Episcopal Diocese of Haiti announces new chief of operations
Episcopal News Service. February 17, 2011 [021711-03]
ENS staff
The Episcopal Diocese of Haiti has announced the appointment of Sikhumbuzo Vundla as its chief of operations, according to a Feb. 17 press release from Episcopal Relief & Development.
This is a new position for the diocese, created to help manage the many programs and activities developed in response to the Jan. 12, 2010, earthquake. Reporting directly to the bishop of the Diocese of Haiti, Vundla will manage the financial, administrative and human resource activities of the diocese, while providing leadership for overall operations, systems and controls, the release said.
"I am grateful to Episcopal Relief & Development and the Episcopal Church for helping us hire a true professional, Mr. Sikhumbuzo Vundla, to be our chief of operations," said Diocese of Haiti Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin, in the release. "This will help alleviate our extraordinary workload as well as build and promote transparency with our different partners. Please help us to welcome Mr. Vundla."
The position focuses on formulating and strengthening policies and procedures to support the various priorities of the church as it rebuilds after the 2010 earthquake. The chief of operations will also collaborate with key partners, including Episcopal Relief & Development on post-earthquake recovery and reconstruction efforts, and the Episcopal Church as it helps rebuild the Holy Trinity Cathedral complex in Port-au-Prince. Vundla will work closely with Bishop Duracin, as well as relevant diocesan committees and donors, to further the strategic mission of the Haitian church, according to the release.
"I am very grateful for this appointment, and fully expect it will strengthen the capacity of the Diocese of Haiti for the reconstruction process," said Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori in the release. "I look forward to seeing Mr. Vundla in action when I next visit Haiti."
According to the release, Vundla brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the new role. Prior to joining the Diocese of Haiti, Vundla worked in Chad, Iraq, Kenya, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Kosovo and Haiti. He has more than 16 years of experience working with international organizations, including CARE International, World Concern International, Food for the Hungry and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency. In previous positions, he was responsible for public administration and finance, operations, planning, logistics, team building, human resource management and other areas. He has been based in Haiti since last March, working with the International Organization for Migrationand the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti.
Vundla has a master's degree in business administration in international marketing and management from the United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya. He is fluent in French, English and Swahili, the release said.
"We look forward to Mr. Vundla's support and leadership with our ongoing humanitarian efforts in Haiti," said Rob Radtke, president of Episcopal Relief & Development, in the release.
Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with CEDDISEC (Centre Diocésain de Développement Intégré et de Secours), the relief and development arm of the Diocese of Haiti. For more information about these community-based recovery projects, click here.
To learn more about the Episcopal Church's campaign for the reconstruction of the Holy Trinity Cathedral complex, click here.