Simão Tila
I have a degree in Sociology and in high school I took an accounting course, for better integration and performance improvement. I also underwent several training courses in different areas of knowledge that allow me to increasingly develop my capabilities each day with a view to contributing to the socio-economic development of Mozambique and even to my integration in various forums, platforms and global, continental and regional networks of Civil Society.
Simao is the Executive Director of JOINT, the NGO League in Mozambique an umbrella body institution for Civil Society Organizations in Mozambique, where he has worked for 25 years with a lot of love and passion for work that aims to guarantee citizen participation in socio-economic development processes.
He has devoted his energy and work to strengthening Civil Society in Mozambique, in the region and internationally. He has led several movements and advocacy platforms on the following issues: Public Debt, Restoration of Peace movements in Mozambique, Human Rights movements, and fight for the promotion of Freedom of Expression, of association and Assembly.
Tila has a long experience in development, emergency and transition contexts, with consolidated and proven capacity in MEL, feasibility studies, projects and grants management, decision-making affecting policies and operations, staff coordination and training, building relationships with institutions, partners and stakeholders.
He has done extensive capacity building for improved local government performance, including developing transparent systems for the implementation, supervision, operation, and maintenance of basic infrastructure across Mozambique.
In 2017 he challenged the Government of Mozambique when leading a research and elaboration study on disqualifying narratives of Civil Society organization in Mozambique as well as its presentation and dissemination. He has also led several studies highlighting civic space conditions in Mozambique, giving rise to the Review of the Law of Associations in Mozambique – Law 8/91 currently in revision. In Mozambique, he was one of the leaders of civil society organizations that mentored the creation of the Civil Society Forum for monitoring the State Budget (FMO). He was also a mentor for the creation of the National Platform to Fight Land Grabbing (ASCUT), among other works carried out that today represent great gains and results at the country level.
He is the founding member of HUB Africa (now Innovation for Change Africa), Former AGNA Steering Committee Member, Current Chair of Southern Africa Council of Non-Governmental Organizations – SAF CNGO and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Social Protection Platform in Mozambique.
He led the project of designing, the auscultation and elaboration of the Code of principles, conduct and ethics of the Civil Society in Mozambique by 2015.
He has a lot of experience in election observation, having been involved in regional missions in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland, Botswana, Angola and Madagascar and he has led electoral observation processes in Municipal and Presidential elections in Mozambique. He has a certificate on ToT for election observers from BRIDGE, plus training as a Long-Term Observer by EISA in partnership with the SADC Secretariat. He is a mentor of the creation of Electronic Electoral Observation System named SIGE – Electoral Management System, owned by the JOINT League of NGOs in Mozambique
- What is your favourite quote by someone who inspires you?
If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl, but keep moving forward anyway. Martin Luther King Jr.
- What skills are you most proud of or want to learn?
I am proud of my commitment to the goals of the organization and the team I belong to, as it has been key to the success of the processes we collectively lead.
Effective communication is one of the tools I value most, as it allows me to dispel doubts, clarify expectations and improve feedback among team members. Another important skill I have developed is the ability to apply work techniques consistently, guiding the improvement of individual and collective capabilities, and fostering an environment of trust. I would also like to highlight my adaptability to different contexts and challenges, an essential quality in a dynamic work environment. This flexibility allows me to be creative, receptive to innovation and find solutions to complex problems, in an era in which we face constant change. As a leader, I seek to develop a systemic vision, continually invest in knowledge and cultivate empathy. Understanding and sharing the feelings of the team contributes to a more respectful and cohesive environment. Finally, I believe that establishing and maintaining meaningful connections is essential to strengthening leadership skills. Strong interpersonal relationships are fundamental to maintaining a motivated, stable and committed team.
- What is your vision for civil society?
Civil society must be an autonomous, critical and proactive actor in the process of democratic and sustainable development. I see it as a space for plural articulation, which promotes human rights, social justice and inclusion. It must have the capacity to mobilize communities, influence public policies and monitor the exercise of power, based on transparency and solidarity. A vibrant civil society is one that resists oppression, acts ethically and reinvents itself to respond to emerging challenges with creativity, courage and collective commitment.
- What lesson(s) have you learnt from failure?
Through failure, I learned the importance of resilience and adaptability. I realized that failure is not the end, but an opportunity to start over with more awareness and vigour. A striking example was the funding cut for a USAID-supported project, on which we depended for about 60%. This adversity led us to rethink strategies, diversify funding sources and value each achievement. I learned to plan flexibly, act more creatively and strengthen team spirit, transforming challenges into opportunities for organizational and personal growth.
