Ms. Chihenyo Mvoyi

Kenya

E-mail: mvoyi@iucn.org or chimvoyi@yahoo.com

1. Education: University of Nairobi, Kenya. Masters of Science in Zoology: Aquatic Ecology & Management University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, Kenya. Bachelor of Science in Zoology; minor in Chemistry (Honors) Fields of Interest: environmental governance, ecosystem management and sustainable livelihoods.

2. Programme Officer, IUCN-Eastern Africa Regional Office- 2004-to date Responsibilities: Manage and support the implementation of project activities in IUCN freshwater and marine programmes for the Eastern Africa Region and support the conceptualization and design of new projects. Field Programme Officer, East African Wildlife Society- 2001-2003 Responsibilities: Manage and support the development of a marine programme, through mobilizing and building rapport with marine stakeholders along the Kenyan Coast. Involved in conducting environmental assessments along the Kenyan Coast. As a program officer I am involved in the conceptualization, design and implementation of projects that intend to solve local, national or regional conservation problems. Major Work Challenges 1. In ensuring the long-term sustainability and active involvement of communities in conservation and sustainable utilization of resources. 2. In the area of environmental governance, how best to mobilise stakeholders of transboundary and cross-border ecosystems to be involved and integrated by their Governments in the management of their ecosystems. 3. In developing integrated governance frameworks for cross-border and transboundary ecosystems, so as to ensure the achievement of MDG 7. An initiative that I am involved in that is trying to address these challenges is the Eastern Africa Regional Wetlands Programme, which involves 4 countries.

Mr. Stephen Wanyoike (Wams) Wamiti

Kenya

E-mail: wamsnarina@yahoo.com

1. Education: B.Sc. Natural Resources Management, Egerton University, Kenya. Fields of Interest: Ecology (Ornithology) - I'd like to further: 1) my education in ecological behavior, avian parasites, spatial analysis (GIS) or effects of habitat fragmentation on populations (genetics) 2) my service to rural community. I have identified key development areas, e.g., education, health & nutrition and HIV/AIDS. Work History: Served a one year (1999/00) assignment in a community-based conservation project with the East Africa Natural History Society before joining the Ornithology Department where I have worked in different capacities e.g., a fellowship in Important Bird Areas Program of BirdLife International (2001-03). I have also received professional training, e.g. African Tropical Biodiversity Program (2000) and an Internship at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Pennsylvania, USA (fall 2003).

2. Currently on a Research Associateship with Department of Ornithology, National Museums of Kenya, carrying out a Rufford Small Grants' project on 'enhancing capacity for learning bird ringing skills through research and conservation'. I have been involved in community activities like training in ornithological survey methods and bird identification techniques. The major wrestle that I wish to bring in my work is involvement of local communities in an enterprising manner to gain direct benefits through participation in conservation of Kenya's diverse avifauna and other biodiversity in a sustainable way. This should help them identify with the resources they are to protect for their own good and the environment. Due to poverty levels and unstable national economy, this is very challenging.

Mr. Wondimu Tekle

Ethiopia

E-mail: w_tekle@yahoo.com

1. I have acquired a Bsc Degree in the field of Irrigation Engineering (Arbamich Waster Technology Institute) and Msc Degree in Hydraulic Engineering (International Institute for Infrastructure, Delft, Netherlands). I have gained over 12 years of professional experience in planning, study, design, construction, field investigation, detailed structural design, inspection, crossing site selection, analysis, drawing, specification and project report preparation, quality control, construction supervision and management of a number of major and minor structures. As a senior Hydraulic structural engineer, well experienced in the evaluation of dams, weirs, road crossing and drainage structures, analysis of slope stability and proposing remedial measures, Hydrologic data analysis for planning and operation of water resource projects, I have experience in evaluation of professional technical reports and methods of timely transfer of project information to the engineers. Design and construction follow-up and proposing solutions when ever trouble shoots on different projects.

2. Before I joined my current organization, I was working in the Commission for Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Rehabilitation as a department head and team leader. Currently, as a General Manager of South Irrigation Development authority, I am responsible for conducting numerous related tasks of the authority in various governmental and non-governmental irrigation projects. I am responsible for giving constant feedback for policy-makers and employers over significant matters to be considered, project appraisals, project budgeting, checking environmentally-friendly projects, arrangement of handovers and acceptances - managing and coordinating all design and construction projects undertaken by the authority through out the Southern Region. I am also responsible for verifying, finalizing and approving various kinds of water resource design such as dams, river diversion, pumps and water harvesting for their accuracy, completeness and conformance with design standards and specification.