Isaac Ogongo

• Working across sectors, themes, and countries with clear focus on end users. Initiate, design, test, iterate, and grow new concepts using Human-Centered Design and Lean Startup approach.
• Responsible for testing and improving concepts with the goal to get it to 'proof of concept' that can then be implemented in Rainforest Alliance landscape programs. This is by conducting desirability testing, early field testing, rapid prototype, building business model, and running with strategic partners, as well as the implementation team on ground, following build, measure, learn approach.
• Together with the innovation team, we work with innovation portfolio in which new ideas come in that need to be assessed and scoped to determine which ones to pursue further. Then, either pick up new concept ideas or work with content specialists to support them in exploring concepts in a lean and data-driven way.
• Lead development, testing, and marketing of transformational innovations for impact, with a focus on transparency and consumer engagement.
• Oversee the piloting, implementation and adjusting of concepts in close collaboration with partners, as well as our landscape program team on the ground.

• Responsible for exploring, initiating, leading, and growing uLima as a technology product.
• Search for trends and opportunities (partners, technologies, etc.). For growth of uLima.
• Generated impactful ideas and lead the innovation process of ideation, prototyping, testing, and adjusting to ensure desirability, viability, feasibility, and market potential for uLima.
• Prioritized and passionately drive ideas and concepts further down the innovation funnel that can be scaled into uLima.
• Ensured that innovations are adopted and integrated to uLima, or in a partnership joined or led by uLima.
• Managed full product lifecycle, from ideation through post-launch support, ensuring consistent quality control measures were in place.

• Assisted in development of long-term strategic plans, aligning operational goals with overarching company objectives.
• Led project teams through all phases of implementation, from initial planning to final execution, ensuring successful completion within defined timelines.
• Utilized data-driven insights to inform decision-making processes regarding resource allocation or process improvements within operations department.
• Take lead in implementation of assigned donor projects. This includes execution, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting activities within project lifecycle.
• Ensure business viability and feasibility, and facilitate/give backstopping where required to improve Agri-wallet services.
• In charge of user design process that focuses on risk assessment, improvements, and unlocking potential in Agri-financing business.
• Address operational issues and concerns in timely fashion: Receive, resolve, and/or revert complaints to ensure operational excellence and excellent customer service.
• Proactively detect problems and opportunities, and find solutions to different issues related to Agri-wallet.
• Generated reports detailing findings and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Create and manage project plans, timelines, and budgets.

• Develop comprehensive project plans, outlining scopes, timelines, deliverables, and milestones to keep assigned projects on schedule by managing deadlines and adjusting workflows.
• Cultivate strong relationships with key project stakeholders through regular, transparent communication, securing their ongoing support, trust, and collaboration to define clear project goals, leading to consistent alignment with expectations throughout the process.
• Lead Customer Relationship Management team, Agri-wallet call center. Responsible for improving client satisfaction with timely updates and transparent communication.
• Lead in training of Agri-wallet, developing Agri-wallet training models, FAQs, field training team, and ensure decisions and follow-ups are executed. Recruiting field agents, training agents, identifying lead agents, and maintaining oversight on lead agents.
• Developed comprehensive project plans, outlining scopes, timelines, deliverables, and milestones to keep projects on schedule by managing deadlines and adjusting workflows.
• Play active role in brainstorming sessions held for the purpose of generating innovative ideas or solutions, which could potentially be incorporated into existing or new projects being undertaken using Agri-wallet. Identified potential risks and developed mitigation strategies to minimize disruptions to project timelines.
• Develop performance data and risk management plan that effectively minimizes project disruptions, maintaining momentum in the face of unforeseen challenges, mitigating risks, and preventing significant delays in project milestones.
• Coordinated cross-functional teams to achieve seamless collaboration in achieving project objectives and managing budgets effectively, ensuring resource allocation is optimized for maximum project success. Ensure prompt resolution of any conflicts or obstacles encountered during the course of a project's execution phase, helping maintain smooth workflow across departments involved in its completion process.
• Lead project's steering teams and ensure decisions and follow-ups are executed by assembling a cross-functional operation team for their technical or functional contribution to projects in collaboration with work stream, and ensure the team remains motivated to deliver.
• Conducted comprehensive market research to inform project decisions, aligning outcomes more closely with consumer expectations.
• Take lead in field operations, giving guidance to field officers and agents.

• Together with project lead supports in conceptualizing new test models on how mobile wallet can be of use in health and agriculture sector by testing behavioral economics and attitudes of users towards different mobile solutions.
• Conduct test pilots, develop research instruments, and train personnel for optimal execution towards quality data collection through close supervision and monitoring of field teams in conducting key informant interviews, case study in-depth interviews, face-to-face or phone-based surveys, and data entry.
• Proactively find solutions, plan, implement, and advise for scale and risk mitigation.
• Work to offer innovative, enabling solutions and behavioral science for positive social impact.

• Contribute to development of company-wide risk appetite statements, establishing clear guidelines for acceptable levels of risk-taking in pursuit of business objectives.
• Deliver timely and accurate reporting on key risk metrics, supporting informed decision-making processes, evaluation of results-based credit programs, and product development research for SACCOs.
• Complete statistical reviews to uncover trends, patterns, and variations. Map out risks and prioritize which risks to address.
• Conduct training to educate SACCOs and their members on benefits of cooperative risk management.

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• Establish strategic partnerships with external organizations, expanding program reach and impact.
• Coordinating organization projects. Creating and managing project plans, timelines and budgets.
• Overseas budget allocation in alignment with donor requirement.
• Coordinate grant writing efforts, securing crucial funding for program initiatives.
• Promote organization's mission by actively participating in networking events and representing the organization at conferences or seminars.
• Lead design of data collection tools, enabling accurate measurement of program outcomes.