My name is Terry Otieno.

I am a Public Policy Specialist with over 7 years of professional experience working in Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Adaptation, Civil Society Engagement in UN Policy Processes, and Business Development in the private sector.

I have authored two global policy frameworks recognized by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) at the 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025) and by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9). 

I have a proven track record of facilitating €2,000,000 in civil society grants, as well as leading key 2030 Agenda policy processes, including the 2024 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) and the Summit of the Future, on behalf of 17 civil society groups in the UNDRR Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism. This includes direct membership of 3,000 in SEM, 3,500 in the Sendai Children and Youth Constituency, and indirect membership of 50,000 in other constituencies' databases. I have experience working across various time zones in diverse, multicultural settings. 

I have travelled internationally 16 times, across the United States, Europe, Asia, and Africa, advocating for both vertical and horizontal integration of resilience-building strategies as well as the inclusion of civil society in policy decision-making processes. These efforts have contributed to development policies that guide local actions while ensuring communities are shock-proofed against future risks and negative cascading effects.

I am fluent in English and Kiswahili, with intermediate proficiency in French (A2).