The campaigner group, Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) Liberia, has recruited Wilfred Gray-Johnson as its new Executive Director following a meticulous and competitive exercise.
At a brief presentation and orientation ceremony, Silas Siakor, on behalf of the board, welcomed Gray-Johnson with the admonition that he works hard as much was expected from the highly rated former United Nations professional. “You are coming at a time when your expertise is most needed. Much is expected—there will be challenges but we will get through together. We, the board, will continue to work with you for a smooth landing,” Siakor assured.
For his part, Gray-Johnson thanked the board of SDI for his selection, and promised to work assiduously for the betterment of the institution. “The board gave me a huge term of reference with key deliverables to be achieved in six month; I have drawn up a five-month work plan for myself, and will work towards that timeframe. I am a result-oriented person, but will surely depend on all of you for my success. We will work as a team.”
In a brief remark, Nora Bowier, who is the immediate past Executive Director, assured Gray-Johnson of a fervent working relationship with the SDI staff, as it will be an opportunity to learn from his awe-inspiring experience.
Gray-Johnson joins the SDI with a wealth of experience as a lecturer, professional and statesman, having served as one of the immediate past Commissioners at the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR).
Gray-Johnson also served as Director of the Liberia Peace-building Office / Liberia Peace-building Fund Secretariat, established in January 2009, from 2004 – 2008, a penultimate position he held before joining the SDI.
He worked with the United Nation Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in various capacities, notably National Coordination Officer in the Office of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General for Recovery and Governance, and contributed to a number of conceptual frameworks that have influenced policies in Liberia. These include the United Nations Common Country Assessment (CCA) for Liberia, the United Nations Development Assistant Framework (UNDAF), and particularly the Government of Liberia (GOL) Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy (iPRS) and Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS).
Prior to working with UNMIL, Gray-Johnson was a lecturer in the College of Liberal and Fine Arts, United Methodist University, and also worked as Assistant Program Officer for World Vision Liberia. He holds a master’s degree in Theological Studies (MTS), from Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe, and a bachelor’s degree in theology (B.Th.), from the United Methodist University, Liberia.
He also has certificates in advanced training in peace-building and conflict sensitivity, conflict management and resolution, conflict analysis, mediation and facilitation, in and out of Liberia, as well as the 2009 Summer Peace-building Program at the Center of Justice and Peace-building, Eastern Mennonite University (EMU), Harrisonburg Virginia, USA. He is a Senior-Level Peace-Building Course Fellow in Geneva, Switzerland, organized by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, UNITAR and UNOPS Inter-peace.