DYLAN BWALYA KASONDE
Lusaka
Summary
Visionary and pragmatic leader with strategic mindset, driven to lead organisations towards growth and innovation. Demonstrated success in managing cross-functional teams and cultivating strong business relationships. Committed to delivering transformative results and fostering culture of excellence.Applies knowledge of industry best practices and business needs to devise innovative solutions. Strategic thinker with advanced analysis skills. Confidently tackles large scale challenges, prioritising greater organisational efficienc
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
CEO and Lead Consultant
Strategic Focus Limited
11.2023 - 12.2024
- CEO and lead consultant in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Information Management and Cybersecurity, IT Governance, Strategic Planning and Management and Project Management
Director ICT
Electoral Commission of Zambia
11.2017 - 10.2023
- Engaged as Head of IT department in Nov 2017
- Worked in this role for six years
- Supervised Systems Manager, software developers, database administrators and GIS engineers in the Systems Section of the dept
- Also supervised IT Operations Manager, Network Engineers, Systems Engineers, Datacentre engineers, ICT Support officers and IT Helpdesk Staff in the operations section of the dept
- In charge of the Datacentres of the institution
- Engagement of various stakeholders in the electoral process for the introduction of technology in business and electoral processes
- Digital Transformation - Use of technology to enable business and electoral processes
- Managed data for all the electoral and administrative processes which included voter data of over seven million records, candidate data, electoral boundary data, and election results management data for a period spanning 32 years (1991 to 2023)
- Managed SAP ERP data for Financials and HR Modules
- Overseeing the Software Development, Database Administration, IT Operations and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) sections to ensure attainment of organizational objectives
- Project Design and Implementation using PRINCE 2 project management framework
- Identification, assessment, management and monitoring of ICT related risks
- Overseeing and safeguarding the IT Assets of the organisation (Data, Software and Hardware Infrastructure)
- Designing, implementing and managing Business Continuity Program (BCP) and Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) for the institution
- Governance and Management of IT using the COBIT Framework
- Served as Program Manager representing ECZ on the Support to the Electoral Cycle Project from 2016 to 2018
- Project supported by European Union (EU), USAID, DFID, Irish Aid and coordinated by United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
- Member of the Technical Committee and supported the Steering Committee during governance and oversight interactions
- Provided technical support for the Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) conducted in Zambia in 2018 by UNDP team from UN Headquarters in New York
- Design and Implementation of SAP Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) for the organization
- Part of the management team of Strategy planning, implementation and monitoring for two 5-year plans
- ICT Budget formulation, implementation, monitoring and reporting
- Designing, implementing and managing the Cyber Security Strategy
- Implementation of enhanced Biometric Voter Registration Systems
- Oversee the provisional of technical support to all the electoral processes – Delimitation, Voter Registration, Candidate Nominations, Accreditation of Electoral Stakeholders, Polls and Results Management
International Visitor, Leadership Program (IVLP)
04.2022 - 05.2022
- Nominated by United States Department of State for the Premier Professional exchange program the IVLP for current and emerging foreign leaders
- It was conducted in Washington DC, Fairfax Virginia, St Louis Missouri and Denver Colorado
Operations Manager
Electoral Commission of Zambia
05.2007 - 11.2017
- In charge of IT Operations Section
- Served in this role for ten and a half years
- Design, implementation and Management of Organisation Helpdesk
- Managing the Cybersecurity program of the institution
- Ensure optimal operation of the organisation’s Data Centres
- Managing the Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN)
- Provide technical support to all the electoral processes – Delimitation, Voter Registration, Candidate Nominations, Accreditation of Electoral Stakeholders, Polls and Results Management
APC - IT Operations
National Assembly of Zambia /Zambian Parliament
11.2004 - 04.2007
- Data Management for the Zambian Parliament
- Designed, implemented and coordinated all the IT infrastructure and operations of the Zambian Parliament
- Spearheaded Cybersecurity and IT helpdesk management initiatives
- Implemented the electronic voting system of the Parliament
Education
Master of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship - Innovation and Entrepreneurship
HEC Paris
Paris, France 06/2021 - 12/2022
Master of Science in Enterprise Risk Management - Enterprise Risk Management
Columbia University
New York City, United States of America 01/2019 - 03/2022
Master of Science - Strategic Planning
Heriot Watt University
Edinburgh, United Kingdom 01/2013 - 12/2014
Master of Business Administration - Business Administration
Heriot Watt University
Edinburgh, United Kingdom 01/2010 - 12/2011
Bachelor of Engineering - Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Merit)
University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia 02/1994 - 05/2000
Certificate of Higher Education - Strategic Frameworks for Non-Governmental Organisations (SFNO)
Harvard University, Kennedy School of Governance
Cambridge, United States of America 03/2010 - 05/2010
Post Graduate Diploma - Managing Democratic Elections in Africa
University of South Africa (UNISA)
Pretoria, South Africa 08/2013 - 12/2013
Skills
- Stakeholder management
- Expert strategist
- Strategic networking
- Problem solving skills
- High-value project management
- Change management
- Project budgeting
- Strategic thinking
- Strategic consultancy
- Public Procurement
- Risk Management
- IT Governance
- Cybersecurity
Certification
- Certified in Risk and Information System Controls (CRISC)
- Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA)
- Certified in Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT)
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
- SANs Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)
- ISO 27001 Lead Implementer
- PRINCE 2 Practitioner
- PRINCE 2 Foundation
- COBIT 5 Assessor
- COBIT 5 Implementer
- COBIT 5 Foundation
- Information and Network Security Certification (Distinction) CDAC
Affiliations
- Fellow of Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ)
- ISACA Silver Member
- Member of Information and Communication Technology Association of Zambia (ICTAZ)
Custom
- Professor Shahryar Shaghaghi, Personal Referee and Mentor, Columbia University, School of Professional Studies, Morningside Campus, New York City, New York, 10027, USA, ss5602@columbia.edu
- Ambassador Ali Simwinga, Vice Chairperson, Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), Elections House, Lusaka, Lusaka, 10101, Zambia, (+26) 097.215.7122, ali.simwinga@elections.org.zm
- Kryticous Nshindano, Former Chief Electoral Officer /CEO, Electoral Commission of Zambia, Lusaka, Lusaka, 10101, Zambia, (+26) 096.662.9122, kryticous27@gmail.com
Languages
English
Fluent
Spanish
Elementary
Professional Membership
- Fellow of Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ)
- ISACA Silver Member
- Professional Member of Information Communication Technology Association of Zambia (ICTAZ)
Timeline
CEO and Lead Consultant
Strategic Focus Limited
11.2023 - 12.2024
International Visitor, Leadership Program (IVLP)
04.2022 - 05.2022
Director ICT
Electoral Commission of Zambia
11.2017 - 10.2023
Operations Manager
Electoral Commission of Zambia
05.2007 - 11.2017
APC - IT Operations
National Assembly of Zambia /Zambian Parliament
11.2004 - 04.2007
Master of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship - Innovation and Entrepreneurship
HEC Paris
06/2021 - 12/2022
Master of Science in Enterprise Risk Management - Enterprise Risk Management
Columbia University
01/2019 - 03/2022
Master of Science - Strategic Planning
Heriot Watt University
01/2013 - 12/2014
Master of Business Administration - Business Administration
Heriot Watt University
01/2010 - 12/2011
Bachelor of Engineering - Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Merit)
University of Zambia
02/1994 - 05/2000
Certificate of Higher Education - Strategic Frameworks for Non-Governmental Organisations (SFNO)
Harvard University, Kennedy School of Governance
03/2010 - 05/2010
Post Graduate Diploma - Managing Democratic Elections in Africa
University of South Africa (UNISA)
08/2013 - 12/2013
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