Expert Views

By Cecilia Okoth

When I was tasked to select one staff member for this spotlight feature, I paused to reflect who could it be? Although I am approaching my third year with the organisation, that time has not quite been enough to fully grasp the depth of everyone’s journeys here. So, I turned to a few colleagues for their input on who they felt had a compelling story to tell. With their insights, one name stood out. A colleague whose professional journey within the organisation paints the picture of a true jack of all trades. But as you will soon discover, her rise was not by accident.

Born the last of fourteen children, Sarah Okot grew up understanding the value of hard work and family. “I am a human resource professional today,” she says, “but it all began with a passion to learn and a willingness to start small.”

She attended Shimoni Demonstration School, Iganga Girls Secondary School, Makerere High School and later Makerere University, where she earned her first degree in Library and Information Science. During her studies, she interned at National Water and Sewerage Corporation and later scouted for nearby opportunities with various organisations and this led her to Hospice Africa where she was absorbed in their Resource Centre to support their records and materials distribution team for three months.

A signpost that changed her life.

Her first real break, however, came unexpectedly. Sarah had gone to take care of her sister who was scheduled for surgery at Rubaga Hospital. On their way out, she noticed a signpost: Christian Children’s Fund.

“I just made a mental note,” she says. “After my sister was discharged, I applied to volunteer with the organization on a Friday and to my surprise, was called before the end of the day to report on Monday.”

Sarah as a fresh graduate from University

That Monday in January 2005 marked the start of a life-changing journey at ChildFund.

Sarah began as a volunteer in the sponsorship department, joining a team of passionate peers like Jared, Annet, Naomi, Victoria and the late Jennifer. She was attached to the sponsorship department. Here, they majorly prepared children’s letters, handled sponsor inquiries and even went on sponsor visits when supervisors were on leave.

“We earned just Sh60,000 a month and even that would come every two months,” Sarah laughs.

By August 2005, she was appointed as a trainee with the title Assistant Sponsorship and Communications Officer. The role came with added responsibilities, rapporteur duties, data management and acting for supervisors and a modest pay increment of sh 300,000. A year later, she secured her first official appointment as Documentation and Resource Centre Officer.

“I took benchmarking visits to sister organisations to learn how to organise resource centres,” she says. But in 2007, as the grants portfolio increased, the resource centre was dissolved to create space for more staff. This change took her to a new role as an administrative assistant, where she provided frontline customer care and supported the Human Resource function.

A vacant role in the Country Director’s office was next. “The Operations Director approached me about being an Executive Assistant,” she says. Despite her initial hesitation, she took the role in 2007 and worked with Country Directors like Susan Watkins, Simba Machingaidze and the Regional Operations Director Davidson Jonah.

“This role made me think deeply about my future and I needed to define my career path and that is when I took the decision to go back to school,” she adds.

She enrolled for a master’s degree in Business Administration, majoring in Human Resource Management and graduated in 2009 October. By January 2010, she was promoted to the Human Resource Officer following the HR Manager’s Resignation. She took on this role at the same time acting as the Human Resource & Administration Manager.

In 2012 after she had recruited the Human Resource Manager, she got an opportunity for secondment to the ChildFund Zambia office for six months and acted as the Human Resource Manager. Here, she promoted people and culture strategy, leadership development, staff and organizational well being as well as supporting the country to recruit the Human Resource Manager.

She wore many hats, Human Resource officer, Acting Human Resource Manager and served until July 2019. Due to organizational changes, her role evolved into a Human Resource and Administration Coordinator. Here, she began supervising 11 staff and this expanded her impact across the department.

She however recalls, balancing work and evening classes proved difficult. “My supervisor often worked late, so I had to wait before heading to campus. I resorted to catching up on weekends and used leave days to study.”

Then came the most painful chapter, the loss of her mother in 2006, just after she was confirmed as full-time staff (Human Resource officer). “I almost quit. I wanted to care for my mum,” she adds. Through the highs and lows, Sarah never gave up. She found strength in purpose and community.

Rising to the Top

In 2022, the position of Global Sr. Human Resource Manager was advertised. Sarah had taken some time off after the loss of her dad, to connect with her siblings. However, unsure of her readiness, she reluctantly applied for the role a few minutes to the deadline.

“The interview panel included the Global Vice President Human Resources, the Africa HR Business Partner and Country Director. I was scared but by God’s grace, I got the job,” she says with a smile.

As the Global Senior HR Manager, Sarah now oversees HR service delivery and organisational effectiveness in Uganda. She works closely with Senior Management Team and collaborates across global HR representatives for delivery of services through the global shared services. She is part of a network that includes Human Resource Management teams in Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, Gambia, Senegal, Guninea, Sierra Leon and the Global HR Community.

“When I think about HR, the first thing that comes to mind is people management,” she explains. “To manage people, you need humility. You must appreciate each person for who they are. If you level the ground and treat everyone equally, it makes the HR function easier.”

She knows the job isn’t always easy. “Not everyone will like you or agree with your decisions. But policies are key and you must be consistent.”

Her leadership style has left a lasting impact. “People always say the way I treat my team is different from other institutions they have worked for. That is a vote of confidence I do not take for granted.”

Team Spirit, Family Values and Lasting Impact

Sarah, second left participates in Christmas Carols during a team building session.

Sarah finds strength in her team and MAGIC Experience. “We do not push each other around. We rally around one another naturally like family.” She recalls a time when two staff members lost their fathers in the same week. “The team quickly figured out how to divide themselves to attend both burials.”

She is also proud of the legacy ChildFund has built. “We have produced Country Directors and Leaders. ChildFund is a training ground and I am proud to be part of that.”

Her proudest achievement? Earning her Master’s degree. “I paid for it myself. I was deliberate about investing in my future.” She has since joined HR networks such as the Uganda Human Resources Association of Uganda, Federation of Uganda Employers, Avado Human Resources community group, Franklin Convey Community and International Non-Governmental Organizations Human Resources Network. She has also participated in leadership and communication trainings that are sharpening her professional edge.

Work without play…

Outside work, Sarah is a devoted mother and family enthusiast. “I enjoy traveling, listening to gospel music, watching investigative documentaries and taking online courses. But most of all, I love spending time with my son. We revise together, go swimming, play and plan our days like a team.”

At this point in her career, Sarah defines success as “hard work, patience and continuous learning.” She encourages others to embrace humble beginnings and surround themselves with strong support networks.

“For every young person walking into an office today, unsure of where the road leads, trust the process, do the work and the rest will follow.”