Natasha Saru Nthiga
Summary
A young sustainability and climate change champion, I stand out due to my collaborative and exceptional organizational skills that have accelerated project implementation in the various positions I have delivered. My ability to adapt quickly and learn new skills makes me a valuable asset in any team. I am passionate about building a career in environmental diplomacy and sustainable development. My goal is to make a positive impact in the world by promoting capacity building in communities, particularly among the youth, with a special focus on empowering girls. I am a confident, initiative-driven self-motivated individual who excels at working collaboratively and delivering positive customer engagement through effective communication. I thrive in design thinking in the climate smart world, and I am eager to contribute my skills, learn in and drive to a dynamic and forward-thinking organization.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Management Trainee - Business Development
KCIC Consulting Limited
Kenya
03.2023 - 12.2023
- Supported the Business Development department in driving KCIC Consulting Limited (KCL) market base and business growth.
- Provided crucial support in developing winning bids by conducting comprehensive research on donor and market trends, sharing valuable insights internally.
- Played a key role in identifying strategic opportunities, sourcing information, and assisting in the preparation of expressions of interest, concept papers, technical and financial proposals.
- Collaborated closely with the Business Development Manager, technical staff, partners, and consultants to design and write proposal content.
- Ensured effective proposal coordination, meeting deadlines, and maintaining high-quality standards.
- Supported capture and positioning efforts for priority bids, coordinating proposal needs and managing internal proposal development resources, including a consultant and partner database.
- Developed customized marketing messages and materials for diverse clients and partners, addressing their specific needs and preferences.
- Managed internal knowledge management resources, ensuring easy access to project data sheets, proposals, CVs, capability statements, reference letters, and testimonials.
- Key Achievements:
- 1. Website Content and Company Profile Revamp: Supported the successful updating and revamping of the organization's website content, resulting in improved user engagement and a more modern online presence.
- 2. Internal Consultant Database Development: Currently playing a pivotal role in co-developing an internal consultant database, streamlining the process of locating and contracting consultants for subcontracting projects.
- 3. Partnership Facilitation: Successfully facilitated partnerships between organizations such as SFAI Prolific, SINAPIS, and iGov Africa which culminated in the establishment of a Joint Venture agreement.
- 4. Climate, Sustainability, and Innovation Workshop Preparation (Ongoing): Actively involved in preparing content for the upcoming La Futura x Nairobi event, focusing on climate, sustainability, and innovation workshops.
Trainee/Research Assistant (Part-time)
Tredak Consultancy
Kenya
03.2020 - 01.2023
- I successfully recorded proceedings during organizations and stakeholders' meetings, ensuring accurate documentation of discussions and decisions made.
- I contributed to the successful planning and coordination of community participation meetings, leading to increased engagement and participation from community members.
- I facilitated focus group discussions during a Global Climate Fund workshop in Isiolo, resulting in valuable insights and feedback from participants.
- I administered questionnaires to community members during participation events, collecting valuable data for analysis and evaluation.
- I compiled detailed and accurate reports on project evaluations, providing valuable insights and recommendations for future project planning and implementation.
- This organization deals with Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA)
Senior Consultant - Director of Business Development
Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)
Kenya
04.2022 - 07.2022
- As an attaché at KEFRI, I was privileged to be part of departments such as; Dissemination, Climate Change, Forest Estate Management and Socio-Economics Policy and Governance.
- I developed a written proposal for climate change mitigation strategies - 'Mitigation of deforestation in Kiambu County.', resulting in a clear and actionable plan to address deforestation in the area.
- I collected and analysed data for the research on the propagation of sandalwood tree seedlings, resulting in valuable insights and recommendations for future propagation efforts.
- I contributed to the successful compilation of the quarterly report in the dissemination department, providing accurate and up-to-date information on the organization's activities and progress.
- I contributed to the development of a stock record of KEFRI's plantation and carried out a tree valuation exercise for its forestry products, resulting in a better understanding of the organization's resources and assets.
- I co-moderated a community participation exercise on forest conservation and management at Muguga, resulting in increased engagement and understanding of the importance of forest conservation among community members.
- I coordinated a tree planting exercise alongside fellow attachés at Redhill, resulting in the successful planting of a large number of trees and the enhancement of the local ecosystem.
Attache - Secretariat
Child in Family Focus
Kenya
03.2021 - 06.2021
- I provided crucial support to the secretariat of the organization, allowing for smooth and efficient operations.
- I successfully managed donations and contributions to the organization, resulting in a steady and reliable flow of funding for ongoing activities and programs.
- I kept accurate and up-to-date records and supported stakeholders' engagement in the organization's activities, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
- I recorded all meeting proceedings, ensuring accurate documentation and accountability of discussions and decisions.
- I contributed to the successful planning and coordination of the dissemination process of Alternative Care Advocacy tools, leading to increased awareness and understanding of the issue.
- I was part of the steering group that prepared presentations for APRIRE project aimed at reintegrating foster care into Kenya's Child Care system, resulting in clear and effective communication of the project's goals and objectives to stakeholders.
- An organization that advocates for the rights of institutionalized children and best practices for their care.
Education
B.A - Development Studies
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa
01.2023
Digital Marketing and Business
Max Business School
10.2025
Skills
- Proficiency in MS word
- MS excel
- PowerPoint
- G-Suite
- CANVA
- Impeccable written and verbal communication
- Research
- Time management
- Business analysis
- Proposal writing
- Public speaking
- Community mobilization
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Innovation and creativity
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Leadership and teamwork
Qualification Statement
A young sustainability and climate change champion, I stand out due to my collaborative and exceptional organizational skills that have accelerated project implementation in the various positions I have delivered. My ability to adapt quickly and learn new skills makes me a valuable asset in any team. I am passionate about building a career in environmental diplomacy and sustainable development. My goal is to make a positive impact in the world by promoting capacity building in communities, particularly among the youth, with a special focus on empowering girls. I am a confident, initiative-driven self-motivated individual who excels at working collaboratively and delivering positive customer engagement through effective communication. I thrive in design thinking in the climate smart world, and I am eager to contribute my skills, learn in and drive to a dynamic and forward-thinking organization.
Present Position
Business Development - Intern, Business Development Manager- DT Global
Specific Experience - Country
Kenya
Leadership Development
- Junior Achievement Kenya, 2019-01-01, 2019-05-31, Junior Achievement is an international Non-Profit Organization whose mission is to inspire young people to succeed in innovation and entrepreneurship. As the program officer for Eastern Region, I guided students and their patrons in making their programs productive while coordinating schools within the region in local competitions. I managed to qualify two groups through to the national level innovation competitions, High School Innovation Challenge (HIC), a girl group from Precious Blood Girls Secondary School Kilungu and the other a boy group from The Machakos School. I successfully worked with GEMS Cambridge International, to re-establish the program in their institution.
- Green Peace Africa, 2019-05-01, 2019-12-31, An independent environmental campaigning organization that employs non-violent, creative confrontation to expose environmental injustices globally and bring forth solutions essential to a green and peaceful future. I contributed greatly to the recruitment of volunteers. I promoted 'Call for Donations' towards Green Peace activities. In September 2019, I contributed to the planning and coordination of the Climate Change Strike.
- AIESEC in CUEA, 2019-05-01, 2019-12-31, AIESEC is a non-governmental and non-profit global platform for young people to develop their leadership potential through practical experiences of many kinds, including internships, volunteering opportunities, and more. I received a nomination to be a team leader in the Outgoing Global Exchange (OGX) portfolio. I facilitated recruitment of students into AIESEC and particularly the OGX portfolio. I led the team in organizing and coordinating a campaign to promote exchange programs to students in CUEA and within. I managed program experiences for participants including travel logistics.
- Student Flights Africa, 2018-01-01, 2018-05-31, Student Flight Africa (SFA) is a leadership program for high school students that incorporates travel as part of the channels to foster cultural interaction and exposure amongst the youth. I volunteered in running programs at Alliance Girls High School and Moi Girls High School where I taught crafts and writing. I led registration of participants, coordinated their travel logistics and developed appropriate programs for the students.
- In 2020, I helped organize and facilitate a palliative care day at the Embu- Mbeere hospice aimed at creating awareness on palliative care for the terminally ill such as cancer patients. Since 2020, to date, I am part of the committee of the Emmanuel James Foundation aimed at community outreach activities towards the less fortunate in memory of Emmanuel James a friend who died of a tumor in the brain. I co-manage events planning and coordination, by mapping out and organizing the activity calendar for the organization.
First Names
Natasha Saru
Contacts
tashakiboi@gmail.com, +254742071315
Personal Information
Nationality: Kenyan
Timeline
Management Trainee - Business Development
KCIC Consulting Limited
03.2023 - 12.2023
Senior Consultant - Director of Business Development
Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)
04.2022 - 07.2022
Attache - Secretariat
Child in Family Focus
03.2021 - 06.2021
Trainee/Research Assistant (Part-time)
Tredak Consultancy
03.2020 - 01.2023
B.A - Development Studies
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa
Digital Marketing and Business
Max Business School