Arnette Akello Okeny

As the committee head on the UNRA Staff SACCO board I am responsible to oversee all aspects of the SACCO's employee and welfare relations, including recruitment, management and SACCO Board of Directors development, compensation and benefits, performance management, ensuring compliance with employment laws, and maintaining a positive workplace culture by resolving conflicts and mediating between management SACCO Board and SACCO members. The HR Committee and I develop and implement HR strategies aligned with the Staff SACCOs overall goals while prioritizing management and SACCO members’ well-being and legal adherence. Achievements • I assisted in the implementation of the SACCO’s HR strategies and developed training programs for the management, SACCO Board and the SACCO members. • I ensured the SACCO Management team took leave in accordance with the SACCO policy and made sure the leave was planned for and taken. • I participated in developing the SACCO policies, guidelines and procedures. • I oversaw the implementation of internship program in the SACCO. • I coordinated with the SACCO management and HR Board Committee the recruitment of the loan’s officer and facilitated their timely recruitment. • I assisted in the management of the disciplinary process of a case concerning a former employee of the SACCO Management. • Smooth administration of HR Committee, timely delivery of reports and strict adherence to set budgets. • I continue to make improvements in HR administration and provide support in all HR functions.

As an Internal auditor, I ensure completeness and accuracy of all financial, statistical and accounting records. I make surprise checks on physical cash in hand and liaising with the audit committee in the course of operations of the Sacco as required by law. Vouching and verifying all purchases was one of the many tasks I provided support in. I also examine finances, create reports, and follow up with recommended changes. The committee and I stayed informed on compliance law, monitored changes in regulations, and communicated issues with relevant SACCO Board Committees Achievements • I ensured that the Sacco continuously aligned it goals with its activities through monitoring the activities and also gave advice on the goals not achieved and recommended on how to ensure they were achieved. • I strengthened the SACCO's ability to create, protect, and sustain value by providing the board and management with independent, risk-based, and objective assurance, advice, insight, and foresight. • I enhanced the SACCO's appraisals submitted on time which facilitated timely decision making.

As Regional Administrative Assistant, I establish administrative needs for the stations within my region in consultation with the Station Managers, Regional Managers, Heads of Department and Directors. I am tasked with coordinating with the relevant departments to ensure procedures, practices and processes are in place to support strategic work and directions. I have oversight of all region employee’s implementation of performance agreements and appraisals and send communication to them to ensure the efficient delivery of the performance management strategy. I also monitor implementation of systems for timely resolution of internal and external customer issues for effectiveness of service. I’m required to provide leadership in the development, promotion and implementation of HR strategy/policy that guides staff behavior, conduct, and commitment to achieve organization mission and objective. Achievements • Successfully had all 2021 annual staff appraisals submitted on time which facilitated timely decision making. • Arranged and coordinated regional meetings every quarter for feedback to improve efficiency of the stations and also participated in Stakeholder engagements to create external customer satisfaction. • Reduced escalation of complaints by external stakeholders by 60% over the past 6 years by promptly submitting their complaints to the right departments. • Classified, indexed, managed and ensured safe filing of records and documents in the regional office. • Participated in station planning, budgeting and administration in line with station guidelines • Contributed to the improvement in communication between staff and boosted their confidence by enforcing strict adherence to team building activities. • Ensured Smooth administration of the regional stations, timely delivery of monthly reports and strict adherence to set work plans and budgets.

• In this capacity, I was charged with reviewing, implementing and monitoring the implementation of human resource welfare, employee relations and payroll management in line with the Human Resource policies and procedures. I was also providing support to the Human Resource Managers, Human Resource Director and the Top Management Team, including implementing day to day HR office administrative duties, HR monthly reports and disbursing staff contracts and managing staff personal files during file audits among others. Achievements • Pioneered the then leave Management System that was used until a new and better system was introduced. At the time the leave system reduced company expenditure on paper by about 80%. • Tracked and managed the leave for staff and reminded staff to go on leave through scheduled reports to the Manager Employee Relations. • Through bench marking and extensive research I introduced and implemented the UNRA staff SACCO. One of the core activities was to make presentations about the product in order to get buy in from the different stakeholders. Utilizing my mobilization and negotiation skills, I have together with the committee managed to grow the UNRA SACCO to 1200 members that has share capital and savings of over 3.4billion Ugandan Shillings. • Through my performance with regard to the timely and accurate submission of the payroll registers for the UNRA Main employee payroll UNRA staff were able to promptly get their salary on the 22nd day of each month and I consistently beat the timeline at the end of each month. • Participated in the implementation of UNRA’s HR policies such as pay roll, compensation, medical insurance and staff welfare among others. • Promptly and satisfactorily responded to HR payroll and welfare audit queries from both internal and external audit teams. • Successfully created a friendly HR environment where staff freely come and ask, consult and seek counseling on different personnel issues. • Participate in counselling employees and ensured that their grievances were heard and resolved in liaison with Manager Employee Relations. • Handled the restructuring and recruiting process effectively. • All monthly timesheets were submitted to the Head Finance with almost zero error the next working day after the payroll period. • Prepared and submitted the UNRA staff payroll that included a variety of deductions in line with approved guidelines to the Manager Employee Relations.

In this role I was charged with providing assistance to the top management committee executives and the Makindye Division urban council and was often trusted with sensitive information. In addition to general administrative work, I was in charge of scheduling executive and council meetings, taking minutes during sessions, maintaining databases and producing reports or presentations for their executive leadership and the council. I was charged with the smooth administrative operation of the Service Center, collection of all billed energy, maintaining an accurate customer database and monitoring expenditure within set budgets. Achievements • Introduced the use of an electronic calendar which improved efficiency and coordination. • 100% of Makindye Urban Council Meetings smoothly executed with timely delivery of minutes and efficient coordination of logistics. • Smooth administration of Mayor’s office, timely delivery of periodic reports and strict adherence to set budgets.