Catherine Kyenret Angai
Ashford,UK
Summary
Expertise in policy advocacy and government engagement with proven skills in training design, facilitation, and programme management. Experienced in grant management, qualitative research, and stakeholder partnership development. Proficient in behavioural science applications, governance project coordination, and policy writing. Committed to mentoring and team building to drive impactful initiatives.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
3998
3998
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Behavioural Insights Team
Consultant
London, Remote
2024.05 - 2024.07
- Designed and delivered a behavioural science training programme on anti-corruption for senior policy actors.
- Facilitated workshops and provided advisory support to strengthen application within policy and governance contexts.
- Developed training materials integrating behavioural insights with institutional and political realities.
Governance, Behavioural Change & Programme Design
Independent Consultant
, UK / Nigeria
2020.01 - 2022.05
- Designed and developed training manuals and programme handbooks for civil society organisations, translating governance and anti-corruption concepts into practical tools.
- Led and coordinated end-to-end delivery of knowledge products, from research and drafting to final outputs.
- Managed client relationships, ensuring alignment between organisational needs and deliverables.
- Coordinated multidisciplinary teams conducting primary research, desk research, and content development.
- Supported the upgrade of the Partners United platform, improving usability for researchers and practitioners.
- Designed and supported user feedback processes and worked with human-centred design specialists and software developers to translate insights into platform improvements.
- Ensured effective coordination across research, design, and technical teams.
Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA)
Programme and Advocacy Coordinator
Abuja, Nigeria
2016.06 - 2021.12
- Managed a portfolio of over 50 civil society organisations across West Africa, overseeing grantmaking, programme design, implementation, and reporting.
- Led and managed the DFID-funded Deepening Democracy in Nigeria programme, with a total portfolio of over £10 million.
- Managed the institutional relationship between OSIWA and DFID/FCDO, ensuring alignment, reporting, and delivery.
- Led programmes on democratic governance, human rights, and accountability, working across civil society, government, and regional institutions.
- Designed and supported advocacy initiatives engaging government actors, regional bodies, and international organisations.
- Developed policy briefs, advocacy materials, and programme strategies.
- Led regional initiatives on preventing and countering violent extremism, including designing and delivering training for military officers at the National Defence College, Nigeria.
- Contributed to the adoption of ACHPR Resolution 368 (2017) on human rights in counter-terrorism.
- Managed large-scale electoral and citizen engagement programmes across Nigeria.
- Led a national accountability initiative tracking government campaign promises, later replicated across six West African countries.
- Co-developed training manuals on anti-corruption and integrity using behavioural approaches, including the COM-B model.
- Built and maintained strategic stakeholder relationships across West Africa.
Behavioural Insights Team
Consultant
, US (Remote)
2020.03 - 2021.04
- Provided technical support to the MacArthur Foundation Behavioural Change Cohort (11 organisations).
- Co-designed and facilitated capacity-building sessions on behaviour mapping, problem definition, and intervention design.
- Supported organisations to apply behavioural approaches within faith-based, media, and policy interventions.
- Produced analytical insights on Nigeria’s governance context to inform programme strategy.
MacArthur Foundation
Advisor
, Nigeria
2018.06 - 2019.07
- Provided strategic advisory support to anti-corruption and behavioural change programmes.
- Supported grantees in integrating accountability approaches into project design and implementation.
- Acted as a thought partner on programme direction and delivery challenges.
Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA)
Programme Coordinator
Abuja, Nigeria
2013.06 - 2016.05
- Led the Democracy and Accountability Programme in Nigeria.
- Designed and implemented over 20 governance and accountability projects.
- Managed grants and programme delivery, ensuring timely reporting and adaptive management.
- Built networks across civil society and policy actors.
International Centre for Prison Studies
Research Intern
London, King’s College London
2010.01 - 2010.04
Garba Pwul (SAN) & Company
Legal Officer
, Nigeria
2006.01 - 2007.01
Education
Master’s - Human Rights Law
Central European University
BudapestBarrister at Law (BL) - Law
Nigerian Law School
AbujaLL.B - Civil Law
Ahmadu Bello University
ZariaPhD (Doctoral Researcher) - Development Studies
Institute of Development Studies
UK 2022.09 -
Skills
- Policy advocacy and government engagement
- Training design and facilitation
- Programme and grant management
- Qualitative research and analysis
- Stakeholder and partnership management
- Behavioural science and governance
- Project coordination and delivery
- Policy and programme writing
- Mentoring
- Team building
Websites
Certification
- Certificate in Public Policy Analysis, London School of Economics and Political Science (2022)
- Applying Behavioural Insights to the Design of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education (2016)
- Fundamentals of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, University of Sussex (2025)
TEACHING, TRAINING AND SPEAKING
- Associate Lecturer, Canterbury Christ Church University (2024–2025): Delivered teaching on Contemporary Issues in Law and supported student learning.
- Teaching Assistant, Institute of Development Studies (2023–2024): Mentored Master’s students on research design and dissertations; facilitated group sessions.
- Mentor, Policy Innovation Centre BINT Fellowship Programme: Supported fellows in designing small-scale, seed-funded policy innovation projects.
- Delivered training for Mastercard Foundation Scholars at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
- Invited speaker at Jesus College, Cambridge.
- Designed and delivered training for government officials, civil society organisations, police, and magistrates.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Behavioural Insights Team
Consultant
2024.05 - 2024.07
PhD (Doctoral Researcher) - Development Studies
Institute of Development Studies
2022.09 -
Behavioural Insights Team
Consultant
2020.03 - 2021.04
Governance, Behavioural Change & Programme Design
Independent Consultant
2020.01 - 2022.05
MacArthur Foundation
Advisor
2018.06 - 2019.07
Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA)
Programme and Advocacy Coordinator
2016.06 - 2021.12
Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA)
Programme Coordinator
2013.06 - 2016.05
International Centre for Prison Studies
Research Intern
2010.01 - 2010.04
Garba Pwul (SAN) & Company
Legal Officer
2006.01 - 2007.01
Master’s - Human Rights Law
Central European University
Barrister at Law (BL) - Law
Nigerian Law School
LL.B - Civil Law
Ahmadu Bello University