Choolwe Mulenga
Kabwe,Zambia
Summary
Organised professional with focus on coordinating projects and streamlining operations. Capable of enhancing team productivity and ensuring timely project completion through strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Adept at managing resources and fostering communication between departments to achieve set objectives.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work history
DMAN Country Coordinator & Africa SMART Training Lead
Panthera Wildcat Conservation
Lusaka, Lusaka Province
2025.07 - 2026.03
- Lead coordination of operational MERL and SMART data systems across Zambia
- Oversee data quality assurance, verification, cleaning, and standardisation across field sites
- Manage operational databases and ensure alignment with reporting requirements and internal indicators
- Lead donor reporting on operational data, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
- Coordinate monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting outputs for conservation programmes
- Translate raw field data into analytical outputs (maps, dashboards, summaries) for adaptive management
- Support development of monitoring tools and reporting frameworks for conservation planning
- Coordinate baseline assessments and field data verification processes where required
- Facilitate integration of SMART and EarthRanger data into decision-making platforms
- Provide technical leadership on data systems troubleshooting and improvement
- Lead training on SMART and operational data systems across Africa
Regional Coordinator – Conservation Technology (MERL Systems Lead)
Panthera Wildcat Conservation
Lusaka, Lusaka Province
2022.01 - 2025.06
- Coordinated multi-country MERL and operational data systems across Southern and East Africa (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Angola, South Africa)
- Ensured timely delivery of donor reports, including annual and quarterly performance reports
- Supported implementation of logframe indicators and conservation performance frameworks
- Led data quality assurance processes across multiple field sites
- Supported baseline data collection, surveys, and operational assessments
- Provided technical support for SMART and EarthRanger data systems
- Conducted training on MERL tools and digital data collection systems
- Developed data summaries and analytical reports for adaptive management and donor reporting
- Participated in conservation standards planning and indicator development processes
- Provided feedback for improvement of global conservation data systems
SMART Coordinator – Lion Recovery Fund (Zambia & Zimbabwe)
Panthera Wildcat Conservation
Mumbwa, Lusaka Province
2021.01 - 2021.12
- Managed MERL data support for multiple conservation sites across the region
- Oversaw monthly and quarterly reporting processes for SMART-enabled sites
- Conducted data cleaning, validation, and error correction for operational datasets
- Provided technical support for data collection tools and reporting systems
- Supported donor reporting and compliance requirements
- Delivered SMART training and capacity building for field teams
- Synthesised field data into operational reports for management decision-making
SMART Coordinator – Kafue National Park
Panthera Wildcat Conservation
Mumbwa, Zambia
2019.05 - 2020.12
- Led MERL data collection, validation, and reporting across Kafue National Park
- Conducted data debriefing, verification, and quality assurance of field datasets
- Produced monthly and consolidated operational reports for stakeholders
- Supported baseline data collection and monitoring processes
- Facilitated data-driven decision-making through reporting outputs and analysis
- Conducted SMART training and capacity building for field teams
Community Conservation Officer
Panthera Wildcat Conservation
Mumbwa, Zambia
2018.12 - 2019.04
- Collected and analysed community and wildlife interaction data
- Supported surveys on human-wildlife conflict and community attitudes
- Contributed to monitoring and reporting of conservation outreach programmes
- Assisted in field data management and documentation processes
- Supported stakeholder coordination and field reporting
Environmental Planning Intern
Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW)
Lusaka, Zambia
2013.01 - 2013.01
- Supported environmental impact assessments and field data collection
- Assisted in development of protected area management plans
- Contributed to environmental monitoring and reporting processes
- Supported research and documentation for conservation planning
Education
MSc - Conservation Biology
University of Cape Town
CapeTown 2023.01 - 2024.01
BSc - Wildlife Management
Copperbelt University
Kitwe 2011.01 - 2014.01
High School Diploma - Grade 12
Mkushi High School
Mkushi 2007.01 - 2009.01
Skills
- Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL)
- Donor Reporting & Logframe Management (EU, LRF, etc)
- Data Systems Management (SMART, EarthRanger, GIS)
- Survey Design, Baselines & Assessments (KAP, HWC, patrol data systems)
- Data Quality Assurance & Verification
- Quantitative & Qualitative Data Analysis
- Adaptive Management & Learning Systems
- Dashboard, Maps & Data Visualization
- Training, Capacity Building & Mentorship
- Stakeholder Coordination (Government, NGOs, Field Teams)
- SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool)
- EarthRanger
- GIS software (mapping and spatial analysis)
- KoboToolbox / ODK data collection tools
- Microsoft Excel (advanced), Word, PowerPoint
- Project monitoring and evaluation systems
- Field data management systems and reporting platforms
REFEREES
- Kasonde, Mulenga, Field Operations Manager – Zambia, Panthera Wildcat Conservation, kmulenga@panthera.org, kasondem03@gmail.com, +260 970792968, Panthera Wildcat Conservation
- Absalom, Vilho, Human Wildlife Conflict National Coordinator, Absalom.Vilho@meft.gov.na, +264 81 418 3437, Ministry of Environment Forestry and Tourism, Namibia, Namibia
- Terry, Basabeka Njovu, Wildlife Warden – CITES Management Authority, Terry.Njovu@mot.gov.zm, +260 979658658, Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Zambia, Zambia
Timeline
DMAN Country Coordinator & Africa SMART Training Lead
Panthera Wildcat Conservation
2025.07 - 2026.03
MSc - Conservation Biology
University of Cape Town
2023.01 - 2024.01
Regional Coordinator – Conservation Technology (MERL Systems Lead)
Panthera Wildcat Conservation
2022.01 - 2025.06
SMART Coordinator – Lion Recovery Fund (Zambia & Zimbabwe)
Panthera Wildcat Conservation
2021.01 - 2021.12
SMART Coordinator – Kafue National Park
Panthera Wildcat Conservation
2019.05 - 2020.12
Community Conservation Officer
Panthera Wildcat Conservation
2018.12 - 2019.04
Environmental Planning Intern
Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW)
2013.01 - 2013.01
BSc - Wildlife Management
Copperbelt University
2011.01 - 2014.01
High School Diploma - Grade 12
Mkushi High School
2007.01 - 2009.01