LEWIS CHISENGELE
Summary
Experienced community-based agriculture and resilience project leader with over 12 years of field-level implementation experience in Zambia’s rural settings. Proven track record of coordinating climate-smart agriculture, community mobilisation, post-harvest management, water and irrigation infrastructure, and emergency drought response. Successfully led inclusive programming targeting vulnerable populations including women, refugees, and persons with disabilities. Currently serving as Head of Field Office at the World Food Programme (WFP), with strong relationships with government ministries, CSOs, traditional leaders, and farmer groups.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head of Field Office – Southern Province
World Food Programme (WFP)
10.2024 - Current
- - Led drought emergency response programmes across seven districts, coordinating input distribution, cash-based transfers, infrastructure rehabilitation, and farmer capacity-building.
- - Mobilised communities and supported coordination with DACOs, DMMU, and MoA in Gwembe, Kazungula, Chirundu and Siavonga.
- - Oversaw construction of irrigation systems, fencing and latrines, working with SARO and community savings groups.
- - Led farmer engagement through cooperatives and supported vulnerable groups including PWDs and women-headed households.
- - Coordinated hosting of E-extension and CropScope workshops to promote digital agriculture tools for resilience.
Programme Associate – Emergency Inputs & Postharvest Loss Management
WFP Zambia
10.2020 - 09.2024
- - Facilitated agriculture input delivery to 62,000 households and supervised the distribution of 100,000 hermetic bags to reduce post-harvest losses.
- - Supported trainings in Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) for 104,540 smallholder farmers.
- - Acted as focal point for MoA and DMMU coordination at field level.
- - Supported water harvesting infrastructure and food security planning in partnership with cooperatives and DACOs.
Project Agronomist – Cashew Infrastructure Development Project (CIDP)
Ministry of Agriculture
04.2018 - 10.2020
- - Coordinated CSA implementation and farmer trainings for 60,000 beneficiaries.
- - Oversaw rehabilitation of boreholes, irrigation systems and cashew plantations across 10 districts.
- - Supported post-harvest handling, seedling management, and nursery establishment.
- - Liaised with stakeholders including ZAFFICO, NGOs, and the Office of the Vice President.
Education
PhD (Candidate) - Climate Change & Sustainable Food Systems
University of Zambia
01.2026
MBA - Leadership & Wealth Creation
University of Lusaka
Lusaka, Zambia01-2024
MSc - Agronomy (Crop Science)
University of Zambia
01.2023
BSc - Agricultural Sciences
University of Zambia
01.2013
Skills
- Community Agriculture Project Coordination
- Climate-Smart Agriculture & Drought Resilience
- Post-Harvest Management & Storage Solutions
- Community Mobilization & Inclusion of PWDs
- Government & NGO Stakeholder Engagement
- Monitoring, Evaluation & Data Collection
- Infrastructure Oversight – Boreholes, Irrigation, Latrines
- Budgeting, Procurement & NGO Project Cycle Management
- Training Facilitation & Farmer Capacity Building
- Conversant with Central Province Agriculture Systems
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Flexible and adaptable
- Excellent communication
- Critical thinking
- Computer skills
- Organizational skills
- Calm under pressure
- Decision-making
- Problem resolution
- Verbal communication
- Organization and time management
- Active listening
- Dependable and responsible
Certification
- Certificate – Project Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation (UNZA)
- Certificate – Upland Rice Cultivation (JICA, Japan)
- Certificate – Cashew Research & Tech (Naliendele, Tanzania)
- Motorbike Rider’s Licence – Valid Class A Permit
- Training in Gender, Social Protection, and Disability Inclusion (WFP)
Languages
English (Fluent)
Tonga (Native)
Nyanja (Fluent)
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Head of Field Office – Southern Province
World Food Programme (WFP)
10.2024 - Current
Programme Associate – Emergency Inputs & Postharvest Loss Management
WFP Zambia
10.2020 - 09.2024
Project Agronomist – Cashew Infrastructure Development Project (CIDP)
Ministry of Agriculture
04.2018 - 10.2020
MSc - Agronomy (Crop Science)
University of Zambia
BSc - Agricultural Sciences
University of Zambia
PhD (Candidate) - Climate Change & Sustainable Food Systems
University of Zambia
MBA - Leadership & Wealth Creation
University of Lusaka
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