Diocese of Haiti Announces New Chief of Operations
The Episcopal Diocese of Haiti has announced the appointment of Sikhumbuzo Vundla as the Chief of Operations. This is a new position for the diocese, created to help manage the many programs and activities developed in response to the January 12 earthquake last year.
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.
“Thank you for all that you have done for us in the aftermath of the earthquake of 2010. Your generosity has touched so many, and although the needs are still great, we must continue moving forward, rebuilding as we continue our humanitarian work,” said the Rt. Rev. Jean Zaché Duracin, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti.
“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,” continued Bishop Duracin. “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.
“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 the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church. “I look forward to seeing Mr. Vundla in action when I next visit Haiti.”
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 Relief and Development Agency (ADRA). 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 Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).
Vundla has an MBA in International Marketing and Management from the United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya. He is fluent in French, English and Swahili.
“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.
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, visit www.episcopalrelief/where-we-work/country/haiti.
To learn more about The Episcopal Church’s campaign for the reconstruction of the Holy Trinity Cathedral Complex, go to www.EpiscopalChurch.org/HaitiAppeal.
Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of The Episcopal Church and an independent 501(c)(3) organization. The agency takes its mandate from Jesus’ words found in Matthew 25. Its programs work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Together with the worldwide Church and ecumenical partners, Episcopal Relief & Development rebuilds after disasters and empowers people by offering lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.
Episcopal Relief & Development: http://www.epicopalrelief.org/
The Episcopal Church welcomes all who worship Jesus Christ in 109 dioceses and three regional areas in 16 nations. The Episcopal Church is a member province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
The Episcopal Church: www.episcopalchurch.org
