Profile: Dr. Travor Murai

Contact Details:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: +263772993755

Short Biography: Dr. Travor Murai is a seasoned scholar, development professional, human rights activist, and researcher with over 15 years of experience in civil society, public service, and academia. His PhD in Development Studies from the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam focused on how Zimbabwe's political context, global funding rules, conditionalities, and local NGO capacities influence the operationalization of human rights-based approaches.

Dr. Murai’s extensive work experience includes senior roles in local NGOs and academic institutions, where he has significantly contributed to developing and implementing training curricula, rights-based programming, and youth empowerment. His focus areas encompass sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), board corporate governance, NGO organizational strengthening, project management, monitoring and evaluation, community-based participatory planning, social and behavior change, psychosocial care and support, research and advocacy, gender inclusion, and safeguarding.

He has led numerous initiatives, including:

1. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Intimate Partner Violence: Implemented comprehensive programs addressing GBV and intimate partner violence, focusing on prevention, response, and survivor support.
2. Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA): Developed and enforced PSEA policies within organizations to ensure safe and respectful environments.
3. Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR): Championed SRHR initiatives, promoting awareness, access to services, and rights-based approaches in health programs.
4. Youth and Student Empowerment: Spearheaded programs aimed at empowering youth and students, fostering leadership, and promoting civic engagement.
5. Board Corporate Governance: Led initiatives to strengthen board governance structures within NGOs, enhancing accountability, transparency, and strategic direction.
6. Project Management and Rights Based Programming: Managed diverse projects, ensuring timely delivery, resource optimization, and alignment with organizational goals and community needs.
7. Monitoring and Evaluation: Developed and implemented robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks, enabling data-driven decision-making and demonstrating program impact.
8. Social and Behavior Change: Led social and behavior change campaigns, promoting healthy practices and attitudes within communities, and fostering sustainable development outcomes.
9. Community-Based Participatory Planning: Facilitated participatory planning sessions in collaboration with the UN World Food Programme, empowering communities to take active roles in their development.
10. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): Coordinated effective WASH activities, ensuring access to clean water and sanitation facilities in communities.

Dr. Murai’s dedication to public service, coupled with his academic expertise, makes him a vital contributor to sustainable development and human rights advocacy in Zimbabwe. He is fluent in English, Ndebele, and Shona, enhancing his ability to engage with diverse communities and stakeholders effectively.

Academic Qualifications:

• PhD in Development Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands, 2023
• Dissertation: "Operationalizing a Human Rights-Based Approach: Experiences of Civil Society Organizations in Zimbabwe"
• MA in Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies, KU Leuven, Belgium, 2018
• Dissertation: "CADES ruins lives: Situating the Panther Spirits in Search of Wakanda in Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies Programme"
• MSc in Development Studies, National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe, 2013
• Dissertation: "Board Corporate Governance, Monitoring & Evaluation Role in Student and Youth Civil Society Organisations in Harare, Zimbabwe"
• Post Graduate Diploma in Governance, Democratization and Public Policy, Institute of Social Studies, Netherlands, 2009
• Dissertation: "The Role of Civil Society Organizations in Democratization in Zimbabwe"
• BSc Honors in Sociology, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe, 2007

Courses Taught:

• Civil Society and Development from 2016
• Rights-Based Programming from 2016
• Research Methods 2022 to 2023
• Emergency Information Management Systems (Post Graduate Diploma in Disaster and Development Management from 2013 to 2021)

Research Interests:

• Global Development and Social Justice
• Human Rights-Based Approaches
• Gender, Sexual Rights and Advocacy
• Civil Society Programming in Volatile and Fragile Contexts
• Social Movement Theories and Processes
• Intersectionality and Empowerment of Key Vulnerable Populations (KVPs)

Publications:

1. Nyirenda, D., & Murai, T. (2022). The Nature of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Institutions of Higher Learning. UNESCO Our Rights Our Lives, Our Future Conference.
2. Murai, T. (2020). Compendium of Best Practices: Operationalization of Key Population Drop-In Centres. UNFPA and Sexual Rights Centre.
3. Murai, T. (2019). Documentation of Community Best Practice Model and Centers of Excellence in Health Care Service Delivery for Key Populations. Sexual Rights Centre.
4. Murai, T. (2019). The Work of Local Peace Committees in Matobo. Masakhaneni Project Trust.
5. Murai, T., & Maphosa, M. (2019). Factors Affecting Adherence and Treatment Effectiveness. Sexual Rights Centre.
6. Murai, T. (2016). Whom to Blame: The Conundrum of Human Rights and Limited Resources in Public Service Delivery. Zimbabwe Council of Social Workers.

Community Service Engagement:

• Facilitator of the Community-Based Participatory Planning (CBPP) under WFP-NUST collaboration.
• Member of the Climate Mobility Africa Research Network (CMARN)
• Member of the NUST STEMITIZED Unit on Gender Inclusion, Safeguarding, and SRHR.
• Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Sexual Rights Centre.
• Vice Chairperson of Grassroots Code (Bulawayo).
• IDS NUST Focal Person for the SAIH funded PRIDE project in partnership with SRC.
• Numerous roles in advocacy, support, and development initiatives within various civil society organizations and academic institutions.

Dr. Travor Murai's career is marked by his unwavering dedication to fostering inclusive and equitable societies. His academic rigor, coupled with his hands-on NGO experience in advocacy and development, positions him as a leading figure in the fight for the rights and empowerment of marginalized communities globally.