Lohna Jonathan Bonkat
Toronto,ON
Summary
Adept at HR leadership and staffing optimization, I spearheaded innovative recruitment strategies at Mathew Nicholas LLP, enhancing workforce efficiency. My expertise in labor law compliance and recordkeeping, combined with a proven track record in conflict resolution and training program development, showcases my ability to drive organizational success while fostering a positive work environment.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Human Resource Manager
Mathew Nicholas LLP/ Barristers and Solicitors
North York
10.2024 - Current
- Developed and implemented HR policies and procedures that align with the organization's goals and objectives
- Managed the recruitment, selection, onboarding, and determining hiring processes for new employees
- Designing interview questions, conducting interviews, and creating employment offers and packages for successful candidates
- Monitored the training needs and developed and managed employee training programs
- Managing employee relations, and conducting conflict management and resolution.
- Engaged in project management to devise new HR strategies.
- Assisted in developing succession planning strategies for key positions within the organization.
Research Fellow 1, Department of Democracy and Governance
National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Nigeria
, Nigeria
06.2023 - 09.2024
- Development of policy briefs, information briefs, policy memos, policy analysis, legislation analysis, literature reviews and cross-jurisdictional research for several legislative committees in the national parliament
- Conducted research and analyzed gender and governance issues
- Reviewed and Analysed the Gender and Leadership Training manual for the National Assembly
- Analyzed data on Nigeria’s Socio-political indicators
- Reviewed all outputs of the Department
Project Manager/ Gender Desk Officer
UN WOMEN/NILDS
10.2019 - 08.2024
- Analysed policy on security legislation in Nigeria
- Developed work-plan and managed the budget for activities
- Prepared budgets for several projects
- Planned and coordinated the implementation of the project activities below:
- Developed a toolkit for the National Assembly towards Gender Responsive budgeting in Nigeria
- Conducted and analyzed NEEDS assessment to support the Gender Commission in Plateau State
Research Lead/Plateau State on 'Empirical Review of Youth Employment Programmes/Policies in Nigeria'
Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP)
, Nigeria
11.2021 - 07.2024
- Reviewed and assessed Youth Employment Programmes/Policies in Nigeria
- Designed data collection tools and mapped out stakeholders
- Analysed data on Youth Employment policies in Nigeria
Community, Institutional Strengthening Expert and Team Member for the GBV Mapping of Service Providers/Referral Pathways
CENGAIN/ACReSAL/World Bank
, Nigeria
09.2023 - 12.2023
- Designed Inception Report for GBV Mapping/Referral Pathways
- Designed GBV-specific GRM for the ACReSAL Project
- Designed the GBV manual for training stakeholders in the 17 states in Nigeria
- Facilitated training sessions
Research Fellow 11, Department of Democracy and Governance
National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Nigeria
, Nigeria
06.2019 - 05.2023
- Developed legislation and policy analyses, and prepared briefs for legislators and legislative committees
- Participated in research activities, bill analysis, public policy analysis, and legislative activities of the department and institute
- Researched and analyzed relevant issues for committees, and that may inform future legislation
- Responded promptly to job requests from legislators and legislative committees in assigned areas by the department
- Regularly provided data and sectoral briefs, and occasionally produced research reports
- Contributed to the design and delivery of training, workshops, and seminars organized by the institute
- Coordinated technical meetings with stakeholders and the interdisciplinary team at the institute
- Contributed to developing a data bank on political and socioeconomic indicators, as well as gender and women’s participation in governance
Consultant
YIAGA AFRICA
, Nigeria
08.2021 - 10.2021
- Reviewed and edited the Toolkit on Legislative Oversight and Handbook on the Rights of Women and Girls
- Analysed the Toolkit to ensure it aligned with legislative standards and best practices in legislative oversight and the protection of the rights of women and girls
- It also ensured it was gender-sensitive and promoted inclusivity, reflecting a commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of women and girls
Lecturer/Research Staff
University of Jos
, Nigeria
11.2005 - 05.2019
- Taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses on Introduction to Political Science, governance, women in Politics, and International Law amongst others
- Conducted research, presented research findings, and published research papers on gender, women, conflict, peacebuilding, governance and democracy
- Supervised several undergraduate and postgraduate projects related to politics, gender, development, underdevelopment and women
- Assisted in organizing seminars, conferences, and workshops for the faculty
- Assisted with program planning, professional development, and access to academic resources
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Political Science, Women, Governance, Peace and Security
University of Bayreuth
Germany01.2015
Master of Science - International Relations and Strategic Studies
University of Jos
Jos, Nigeria01.2010
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
University of Jos
Jos, Nigeria01.2003
Skills
- Recruitment
- Recordkeeping
- Unemployment claims management
- Labor law compliance
- HR leadership
- Staffing optimization
- Organizational development
- Diversity and inclusion
Affiliations
- African Good Governance Network (AGGN)
- Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA)
- African Studies Association (ASA)
- Development Studies Association (DSA)
- International Political Science Association (IPSA)
- Lagos Studies Association (LSA)
Awards
- Senior Fellow, African Good Governance Network, 01/01/13
- DAAD Scholarship, tenable at the University of Bayreuth, Germany
Professional Development
- Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Capacity Building Workshop, In-depth Research Analysis, and research writing for researchers, 12/01/23
- Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Capacity Building Workshop, Elections, Public Finance, Legislature & Service Delivery, 12/01/22
- Certificate Course on Public Policy and Management for Policy Makers, Eastern and Southern Management Institute, Arusha, Tanzania, 11/01/22
- Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Capacity Building for Research Fellows of NILDS, Research and Writing Legislative Briefs, Effective Legislative Process, 2023 General Elections, etc., 12/01/21
- Working with Legislative Caucuses, Understanding Annual Reports & other Financial and Accountability, etc., 03/01/21
- Legislative Bills Analysis, Policy Analysis, Public Service Rules, etc., 12/01/20
- Training Program in Policy Analysis, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Nigeria, 07/01/19
Timeline
Human Resource Manager
Mathew Nicholas LLP/ Barristers and Solicitors
10.2024 - Current
Community, Institutional Strengthening Expert and Team Member for the GBV Mapping of Service Providers/Referral Pathways
CENGAIN/ACReSAL/World Bank
09.2023 - 12.2023
Research Fellow 1, Department of Democracy and Governance
National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Nigeria
06.2023 - 09.2024
Research Lead/Plateau State on 'Empirical Review of Youth Employment Programmes/Policies in Nigeria'
Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP)
11.2021 - 07.2024
Consultant
YIAGA AFRICA
08.2021 - 10.2021
Project Manager/ Gender Desk Officer
UN WOMEN/NILDS
10.2019 - 08.2024
Research Fellow 11, Department of Democracy and Governance
National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Nigeria
06.2019 - 05.2023
Lecturer/Research Staff
University of Jos
11.2005 - 05.2019
Doctor of Philosophy - Political Science, Women, Governance, Peace and Security
University of Bayreuth
Master of Science - International Relations and Strategic Studies
University of Jos
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
University of Jos
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