Open to opportunities

Adé User

@aduser2

I lead African Union programmes advancing civil society, peace and security, gender equality, and evidence-based policy.

Zambia

Message

What I'm looking for

I'm looking to lead and deliver cross-continental development programmes that advance peace and security, gender equality, governance, climate justice, and meaningful civil society participation.

I lead CSO accreditation, policy research, and high-level civil society engagement at the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC), including the AU–EU Ministerial CSO Youth Forum and AU–EU CSO Youth Mechanism.

Previously, I supported delivery of the EU-African Peace and Security Architecture programme across African regions, built partnerships with governments, CSOs, RECs/RMs, and multilateral agencies, and designed capacity-building workshops for more than 100 CSOs. At the African Union Commission’s Women, Gender & Youth Directorate, I led advocacy and stakeholder coordination for the All for Maputo Protocol initiative.

I bring PRINCE2-certified project management, monitoring and evaluation, policy analysis, resource mobilization, and donor coordination experience. Earlier at San Francisco AIDS Foundation, I managed direct-response fundraising campaigns generating more than $3M in donor revenue.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Programme Officer

Current

African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOS

Apr 2024 - Present (2 years 4 months)

Lead the management of the CSO accreditation project, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting. Develop policy briefs and coordinate high-level engagements to advance civil society participation.

Project Management Stakeholder Engagement Policy Analysis Research M&E Accreditation Database Management Report Writing Partnership Development Resource Mobilization

Junior Technical Expert

African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOS

Dec 2021 - Dec 2023 (2 years)

Supported project management and implementation of the EU-APSA IV programme, establishing strategic partnerships and providing technical leadership. Designed and facilitated capacity-building workshops for over 100 CSOs.

Project Management Stakeholder Engagement Capacity Building Research Policy Analysis Knowledge Product Development Partnership Development

Advocacy Expert

African Union Commission: Women, Gender & Youth Directorate

Aug 2020 - Aug 2021 (1 year)

Led strategic advocacy and stakeholder coordination under the 'All for Maputo Protocol' initiative. Facilitated multi-stakeholder dialogues and contributed to policy reviews and research.

Advocacy Stakeholder Engagement Policy Analysis Research M&E Campaign Management Report Writing

Development Operations Coordinator

San Francisco AIDS Foundation

May 2019 - May 2020 (1 year)

Managed direct response fundraising campaigns generating over $3M in donor revenue. Coordinated cross-functional fundraising operations and maintained donor records using CRM systems.

Fundraising Donor Relations CRM Salesforce Project Management Data Analysis Event Coordination

Graduate Enrollment Assistant

University of San Francisco

Apr 2018 - Dec 2018 (8 months)

Served as a Graduate Student Ambassador, advising prospective students on admissions procedures. Facilitated processing of graduate applications and developed a financial data tracking system.

Student Advising Admissions Data Management CRM Event Support

Development, Events, and Social Media Intern

Positive Resource Center

Aug 2018 - Nov 2018 (3 months)

Managed donor data and communications, supported event coordination, volunteer engagement, and digital outreach.

Donor Relations Event Coordination Social Media Data Management

Advocacy Intern

Remley Women’s Center

Aug 2015 - May 2017 (1 year 9 months)

Supported center operations and organized programs and advocacy initiatives on sexual assault and gender-based violence prevention.

Advocacy Program Coordination Event Organization

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Luiss Guido Carli

Executive Master, Global Public Diplomacy and Sustainable Development

2022 - 2022

Executive Master in Global Public Diplomacy and Sustainable Development from Luiss Guido Carli, Rome, Italy, from March 2022 to November 2022.

University of San Francisco

Master of Arts, International Studies

2017 - 2018

Grade: Magna Cum Laude

Master of Arts in International Studies with Magna Cum Laude from the University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA, from August 2017 to December 2018.

Westminster College

Bachelor of Arts, Transnational Studies

2013 - 2017

Grade: Dean's List Honors

Bachelor of Arts with a major in Transnational Studies and a minor in Women & Gender Studies, with Dean's List Honors, from Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri, USA, from August 2013 to May 2017.

Home Science Association Secondary School

High School Diploma, General Education

2008 - 2013

Completed rigorous WAEC courses in Mathematics, Economics, Biology, English, and Literature at Home Science Association Secondary School, Lagos, Nigeria, from September 2008 to July 2013.