James Ndungu

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Activities and societies: Relevant studies included: Small Enterprise Promotion programme

Completed a small enterprise promotion program. Gained knowledge in promoting and developing small businesses.

Obtained a diploma in Marketing and Communications. Developed skills in marketing strategies and communication techniques.

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.

Grade: Band 7

Achieved an overall band 7 in the International English Language Testing System. Demonstrated high proficiency in English language skills.