Leadership and Influence Essay

Robert Lubajo 7th September 2024

Outline

• Question Breakdown
• Tips for writing a great essay
• Examples
• Questions
• Next Sessions
Question Breakdown

Chevening is looking for individuals who will be future leaders or influencers in their home countries.
Explain how you meet this requirement, using clear examples of your own leadership and influencing skills
to support your answer. (minimum word count: 100 words, maximum word count: 500 words)
❖ Future leaders or influencers in their home countries
❖ How you meet this requirement
❖ Examples ( aim at 3 – 4!) of your own leadership and influencing skills
❖ NOT more than 500 words!
Tips for writing a great
essay

Brainstorm STAR (L) Approach Structure

• Jot down ideas • Situation • Introduction

• Ask self “what • Task • Body
accomplishments • Action • Conclusion
make me proud” • Results
• Revise your CV • Learn
 E.g.,1

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, I was a medical doctor and facility in-charge in Maban
County, Upper Nile State of South Sudan, serving Sudanese refugees in large camps there. Apart from
facing COVID-19 challenges, I also had intercommunity conflicts to deal with. For two days in July that
year, the Engasana and Urduk refugee communities had heightened tensions that led to confinement of
relocatable facility staff at our base. This paralyzed medical services at the facility. I engaged our
security officer and project manager to engage the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) office in Maban. In a meeting with the UNHCR, it was resolved to involve all stakeholders to
bring peace. This resulted in the host community and County government leaders bringing the refugee
communities to a roundtable to end the conflict and normal medical services resumed. I learnt that
taking a step as a leader in times of difficulties, and involving stakeholders brings success.
 E.g., 2

In 2021, I worked at the Ministry of Health (MOH) as HIV/TB Field Officer in Western Equatoria
State, South Sudan. We were seven field officers in the region with various competence levels
under a single supervisor based in Juba. To improve our performances, I created a WhatsApp
group for our interactions as colleagues, sharing of experiences, and providing peer-mentorship to
each other. Through these interactions, I initiated monthly meetings on Zoom for experience
sharing and learning, took notes of such meetings, and shared with our supervisor in Juba who
dearly appreciated my leadership role among my peers. Through this team mobilization, I
spearheaded the resumption of the State HIV/TB Technical Working Group (TWG) monthly
meetings and strengthened the State Ministry of Health’s supervision of the HIV program. This
resulted in a 5% state program growth through stronger facility staff mentorship and supervision of
the implementing partner.
Questions
Next Sessions

• Studying in the UK and Career Plan Essays

• Register for it
[Link]
nQlAAxBY5Y3oHY/edit.
• Review of your essays (we shall share an email to send essays to)
• Conditional to attendance of the last 2 sessions
• Concise essays
Chevening Scholarship
NETWORKING ESSAY

Dr. Yvette NKURUNZIZA

CHEVENING AWARDEE 2024-2025
Table of Contents
01 STAR APPROACH

EXAMPLES
02
QUESTIONS
03

1
 NETWORKING ESSAY PARAGRAPHS
Introduction
What is/ are your networking is/are; NO definitions/quotes;
2-3 lines; say 50 words.

Body paragraph 1:
first example of your networking experience, in STAR method, 120-130 words.

Body paragraph 2:
second example of your networking experience, in STAR method; 120-130 words.

Body paragraph 3:
Third example of your networking experience, in STAR method; 120-130 words.

Conclusion:
What are new networking skills you could get through Chevening
Scholarship, and how will you use them in future; say in 50 words.
 STAR APPROACH

ATTENTION !!
EXAMPLE 1
EXAMPLE 2
EXAMPLE 3
 Conclusion Example
I believe that if I am awarded a Chevening scholarship, it will be a unique
opportunity to make networks through Chevening events, scholars, alumni,
fellow campus students, volunteer and organize activities with Local
organizations in the UK as well as the Rwanda chapter, thus keep me impacti
ng my community.
Thank You
Introduction
During an Ebla Virus Disease (EVD) preparedness training in Juba, a World Health Organization
(WHO) epidemiologist once described South Sudan as the richest country in diseases. While I agree
with his statement, I strongly believe that strengthening the presently weak health system through good
leadership and governance could change this reality. As an ambitious public health leader who desires
a strong and sustainable health system, I have diligently executed leadership roles in my career over
the years. Amid political tension in South Sudan, I have demonstrated leadership in the health sector
through training of health workers, providing healthcare to citizens, and participating in disease
outbreak investigations, surveillance, and response.
Body
1. First and foremost, due to the high shortage of healthcare workers in South Sudan, the
International Medical Corps, UNFPA and South Sudan Ministry of Health (MOH) partnered in a
project to train health workers locally. Working as a consultant health trainer in this project
between 2015 and 2017, I trained hundreds of healthcare professionals perusing diploma in
various medical fields in Kajo-keji county-based health training institutes. These students
eventually excelled in their national examinations and are now in the forefront of the healthcare
system in South Sudan saving lives.

2. Secondly, during the 2016-2018 cholera outbreak across South Sudan, I volunteered in the
national outbreak response program at the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) and
eventually got hired by WHO as laboratory technologist stationed at the NPHL. Basically, I tested
stool samples for cholera and trained government employees and volunteers who formed part
of my team. As a former volunteer, I inspired my volunteer team to use volunteerism to contribute
to the society, build their skills and increase their employability. Eventually, my enormous and
selfless effort did not only build the capacity of my team but to the greater extent contributed to
ending the cholera outbreak. Moreover, I co-authored an article about this outbreak that continue
to benefit scholars on the BMC Infectious Diseases Journal.

3. Finally, throughout the 2018 reported meningitis outbreak in Torit county, I was deployed by WHO
to lead the sample collection process and build the capacity of laboratory technicians in Torit
State Hospital (TSH). Having done that, I returned to Juba with the collected samples, led the
testing process and prepared the outbreak report. The outcome of this investigation which ruled
out the outbreak of meningitidis was used by the ministry of health and WHO to restore calm in
the country.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I have led and influenced thousands of people throughout my career which contributed
to strengthening the health system of my country. However, I need to advance my knowledge and skills
by studying a master’s degree in the UK to better contribute to the development of the health system
in South Sudan.