Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Attributes
Referies
Timeline
Generic
Barnabas  Owala

Barnabas Owala

BSc. Agribusiness Management | Agronomist And Agritech Expert | Experienced Sales And Marketing Personnel.| Business Credit Analyst | Agriculture Credit Analyst |
P.O. BOX 160-40608, Uranga,Siaya

Summary

To devise and implement operational strategies that are socially, politically, and economically advantageous. To secure employment with an organization that fosters professional and personal growth. To embrace challenging opportunities that leverage my skills for organizational success. To excel in stimulating environments that offer advancement opportunities through hard work, perseverance, and dedication. To pursue a rewarding career where my knowledge and experience contribute to both organizational and personal achievements. To help organizations surpass their goals while building a sustainable and impactful career. To succeed in a competitive, growth-oriented environment that aligns with my ambitions for professional excellence.

I am a highly motivated Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management graduate with over five years of professional expertise in investment strategy, agribusiness, and environmental management. With a proven track record of managing diverse projects and businesses across multiple portfolios, I have successfully led initiatives to reform investment strategies, optimize agribusiness operations, and enhance environmental sustainability. I excel in delivering data-driven insights and reports that empower project managers to make informed decisions critical to achieving organizational objectives. A visionary and results-driven professional, I specialize in driving business growth and profitability through strategic campaigns tailored for both agribusiness start-ups and established firms. My strengths lie in effective communication, relationship building, and fostering collaboration that supports success and growth. With hands-on experience in administrative systems and leadership, I thrive in dynamic environments, consistently demonstrating adaptability and creativity. My career objective is to expand my knowledge and skills to meet the demands of the evolving agribusiness and environmental industries while contributing to impactful and sustainable development.

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience
18
18
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Relationship Officer - Credit Role

EQUITY BANK
11.2022 - Current
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with SME and corporate clients to understand their financial needs
  • Assess and analyze client business performance, creditworthiness, and risk exposure to provide tailored financial solutions
  • Promote business banking products such as loans, overdrafts, and credit lines to support client growth and profitability
  • Monitor and manage the performance of credit facilities to ensure timely repayments and minimize delinquencies
  • Collaborate with credit risk and compliance teams to align credit offerings with bank policies and regulatory requirements
  • Identify financing opportunities within the agribusiness sector, including farmers, cooperatives, and agribusiness SMEs
  • Evaluate agricultural projects, production cycles, and market trends to offer appropriate credit solutions
  • Structure and deliver flexible financial products like seasonal loans, input financing, and equipment leasing
  • Conduct field visits to assess on-ground risks and ensure loan utilization aligns with approved purposes
  • Build partnerships with stakeholders in the agriculture value chain, including suppliers, distributors, and government agencies
  • Engage clients to identify their asset financing needs, including vehicles, equipment, and machinery
  • Provide advisory services on structured financing options such as hire purchase, leasing, and asset-backed loans
  • Ensure timely appraisal and approval of asset finance applications in line with bank policies
  • Monitor and manage financed assets to mitigate risks and ensure compliance with terms
  • Collaborate with manufacturers and dealerships to enhance the bank's asset financing portfolio
  • Promote and onboard clients to Equity Bank's digital banking platforms to enhance convenience and efficiency
  • Train customers on the usage of mobile and internet banking platforms for transactions, loan applications, and account management
  • Resolve client inquiries and issues related to digital banking services promptly and professionally
  • Collaborate with the IT and product teams to ensure digital banking solutions meet evolving client needs
  • Collect and analyze client feedback to recommend improvements in digital banking services, driving customer satisfaction and retention
  • Conduct thorough credit appraisals, ensuring all applications meet Equity Bank's credit policies and procedures
  • Prepare and present credit proposals to the credit committee for approval
  • Monitor credit portfolio performance, ensuring non-performing loans are kept within acceptable thresholds
  • Manage loan recovery efforts, including negotiating repayment terms with delinquent clients
  • Provide regular reports and updates to management on portfolio performance and risk exposure
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, ensuring timely communication and resolution of queries
  • Build long-term relationships by understanding client needs and offering personalized financial solutions
  • Identify opportunities to cross-sell and upsell additional banking products, enhancing revenue streams
  • Host client events, workshops, and training sessions to strengthen relationships and foster loyalty
  • Ensure adherence to Equity Bank's credit policies, banking regulations, and legal requirements
  • Conduct Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks for all clients
  • Identify potential credit risks and take proactive measures to mitigate them

Hub Coordinator

AGRIBORA KENYA LIMITED
04.2022 - 11.2022
  • Acted as the first point of contact for client inquiries, diagnosing needs and referring cases to appropriate support services or partner organizations
  • Managed client onboarding, ensuring smooth access to hub facilities and services like hot-desking and technical support
  • Monitored client progress, ensuring regular follow-ups and cross-referencing for additional support or referrals to external initiatives
  • Delivered high-quality customer service, maintaining professionalism and responsiveness to client needs
  • Recorded and maintained accurate client data on IT systems, ensuring documentation of intervention outcomes for compliance with KPIs
  • Prepared management reports for presentation to the Hub Manager, adhering to deadlines for periodic and ad hoc reporting
  • Ensured all client documentation complied with audit standards and organizational procedures
  • Assisted in internal and external audits, correcting any non-compliance issues identified
  • Coordinated hub facilities usage and resolved operational issues with the Facilities Management Team
  • Supported the promotion of the hub by attending and assisting with external events beyond standard working hours
  • Provided strategic recommendations to the Hub Manager for process and service delivery improvements
  • Maintained a thorough understanding of SME support services in both the public and private sectors
  • Facilitated awareness and adoption of regional initiatives for SMEs to drive local economic growth
  • Promoted and ensured equality and diversity within service delivery, adhering to training and organizational values
  • Delivered inclusive client services, aligning with the organization's values and contractual obligations

Project Officer - Passion Fruit Value Chain

Gradale Limited Company
09.2019 - 08.2020
  • Company Overview: Donor Funded by USAID/RTI Project
  • Delivered technical assistance to farmer groups on soil and water conservation, integrated soil fertility management, agroforestry, and conservation agriculture
  • Promoted best crop practices and alternative livelihoods to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability
  • Provided training and guidance to model farmers, farmer field schools, and community resource persons to ensure knowledge transfer
  • Identified and selected intervention sites and expansion areas based on stakeholder consultations and set criteria
  • Conducted regular farmer contact meetings to recruit model farmers and ensure active participation
  • Assessed training needs of farmers and stakeholders, organizing joint activities such as field days to address gaps
  • Liaised with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives to align activities with national agricultural policies and ensure project sustainability
  • Collaborated with other stakeholders to maximize project impact and foster long-term partnerships
  • Monitored project progress, ensuring timely and accurate reporting of outcomes and challenges to the Head of Project
  • Documented and compiled relevant information, success stories, and lessons learned for use in project reviews and missions
  • Provided feedback to improve project strategies and activities, working closely with the field coordinator to address identified gaps
  • Supported the organization and development of farmer groups to strengthen community-based agricultural systems
  • Facilitated the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices among farmers through training and continuous follow-up
  • Donor Funded by USAID/RTI Project

Field Officer - Sweet Potato Value Chain

Freekenya Foundation
01.2019 - 07.2019
  • Company Overview: Donor Funded by GIZ Project
  • Provided business support and training to project clients, focusing on market analysis and understanding specific value chains
  • Developed a comprehensive learning curriculum, farmer field school manual, and a regional training course on Sweet Potato Integrated Production and Pest Management (IPPM)
  • Trained and empowered a cadre of 34 facilitators for Sweet Potato IPPM Farmer Field Schools (FFS)
  • Conducted needs assessments for farmers and stakeholders, organizing joint activities such as field days to enhance knowledge sharing
  • Strategically linked project initiatives with local government, NGOs, and other stakeholders to promote broader adoption and sustainability
  • Developed proposals for the expansion of sustainable sweet potato production and postharvest management through farmer field schools
  • Shared lessons learned from pilot schools to inform future project phases and ensure continuous improvement
  • Collaborated with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives to align project activities with government policies and ensure long-term sustainability
  • Established connections with school feeding and relief programs to integrate sweet potato production into broader food security efforts
  • Monitored project progress, collecting and documenting relevant data, success stories, and lessons learned
  • Provided feedback to the Head of Project, working closely with the field coordinator to refine strategies and address challenges
  • Measured agribusiness performance using standardized key performance indicators, preparing and publishing annual impact reports
  • Supported farmers and cooperatives in improving productivity, adding value, and enhancing product quality and volume for market-led agricultural livelihood activities
  • Conducted strategic analysis of market opportunities, helping farmers and cooperatives to capitalize on emerging trends
  • Assisted in developing business plans for medium, micro, and small agribusinesses to ensure their sustainability and profitability
  • Advocated for wider adoption of sustainable sweet potato production practices, postharvest management, and market-driven approaches
  • Promoted the continuation of Sweet Potato IPPM Farmer Field Schools to ensure long-term agricultural and economic benefits
  • Donor Funded by GIZ Project

Field Officer - Climate-Friendly Smart Farming Agriculture

FreeKenya Foundation
01.2018 - 09.2018
  • Company Overview: Donor Funded by HARAKA Project
  • Engaged farmers in creating and applying organic materials such as manure, compost, and animal by-products (e.g., feather meal, blood meal)
  • Educated farmers on USDA National Organic Standards, ensuring compliance with safe application timelines for raw manure before harvest (90-120 days)
  • Trained farmers in utilizing organic pesticides derived from natural sources, including plant derivatives like pyrethrins (Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium) and neem oil (Azadirachta indica)
  • Promoted the use of mineral-based inorganic pesticides such as sulfur and copper to support sustainable pest management
  • Provided training on crop rotation methods to enhance soil fertility, control pests and diseases, and optimize crop yields
  • Encouraged structured and systematic planting cycles to avoid nutrient depletion in the soil
  • Guided farmers on the hereditary reorganization of wild plants and animals into domesticated forms for agricultural production
  • Highlighted the historical significance of domestication in fostering agriculture and advancing material culture
  • Trained vulnerable community members in establishing small-scale, high-yield gardens ('money gardens') to combat food insecurity on Rusinga Island
  • Integrated sustainable techniques to improve productivity and create economic opportunities
  • Conducted awareness campaigns on family life matters, emphasizing healthy living and the importance of HIV/AIDS prevention
  • Worked closely with community members to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS through education and resource access
  • Documented farmer progress, challenges, and achievements to inform project management and donor reporting
  • Provided timely and accurate reports to management on project milestones, outcomes, and impact assessments
  • Donor Funded by HARAKA Project

Education

Executive Certificate of Proficiency in Insurance - undefined

College of Insurance
04.2024 - 05.2024

Bachelor of Science - Agribusiness Management

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology
01.2014 - 04.2018

Certificate - ICT (Computer Packages)

Paresh Computer Systems
01.2013 - 05.2013

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education - undefined

Ambira High School
01.2009 - 04.2012

Kenya Certificate of Primary Education - undefined

Duha Primary School
01.1998 - 04.2008

Skills

Client Relationship Management

Attributes

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Integrity, industriousness, and proactive decision-making.
  • Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills.
  • Flexible, humble, and a team-oriented approach.
  • Reliable decision-making capabilities under pressure.
  • Leadership qualities, including training and presenting expertise.
  • Excellent written, oral, and numerical communication skills.
  • Independent and self-motivated, requiring minimal supervision.
  • Proficient in IT tools such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more.

Referies

Prof.Arnold

Watako

Chairman, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology

 Email: anorldwatako@yahoo.com

 Contact: 0728269440

Joseph

Agunda

Head of Training, Freekenya Foundation

 Email: agundajoseph@yahoo.com

 Contact: 0725018194

Virginia

Odongo

Head of Finance, Gradale Limited Company

 Email: gradale.co.ltd3@gmail.com

 Contact: 0713902377

Christine Midia

Branch credit Manager, Equity Bank Kenya.

Kisumu angawa Branch.

Email. Christine.midia@equitybank.co.ke.

+254 721 519727

Timeline

Executive Certificate of Proficiency in Insurance - undefined

College of Insurance
04.2024 - 05.2024

Relationship Officer - Credit Role

EQUITY BANK
11.2022 - Current

Hub Coordinator

AGRIBORA KENYA LIMITED
04.2022 - 11.2022

Project Officer - Passion Fruit Value Chain

Gradale Limited Company
09.2019 - 08.2020

Field Officer - Sweet Potato Value Chain

Freekenya Foundation
01.2019 - 07.2019

Field Officer - Climate-Friendly Smart Farming Agriculture

FreeKenya Foundation
01.2018 - 09.2018

Bachelor of Science - Agribusiness Management

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology
01.2014 - 04.2018

Certificate - ICT (Computer Packages)

Paresh Computer Systems
01.2013 - 05.2013

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education - undefined

Ambira High School
01.2009 - 04.2012

Kenya Certificate of Primary Education - undefined

Duha Primary School
01.1998 - 04.2008
Barnabas OwalaBSc. Agribusiness Management | Agronomist And Agritech Expert | Experienced Sales And Marketing Personnel.| Business Credit Analyst | Agriculture Credit Analyst |