Pamela N. Thuranira
Nairobi
Summary
A dedicated GIS Analyst with a master’s degree and over five years’ experience in the production and analysis of spatial data. Having a comprehensive grasp of geography at the landscape level, I have led the entire GIS operations ranging from data collection, advanced analysis, visualization, capacity building that were able to facilitate coordination across different disciplines, cultures and stakeholders to culminate in impactful achievements. Looking forward to offering my skillset towards growth of a growing organization for benefit both people and nature and support systems transformations.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Data Readiness GIS/Information Management Officer
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, IFRC
06.2022 - 10.2023
- Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme) - Fixed term
- Responsibilities:
- Did digitization of data to create GIS datasets and maps, identifying outbreak hotspots; produced health hazard maps for Narok, facilitating targeted responses to Cholera, Anthrax, and Rabies outbreaks
- Trained 240 data collectors (Community Health Promoters) and supervised spatial mapping process while doing real-time monitoring of data collection with PowerBI for the One Health Mapping activities toward the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Project
- Performed spatial analysis of the collected data to inform critical decisions, including the implementation of Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) resulting in Chepalungu Ward being declared Open defecation-free
- Analysed mapathon data for building footprints, roads, and waterways, from Open Street Maps contributing to Multi-hazard Contingency plans for El Niño preparation in Narok, Bomet, West Pokot, and Tharaka Nithi Counties
- Demonstrated expertise in coordinating, facilitating, and training communities in Community-Managed Disaster Risk Reduction/Management (CMDRR/M) as I developed, reviewed and updated guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and contingency plans with focus on SDG 1,2,11 and 15
- Enhanced the technical capacity of health volunteers through training in data collection, data cleaning and analysis, GIS mapping, and PowerBI visualization for their daily use and monthly reporting.
Term Individual GIS Consultant
World
04.2021 - 06.2021
- Food Programme - The Vulnerability Analysis & Mapping (VAM) HUB, Enhanced GIS Accuracy and Quality by reconstructing the national-wide (administrative boundaries to the smallest level (Sub-locations), before integration with the primary data for output of livelihood zoning map atlas
- Participated in digital database ddesign and maintenance where I organized regular meetings with the database consultant for quality control and functionality system checks
- Supervised stakeholder collaboration meetings and Data Collection where I wworked closely with various stakeholders such as NDMA officers, ministry teams, and community groups during data collection, cleaning, and reporting on livelihood zoning
- Ensured adherence to Strategic and policies aalignment by aiding the development of the VAM projects and activities and promoting areas and activities alignment to guidelines and policies of the organization so as to achieve practical goals and impact
- Created detailed base maps for 45 (23 ASAL AND 22 Non- ASAL) counties and a comprehensive map atlas, including key attributes, for livelihood zone analysis which were used for baseline survey as well as for validation during end-line.
Assistant GIS Officer
Danish Refugee Council
02.2020 - 03.2021
- Led the development of GIS tools and managed geo-databases, and projects, and provided essential training on key GIS capabilities for nine East Africa and Great Lakes countries (9 countries)
- Ensured data accuracy, quality, safe storage, and adherence to data protection guidelines
- Collaborated with the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer to migrate collected data into datasets in appropriate formats
- Designed, programmed, and modelled GIS applications and procedures tailored to meet company-specific needs and strategic objectives
- Collaborated in the development and revision of survey coding using tools like ODK, and Kobo, aligning with M&E standards and coordinating with the M&E Officer
- Provided training to the M&E teams in the respective countries on data visualization, including GIS data, using software such as ArcGIS, QGIS, Excel, and PowerBI to generate, Story Maps, Web maps etc
- Developed dashboards for presenting data, catering to both internal and external audiences at the regional level.
Assistant GIS Research Officer
KEMRI Wellcome Trust
02.2017 - 08.2019
- Executed GIS data mining from DHIS2, cleaned it, formatted into acceptable formats, analysed, and mapped it to inform Malaria prevalence decisions as well as effects of job cadres in Malaria alleviation
- Conducted extensive field research in primary schools across eight counties in western Kenya, resulting in the creation of a comprehensive geocoded database
- This database played a crucial role in supporting well-informed decisions for mosquito net distribution and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) initiatives
- Contributed significantly to scientific research by authoring and publishing two papers in separate journals.
Education
Master of Science - Geo-Information Systems
University of Nairobi
2022
Bachelor of Science - Geospatial Engineering
University of Nairobi
2012
Skills
- Data collection, Data Analysis and visualization, GIS Mapping: Expert in data collection using Kobo toolbox, Open Data Kit, Data Analysis and dashboards visualization using R, Excel and PowerBI, spatial mapping using ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Hub, and QGIS
- Training and Capacity Strengthening: Trained over 500 government officials from Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Education, Water etc on for GIS and technical collaborations in 45 counties in Kenya
- Research Skills: Carried out quantitative and qualitative research in Livelihood zoning, Epidemic preparedness and Malaria programs resulting to findings that informed decision on food security, Preparedness funding and distribution of nets and Indoor residual spraying (IRS) respectively
- Problem Solving: Spearheaded problem-solving initiatives by applying structured thinking methodologies, resulting in a 35% reduction in operational errors and an increase in accuracy of reported findings
- Other Technical Skills:
- SQL databases, Open Street Map databases, Microsoft Office modules, Google Earth Engine for Remote Sensing, 3D terrestrial mapping, satellite imagery analysis, Webapps and InDesign
- Interpersonal skills: team player, sensitive to culture, effective communicator, listener, stakeholder engagement skills, and flexible
Accomplishments
- Held
- 02/ 2014 – 02/ 2017: Assistant Land Surveyor at Ramani Geosystems - Kenya
- Additional Information
- Other Consultancy Work
- Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) – World Bank GEMS (The Geo-Enabling initiative for Monitoring and Supervision (GEMS) Trainer, The Lancet - https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(17)30488- 6/fulltext
- BMC Public Health - https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-019- 6474-1, Monitoring and Evaluation certification by Global Health eLearning Centre,2016
- Building the capacity to succeed with open-source mapping technologies -Open Street Maps
- Seminars and Conferences
- Global Community Pandemic and Epidemic Preparedness Forum- Geneva
- Use of Remote Sensing in Project Implementation – Uganda
- Multi-hazard Contingency Planning and Policy Enhancement – Kenya
Certification
2016: Certificate in Project Coordination; Global Health eLearning Centre.
Affiliations
Institute of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) ~ Member.
Geospatial Society of Kenya ~ Member.
Open Street Map Kenya ~ Leader
Timeline
Data Readiness GIS/Information Management Officer
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, IFRC
06.2022 - 10.2023
Term Individual GIS Consultant
World
04.2021 - 06.2021
Assistant GIS Officer
Danish Refugee Council
02.2020 - 03.2021
Assistant GIS Research Officer
KEMRI Wellcome Trust
02.2017 - 08.2019
Master of Science - Geo-Information Systems
University of Nairobi
Bachelor of Science - Geospatial Engineering
University of Nairobi
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