and refresher training, analyzing participation trends, gathering user feedback, and adapting content to improve knowledge retention and performance outcomes.
  • Coordinated logistics, content development, and facilitation for cross-functional learning workshops and multi-stakeholder convenings, ensuring actionable insights were documented and followed up effectively.
  • Provided individual coaching and group mentoring to new hires, junior programme staff, and implementing partner facilitators, fostering a culture of continuous learning and localized ownership.
  • Conducted post-training evaluations and performance impact assessments, producing analytical reports and recommendations for senior leadership to inform future capacity development strategies.

Senior Training Coordinator

Info Mind Solutions/Dereja.com
Addis Ababa
06.2021 - 12.2021
  • Oversaw the end-to-end implementation of the Dereja Academy Accelerator Program, a nationwide career-readiness initiative targeting university graduates, with a focus on soft skills development, employability, and inclusive access for marginalized youth.
  • Coordinated online and in-person training delivery across multiple universities, ensuring timely execution, quality assurance, and alignment with Mastercard Foundation's strategic priorities.
  • Led candidate recruitment and onboarding, partnering with university administrators, HR teams, and external consultants to design and execute targeted selection campaigns, including online screening, assessments, and interviews.
  • Developed a suite of training materials and knowledge assets—including facilitator manuals, multimedia content, and evaluation tools—ensuring consistency with programme learning outcomes and inclusive pedagogy.
  • Conducted Training-of-Trainers (ToTs) to build institutional capacity among university staff and local facilitators, enabling scale-up and localization of the Accelerator model, particularly for youth from displaced and underserved backgrounds.
  • Monitored programme performance through LMS analytics, field visits, and routine check-ins, proactively identifying implementation bottlenecks and initiating corrective actions to maintain progress and quality benchmarks.
  • Advised partner institutions on learning gaps through tailored needs assessments, supporting the design of context-specific learning interventions aligned with institutional goals and national youth employment strategies.
  • Facilitated cross-sector collaboration with Dereja Academy leadership and Mastercard Foundation focal points, organizing steering committee meetings, documenting decisions, and ensuring transparency in reporting and accountability.
  • Piloted blended learning models by researching ed-tech solutions and incorporating hybrid delivery methods to boost engagement, accessibility, and course completion rates.

Senior Trainer & Project Coordinator

Organization for Women in Self Employment
09.2020 - 06.2021
  • Designed and led the implementation of gender-responsive capacity-building programmes focused on business development, leadership, and socio-economic reintegration for women and youth from refugee, returnee, and marginalized communities.
  • Conducted comprehensive training needs assessments to inform the development of inclusive and context-appropriate curricula and facilitator guides, integrating principles of gender equality, resilience, and economic empowerment.
  • Facilitated learning sessions including in-person workshops and tailored coaching to build entrepreneurial, financial literacy, and leadership skills among displaced and returnee women, fostering pathways to sustainable livelihoods.
  • Coordinated the end-to-end implementation of UN Women-funded economy enhancement program, overseeing project planning, budget forecasting, and resource allocation to ensure timely, efficient, and gender-transformative delivery of services.
  • Defined project scope, deliverables, and results frameworks in collaboration with UN Women, local government actors, and community stakeholders, ensuring alignment with national reintegration priorities and securing stakeholder buy-in.
  • Oversaw day-to-day field implementation of activities targeting returnee and displaced populations, managing risks, addressing delivery bottlenecks, and initiating corrective measures to ensure impact and accountability.
  • Contributed to advocacy and knowledge sharing by documenting lessons learned, facilitating visibility through community stories and learning products, and promoting women's voices in reintegration programming.

Program Analyst

Accelerated Learning
Addis Ababa
10.2018 - 09.2020
  • Conducted regular school visits—including partner and non-partner sites—for classroom observations, data collection, and relationship building with teachers, administrators, returnee learners, and parents.
  • Identified and resolved implementation challenges on the ground, ensuring smooth operations and proactively communicating risks and corrective actions to RDP focal points and stakeholders.
  • Established partnerships with non-partner schools by organizing demo sessions and stakeholder briefings, expanding program reach to returnee and displaced communities.
  • Designed and delivered capacity-building workshops and one-on-one coaching for teachers, school managers, and community volunteers—embedding trauma-informed and inclusive pedagogical practices.
  • Developed, reviewed, and updated training content and facilitator guides for professional development sessions tailored to the needs of returnee and displaced learners.
  • Organized and led professional development seminars, interactive training sessions, and peer-learning circles to strengthen instructional quality and adaptive teaching methods.
  • Provided constructive feedback through post-observation debriefs, collaborating with education specialists to set performance targets and action plans for continuous teacher improvement.
  • Collaborated with school leadership, education bureaus, and RDP partners to conduct joint monitoring & learning exercises, synthesizing field insights into recommendations for program design and policy integration.

Teacher

Vision Academy
Addis Ababa
09.2012 - 10.2018
  • Develop curriculum to meet developmental goals and instructional activities
  • Prepare lesson materials, grade papers, manage the classroom, and evaluate and give feedback to students
  • Exercise open and respectful communication with families, co-workers, supervisors, and other school staff
  • Measure progress and accomplishments of students towards their academic achievements on a regular basis and provide progress reports as required
  • Attend conferences and workshops to further advance professional development
  • Manage student behavior in accordance with outlined guidelines
  • Provide a safe, thriving, and respectful environment for all students in the classroom
  • Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to facilitate and moderate classroom discussions and student-centered learning.
  • Scheduled tutoring sessions to help students improve grades and gain better grasp course material.

Education

Construction Technology and Management -

EiABC, Addis Ababa University
Addis Ababa
02.2019

Management -

Unity University
Addis Ababa
07.2015

Key Skills

  • Programme Design & Implementation: Skilled in designing, planning, and executing education and inclusion programs, including those targeting displaced and marginalized populations.
  • Results-Based Management (RBM): Strong track record in applying RBM principles to drive accountability, monitor progress, and achieve measurable impact.
  • Stakeholder Coordination & Partnership Building: Proven ability to engage, coordinate, and maintain effective partnerships with government entities, UN agencies, civil society, and community actors.
  • Gender-Responsive & Inclusive Programming: Expertise in mainstreaming gender and disability inclusion across policies, programs, and monitoring frameworks.
  • Youth Empowerment & Leadership: Committed to advancing youth engagement through leadership programs, capacity development, and inclusive participation mechanisms.
  • Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning: Proficient in designing M&E tools, synthesizing findings, and using data for adaptive learning and strategic decision-making.
  • Communication & Reporting: Adept at translating complex data and results into clear, persuasive narratives for donors, policymakers, and community stakeholders.
  • Multilateral Development Experience: Understanding of UN systems and development partner modalities, with a focus on cross-sectoral collaboration and sustainable outcomes.

Languages

Amharic
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2

Certification

  • Training of Trainers in Basic Business Skill
  • Training of Trainer in Trauma Healing and Psychosocial Support
  • Instructional Design Technologies: Learning Theories

References

Tesfay Asgedom (PhD)

Associate Professor| Addis Ababa University

 asgedom.esfay@gmail.com

+251911764868

Alemayehu Hailu (PhD)

Senior Director of Programs | Luminos Fund

 alemayehu@luminosfund.org

+251911698345

Seleshi Getahun

Education Specialist | UNICEF 

smelisie@unicef.org

+251911111846

Timeline

Education Officer – STEP for Girls and Learning

UNICEF
01.2025 - Current

Program Manager

Luminos Fund
05.2022 - 08.2024

Learning and Development Manager

Idea Consulting PLC
12.2021 - 05.2022

Senior Training Coordinator

Info Mind Solutions/Dereja.com
06.2021 - 12.2021

Senior Trainer & Project Coordinator

Organization for Women in Self Employment
09.2020 - 06.2021

Program Analyst

Accelerated Learning
10.2018 - 09.2020

Teacher

Vision Academy
09.2012 - 10.2018

Construction Technology and Management -

EiABC, Addis Ababa University

Management -

Unity University

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Lula Yibaleh