Martin Chimbala Mwansa
Lusaka
Summary
Dedicated development agent knowledgeable in facilitating improved livelihood processes through sustainable means mostly for Zambian rural communities through the enhancement of improved food security and incomes. My strength lies in envisioning and strategic planning with a concrete focus on the goal while effectively managing teams for optimal, effective and efficient performance towards the goal. I possess excellent interpersonal skills and team building abilities with a positive approach regardless of the prevailing conditions and situation.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Independent Consultant
Self Employed
Lusaka
01.2023 - Current
- Reviewed the effectiveness of Poverty Reduction Programs enshrined in the Zambia Seventh National Development Plan focusing on Lusaka District.
- Did an assessment of value accruing to bean supply chain participants in Zambia.
- Possess competences in providing consultancy services to agriculture, agribusiness, business development, entrepreneurship, value chain analyses/development and other livelihood related projects and programs.
Food Reserve and Marketing Coordinator
Food Reserve Agency
Lusaka
04.2016 - 01.2023
- Superintended over Food Reserve Agency operations in 5 provinces of Zambia.
- Coordinated timely movement of marketing requisites to provinces as well as inter provincial movement of purchased grain from provinces with storage deficits to provinces with excess storage.
- Coordinated the planning process in line with the organization strategic plan and formulated annual work plans and respective operational budgets.
- Carried out monitoring of activity execution in all provinces under my charge as well as conducted performance evaluations.
- Coordinated the reporting process and consolidation of weekly provincial performance reports to weekly national reports.
- Ensured optimal staffing levels in all locations under my charge as well as provision of training and orientation to newly engaged staff.
- Verified and approved operational budgets as well as ensured compliance to budget ceilings and budget lines.
- Coordinated staff appraisals in all provinces under my charge.
- Facilitated development of performance contracts with respective individual targets for operational staff.
- Superintended over annual average purchase of 400,000 metric tons of grain from 634 purchase locations in 5 provinces.
- Superintended over 5 provinces with 6,000 staff while maintaining grain stock losses due to deterioration, theft or otherwise to below one percent.
Provincial Marketing Coordinator
Food Reserve Agency
Mansa
11.2011 - 04.2016
- Superintended over all operations of FRA in Luapula region which was made up of 12 districts.
- identified purchase locations and recruitment of seasonal staff to operate in the approved purchase locations.
- Conducted staff training and orientations especially for seasonal staff.
- Monitored staff performance for all provincial staff as well as the implementation of the provincial annual work plans.
- Facilitated the planning process and formulation of the provincial work plans.
- Ensured timely movement of marketing requisites to purchase locations as well as purchased grain from purchase locations to safe storage within and outside the province.
- Ensured timely processing of payments to farmers, general workers and security firms.
- Ensured that all staff had performance contracts with respective targets and coordinated staff appraisals for all provincial staff.
- I superintended over 1000 staff and operated 132 purchase locations/centres where annual average of 70,000 metric tons of grain where being purchased while keeping stock losses due to theft, deterioration or otherwise to less than one percent.
Investment Analyst
ZATAC
Lusaka
01.2011 - 11.2011
- Appraised concept notes submitted for possible consideration under the grant facility, facilitated by the United States African Development Foundation (USADF) program.
- Developed business plans for selected viable concept notes working hand in hand with business consultants.
- Developed capacity for grants beneficiaries, who were mostly farmer groups, farmer associations or cooperatives, to manage the business prior to funding.
- Monitored, did evaluations as well as provided mentorship to all funded projects.
- Supported projects of which the notable ones being the purchasing of dairy animals and setting up of the milk collection centres and respective linkages to the milk processors, processing of groundnuts into cooking oil and peanut butter, bee keeping and honey processing, rice processing and marketing, soap making using local products and fish marketing business.
Agribusiness Development Coordinator
Niras Consulting Firm
Mansa
11.2008 - 01.2011
- Carried out value chain analyses for target commodities namely beans, cassava, groundnuts, fish and small livestock and instituted remedial measures to identified challenges/constraints in the value chains.
- Linked farmers to more valuable markets for their produce through out grower and forward contract arrangements resulting in increased income for farmers.
- promoted joint action on the part of the producers such as bulking of their produce to reduce high mobilization costs incurred by buyers when making economical loads as well as enhanced the bargaining power of producers due to volumes.
- Managed a grant facility to fund innovative business initiatives from farmer groups and cooperatives.
- Facilitated training of farmer groups and staff under Ministry of Agriculture in entrepreneurship and business plan development.
Senior Agribusiness Manager
Zambia National Farmers Union
Mkushi
01.2007 - 10.2008
- Coordinated all ZNFU activities in Central and Copperbelt provinces.
- Provided member services namely facilitation of capacity building trainings in improved crop and livestock production techniques as well as in business and entrepreneurship.
- Provided timely and relevant information to members.
- Provided lobbying and advocacy services to relevant bodies and stakeholders on behalf of members.
- Facilitated market linkages for farm produce and agriculture inputs on behalf of members.
Agribusiness Manager
Zambia National Farmers Union
Mkushi
01.2006 - 12.2006
- Provided of member services such as facilitating capacity building trainings in improved crop and livestock production techniques and in business and entrepreneurship.
- Provided timely and relevant information to members.
- Facilitated lobbying and advocacy services to relevant bodies and stakeholders on behalf of members.
- Facilitated market linkages for farm produce and agriculture inputs.
Business Development Advisor
Zambia National Farmers Union
Katete/Petauke
06.2004 - 12.2005
- Stimulated agribusiness development among the membership in Katete and Petauke districts.
- Facilitated capacity building in business and entrepreneurship.
- Assisted members to identify possible agriculture related business potential in their respective areas.
- Provided technical skills on management of identified agriculture related business opportunities.
- Facilitated establishment of agribusinesses mostly in small livestock production such as in piggery and poultry among small holder members in Katete and Petauke districts.
Education
Master of Science - Agribusiness
Kansas State University
Manhattan KS. United States Of America06.2013
Associate of Arts - • Diploma in Entrepreneurship And Innovation in Th
Bygholm Agriculture College
Horsens, Denmark12.2009
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture Economics
University Of Zambia
Lusaka Zambia06.2004
High School Diploma -
Naboye Secondary School
Kafue, Zambia12.1995
Skills
- Team Development
- Strategic planning and management
- Agribusiness and value chain development and analyses
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Sustainable Rural Livelihoods Processes
- Project Management
- Lobbying and Advocacy
- Research skills using several tools and packages
- Business development
- People and stakeholder management
Languages
English
First Language
Tonga
Intermediate (B1)
B1
Bemba
Advanced (C1)
C1
Nyanja
Intermediate (B1)
B1
Lozi
Beginner
A1
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Independent Consultant
Self Employed
01.2023 - Current
Food Reserve and Marketing Coordinator
Food Reserve Agency
04.2016 - 01.2023
Provincial Marketing Coordinator
Food Reserve Agency
11.2011 - 04.2016
Investment Analyst
ZATAC
01.2011 - 11.2011
Agribusiness Development Coordinator
Niras Consulting Firm
11.2008 - 01.2011
Senior Agribusiness Manager
Zambia National Farmers Union
01.2007 - 10.2008
Agribusiness Manager
Zambia National Farmers Union
01.2006 - 12.2006
Business Development Advisor
Zambia National Farmers Union
06.2004 - 12.2005
Master of Science - Agribusiness
Kansas State University
Associate of Arts - • Diploma in Entrepreneurship And Innovation in Th
Bygholm Agriculture College
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture Economics
University Of Zambia
High School Diploma -
Naboye Secondary School
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