Adhiambo Ouma
Development Research, Trainer and Capacity Building
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Practitioner- Health and Well Being
Phone:
+46 70 3167459
Email:
Address:
Matematikgränd 23 D
90733 Umeå, Sweden
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Hello! I'm Adhiambo
I was born and raised in the eastern Lake Victoria Region of Africa. As a scholar, I am motivated to work and build on understandings between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples through story- telling, listening, research, writing and teaching. An economic and social cultural geographer with a specialization in ethnobotanical knowledge and critical research with Indigenous societies and communities.I look at geographies of indigenous ethnobotany, socio-spatial transformation, urbanization, socio-cultural determinants of health and work with plant based therapeutic methods.
I have extensive experience in Programming and Technical capacity building, policy and diplomatic advisory within International Development practice.
Thematic areas
* Environmental (biodiversity),Social and economic sustainability;
* Gender culture and Development;
* Diplomacy,Conflict Mitigation and resolution.
EXPERIENCE
2014-Present
Senior Technical Consultant
Ethnobotanical research. An economic and social cultural geographer with a specialization in ethnobotanical knowledge and critical research with Indigenous societies and communities.I look at geographies of indigenous ethnobotany, socio-spatial transformation, urbanization, socio-cultural determinants of health and work with plant based therapeutic methods.
My doctoral dissertation, funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency’s Department for Research Cooperation, examined Indigenous ethnobotanical medicinal knowledge and socio-spatial transformation in the eastern lake Victoria Region of Kenya and Tanzania,linkages to previous and contemporary colonial geographies. I have published on the use of narratives and storytelling in presenting contemporary Indigenous community discourses in governance.
Current work focuses on 1) Examining inter-generational learning of ethnobotanical knowledge based on oral narratives and place- based learning;2)Commodification of ethnobotanical knowledge and livelihoods, encounters in urban spaces and places 3) Socio-cultural determinants of community and individual health and wellbeing.
Evaluation,Trainer, proposal writing, Monitoring and evauation ( social, environmental and economic sustainability)
UNDP TANZANIA
My work as part of the Unit and responsible for the Gender Portfolio of the UNDP country Office and developed the Project Support Document.She provided both technical and hands on support ensuring that the new programme proposal was finalised. During the assignment support was provided to formulate realistic quarterly plans and budget advances while making follow-up through actual disbursements.Support was provided to the quarterly reporting requirements ensuring that quality and timely reports were produced. Participation in activities supported by the programme as a way to monitor and add value.Advised on the contracting process for third party implementing Agents (CSOs, consulting firms etc) and backstopped on the management of such contracts.
Advised on coordination between Ministry of Community Development Gender Affairs and Children Dar es Salaam and Ministry of Youth Labour, Women and children development- Zanzibar and sector gender specialists for effective coordination.Identified skills gaps within the ministry staff and Country office staff on gender and programme management in general.Advised on training plan and conducted the training.Ouma provided support in substantive advocacy work on the Gender Agenda for UNDP, the Development Partners, CSOs and the UN System more broadly. Technical support to the two Gender Ministries as well as significant contribution to integrating Gender into the National Strategy for Growth and Production (NSGRP). This included mending relationship between the Gender Macro-Group and the Vice-President's Office.
Additional assignment included the role as UNDP's focal point for the International Conference for the Great Lakes Region. Ouma initiated, organised , planned meetings and collaborative forums which provided and established solid partnership building and diplomaticrapport between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and UNDP Tanzania as well as the UN more broadly.
2002-2006
Diplomatic Advisor and Gender Programme Specialist
UNDP VIETNAMN, ETHIOPIA
Provided support in the preparation for the negotiations of the UNDP Country program and its periodic revisions, evaluations with the Government institutions.Co-ordination, and backstopping of missions of UNDP and UN Agency bilateral agency consultants, NGOs and others.
Daily and periodic monitoring of the assigned program of UNDP activities and as the environmental focal point, preparation of periodic progress reports on assigned projects as well as evaluation of the program. Periodic field visits to project sites.Prepared briefing notes as necessary and promptly recorded all substantive matter in the files.Updated and maintained information on bilateral, multilateral and NGOs environmental programs on-going and planned in Viet Nam and Ethiopia.
Focal Point for UNDP in country on biodiversity, the UN conventions on biodiversity, climate change and desertification. Contributed information to incoming visitors and missions as well as to the monthly newsletter for the Indo-China sub-region.In Ethiopia, Was focal point for UNDP country office for celebrations and activities marking World Environmental and World Desertification Days.
As Program Officer, assisted in the preparation, formulation ,evaluation of the program/project documents, project descriptions, work plans and budgets.
Provided substantive support to the development and implementation of the National Action Program for Ethiopia by the Environmental Protection Authority within the context of the Convention to combat desertification.As program officer,assissted in the development,formulation of 7 Pipeline projects for funding by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), in close collaboration with the relevant Government Institutions in Ethiopia.Managed a 2.4 million GEF funded project.
As member of theGender Task Force, initiated the development of a Gender Briefing Kit for the CO.A member of the Special Service Agreement Committee at UNDP for recruitment of project staff for UNDP Program in Ethiopia.
1995-1998
Programme Officer
EDUCATION
2006-2014
Umeå University
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Economic and Social Geography
1986-1987
UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education
Makerere Univeristy
SKILLS
Program Management
Qualitative Research
Organisational Capacity
International relations & Diplomacy
Swedish, English, French, Kiswahili, Luo
Policy Analysis & Strategic Consulting
EXPERTISE
My doctoral dissertation, funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency’s Department for Research Cooperation, examined Indigenous ethnobotanical medicinal knowledge and socio-spatial transformation in the eastern lake Victoria Region of Kenya and Tanzania,linkages to previous and contemporary colonial geographies. I have published on the use of narratives and storytelling in presenting contemporary Indigenous community discourses in governance.
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Current work focuses on
1) Examining inter-generational learning of ethnobotanical knowledge based on oral narratives and place- based learning;
2) Commodification of ethnobotanical knowledge and livelihoods, encounters in urban spaces and places
3) Socio-cultural determinants of community and individual health and wellbeing.
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In my current assignments as professional adviser on international evaluation of programs, I support and guide companies and organisations on practical tools in evaluating social, environment and economic sustainability as an integral part of programming.