Bernard Muthiani Mbithi

• Supported and trained staff in Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Kenya to implement quality program interventions under Sustainable Development Initiatives (SDI), incorporating cross-cutting issues based on anticipated risks and country-specific contexts.
• Directed monitoring and evaluation frameworks, leading program redesigns or co-creations based on lessons learned with donor approvals. Oversaw procurement processes aligned with national and international standards.
• Reviewed program reports and budgets, compiling multi-country reports, coordinating activities such as program kickoffs, ongoing and closeout conferences, as well as developing technical training materials.
• Designed programs by drafting concepts and proposals while maintaining partnerships and fostering new relationships with donors. Monitored funding pipelines across three countries to sustain programming efforts effectively.
• Coordinated research activities across the three countries to promote evidence-based advocacy; developed Terms of Reference (ToR) for research tasks, reviewed reports, conducted environmental scanning, drafted organizational plans, and reviewed sectoral policies for compliance with global standards.
• Conducted partner due diligence processes, implemented capacity development measures, organized high-level partner reflection meetings while aligning strategies with long-term organizational objectives.
• Supervisor: – Melvin Moigua – Country Director (SDI) Sierra Leone - Phone: +23278846011

• Designed and implemented integrated programming strategies tailored for 20,000 Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW), incorporating Ultra Poor Graduation approaches for effective multi-sectoral interventions in targeted communities.
• Oversaw program initiation and execution, including the development of operational training manuals, staff recruitment, participant selection, training processes, and technical sector rollouts. Established 339 safe spaces supporting 20,000 AGYW with livelihood inputs, cash transfers, life skills coaching, entrepreneurship training, TVET education referrals, savings groups organization, market linkages, and access to SRH and GBV services.
• Directed monitoring systems ensuring quarterly robust data gathering processes (Digital Data Gathering) and quality evaluations such as Political Economic Analysis and Process Evaluation; analyzed outcomes to disseminate lessons learned to internal and external stakeholders.
• Managed 12 stakeholder coordination at local and 4 international levels through market assessments, advocacy efforts, donor reviews and engagement activities in Sierra Leone while representing the program's interests in regional multi-country forums across several African nations.
• Supervised a team comprising 300 staff members and 486 program volunteers across diverse functions while managing an annual budget of USD 6 million; ensured timely financial reporting alongside high-quality narrative outputs by coordinating with Grants Managers, Finance teams, and M&E specialists.
• Leveraged technology tools for enhanced project tracking, reporting, and information sharing among team members.
• Promoted safeguarding practices by adhering to policies that ensured the safety of staff and participants from harm; provided guidance on maintaining a safe work environment while fostering awareness about safeguarding standards throughout program operations.
• Generated annual budgets achieving over 85% annual burn rates and developed phased costed work plans.

Immediate Supervisor: Jamie Bedson (Country Director) Cell Phone: +12067397126

• Led strategic direction, management, and executed HIAS Kenya's Economic Inclusion initiatives for refugees and internally displaced populations, leading to Social Economic Support Programme (SESP).
• Directed Refugee Self Reliance Index data collection, over 1000 refugees participant selection, market assessments, and coordinated rehabilitative livelihood interventions, including financial literacy training, entrepreneurship advancements with a gender-focused lens, poverty alleviation strategies, workers’ rights advocacy, access to vocational education programs, and cash assistance distribution.
• Partnered with 12 private sector entities to promote refugee employment opportunities by advocating for refugee rights within formal and informal job markets while fostering safe labor networks.
• Spearheaded 3 concept note development and 2 fundraising proposals to advance Economic Inclusion portfolio; established collaborations with local/international stakeholders; integrated cross-sector initiatives in mental health support, legal protection services, gender protection frameworks, and SRHR program contributions.
• Oversaw budgetary operations for a $4 million annual livelihood program budget leading to 100% annual burn rate, ensuring resource efficiency monitoring. Implemented operational activities aligned with HIAS policy mandates while managing 12 high level multi-sector partnerships such as GiveDirectly cash assistance.
• Directed staff capacity building through continuous technical training sessions while leading appraisals/performance feedback systems for 10 program teams and 22 volunteers; contributed expertise within senior management/security committees concerning national livelihood policies.
• Immediate Supervisor: Caroline Githara – Head of Programs Cell Phone: +254720442215

• Promoted gender-focused financial and market system linkages, advancing business investment opportunities and supporting financial growth among 1,200 program beneficiaries.
• Provided technical oversight for a market-led graduation approach targeting 1,200 Pastoralists in Northern Kenya, resulting in improved economic outcomes.
• Unlocked credit products in collaboration with Equity Bank and the Financial Sector Deepening Trust, enabling 466 Hunger Safety Net-supported beneficiaries to access loans for asset accumulation through strategic investments.
• Fostered partnerships with 1 financial institution and ally programs such as the National Government Affirmative Action Fund, Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture, and Women Enterprise Development Fund to enhance financial accessibility for target groups.
• Established strategic alliances with organizations like Kenya Livestock Marketing Council, Northern Rangeland Trust Trade, banking institutions, and local radio stations to improve market access for livestock, beads, and commodities in Marsabit County.
• Monitored and managed the Financial Sector Deepening 3 Million Kenya Shillings guarantee grant provided to Equity Bank Limited.
• Developed 3 qualitative tools to measure social inclusivity through evaluation of intrinsic motivation and change in self-confidence among project participants.
• Coordinated comprehensive activity planning by facilitating quarterly and costed annual work plan development across all partners involved in the program.
• Oversaw the activities of 10 Doctoral Fellow in collaboration with UCT Business School (University of Cape Town), ensuring alignment with program objectives.
• Led 1 End-line Evaluation and 1 Impact Assessment initiatives using Individual Household Economic Analysis approaches in collaboration with Food Economy Group (FEG).
• Designed and reviewed 1 program measurement frameworks while organizing regular program monitoring field visits for quality assurance purposes.
• Delivered consistent weekly updates on project status directly to donors via multiple communication platforms.
• Managed a budget of 1 million USD with paced annual burn rates of over 98% effectively over several financial years (2017–2021) by reviewing projections to align resources with strategic program needs.
• Approved quarterly narrative reports while conducting thorough reviews of detailed financial summaries submitted by various stakeholders within agreed timelines.
• Reviewed assessment findings from End-line Evaluation Reports, contributing key insights into future project adaptations.
• Represented CARE Kenya at county-level forums within Marsabit County while ensuring coordination of teams comprising 5 staff members supported by 20 Community-Based Facilitators executing field assignments effectively.
• Convened donor meetings virtually via platforms (e.g., Zoom/Webex). Prepared agendas & contributions pivotal towards synchronizing organizational outcomes relating priorities raised during quarterly meetings by Project Management Committee.
• Immediate Supervisor: Phyllis Kariuki Program Sector Manager Mob: +254 722 971454

• Participated in pilot tests and revised programs based on feedback and results.
• Oversaw gender-driven Clean Energy Technologies initiatives and hygiene product promotions, creating scalable, incentive-based renewable energy models while transitioning social enterprise ventures to hybrid functional units.
• Contributed to project financial model development and performed periodic cost-reduction scenario analyses to optimize enterprise profitability.
• Organized recruitment, screening, and training of 80 women in business start-up strategies and sales entrepreneurship techniques.
• Designed and delivered training programs for staff and partners focused on financial optimization modeling and clean energy enterprises.
• Established private-sector partnership assessments with solar lantern/clean energy manufacturers, developing agreements, engagement processes, and feedback review systems.
• Regularly coordinated donor, partner, and CARE International member meetings through WebEx/teleconference calls to analyze business performance on weekly/monthly timelines.
• Worked with subject matter experts to develop and implement mentoring programs to promote better learner experiences.
• Conducted comprehensive program evaluations, identifying areas for improvement and recommending actionable solutions.
• Utilized data-driven decision-making approaches to inform strategy development and optimize outcomes.
• Addressed and resolved technical, financial, and operational concerns by working with team members and directors.
• Supervisor Phyllis Kariuki Financial Inclusion Sector Manager CARE Kenya +254722971454

• Oversaw clean energy program activities, introducing scalable incentive-based renewable energy enterprise models and promoting social enterprise approaches within CARE International Kenya.
• Directed the implementation of complex multi-donor and multi-country projects, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and organizational goals.
• Coordinated the recruitment and training of 300 women and 10,221 youth entrepreneurs in income-generating activities, facilitating their engagement in clean cookstove and solar lantern technology enterprises.
• Conducted private sector partnership assessments, defined agreements, established engagement mechanisms, and implemented feedback review systems within the clean energy sector.
• Organized and chaired regular teleconferences with donors, partners, and CARE International members to ensure effective project coordination on weekly and monthly timelines.
• Designed terms of reference for consultant engagements while coordinating research studies; reviewed consultancy reports to ensure quality deliverables aligned with project objectives.
• Immediate Supervisor Phyllis Kariuki Financial Inclusion Sector Manager CARE Kenya +254722971454

• Oversaw agribusiness initiatives in the Great Lakes region, facilitating sustainable economic growth for 5,000 participants.
• Conducted comprehensive Rapid Assessments, situational analyses, and Economic Opportunity evaluations to support the Women Enterprise Development Project (WED).
• Designed and delivered training programs for staff and partners on business management, entrepreneurship, and context-specific value chains for diverse products.
• Established partnerships with private sector financial and market-based institutions, including partnership assessments, agreements, engagement strategies, and feedback systems.
• Coordinated linkages between financial institutions and 50 community groups involved in Group Savings and Loans programs as well as enterprise ventures.
• Directed weekly teleconference calls with donors, partners, and CARE International members; prepared Terms of Reference for consultants; developed narrative reports; reviewed financial technical reports; and led enterprise development initiatives for CARE Kenya.
• Immediate Supervisor Nelly Otieno Financial Inclusion Sector Manager CARE Kenya +254722738933

Oversaw the construction of a Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) Center comprising a youth resource unit and two administrative units, enhancing community access to critical HIV/AIDS services.

• Facilitated access to decent shelter for vulnerable populations by promoting interlocking housing construction financed through microfinance models.
• Supervised a multidisciplinary team consisting of two VCT counsellors, two social workers, one accountant, and one office assistant, ensuring effective service delivery and operational efficiency.
• Implemented referral systems for beneficiaries, including People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) and both in-school and out-of-school youth, streamlining access to necessary resources.
• Developed detailed narrative and financial reports to maintain transparency and accountability for project activities.
• Collaborated with educational institutions to support vulnerable students, aiding their progression from primary to tertiary education while organizing children's fairs in conjunction with school administrators and the Ministry of Education.
• Immediate supervisor Ronald Mobisa - Regional Coordinator 0722359736

• Conducted food security assessments across greater Machakos County, evaluating risks and opportunities.
• Organized multi-sectoral stakeholder meetings involving private entities, public sectors, and NGOs to facilitate project implementation and knowledge exchange.
• Coordinated WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) initiatives, including borehole drilling, water structure installations, PHAST (Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation) trainings, water pans construction, and establishment of WASH committees.
• Supervised training and activities of peer educators in health campaigns focused on community awareness for Malaria, HIV/AIDS prevention, and hygiene promotion.
• Planned and facilitated workshops on dryland farming techniques while monitoring and evaluating projects related to water sanitation, agriculture, health programs, income-generating activities, and capacity building.
• Prepared donor narrative reports while guiding community committees in developing Memoranda of Understanding covering health financing initiatives and borehole drilling projects.