Open to opportunities

Irene Githinji

@irenegithinji

Message

Experienced biotechnology professional combining research and public-sector program leadership.

Kenya

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek roles where I can combine laboratory research and program management to deliver measurable community impact, with opportunities for capacity building and M&E leadership.

I am a biotechnology professional with an MSc in Biotechnology (Health and Environment) and a BSc in Industrial Chemistry, blending laboratory research experience with public-sector program management.

In research roles I isolated pesticide‑degrading microorganisms, applied PCR and gel electrophoresis, used bioinformatics tools, and communicated findings to project teams.

In program and administrative roles I led project implementation, supervised field data collection, managed bursary allocations, and drove resource mobilization and quality assurance across county development initiatives.

I have successfully designed and implemented grant-funded projects that trained smallholder farmers, reduced post-harvest losses, and established monitoring and evaluation systems to measure impact.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Principal Administrative Officer

County Government of Nyandarua

Feb 2020 - Aug 2022 (2 years 6 months)

Championed implementation and evaluation of development projects and programmes, oversaw bursary secretariat to ensure equitable fund allocation, and led resource mobilization strategies aligned with community priorities and regulations.

Project Management Stakeholder Engagement Resource Mobilization Program Evaluation Quality Assurance Reporting Governance

Supervisor

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics

Mar 2016 - May 2016 (2 months)

Led a research team for household data collection across Nyandarua County, ensured data quality and compliance with standards, and prepared detailed reports for senior management.

Field Supervision Data Collection Quality Assurance Team Leadership Reporting Logistics

Principal Investigator

University of Nairobi

Oct 2013 - Oct 2014 (1 year)

Designed and implemented a grant project to improve smallholder livelihoods through capacity building, recruited and trained 20 farmers in post-harvest management, and established monitoring systems to evaluate impact.

Project Design Grant Management Capacity Building Monitoring & Evaluation Training Post Harvest Management

Research Assistant

University of Nairobi

Oct 2011 - Apr 2014 (2 years 6 months)

Screened and isolated pesticide-degrading microorganisms from contaminated soils and used PCR, gel electrophoresis and bioinformatics to identify degradation genes, presenting findings regularly to the research team.

PCR Electrophoresis Bioinformatics Microbial Isolation Data Presentation