Open to opportunities

Joan Ireri

@joanireri

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Senior Protection & Justice Programme Leader advancing gender justice, safeguarding, and inclusive access to justice.

Kenya

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What I'm looking for

I am looking to lead protection and justice programmes focused on safeguarding, GBV prevention/response, disability inclusion, and access to justice—working closely with government, civil society, and donors to strengthen systems, evidence, and survivor-centered outcomes.

I am a senior programme leader and an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with 15+ years of experience driving gender justice, child protection, safeguarding, and disability inclusion across Kenya and the East African region. I lead protection-focused programming that strengthens systems—so women, children, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities can access safety, justice, and recovery.

I have built and managed disability-inclusive and GBV response programmes, including designing safeguarding policies, child protection frameworks, client safeguarding tools, and safe house procedures. I also established and led temporary shelter support for GBV survivors, linking clients to protection, legal support, referrals, and recovery services.

My approach combines programme strategy with strong MERL and compliance: I designed MERL tools and reporting systems that improved programme tracking, evidence use, and donor communication. I consistently translate field learning into practical adjustments, while strengthening accountability systems, case documentation, and senior management reporting.

Across roles—from Program Manager at This Ability Trust to Programmes Director at Safe Spaces—I partner with government, civil society, donors, and community actors to improve outcomes through survivor-centered protection referral systems and rights-based justice programming. I bring policy advocacy experience connected to the Kenyan Gender Barometer and the East African Gender Equality and Development Act, and I was recognized by the British High Commission for contributions to a Kenya–UK child protection investigation.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Program Manager

Current

This Ability Trust

Dec 2024 - Present (1 year 6 months)

Led disability-inclusive development programmes, overseeing programme delivery, team coordination, compliance, budgeting, monitoring and reporting, and stakeholder engagement.

Programme Leadership Disability Inclusion Safeguarding Budgeting Donor Compliance Monitoring Stakeholder Engagement Team Supervision

Current

Board Member (Volunteer)

Current

SPEAK Kenya

Dec 2023 - Present (2 years 6 months)

Provided board-level oversight on programme direction, financial stewardship, risk considerations, and organizational performance, supporting governance and accountability.

Board Governance Strategic Oversight Stewardship Accountability Transparency

Programs Coordinator & MERL Associate

Centre for Domestic Training & Development

Jan 2024 - Nov 2024 (10 months)

Coordinated programmes and MERL processes for domestic worker and SGBV-related support, improving tracking, reporting quality, and evidence use.

Programme Coordination Data Analysis Donor Reporting Field Monitoring Case Documentation Stakeholder Engagement

Programs Director

Safe Spaces — Women & Child Rights Programs

Jun 2020 - Dec 2022 (2 years 6 months)

Directed women and child rights programming across GBV prevention, SRHR, safeguarding, shelter support, legal advisory, and survivor protection.

Child Protection SRHR Programming Shelter Coordination Survivor Support Partnership Building

Women's Rights Awareness Coordinator

Women’s Rights Awareness Programme

Jan 2014 - Dec 2018 (4 years 11 months)

Coordinated shelter and legal aid programmes supporting women and children survivors of violence through protection services, legal assistance, referrals, and documentation.

Shelter Coordination Survivor Support Protection Referrals Case Documentation Stakeholder Engagement Outreach

Access to Justice Program Manager

The Cradle — The Children’s Foundation

Dec 2012 - Dec 2013 (1 year)

Managed access to justice interventions for children in conflict with the law and survivors of child abuse, coordinating legal and psychosocial services with partner institutions.

Child Protection Case Management Psychosocial Coordination Child Sensitive Justice Case Documentation

Legal Officer & Project Coordinator

Women’s Rights Awareness Programme

Jan 2010 - Nov 2012 (2 years 10 months)

Provided legal and programme support within shelter and legal aid interventions for women and children survivors of GBV, including criminal justice and custody-related case support.

Legal Advisory Case Documentation GBV Support Criminal Justice Support Custody & Maintenance Cases Shelter & Legal Aid Coordination Protection Proceedings Beneficiary Recordkeeping

Paralegal Training Facilitator

SPEAK Kenya

Dec 2023 - Present (2 years 6 months)

Facilitated a paralegal training programme covering legal rights, justice procedures, community legal support, and access to justice pathways for marginalized participants.

Paralegal Capacity Building Training Facilitation

Technical Consultant

SPEAK Kenya / UNDP — Amkeni Wakenya

Aug 2023 - Present (2 years 10 months)

Contributed technical inputs to a UNDP–Amkeni Wakenya funding proposal focused on access to justice for marginalized women and girls in Nakuru County.

Rights Based Programming Proposal Development Monitoring & Evaluation Justice Sector Interventions Stakeholder Engagement Donor Compliance