CHIMFWEMBE OLIVIA NGABA
Lusaka
Summary
Dynamic professional with over five years of experience driving impact across World Bank, EU, and BMZ-funded initiatives. Expertise spans forestry, climate change adaptation, and gender-responsive natural resource governance. Proven track record in designing comprehensive M&E systems, spearheading data-driven policy engagement, and managing inclusive, deforestation-free value chains. Adept at navigating complex stakeholder landscapes—from government ministries and private sector actors to traditional leaders—to enhance land tenure security and climate resilience. Committed to delivering evidence-based insights and sustainable development outcomes in complex environments.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Advisor - Gender, Monitoring, Communications & Liaison
GIZ Sustainable Agriculture for Forest Ecosystems (SAFE) Project
01.2023 - Current
- Leads the management of a comprehensive Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) system to track results across all project output areas, facilitating annual reporting and data-driven reflection for the European Union (EU) & the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation & Empowerment (BMZ).
- Coordinates project-wide M&E activities, ensuring performance indicators align with donor expectations.
- Leads the design and implementation of gender and intersectionality aspects, operationalising GESI principles in deforestation-free supply chains and contributing to strategic project reorientation aligned with new EU regulations.
- Synthesizing project findings & results into knowledge products for policy communication, directly supporting the capturing and dissemination of lessons learned.
- Develops concepts, strategic documentation and presentations for various stakeholders.
- Engages diverse stakeholders (smallholder farmers, traditional leaders, government partners) using a culturally sensitive, inclusive approach on various topics related to the conservation of forests and sustainable agricultural supply chains.
- Manages end-to-end project coordination, including developing comprehensive work plans, timelines, and critical milestones to ensure delivery within scope for multiple contractors.
- Was closely involved in reorientating the SAFE Zambia component of the project in line with a new EU regulation on deforestation-free supply chains; Contributed to the white paper and supporting documentation to justify the importance of a least-developed country in such a global project.
- Spearheaded a multi-channel awareness campaign on forest conservation, reaching 400,000+ individuals through radio, road shows, and school visits ; Critically reviewed and aligned key project messaging across all platforms to ensure consistency with donor and government objectives.
Junior Advisor - Gender, Monitoring & Project Management
GIZ Climate Risk Insurance in Information in Zambia (CRIIZ) Project
11.2021 - 12.2022
- Oversaw the CRIIZ Project monitoring, evaluation, and reporting system, ensuring rigorous data collection and achievement of climate resilience indicators.
- Spearheaded the project's knowledge management strategy, focusing on the systematic capturing and dissemination of lessons learned regarding climate risk insurance.
- Authored and published several technical articles and case studies for regional platforms (e.g., SNRD-Africa) that translated project data into accessible narratives for donors and government partners, including other aspects of communication for the project.
- Oversaw the development and deployment of a mobile-based gender game that helped over 100,000 rural women understand and access climate risk insurance.
- Ensured that gender indicators and topics in the CRIIZ project were mainstreamed.
- Coordinated research for a gender analysis (other project management aspects), and stakeholder outreach, using disaggregated data to inform inclusive programming and knowledge products.
Junior Advisor - IwSMs & CPMs
GIZ Accelerate Water for Agricultural Resources Efficiency (AWARE) Project
05.2021 - 11.2021
- Contributed to the conceptualization, planning, and implementation of 16 integrated watershed management (IWsMs) and catchment protection measures (CPMs).
- Developed and integrated the livestock component within the IWsM framework.
- Supported the development and documentation of the first 4 RoadMaps for IWsMs, crucial for project fulfilment with the European Union (EU) Community.
- Engaged in community outreach with local authorities to ensure the sustainability of IWsM activities under AWARE.
- Assisted in planning and steering cooperation with experts, local partners, and water user organisations.
- Contributed to the success of National Steering Committee meetings, providing updates on AWARE's interventions to major government partners.
- Played a key role in recruitment processes, successfully adding two new colleagues to the IWsM/CPM team, and selecting a new intern for the AWARE Project.
Agricultural Extension Executive (Intern)
Evolve Corporate Group
Lusaka, Zambia
02.2020 - 11.2020
- Provided industry expertise to develop innovative agricultural initiatives and identified technical assistance opportunities for project expansion.
- Developed networks and partnerships to secure funding and technical assistance, supporting the long-term sustainability of agricultural projects.
- Was responsible for day-day administration of the company.
Intern
Zambia Agribusiness & Trade Project (ZATP)
Lusaka, Zambia
11.2017 - 04.2018
- Supported a critical Baseline Study that established the standards for the Independent Verification Agency and supported the creation of disbursement-linked indicators (DLIs) for project stakeholders.
- Conducted a value chain landscape assessment of SMEs and domestic traders, leading to the creation of a comprehensive sector database.
- Designed quantitative and qualitative data collection tools and drafted concept notes to document baseline outcomes and landscape trends.
- Assisted in executing Phase 1 outreach across five provinces, facilitating the formation and training of the first 20 Product Organizations to improve marketability for off-takers.
- Managed project logistics, including budget preparation, training coordination, and the production of high-quality reports and minutes for diverse stakeholders
Education
Master of Science - Environmental and Natural Resources Management
University of Zambia
Lusaka04-2026
Bachelor of Science - Agricultural Economics (with Merit)
University of Zambia
Lusaka01.2019
Skills
- Data Analysis (SPSS) & Research Methods
- Knowledge Management & Technical Writing
- GESI & Gender-Responsive Governance
- Multi-Stakeholder Liaison & Coordination
- Strategic Communications
- Proactive & Problem-solving
- Critical Thinking & Analytical Rigor
- Adaptability & Quick Learning
- Independent & Team-Oriented
- Leadership & Management
Certification
• Certificate | McKinsey Forward Learning Programme, 2022, McKinsey (Virtual Learning Programme)
• Certificate | Gender for Gender Focal Points, 2022, Academy for International Cooperation (GIZ Academy)
• Certificate | Introduction to Capacity WORKS, 2022, Academy for International Cooperation (GIZ Academy)
• Certificate | Results-based Monitoring, 2022, Academy for International Cooperation (GIZ Academy)
• Youth Lead Activity, 2020, FHI360 & USAID
• Certificate in Project Management, 2020, Global Changemakers
• Certificate in Communication Strategies for a Virtual Age, 2020, University of Toronto (Coursera)
• Academy for Women in Entrepreneurship, 2019 - 2020, USAID, WEAC (Cohort 3)
• Certificate | Data Analysis using SPSS, 2019, UNZASEDA
• Certificate | Gender for Gender Focal Points, 2022, Academy for International Cooperation (GIZ Academy)
• Certificate | Introduction to Capacity WORKS, 2022, Academy for International Cooperation (GIZ Academy)
• Certificate | Results-based Monitoring, 2022, Academy for International Cooperation (GIZ Academy)
• Youth Lead Activity, 2020, FHI360 & USAID
• Certificate in Project Management, 2020, Global Changemakers
• Certificate in Communication Strategies for a Virtual Age, 2020, University of Toronto (Coursera)
• Academy for Women in Entrepreneurship, 2019 - 2020, USAID, WEAC (Cohort 3)
• Certificate | Data Analysis using SPSS, 2019, UNZASEDA
Articles And Accomplishments
Articles:
- https://zerodeforestationhub.eu/news/cultivating-resilience-madam-racheals-journey-in-soy-farming/ (2025)
- https://www.snrd-africa.net/gender-game/ (2022)
- https://www.snrd-africa.net/how-climate-risk-insurance-and-information-is-changing-minds/ (2021)
Languages
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Bemba
Native
Native
References
Saskia Kuhn (Ms.),
Advisor (SAFE Project) and Project Coordinator (EPICSA Project),
German Development Cooperation (GIZ),
Contact: +260 979 701707,
Email address: saskia.kuhn@giz.de
____________________________________________________________________
Beatrice Nyimbili (Ms.),
Advisor (AWARE 2.0 Project),
German Development Cooperation (GIZ),
Contact: +260 977875 624,
Email address: beatrice.nyimbili@giz.de
____________________________________________________________________
Chewe Nkonde (PhD),
Lecturer and Researcher,
University of Zambia,
Contact: +260 973 489 931,
Email: chewenkonde@gmail.com
Timeline
Advisor - Gender, Monitoring, Communications & Liaison
GIZ Sustainable Agriculture for Forest Ecosystems (SAFE) Project
01.2023 - Current
Junior Advisor - Gender, Monitoring & Project Management
GIZ Climate Risk Insurance in Information in Zambia (CRIIZ) Project
11.2021 - 12.2022
Junior Advisor - IwSMs & CPMs
GIZ Accelerate Water for Agricultural Resources Efficiency (AWARE) Project
05.2021 - 11.2021
Agricultural Extension Executive (Intern)
Evolve Corporate Group
02.2020 - 11.2020
Intern
Zambia Agribusiness & Trade Project (ZATP)
11.2017 - 04.2018
Master of Science - Environmental and Natural Resources Management
University of Zambia
Bachelor of Science - Agricultural Economics (with Merit)
University of Zambia