Mutibo Chijikwa
Lusaka
Summary
An award-winning fellow for the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development fellowship and a food security champion. Skilled in policy development and analysis, research methodologies, and scientific writing. Combines creativity and analytical skills to advocate for sustainable agriculture and climate change. A Biosafety professional with over a decade of experience in regulatory compliance, risk assessment, and program management within the biosafety and agricultural sectors. Proven track record in inspections, surveillance, and GMO compliance. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Biosafety Officer - Research and Field
National Biosafety Authority
05.2016 - Current
- Developed and implemented biosafety regulatory frameworks, including transparent and scientifically sound risk assessment reviews, ensuring informed decision-making and stakeholder confidence.
- Conducted comprehensive inspections of 16 GMO research and 83 field facilities to ensure 100% compliance with biosafety standards, fostering a compliance culture and risk mitigation for over two years.
- Developed and delivered clear and concise presentations, reports, and recommendations on biosafety issues to diverse audiences, including government officials, international organizations, and research institutions.
- Streamlined and optimized GMO sampling, detection, and analysis protocols, through memoranda of understanding with other regulatory institutions in the value chain.
- Managed a team of 17 biosafety inspector professional, providing leadership, supervision, and mentorship to achieve organizational goals effectively.
- Cultivated strong relationships with partners and external stakeholders to identify opportunities for collaboration and resource mobilization, maximizing impact within limited resources.
- Demonstrated high ethical standards, emotional intelligence, and integrity in handling confidential and sensitive issues related to biosafety regulation.
- Oversaw project monitoring schedules and market surveillance activities, resulting in a reduction in regulatory violations and associated risks
- Led the development of an Institutional Biosafety manual to guide operations of institutional Biosafety Committees (IBC) and utilise in developing training programs and materials on biosafety regulations and best practices for staff and stakeholders.
Part-time Lecturer - Ecosystem and Biodiversity
Cavendish University of Zambia
01.2023 - 12.2023
- Designed and delivered 12 engaging lectures on ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation, fostering critical thinking and knowledge transfer
- Facilitated interactive discussions and practical exercises to deepen understanding of environmental sustainability principles and national and international agreements among students
- Cultivated critical thinking skills through challenging assignments that required analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information from various sources.
Integrated Pest Management Specialist
Cotton Development Trust
01.2009 - 04.2016
- Evaluated research programs and collaborated with agronomy units to develop and validate integrated pest management strategies, optimizing crop yield and sustainability.
- Managed Agriculture Development Support Project (ADSP) initiatives, contributing to formulating national-level IPPM policy and sustainable agricultural practice
- Served as National Coordinator for the Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) program, promoting on-farm conservation and disaster preparedness, ultimately sensitizing 58 farming communities/people on climate-smart agriculture practices
- Developed and delivered training materials for over 1000 smallholder farmers using farmer field school approaches, emphasizing climate-smart agriculture and adaptive farming techniques
- Co-created a new plant variety from existing indigenous genetic resources that was more drought tolerant and superior in fibre characteristics for use in Zambia
Education
Ph.D. - Entomology, Fall armyworm
University of Zambia
Zambia2025
Msc, Effects of intercropping systems on incidence and damage to cotton by Diaparopsis castanea hampson (lepidoptera: arctiidae) in Magoye, Mazabuka district of Zambia - Entomology
University of Zambia
Zambia01.2013
Bsc - Entomology and Parasitology
University of Zambia
Zambia01.2007
GCE London Examinations General Certificate of Education -
International Tuition Centre (Zambia)
Zambia06.2002
Skills
- Diligent and self-driven
- Efficiently manages tasks with minimal oversight
- Adapts easily to new environments
- Works effectively within multidisciplinary teams
- Proficient in advanced statistical software such as SPSS, STATA, R studio, Microsoft Office Suite, and ArcGIS
- Efficient Coordinator and communicator
- Engages in strategic planning
- Demonstrates preparedness to handle emergencies
Associations Affiliated With
- Chairperson of the Zambian Women in Agriculture Research and Development
- Member of Entomological Society of Zambia
- United State embassy Alumni in Zambia
- Mandela Washington Fellow
Publications Training Workshops Attended
- Cotton Production Guide, 2017, Cotton Development Trust
- Cotton Integrated Production and Pest Management Manual, 2016, Cotton Development Trust
- Effects of intercropping systems on incidence and damage to cotton by Diaparopsis Castanea Hampson (Lepidoptera: arctiidae) in Magoye, Mazabuka district of Zambia, 2015, University of Zambia, Thesis
- Risk Assessment Training: Food and Agriculture Organisation, May 2018, Lusaka, Zambia
- Mandela Washington Fellowship: 6 week training in Public Management, June- July 2014, University of Minnesota, USA
- Biosafety Course: Holistic foundation for assessment and regulation of genetic engineering and genetically modified organisms, April 2012, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Scaling up food security: Champion for Change course: sponsored by USAID, CAADP and Africa Lead, November 2011, Chisamba, Zambia
- Leadership course: CGIAR Gender and Diversity/AWARD, March 2011, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Mentoring Orientation Workshop: CGIAR Gender and Diversity/AWARD. October 2010, Mombasa, Kenya
Nrc
886759/11/1
Tel
+260 211 278316
Fax
+260 211 278316
Work Email
infor@nbazambia.org.zm
Personal Information
- Place of Birth: Lusaka
- Hobbies: Reading books, Travelling and learning about different cultures, Playing volleyball and swimming
- Date of Birth: 10/28/83
- Nationality: Zambian
References
- Mr Sunduzwayo Banda, Chief Executive Officer, Cotton Board of Zambia, Showgrounds, Lusaka, Zambia, +260966918949, bandasunduzwayo@gmail.com
- Professor P.O Y Nkunika, Senior Lecturer, The University of Zambian, Biological Science, P.O. Box, Lusaka, Zambia, +260974700588, pnkunika@unza.zm
- Mr Lackson Tonga, Registrar, National Biosafety Authority, P.O. Box 51119 Chilanga, Zambia, +260 96 6919333, ltonga2013@gmail.com
Timeline
Part-time Lecturer - Ecosystem and Biodiversity
Cavendish University of Zambia
01.2023 - 12.2023
Senior Biosafety Officer - Research and Field
National Biosafety Authority
05.2016 - Current
Integrated Pest Management Specialist
Cotton Development Trust
01.2009 - 04.2016
Ph.D. - Entomology, Fall armyworm
University of Zambia
Msc, Effects of intercropping systems on incidence and damage to cotton by Diaparopsis castanea hampson (lepidoptera: arctiidae) in Magoye, Mazabuka district of Zambia - Entomology
University of Zambia
Bsc - Entomology and Parasitology
University of Zambia
GCE London Examinations General Certificate of Education -
International Tuition Centre (Zambia)
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