Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 18 years of experience in environmental and social safeguarding, the expert is a sustainability leader adept in inclusive development and climate resilience. They have successfully managed and implemented projects that integrate tourism with local communities and environmental conservation. Career highlights include leading a $950,000 regional project at the FAO and overseeing 51 sustainable projects at the Kenya Forest Service. The expert's skills encompass stakeholder engagement, policy development, and technical advisory, with a proven track record in evidence generation and knowledge management for both international and local initiatives.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on international development cooperation. Responsibilities have included leading global research and coordinating a $950,000 project focused on social protection and inclusion across Eastern and Southern Africa. This work spanned thematic areas such as social safeguarding and sustainable development, with a regional scope covering countries like Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania.

Sectors and geographic focus

With a background in key sectors including rural development, environment and natural resource management, poverty reduction, social development, tourism, and program and resource management, the expert has held leadership roles such as Chief Ecotourism Officer and Collective Action Specialist. Responsibilities have included project management, policy formulation, and stakeholder engagement. Their interdisciplinary expertise includes integrating tourism with environmental conservation and community development. The expert's work has a regional scope, primarily in Eastern and Southern Africa, with extensive experience in countries such as Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania. They possess deep familiarity with local governance and cultural dynamics, having led and managed projects focusing on regional development issues.

Languages and education

Background includes a native proficiency in Embu and full proficiency in English and Swahili at a C2 level, as well as a B1 proficiency in French. These language skills have been utilized in various professional settings, including in-country work across Eastern and Southern Africa and collaboration within multilingual teams. The expert holds a PhD in Environmental Studies with a focus on Environment and Community Development from Kenyatta University, Kenya. They also obtained a Master of Arts in Sociology, specializing in Rural Sociology and Community Development, from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, and completed a Bachelor of Environmental Studies at Kenyatta University, Kenya.