Declan Ottaro

Declan Ottaro is the COO at Ushahidi, a position they have held since December 2018. Prior to that, they were the Director of Programs & Project Director - DREAMS at Ushahidi from September 2013 to December 2018, where they successfully delivered a $1.8m PEPFAR funded innovation project supporting 15 Civil Society and Government partners across 3 countries to use technology to support evidence-based decision making.

Some of their key responsibilities included leading engagement with donors, government & civil society partners, conducting staff recruitment, management & appraisals, providing project oversight from conceptualisation to closing, preparing quarterly, annual, final report & evaluations, and internal & external communications. Declan was also responsible for preparing annual work plans, budget formulation & management, performance tracking using Objectives and key results (OKRs), and ensuring compliance with restricted donor funds regulations.

As a member of Senior Management team, they participated in high-level decision making and company strategy formulation and implementation. Declan oversaw operations & finances at the Nairobi Headquarters and participated in financial audits. Declan also set up new unit to streamline programs & tech product teams’ work.

In addition to their managerial responsibilities, they were also involved in fundraising activities including sourcing and writing grant applications, business development activities including meetings, presentations & proposals to potential clients, contracting partners, training on the use of tech, and developing sustainability plans after project close. Declan was also involved in

Their manager is Angela Oduor Lungati, CEO. Declan Ottaro works with David Losada Carballo - CTO, Daniel Odongo - Director of Implementation, and Cecilia Hinga - Community Advocate.