James Ndungu
@jamesndungu
Environmental and Development Consultant with expertise in natural resource management.
What I'm looking for
I am an experienced Environmental and Development Consultant with a strong background in natural resource management and environmental planning. With a Master of Arts in Environmental Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi, I have dedicated my career to addressing global environmental issues and promoting sustainable development practices.
Throughout my career, I have successfully led numerous projects aimed at ecosystem restoration, water quality assessment, and biodiversity conservation. My role as a Lead Consultant for various organizations, including WWF and ENRM Associates, has allowed me to develop comprehensive strategies that align with national and global environmental goals. I am passionate about stakeholder engagement and have a proven track record of facilitating multi-stakeholder participation to achieve impactful outcomes.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
Lead Consultant, Water Quality Study
ENRM Map and Associates
Apr 2024 - Jul 2024 (3 months)
Led a baseline study to map hydrology, assess water quality and quantity, and determine ecological flows in Kimana – Nolturesh sub-basins. Established a citizen-led monitoring system and documented the status of water pollution.
Lead Consultant, Restoration Plan
ENRM Associates
Sep 2023 - May 2024 (8 months)
Developed a comprehensive restoration plan for 25,000 Ha in Kajiado South for the WWF AREECA project. This included concrete restoration measures and budgets for all land use clusters, aiming for positive environmental impact.
Lead Consultant, Ecosystem Restoration
ENRM Associates
Nov 2023 - Mar 2024 (4 months)
Consolidated and developed a national ecosystem landscape and restoration strategy for Kenya, including an implementation plan. Assessed institutional mandates, mapped stakeholders, and framed a Theory of Change for enhanced restoration commitments.
SEA, Land Use Subdivision Plan
ENRM Associates
Mar 2022 - Dec 2023 (1 year 9 months)
Conducted a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Mbririkani Group Ranch Land Use Subdivision Plan, anticipating short and long-term impacts. Recommended mitigation measures for plan implementation, addressing individual land rights.
Expert, Integrated Conservation Program
Habitat Planners
Aug 2021 - Dec 2021 (4 months)
Conducted a feasibility study for an integrated conservation program across six transboundary landscapes in Kenya and Tanzania, aiming to establish and protect wildlife corridors. Performed baseline surveys, ESSF assessment, stakeholder engagement, and capacity assessment.
Regional Expert, Blue Economy
IGAD
Dec 2018 - Jun 2019 (6 months)
Assessed the Blue Economy's contribution across IGAD member states, focusing on sustainable natural resource management and resilience. Developed a strategic manual for BE valuation and an IGAD BE strategy with an implementation plan.
SESA Consultant, Mining Sector
Habitat Planners
Feb 2017 - Jun 2017 (4 months)
Conducted a Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) for Kenya's mining sector, identifying gaps in the Mining Act 2016 and recommending guidelines. Involved screening policy instruments, field visits, stakeholder mapping, and workshop facilitation.
Evaluation Sector Expert, NRT
Management Systems International
Oct 2016 - Jan 2017 (3 months)
Conducted a post-evaluation of the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) project, identifying management weaknesses and sustainability gaps. Provided recommendations on governance structures, conservancy management, and peace-building among pastoralist communities.
ESIA Expert, Railway Project
Habitat Planners
Sep 2016 - Oct 2016 (1 month)
Carried out an Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Nairobi-Enoosupukia Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Project, which received NEMA approval. Involved upstream consultations, scenario building, stakeholder mapping, impact analysis, and report writing.
NRM/Socio-Economic Analysis Consultant
Act Change and Transform NGO
Nov 2015 - Nov 2015 (0 months)
Assessed the Environment & Natural Resources sector in Kenya, identifying negative impacts of climate change, land degradation, and weak land use policies on livelihoods. Focused on water scarcity, food security, and income loss, presenting findings and recommendations.
National Environment Consultant, UNHCR
UNHCR
Jul 2014 - Dec 2014 (5 months)
Developed an energy strategy for refugee humanitarian operations in Kenya, aiming to improve energy access and reduce security risks for women and girls. Conducted baseline studies, impact assessments on land degradation, and recommended sustainable energy types.
EIA Expert, Amboseli National Park
Habitat Planners Ltd.
Jun 2014 - Jun 2014 (0 months)
Conducted a Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) for the Amboseli National Park Ecosystem Management Plan, providing recommendations on land use, tourism development, and conservation. Emphasized zoning for tourist facilities and infrastructure for host community participation.
Environmental Consultant, Climate Change
Help Self Help Centre (NGO)
May 2013 - Sep 2013 (4 months)
Developed the Nyeri County Climate Change Policy Framework, domesticating the National Climate Change Response Strategy and mainstreaming climate resilience measures. Evaluated activities for emission reduction, existing legal frameworks, and recommended county legislation for carbon trading.
EIA Expert, Geothermal Development
Habitat Planners Ltd.
Jun 2013 - Jun 2013 (0 months)
Conducted a full Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Olkaria Geothermal Development Area, highlighting social, environmental, and economic implications. Provided recommendations for resettlement, technology, and mitigation of air and water pollution impacts.
Program Manager, NRM Program
Pact Kenya
Jun 2011 - Sep 2012 (1 year 3 months)
Managed the Natural Resource Management Program, improving organizational capacity of non-state actors and enhancing citizen participation in NRM and climate change projects. Increased institutional avenues for mainstreaming climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.
Environmental Consultant, Land Management
PDP Consultants Ltd
Sep 2011 - Feb 2012 (5 months)
Developed an Integrated Investment Framework (IIF) for Tanzania’s Sustainable Land Management, informing resource allocation criteria across seven Agro-ecological zones. Assisted in decision-making for suitable land use types, optimizing financial and labor resources with minimal land degradation.
Environmental Consultant, Biodiversity
IGAD
Jan 2011 - Jun 2011 (5 months)
Developed a biodiversity management proposal for the IGAD region, targeting cross-border ecosystems and securing funding for a Dryland Forest and Biodiversity Management project. The proposal supported cross-border conservation sites and promoted conservation initiatives.
Deputy Director, Wildlife Conservation
African Conservation Centre
Sep 2001 - Dec 2009 (8 years 3 months)
Provided programmatic and financial management support to community wildlife conservation projects, securing funding and establishing three wildlife conservancies. Trained Game Scouts for security and oversaw day-to-day administration, ensuring compliance with work plans and budgets.
Regional Wildlife Partnerships Coordinator
Kenya Wildlife Service
Mar 1993 - Sep 2000 (7 years 6 months)
Implemented a benefit-sharing program, improving relationships between host communities and Kenya Wildlife Service, mainly reducing human-wildlife conflicts. Managed wildlife conservation initiatives outside protected areas, establishing community conservancies and building community capacity.
Fisheries Officer
Ministry of Regional Development, Kenya
Jan 1987 - Mar 1993 (6 years 2 months)
Involved in fisheries extension, management, and monitoring of inland fisheries, increasing the number of fish farmers tenfold. Through control of fishing nets and illegal fishing, increased fish catch into a sustainable income-generating activity.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
African Centre for Technology Studies
Certificate of Achievement, Technology and Sustainable Development
Activities and societies: Relevant studies included: Technology and Sustainable Development, Policy Analysis
Completed a program focusing on technology and sustainable development. Gained skills in policy analysis.
TCA Governance and Public Policy Unit
Certificate, Governance and Policy Formulation, Analysis and Advocacy
Activities and societies: Relevant studies included: Public Policy Analysis (UK) and Kenya, Communication of Policy, Influencing Public Policy
Undertook training in governance and public policy, focusing on formulation, analysis, and advocacy. Developed skills in communication of policy and influencing public policy.
Conservation International and Centre for Applied Biodiversity Science
Certificate, Remote Sensing and Biodiversity Habitat Monitoring
Activities and societies: Relevant studies included: Remote Sensing and Biodiversity Habitat Monitoring
Completed training in regional analysis, with a focus on remote sensing and biodiversity habitat monitoring. Gained practical skills in conservation applications.
Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife Kenya
Certificate, Fisheries Management
Activities and societies: Relevant studies included: Fisheries management, Aquaculture and fish processing technology
Received training in fisheries management and aquaculture. Gained knowledge in fish processing technology.
National Museums of Kenya and Kenya Wildlife Service
Certificate, Wildlife Conservation and Environmental Education
Activities and societies: Relevant studies included: Conflicts in wildlife areas and their resolution, Forests, Savannah and Wetland areas, and their conservation, Production of Environmental Education Materials
Studied conflicts in wildlife areas and their resolution, and conservation of forests, savannah, and wetland areas. Gained skills in the production of environmental education materials.
University of Nairobi
Master of Arts, Environmental Planning and Management
Activities and societies: Relevant studies included: Major Global Environmental Issues, Environmental management Sustainable Development, Conflicts in resource Use and the Environment, Industrial Pollution, Environmental Protection, Human Impacts on the natural Environment, Environmental Management Review and Critique, Research methods in Environmental Planning and Management, Biodiversity Resource Management, Remote Sensing and GIS, Environmental Impact Assessment
Focused on major global environmental issues, environmental management, and sustainable development. Studied conflicts in resource use, industrial pollution, and environmental protection. Gained expertise in human impacts on the natural environment, environmental management review, and research methods.
University of Nairobi
BSc., Botany, Zoology and Geography
Activities and societies: Relevant studies included: Spatial Organization and the Human Environment, Aquatic Ecology, Theoretical Ecology, Applied Ecology, Advanced Plant Ecology
Studied Botany, Zoology, and Geography, focusing on spatial organization and the human environment. Gained knowledge in aquatic, theoretical, and applied ecology. Developed advanced understanding of plant ecology.
German Foundation for International Development
Training Certificate, Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Resource Use
Activities and societies: Relevant studies included: Concepts to Link Biodiversity Conservation and the Sustainable use of Natural Resources in Protected Areas Systems
Completed training on concepts to link biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources. Focused on protected areas systems.
The School for Field Studies
Certificate, Community Wildlife Management
Activities and societies: Relevant studies included: Community Wildlife Management; Stakeholder consultations, benefit sharing and local resource communal governance
Studied community wildlife management, stakeholder consultations, and benefit sharing. Gained knowledge in local resource communal governance.
Kenya Wildlife Service
Certificate, Wildlife Resource Protection and Enforcement
Activities and societies: Relevant studies included: Officers Basic Paramilitary Training. Resource Protection and enforcement of regulations (e.g., Fishing regulations, Mangrove harvesting, tourism activities)
Completed basic paramilitary training for wildlife officers. Focused on resource protection and enforcement of regulations, including fishing and mangrove harvesting.
Cranfield University
Certificate, Managing Enterprise Development
Activities and societies: Relevance: Fishery value chains, credit access, Technology sourcing and market access
Gained expertise in managing enterprise development, with relevance to fishery value chains, credit access, technology sourcing, and market access.
Kenya Institute of Management
Certificate, Small Enterprise Promotion
Activities and societies: Relevant studies included: Small Enterprise Promotion programme
Completed a small enterprise promotion program. Gained knowledge in promoting and developing small businesses.
Graffins College Nairobi
Diploma, Marketing and Communications
Obtained a diploma in Marketing and Communications. Developed skills in marketing strategies and communication techniques.
Strathmore University
Certificate, Solar PV Power Systems Design
Activities and societies: Solar is the main energy source for preservation in remote areas that are not connected to the national grid Reduction of post-harvest losses
Completed training in T1/T2 Solar PV Power Systems Design. Focused on solar energy as a main source for preservation in remote areas not connected to the national grid, aiming to reduce post-harvest losses.
The British Council
Certificate, English Language
Grade: Band 7
Achieved an overall band 7 in the International English Language Testing System. Demonstrated high proficiency in English language skills.
Availability
Location
Authorized to work in
Job categories
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