Open to opportunities

Karen Mwewa Bwalya

@karenmwewabwalya

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PeopleOps and research-minded HR intern blending data, outreach, and analytical writing.

Turkey

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a people- and data-driven role where I can support recruitment and onboarding, apply research to improve processes, and communicate clearly in an impact-focused, international team.

I’m a PeopleOps and HR-focused early-career professional with a strong research background in education management. I’ve translated complex information into clear outputs through scholarly and policy research, literature reviews, and cross-national analysis, then applied that same analytical mindset to real-world people operations and service delivery.

In my recent experience with UN Volunteers, I supported the “We the Women” outreach phase by contacting 40+ women across Africa and Europe to strengthen survey data collection and team coordination. As a PeopleOps Intern (virtual), I conducted weekly interviews via Google Meet, managed end-to-end recruitment and onboarding using Trello, and researched modern Talent Management and Agile HR practices while collaborating cross-functionally to provide operational support.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Outreach Support Volunteer

United Nations Volunteers

Reached out to 40+ women across Africa and Europe to support the survey phase, contributing to data collection over two weeks. Supported the “We the Women” campaign by assisting outreach activities and volunteers during a three-week outreach period.

Outreach Data Collection Community Engagement Volunteer coordination Cross Cultural Communication

Zonal Census Coordinator

Zambia Statistics Agency

Carried out the registration and training of 700 enumerators for the Zambia national E-census 2022 and oversaw 23 teams of enumerators and supervisors. Ensured deployment of census materials and enabled enumeration of 13,000+ households through logistics support, community sensitization, and permit management.

Census Operations Enumerator Training Team Management Logistics Coordination Community Sensitization Deployment Data Collection

Customer Service Officer

Lusaka Grocery Delivery Company

Handled inbound and outbound customer calls, addressing inquiries, processing orders, and resolving complaints to ensure customer satisfaction. Processed refunds, exchanges, and compensation requests while documenting cases and coordinating with delivery and operations teams to communicate real-time order updates.

Customer Support Order Processing Refund Requests Complaint Resolution Case Documentation Customer Communications Service Improvement

PeopleOps Intern

Culturelligence

Conducted weekly interviews with prospective hires via Google Meet and supported end-to-end recruitment and onboarding. Managed new-hire onboarding using Trello and conducted research on talent management and Agile HR practices while providing operational support to the South African team.

Recruitment Interviewing Onboarding Trello Talent Management Agile HR Research Cross Functional Collaboration

Youth Environmental Defender

Centre For Environment Justice

Led and collaborated on youth programs focused on environmental protection and climate change, including awareness meetings in educational institutions. Proposed and supported youth engagement initiatives in secondary schools and participated in media interviews to advocate for youth-led environmental protection.

Environmental Education Youth Program Delivery Awareness Campaigns Public Speaking Interview Educational Outreach

Administrative Intern - HR

The Kamwala Secondary School

Supported COVID-19 risk communication, including facilitating a workshop for teachers on outbreak management protocols. Managed and processed HR-related data such as leave requests and employee information, and helped organize virtual and in-person events.

HR & Administration Data Management Workshop Facilitation Event Coordination Internal Communications Administrative Support Risk Communication

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

İstanbul Sabahattın Zaim Üniversitesi

Master's in Education Management, Education Management

Conducted scholarly and policy research, integrating complex data into understandable results through literature reviews and cross-national analysis. Compiled findings into succinct summaries and maintained organized lists of publications, sources, and references.

University of Zambia

Education Administration and Management, Education Administration and Management

Completed coursework in educational leadership, administration, and management, building strong analytical and writing skills through research assignments and academic papers. Minored in English Literature and Grammar and completed Chinese and Japanese electives to strengthen cross-cultural, multilingual communication.