Alumni profile: Sibongani Kayola

Sibongani Kayola (MSc Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation, 2016) is Deputy Regional Director of Operations at Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is an international humanitarian organisation that aims to help people build secure, productive, and just communities. Operating in some of the world’s toughest places, Mercy Corps provides emergency relief and long-term development assistance to communities affected by conflict, natural disasters, economic instability, and other crises.

Why did you choose Green Templeton?

I completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Zambia and was fascinated with Child and Adolescent development and the impact of the early years on our trajectory into adulthood. I knew very early in my studies that I wanted to pursue a postgraduate course focused on studying development across the lifespan. Oxford was always my first choice; one of my professors had studied here, and I admired him and his work immensely.

Somewhere along my journey, my resolve started to waver, and I began to think I didn’t have ‘the right stuff’ to gain entry to Oxford. I decided to apply anyway and gained admission, but I couldn’t secure funding to take up my place. I didn’t give up on my dream, I decided to pursue an MSc in Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria through the generous support of the Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health and the MacArthur Foundation. I reapplied to Oxford a year later, and with funding from the Commonwealth Scholarship, I took up my place at GTC.

I chose the EBSIPE MSc because of its interdisciplinary approach; it integrates insights from sociology, psychology, economics, public policy, and statistics. I knew that the course would give me a broad set of skills and perspectives relevant to my desire to design and deliver interventions to support optimal development and functioning for children and adolescents.

I chose GTC because I wanted a college with a relatively small student body, as I was looking for a close-knit and supportive environment where I could form lasting connections with peers.

What is your most enduring memory of your time at Oxford?

80% of my classmates were at GTC and the college became a ‘home’ of sorts to the other students on the course. We would take any excuse to be out on the college grounds when the weather was lovely. Our entire class went to a GTC formal dinner afew times, and we must have surprised the staff with all our noise and laughter! We also took over the GTC gym a few times a week and had class workout days which featured the most laughable pop music we could find and served as a way to unwind from the stress of our classes.

Can you give an overview of your current role?

I recently took on the role of Deputy Regional Director of Operations for East and Southern Africa at Mercy Corps. In this role I manage operational risks, including security, financial, and legal compliance, ensuring adherence to Mercy Corps policies and donor regulations. I work closely with the Regional Director to set regional operations’ strategic direction and priorities.

In my previous role as Country Director of Mercy Corps in Sudan, I led Mercy Corps efforts to address the needs of communities, providing leadership and developing and implementing strategic plans in alignment with Mercy Corps’ strategy, mission, and objectives. I also led the establishment and maintenance of partnerships with local organizations, donors, and other stakeholders to leverage resources, coordinate activities, and maximize impact.

Following the start of the conflict in Sudan in April 2023, I led the redesign and repositioning of our strategy and portfolio to ensure that we could continue to provide support to communities while also ensuring that our staff are safe and have the resources they need to care for themselves and their families.  I co-led the development of the Cash Consortium of Sudan, an interagency body championing cash and markets assistance to transform humanitarian response and recovery in partnership with vulnerable conflict-affected populations in Sudan.

You have other interests too?

I serve on the board of Directors of Plan International, Inc. (PII) a global non-profit organisation that works in more than 75 countries to advance children’s rights and equality for girls, focusing on promoting sustainable development. I chair the People and Culture sub-committee, which assures the International Board that PII has the necessary people and culture policies, structures, and processes in place to deliver the Global Strategy within a safe, supportive, and equitable working environment.

What advice would you give to prospective students?

GTC played a pivotal role in shaping my career trajectory. I had a narrow view of how my career could develop coming in, and GTC exposed me to a broader array of options for someone with my background and skill set. The seminar series and events I attended while at college and the alumni lecture series after graduation gave me the space I needed to interact with people working in a diverse array of places, which expanded my horizons.

I would advise any student considering Green Templeton College to choose it for its vibrant interdisciplinary community, which fosters academic excellence and personal growth, and for the unparalleled opportunities for networking and mentorship that will undoubtedly shape their future endeavors.