Obiananma Agbim
Summary
Policy and Government Affairs Specialist with 7 years of experience driving strategic engagement, policy analysis, and advocacy initiatives across the United Nations, multilateral institutions and U.S. federal agencies. Skilled in building relationships with government stakeholders, analyzing regulatory and legislative trends, and developing evidence-based policy recommendations aligned with public and private sector priorities. Demonstrated expertise in labor mobility, ESG, financial inclusion, and compliance in complex policy environments. Proven ability to translate technical issues into clear, actionable insights to support government engagement, coalition-building, and mission-driven objectives.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Public Policy Manager
United Nations-International Labour Organization
Washington, DC & Geneva
03.2022 - 05.2025
- Integrated gender and social inclusion considerations into Bilateral Labor Migration Agreements between 26 countries, addressing critical issues such as equal pay, fair recruitment, and social protection for women migrants and refugees.
- Orchestrated partnerships among multiple U.S. federal agencies—including Department of Labor, USAID, Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, and Department of Homeland Security—to design and enhance bilateral and multilateral labour migration frameworks across U.S.–Mexico–Central America corridor.
- Serve as a primary liaison for the US Public Policy team’s relationships with third-party organizations, including trade associations, think tanks, advocacy groups, and other nonprofits.
- Championed initiatives for skills certification and recognition, resulting in economic empowerment of over 300 women migrants and a 23% reduction in informality rates within feminised sectors in the United States.
- Developed gender-responsive reintegration programs, aligned skills recognition policies, and integrated social protection measures for returning migrant workers, ensuring coherence with international labor standards and U.S. development priorities.
- Coordinated ILO’s input into the European Union’s Skills and Talent Mobility Partnership package, highlighted in ‘Recitals 6 & 23’, showcasing ability to influence regional policies.
- Facilitated Global Skills Partnership on Migration (GSPM), a multi-agency coalition comprising ILO, IOM, UNESCO, IOE, and ITUC. Directed work plan formulation, crafted essential policy documents, and oversaw logistics for high-level meetings.
- Regularly monitored and conducted research on matters related to business projects and issues, including relevant government policies and regulatory matters
- Tracked international media narratives regarding migration, enabling ILO Labour Migration Department to address crucial global discussions and emphasise implications for women migrant workers.
- Spoke on record as media spokesperson and Public Information Officer (PIO) for emergency response as required
- Managed projects across 11 countries within WHO-OECD ‘Working for Health’ programme. Tracked deliverables and ensured quality control to uphold standards. Facilitated reporting processes that led to successful Phase II funding acquisition.
- Facilitated 10 country-level capacity-building sessions and developed scalable toolkits and remediation protocols for clients on implementing human rights due diligence, and labour protections for migrant workers. Achieved $63,000 in cost savings by eliminating external consultancy expenses, allowing for strategic fund reallocation.
Policy Analyst
OECD
Paris, France
07.2021 - 01.2022
- Analyzed anti-corruption and accountability mechanisms through high-profile cases (e.g., Panama Papers, BMA) and assessed governance reforms in 11 Oil-rich countries.
- Contributed to OECD policy reporting on fiscal transparency and investigative journalism, reinforcing evidence-based advocacy and global accountability.
- Investigated financial policies and their unintended impacts on human rights, including remittance limitations. Guided 4 financial institutions towards compliance with OECD due diligence standards. Encouraged transparency and inclusion in the finance sector through strategic advisement.
- Conducted research and provided analysis of key policy issues or developments that could affect the financial industry.
- Managed integrated communications programs and led the development of business strategy materials (e.g. talking points, briefing documents, informational materials for public policy stakeholders.) and high-visibility communications materials, including social and digital content, publications, speeches, and presentations.
Program Officer
United Nations - International Trade Centre
Abuja, Nigeria
05.2019 - 09.2020
- Identified income-generating opportunities for refugee and displaced women through in-depth analysis of five agricultural and textile value chains
- Spearheaded inclusion of 67+ refugee- and women-owned businesses within regional and international trade frameworks.
- Represent ITC in industry working groups, coalitions, and at relevant conferences and events.
Policy & Government Affairs Officer
United Nations Women
New York, USA & Nigeria
01.2018 - 05.2019
- Established partnerships with Mastercard to promote financial inclusion for 550 displaced women, and co-led training that helped launch 120 women-led small businesses.
- Supported passage of the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill in Plateau State, advancing women’s rights to education, work, and financial access.
- Collaborated with security and justice actors to strengthen legal accountability for conflict-related sexual violence impacting refugee and displaced women.
- Educate key external stakeholders about women & girls empowerment. How it works, its economic, cultural, and social impact, and how it can be effectively leveraged.
- Supported UN Women’s government relations team on policy issues related to women & children refugee resettlement, immigration policy and other issues impacting marginalized populations
- Led strategic communications and advocacy for the Spotlight Initiative, partnering with government, media, and community leaders to address FGM, child marriage, and girls’ education.
- Helped empower 800 displaced women into traditional decision-making roles—elevating women’s protection priorities across conflict-affected communities in Northeast Nigeria.
- Coordinated national GBV response efforts as secretariat for Development Partner Group on Gender. Aligned stakeholders to ensure cohesive interventions across initiatives. Developed partner mapping tools, reducing duplication by 53%. Optimised strategic resource allocation for GBV prevention and support for vulnerable women.
- Led gender-sensitive risk assessments in Boko Haram-affected IDP camps, uncovering gaps in access to education, protection, and livelihoods for displaced women and girls. Findings informed strategies of 74 humanitarian organizations, resulting in more inclusive and climate-responsive interventions.
- Share feedback from external stakeholders with cross-functional teams to help inform product and policy development.
Strategy Consultant
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
Lagos, Nigeria
08.2017 - 01.2018
- Established process maps and policy manuals for Afrexim Bank and their subsidiaries to ensure smooth payment processing for intra-African trade through strengthened collaboration with Visa and Mastercard.
- Evaluated impacts of mechanization on rural livelihoods, particularly for women and vulnerable groups, while formulating policy recommendations to enhance ethical sourcing and inclusive supply chains.
- Identified, managed, and deepened partnerships with organizations focused on issues such as civil and human rights, online safety, content moderation, privacy, government relations, and civic engagement.
Education
Master of Arts - Development Studies
The Geneva Graduate Institute
Geneva, Switzerland 09.2020 - 09.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Politics & International Studies
University of Warwick
Coventry, United Kingdom 10.2014 - 07.2017
A-Levels - Economics, History, Philosophy
Malvern St James
Worcestershire, United Kingdom 09.2012 - 07.2014
Skills
- Qualitative & quantitative analysis
- Project management & implementation
- Report-writing
- Policy analysis
- Research proficiency
- Policy advocacy
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Stakeholder management
- Event planning
- Legislative and regulatory processes knowledge
Languages
English
Native
French
Intermediate
Timeline
Public Policy Manager
United Nations-International Labour Organization
03.2022 - 05.2025
Policy Analyst
OECD
07.2021 - 01.2022
Master of Arts - Development Studies
The Geneva Graduate Institute
09.2020 - 09.2022
Program Officer
United Nations - International Trade Centre
05.2019 - 09.2020
Policy & Government Affairs Officer
United Nations Women
01.2018 - 05.2019
Strategy Consultant
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
08.2017 - 01.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Politics & International Studies
University of Warwick
10.2014 - 07.2017
A-Levels - Economics, History, Philosophy
Malvern St James
09.2012 - 07.2014
Publications
- www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2024-12/undp_socioecon_ukraine_v10.pdf
- www.ilo.org/publications/labour-market-reintegration-return-migrant-workers-and-former-refugees
- www.ilo.org/publications/major-publications/ilo-global-estimates-international-migrants-labour-force
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