JAMES OTUGA ABAWA
Nairobi
Summary
A real estate professional with over 8 years of demonstrable experience in property valuation, real estate feasibility and market research, corporate facility management, and estate agency. I am an adaptable, innovative leader committed to honesty, efficiency, transparency and continuous improvement of processes.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Supervisor - Property Management
KENYA REVENUE AUTHORITY (KRA)
NAIROBI
03.2022 - Current
- Actively participate in the development and review of policies within the Facilities & Logistics Services Division, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives
- Oversee the day-to-day administrative operations of Lunga Lunga One Stop Border Post (OSBP) and its outstations within Kwale County, ensuring smooth and efficient operations
- Plan and organize the work of subordinates, monitoring their performance and providing timely feedback and performance appraisals
- Efficiently manage the repair and maintenance of the OSBP facility, staff houses, office equipment, fixtures, fittings, and motor vehicles, minimizing downtime and ensuring optimal functionality
- Coordinate the installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of plant and equipment, ensuring their proper functioning and longevity
- Supervise transport operations and effectively manage drivers, ensuring timely and safe transportation of goods and personnel
- Handle staff issues and complaints promptly and professionally, fostering a positive and supportive work environment
- Effectively manage outsourced services and building contractors, ensuring quality service delivery and adherence to contractual agreements
- Oversee the management of utilities, optimizing resource usage and minimizing costs
- Conduct asset valuation for various purposes, including financial reporting and asset disposal, ensuring accurate and up-to-date asset records
- Prepare monthly reports on administrative and facility management, providing comprehensive insights and recommendations for improvement.
Property Management Officer
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION (NACOSTI)
NAIROBI
03.2018 - 12.2021
- Supervised building repairs, renovations, and refurbishments, ensuring compliance with quality standards
- Conducted space planning and allocation, maximizing the utilization of available resources
- Managed building construction projects and partitioning works, ensuring adherence to guidelines and procedures
- Prepared bill of quantities for building maintenance works, facilitating accurate cost estimation
- Managed utilities, such as water and electricity bills, ensuring timely payments and cost optimization
- Ensured overall security of the headquarters, including supervision of outsourced security services
- Liaised with national and county governments on land and property-related matters, maintaining compliance with regulations
- Tagged assets and maintained a fixed asset register, ensuring accurate tracking and management of assets
- Conducted building inspections and prepared condition reports, identifying maintenance needs and addressing them promptly
- Compiled monthly and quarterly reports for top management, providing insights on maintenance, occupational safety, cleaning, and security
- Served as Secretary for various committees, including Road Safety Mainstreaming, Asset Management, Safety, Health & Environment, and HIV
- Achieved notable accomplishments, such as formulating and implementing COVID-19 prevention strategies, preparing building maintenance policies, and coordinating safety and health audits
- Successfully managed the NACOSTI maintenance budget and coordinated the preparation of safety, health, and environment policies and manuals
- Implemented preventive maintenance schedules and ensured timely servicing of equipment, machinery, and plant
- Conducted property valuations and real estate market feasibility studies, providing accurate and reliable information to clients for decision-making processes
- Screened potential tenants, ensuring the selection of high-quality occupants and minimizing vacancy rates
- Developed and implemented scheduled maintenance plans and schedules, resulting in improved property condition and reduced maintenance costs
- Conducted building inspections and compiled comprehensive building condition reports, identifying areas for improvement and ensuring compliance with safety regulations
- Provided leadership to the property management team, setting and upholding high standards of service delivery
- Oversaw repairs and maintenance activities, ensuring timely and cost-effective resolution of issues
- Prepared and submitted periodic reports to landlords, providing transparent and detailed updates on property performance
- Implemented asset tagging and prepared a Fixed Asset Register, facilitating accurate tracking and management of property assets
- Budgeted for planned and routine maintenance, optimizing resource allocation and ensuring the long-term sustainability of properties
- Executed and registered lease/tenancy agreements, ensuring legal compliance and protecting the interests of both landlords and tenants
- Prepared maintenance schedules/plans, enabling proactive and efficient property management
- Valued properties and compiled valuation reports, providing accurate and reliable information for investment and decision-making purposes
- Increased occupancy and tenant retention at Utalii House from 60% to 85% within one year, resulting in improved rental income and overall property performance
- Conducted property valuations and rental assessments, providing accurate and comprehensive reports to clients
- Performed real estate market and feasibility studies, offering valuable insights to inform investment decisions
- Screened potential tenants and facilitated smooth tenancy commencements, ensuring a high-quality tenant mix
- Conducted thorough building inspections and prepared detailed condition reports, identifying maintenance needs and ensuring compliance with safety regulations
- Oversaw repairs and maintenance activities, coordinating with contractors and ensuring timely completion of tasks
- Prepared and submitted monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports to landlords, providing transparent and up-to-date information on property performance
- Ensured compliance with relevant laws and regulations, staying updated on changes and implementing necessary measures
- Developed and managed budgets for planned and routine maintenance, optimizing cost-efficiency while maintaining property standards
- Administered leases and maintained accurate lease documentation, ensuring compliance and facilitating smooth lease transactions
- Prepared market surveys and feasibility study reports, providing valuable market insights to clients.
Senior Property Officer
NILE REAL APPRAISERS EAST AFRICA LIMITED
NAIROBI
02.2017 - 11.2018
- Compiled building condition reports, offering comprehensive assessments of property conditions and recommending necessary repairs or improvements
- Developed maintenance schedules, ensuring timely and proactive property maintenance
- Compiled and submitted reports to landlords in a timely manner, maintaining clear and effective communication
- Conducted property valuations and prepared valuation reports, providing accurate and reliable property valuations
- Ensured all reports and documentation were error-free and conveyed the intended message accurately
- Conducted thorough property inspections, mapping properties prior to physical inspections, and compiling comprehensive valuation reports, ensuring accuracy and attention to detail
- Managed a portfolio of commercial and residential properties, overseeing all aspects of property management, including tenant relations, lease agreements, and maintenance
- Utilized strong analytical skills to assess property values and market trends, providing valuable insights for decision-making and investment strategies
- Maintained clear and concise communication with clients and stakeholders, ensuring a thorough understanding of their needs and expectations
- Consistently met deadlines and deliverables, effectively managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
Property Officer
KENVAL REALTORS EAST AFRICA LIMITED
NAIROBI
05.2015 - 09.2017
- Compiled building condition reports, offering comprehensive assessments of property conditions and recommending necessary repairs or improvements
- Developed maintenance schedules, ensuring timely and proactive property maintenance
- Compiled and submitted reports to landlords in a timely manner, maintaining clear and effective communication
- Conducted property valuations and prepared valuation reports, providing accurate and reliable property valuations
- Ensured all reports and documentation were error-free and conveyed the intended message accurately
- Conducted thorough property inspections, mapping properties prior to physical inspections, and compiling comprehensive valuation reports, ensuring accuracy and attention to detail
- Managed a portfolio of commercial and residential properties, overseeing all aspects of property management, including tenant relations, lease agreements, and maintenance
- Utilized strong analytical skills to assess property values and market trends, providing valuable insights for decision-making and investment strategies
- Maintained clear and concise communication with clients and stakeholders, ensuring a thorough understanding of their needs and expectations
- Consistently met deadlines and deliverables, effectively managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
Education
Master of Business Administration (Strategic Management) -
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
05.2025
Bachelor of Real Estate (HONS) -
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
09.2015
Skills
- Proven negotiation skills
- Good organizational and planning skills
- Great analytical and problem-solving skills
- Procedural to ensure consistency in service standards and quality
- Strong on team ethic
- Fluent communication skills (Oral and written)
- Sound proficiency in computer software, ie, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, MS PowerPoint, and MS Outlook
- Asset valuation
- Real Estate Market/Feasibility Studies
- Land Management & Administration
- Map reading skills
- Team management
- Performance Management
- Budgeting: Budget planning and management
- Asset Management
- Basic GIS skills
- Occupational safety and health management
- Building Inspection
- Environmental Impact Assessment & Audit
- Lease administration
- Building maintenance management
- Estate agency
Affiliations
- Valuers Registration Board (VRB) - Registered and Licensed Valuer (Reg. No. 788)
- Estate Agents Registration Board (EARB) - Registered and Licensed Estate Agent (Reg. No. 1766)
- Kenya Green Building Society (KGBS) - Registered Member (Registration No. 1/20/007)
- Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) - Full Member - {Valuation and Estate Management Surveyors (VEMS) Chapter} Membership No. ISK/3474/F/VEMS/23
- Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), UK - Currently preparing for Assessment of Professional Competency (APC) Exams
Research
An assessment of Total Quality Management (TQM) principles in Commercial Property Management in Kenya. - A Bachelor of Real Estate project, University of Nairobi, 2015.
Training
- Asset Management Course (AMC), Kenya School of Government, 27/11/23 - 01/12/23.
- Post Graduate Diploma in Real Estate, Institution of Surveyors of Kenya, 2021 - 2023.
- Senior Management Course (SMC), Kenya School of Government, 08/03/21 - 09/04/21.
- Tax & Customs Administration for Non-Technical Senior Managers, Kenya School of Revenue Administration (KESRA), 2023.
- Effective Communication and Public Speaking Skills, Kenya School of Revenue Administration (KESRA), 2022.
- Occupational Safety and Health Training, Primatech Management Ltd (DOSHS Cert. No. OSH/03/19/822), 2019.
References
- Mr. Dennis Misik, Station Manager - Lunga Lunga One Stop Border Post, Kenya Revenue Authority, P O Box 48240 00100, NAIROBI, +254721831678, Dennis.Misik@kra.go.ke
- Dr. Erastus Museleku, Registered and Practicing Property Manager, Senior Lecturer, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 45733-00100, NAIROBI, +254724 285 709, ekiita85@gmail.com
- Mr. Jesse Kihoro, Registered and Practicing Property Manager, Managing Director, Nile Real Appraisers EA Ltd, P. O. Box 28707-00100, NAIROBI, +254721 385 126, kihoro@nilereal.com / jekihoro@gmail.com
Timeline
Supervisor - Property Management
KENYA REVENUE AUTHORITY (KRA)
03.2022 - Current
Property Management Officer
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION (NACOSTI)
03.2018 - 12.2021
Senior Property Officer
NILE REAL APPRAISERS EAST AFRICA LIMITED
02.2017 - 11.2018
Property Officer
KENVAL REALTORS EAST AFRICA LIMITED
05.2015 - 09.2017
Master of Business Administration (Strategic Management) -
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
Bachelor of Real Estate (HONS) -
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
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