Kidist A. Sinshaw
Nairobi
Summary
Water science expert and entrepreneur with extensive experience in environmental research, consulting, and business management. Founded and successfully managed a café, bakery, and catering business in Addis Ababa, while consulting for private and public sector clients on operations, training, and project evaluation. Currently based in Nairobi, bringing technical expertise, entrepreneurial drive, and a global outlook to improve organizational performance and promote sustainable solutions across Africa.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager & Owner
KIYAD PLC
03.2020 - 01.2024
- Managed a profitable café, bakery, and catering business with 12 employees.
- Supervised and trained staff while overseeing day-to-day operations.
- Prepared financial reports, filed taxes, and developed business strategies.
- Implemented marketing campaigns and built customer partnerships.
- Increased sales by inventing innovative product distribution methods.
- Participated in government bids to boost product sales.
Private Consultant
Ethiopian Airforce, Afro Coffee PLC, Ezek Trading PLC, Lideta Sub-city Head Office
01.2021 - 12.2023
- Conducted monitoring and evaluation for Ethiopian Airforce projects.
- Advised businesses on profitability improvement and waste reduction.
- Authored evaluation reports with actionable recommendations.
- Trained employees and supported business owners in management challenges.
MEAL Officer
GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Supported the Sustainable Textile Programme (eTex).
- Organized and facilitated workshops and trainings.
- Prepared questionnaires, collected and analyzed data.
- Authored reports, ToRs, and MoUs; drafted internal communications.
Research Associate (Master Thesis)
WTE Wassertechnik GmbH
03.2018 - 09.2018
- Researched selective extraction of settleable activated sludge.
- Conducted comparative experiments at wastewater treatment plants.
- Contributed to cost-saving designs for treatment plants.
Laboratory Assistant
University of Duisburg-Essen
11.2017 - 03.2018
- Designed and conducted batch experiments in wastewater treatment.
- Collected, analyzed data, and maintained lab equipment.
- Supervised and trained replacement assistant.
Research Practical Student
University of Duisburg-Essen
08.2017 - 11.2017
- Studied removal of organic pollutants using activated carbon.
- Completed data collection, analysis, and reporting (graded excellent).
- Contributed to a PhD research project.
Research Assistant
Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research
07.2015 - 09.2015
- Worked on water desalination project in collaboration with University of Edinburgh.
- Conducted experiments, presented results, and authored reports.
Intern
Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research
06.2014 - 08.2014
- Processed seismic dataset from East Antarctic Plateau using Echos software.
- Analyzed seismic data for glaciology division research.
Education
MSc. - Water Science
University of Duisburg-Essen
01.2019
BSc. - Earth and Space Sciences, minor in Global Economics
Jacobs University Bremen
01.2015
High School Diploma - undefined
Nazareth High School
01.2012
General Secondary Education Certificate - undefined
Aygoda High School
01.2010
Grade 9 Certificate - undefined
SOS Hermann Gmeiner High School
01.2009
Skills
- Skilled in utilizing Microsoft Office tools for data management and presentations
- Project execution
- Consulting businesses and governmental organizations
- Program monitoring and evaluation
- Training and workshop facilitation
- Research design and execution
- Report writing and presentations
Awards
Deutschlandstipendium merit-based scholarship (2017 - 2018), DAAD merit-based graduation grant (2018)
Timeline
Private Consultant
Ethiopian Airforce, Afro Coffee PLC, Ezek Trading PLC, Lideta Sub-city Head Office
01.2021 - 12.2023
General Manager & Owner
KIYAD PLC
03.2020 - 01.2024
MEAL Officer
GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)
01.2019 - 01.2020
Research Associate (Master Thesis)
WTE Wassertechnik GmbH
03.2018 - 09.2018
Laboratory Assistant
University of Duisburg-Essen
11.2017 - 03.2018
Research Practical Student
University of Duisburg-Essen
08.2017 - 11.2017
Research Assistant
Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research
07.2015 - 09.2015
Intern
Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research
06.2014 - 08.2014
BSc. - Earth and Space Sciences, minor in Global Economics
Jacobs University Bremen
High School Diploma - undefined
Nazareth High School
General Secondary Education Certificate - undefined
Aygoda High School
Grade 9 Certificate - undefined
SOS Hermann Gmeiner High School
MSc. - Water Science
University of Duisburg-Essen