Yvonne is swimming with the best at PAET

Women are gradually becoming powerful agents of change, and the far-reaching benefits of diversity and gender parity in leadership and decision-making are increasingly recognized in all spheres.

When women become leaders, they provide a different set of skills and imaginative perspectives. Due to the efforts made to give more leadership space to women, we are currently witnessing an increasing number of women assuming managerial positions in both public and private entities.

Recently, our SUNDAY NEWS Reporter held an interview with Yvonne Abba, the PanAfrican Energy Tanzania (PAET) Downstream Office Manager about her role in the company and her journey towards her present position, here are the excerpts:

Q. When did you join PAET?

A. I joined in November of 2007 and began working for PanAfrican Energy Tanzania as an Administrator for the SS10 Drilling Project. I was responsible for supporting the demobilization and mobilization of equipment and resources.

Q. Before joining PAET, where and what experience did you get?

A. Before joining PAET, I used to work in the hospitality industry, where I worked for six years in various capacities. My responsibility was to acquire, retain and drive the brand’s expansion in Tanzania.

Q. What is your current position in the company and how did you get there?

A. I am the Downstream Office Manager. My role as is to ensure that downstream office systems and procedures are in place, as well as to provide efficient administrative office management, which includes managing all physical resources. After working as an administrator for the SS10 drilling project, I was transferred to the commercial department to work as a commercial assistant.

The primary goal of this role was to provide administrative support to the business development department, as well as to coordinate and assist with marketing activities. This was a newly formed department. I was conducting marketing surveys and assisting in the collection of information on existing and new customers.

Collaboration with other departments, such as finance, was required to ensure a smooth and efficient marketing and distribution function. In this role, I was also tasked with assisting in the development and expansion of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas). It was my responsibility to ensure the mobilization of the equipment for the new Ubungo CNG station and to drive the addition of industrial customers for this new product.

Thereafter in 2011, I was moved to another position, where I worked as CSR/PR Coordinator. This was also a new role at the time, and my responsibilities included leading, developing and driving the implementation of the Corporate Social Responsibility programmes, as well as conducting surveys for new initiatives. My main goal was to ensure effective implementation of the company’s HSE Policy and procedures into CSR projects to ensure the beneficiaries enjoyed a safe environment, as well as to coordinate all CSR activities within ongoing company operations.

Q. What are your main responsibilities at the PAET?

A. My role as an Office Manager is to ensure the smooth running of the department and maintain good team spirit. The department oversees the operation and maintenance of the local downstream gas network. Yes, my role is dependent on other departments, such as Procurement/Logistics/Legal and Finance. Having worked in various departments it gives me an advantage since I know how other departments function.

Q. For effective communication, what approach does the company use?

A. Our company has an open-door policy, which encourages open communication, feedback, and the discussion of any issue that is important to an employee. Our team is diverse, with members from various backgrounds. As a result, communication is at the heart of great teamwork. The team always comes first, and free thinking and speaking are encouraged.

Q. What does confidentiality mean to your work?

A. As an Office Manager, one of my responsibilities is to manage any internal downstream team disputes or interpersonal matters, working with the company HR manager where such disputes could not be resolved. In doing so, I was responsible for protecting the downstream team’s privacy. And for providing a safe and secure working environment.

Q. How do you face challenges in your work?

A. Having worked in various departments throughout the years, I have learned to see challenges as opportunities to learn more.

Q. What achievements are you mostly proud of in your work?

A. I am pleased with my professional achievements over the last 14 years. Working with a dynamic team gives me the confidence to continue learning and growing, and I am proud to be part of a new team formed to manage downstream operations. I am also proud of being a part of the early childhood education programme in Songo Songo Island dubbed

“The Kindergarten Project” which was a fully-funded elementary school built by PAET for children aged 4 to 7. It was also gratifying to manage a fully-funded scholarship programme that allowed Songo Songo Island children to study up to college degree level and integrate into the labor market. I was happy to be part of the team that contributed to the establishment and development of medical health facilities and staff housing in Kilwa