Ronald Were Kubasu
Programs Development Expert
Kericho
Summary
Ronald is a highly experienced and results-driven development programs manager with over 20 years of expertise. Throughout his career, he has successfully led and managed technical and operational teams, ensuring the delivery of high-quality results. His accomplishments include spearheading the design, implementation, and evaluation of large-scale climate-resilient Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives, as well as governance, health, livelihoods, and social development programs. He has worked with esteemed national and international organizations such as DAI Global LLC, Gatsby Africa, Plan International, and Care International. His exceptional ability to secure and manage over $40 million in funding from major institutional donors like USAID, DFAT, DFID/FCDO, and the Gates Foundation has enabled him to drive impactful solutions for both local and global communities. His expertise lies in systems strengthening, governance, resilience building, and fostering entrepreneurship for sustainable market-oriented WASH and development programs. His skill in navigating complex stakeholder environments has allowed him to build strong partnerships with government and private sector entities. Additionally, he excels in mentoring high-performing teams to deliver outstanding results within tight deadlines and budget constraints.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
Deputy Chief of Party - USAID's STAWI Program
DAI GLOBAL LLC
04.2023 - Current
- Provides overall technical leadership and operational oversight for USAID's $39.93 million STAWI program, a five-year initiative enhancing water security and economic opportunities in nine ASAL counties (Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, Wajir, Garissa, Kitui, Makueni and Taita Taveta) in Kenya
- Supports the Chief of Party in program management and leads implementation, reporting, and representation of STAWI Program in his absence
- Directs strategy development and oversees the technical team, Regional and County Coordinators in executing field activities
- Manages the technical activity budget, ensuring efficiency and impact
- Leads high-level engagements with government agencies {Ministry of Water, Sanitation & Irrigation, Water Sector Institutions - Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB), Water Resources Authority (WRA), Water Fund (WSTF), the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), the Council of Governors (CoG)}, county leadership, and private sector actors to drive program success
- Oversees a team of 30+ technical and field staff
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team, overseeing the direction, planning, and execution of STAWI program objectives across nine counties
- Leads a 30+ member team to drive high-quality, results-oriented program execution across the technical areas of governance, water services, and resilient agriculture, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and delivering impact through performance reporting and annual workplans
- Strengthens collaboration with government ministries, water sector institutions, county government leadership, and private sector partners while maintaining strong donor relations, including regular engagement with USAID
- Secures strategic program growth through targeted proposal development and donor engagement, successfully raising multi-million-dollar funding to expand impact and sustainability
- Spearheaded governance interventions, strengthening policies, strategies, and legislative frameworks for improved water services and climate resilience
- Led program implementation across target counties, securing an additional US$ 18 million in water sector investments for improved and expanded services
- Provided technical leadership to enhance water utility operations, reduce non-revenue water, implement service delivery models to drive professionalization and sustainability of rural water services for and implement water infrastructure projects, improving both drinking and productive water use
- Ensured adherence to procurement policies, conducted performance tracking, and managed program reporting, including contributions to USAID
- Managed program subcontractors, coordinated with technical advisors, and led crosscutting governance strategies for sustainable management of water resources and services
The Deputy Director, Water Program
GATSBY AFRICA FOUNDATION
04.2022 - 05.2023
- Led the design and implementation of a comprehensive water program, focusing on sustainable water services, governance & policy, WASH financing, and water resource management
- Successfully oversaw strategy development, budgeting, and technical execution, ensuring improved operational efficiency for urban and rural water services, diversified financing, and strengthened water sector governance
- Managed a team of four Water Intervention Managers and administered an annual budget of $1.3M
- Steered strategic partnerships with government agencies (Ministry of Water, Sanitation & Irrigation, Water Sector Institutions - Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB), Water Resources Authority (WRA), Water Fund (WSTF), the Council of Governors (CoG) and private sector stakeholders to advance water sector transformation in Kenya
- Member of Gatsby Africa Foundation's Senior Program Management Team, led strategy formulation, innovation, risk management, and development of climate-resilient water sector strategies
- Provided technical leadership to 8 water utilities, driving turnaround strategies, performance improvement plans, and governance enhancements for improved water service delivery
- Spearheaded development and adoption of national water service guidelines, supported county legislation & strategies for Uasin Gishu, Nyeri, Laikipia & Nandi, and contributed to regulatory board governance training for 7 water utilities
- Designed high-impact interventions for utility efficiency, professionalization of rural water services, financing models, and sector coordination
- Forged strategic partnerships with government agencies, donors, market actors, and development organizations to strengthen WASH sector initiatives
- Oversaw budgeting, expenditure tracking, grants management, and ensured fiscal accountability through value-for-money assessments
- Led fundraising initiatives, developed proposals, and produced high-quality knowledge products, conference papers, and case studies for sector learning and advocacy
Sector Manager - Water
KENYA MARKETS TRUST - KMT
09.2020 - 03.2022
- Led the development and implementation of climate-resilient water sector strategies, overseeing WASH interventions through technical leadership, monitoring, and evaluation
- Strengthened collaborative partnerships with government and private sector stakeholders to advance sector objectives
- Provided strategic leadership to ensure compliance with statutory, donor, and organizational requirements while driving successful program execution
- Managed a team of three Water Intervention Specialists and administered an annual budget of $750,000
- Served on Kenya Markets Trust's Senior Management Team, leading strategy formulation, business innovation, and risk management
- Led the design and implementation of climate-resilient water sector strategies, improving service delivery and aligning with the organization's strategic goals
- Spearheaded nationwide enhancements in water service delivery by strengthening governance frameworks and operational efficiency across eight Kenyan water utilities, leveraging policy development, legislative drafting, and the design of targeted governance training tools including WASREB's Water Governance Handbook
- Led strategic initiatives to expand the program portfolio through targeted proposal development, securing US$300,000 from Aqua for All (Netherlands) and achieving favorable outcomes with prospective donors, including the approval of a US$24 million proposal
- Spearheaded the rollout of water service guidelines for rural and marginalized areas, adopted by the Council of Governors and 10 counties
- Built strategic partnerships with government agencies, donors, market actors, and development partners, enhancing sector collaboration and funding opportunities
- Administered sector budgets, tracked expenditures, ensured Value for Money (VfM) compliance, and secured funding through fundraising initiatives and proposal development
- Led WASH sector performance tracking, reporting, and knowledge management, producing high-quality conference papers, case studies, and advocacy materials
Service Provider Capacity Building Manager - Western Kenya Region (Six Counties)
DEVELOPMENT INNOVATIONS GROUP (DIG) USA, INC., KENYA PROGRAM
04.2016 - 05.2020
- Led WASH Enterprise interventions under the USAID's Kenya Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (KIWASH) Project across nine counties, overseeing strategic direction, technical execution, and stakeholder engagement with county governments, water utilities, and 158 WASH enterprises
- Championed market-driven service delivery, policy development, and regulatory frameworks for sustainable WASH services
- Directed investment planning, infrastructure development, environmental assessments, and water quality testing
- Designed and delivered training programs, business development support, and mentorship for WASH enterprises
- Managed a $10M budget within a $51M project and led and mentored a team of five Technical/SPCB Specialists to ensure impactful program delivery
- Core team member in initiating USAID KIWASH Project, developed MOUs for partnerships with six county governments in Western Kenya, and promoted Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for improved WASH service delivery
- Led a five-member team of technical specialists, provided coaching, mentoring, and oversaw performance appraisals, ensuring high-quality results within budget and deadlines
- Provided targeted business development support to 158 WASH enterprises, doubling their average monthly revenue to $150,000 over three years, enabling one rural water enterprise in Kisumu to secure a $50,000 loan for expansion
- Designed and monitored water infrastructure projects, including pipeline extensions, renewable energy solutions, and sanitation value chains, enhancing water reliability and increasing service coverage and water access to over 400,000 people in targeted counties
- Led County investment planning in six counties, securing over $5M in funding in leveraging for clean drinking water, and managed a $2M recoverable grants fund, achieving 50% repayment success
- Strengthened governance structures by enhancing pro-poor service delivery, supported the development of Climate Resilient Water Safety Plans for 15 rural water projects, and promoted policy adoption for sustainable WASH services
- Oversaw baseline/midline surveys, developed performance tracking tools, and ensured timely delivery of strategic plans, conference papers, and case studies for knowledge dissemination and evidence-based advocacy
Country WASH Advisor
SNV NETHERLANDS DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION, KENYA PROGRAM
06.2014 - 05.2016
- Led the implementation of the DFID's SSH4A Payment by Results Program across four counties (Kilifi, Homa Bay, Kericho, and Elgeyo Marakwet) in Kenya, overseeing sanitation governance, CLTS, and behaviour change strategies
- Managed a $2M budget, ensuring efficient resource allocation, contract compliance, and high-quality project delivery
- Spearheaded key sanitation policy initiatives adopted at local and national levels, including Kenya's ODF Verification Guidelines and Environmental Sanitation Strategy 2015-2020
- Strengthened partnerships with government stakeholders, aligning programs with national sanitation goals
- Supervised a team of technical staff and interns, driving effective execution and impactful results
- Led the development and execution of Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) and WASH governance strategies across four counties, driving sanitation improvements
- Facilitated nationwide efforts to eliminate open defecation through implementation of demand creation, behaviour change communication and market-based sanitation strategies
- Achieved ODF certification for 1,000 communities, benefiting 360,000 individuals with basic access to sanitation and 75,000 individuals with improved sanitation access
- Steered the Sanitation Promotion Technical Working Group (TWG), influencing sanitation policy, strengthening coordination, and enhancing stakeholder engagement
- Secured a $2M project extension due to program success, boosting private sector involvement in sanitation product supply and service delivery
WASH Advisor - Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Program
SNV NETHERLANDS DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION, KENYA PROGRAM
07.2013 - 05.2014
- Led the successful implementation of the WASH Program Cooperation Agreement (PCA III) between the Government of Kenya, UNICEF, and SNV Kenya in Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya, Busia, Kwale, Turkana, Kitui, and Kajiado Counties of Kenya, ensuring timely and effective delivery
- Managed innovative business model solutions using a results-based approach and provided technical guidance to Water Service Boards, Water Utilities, and both County and National Governments
- Promoted best practices, facilitated continuous improvement by incorporating lessons learned, and enhanced the sustainability of rural water and sanitation schemes across eight counties
- Administered a $1M budget while overseeing a team of two young experts and three interns
- Piloted Service Delivery Models for over 40 small and medium rural water supply schemes in Kenya, enhancing business operations and expanding water coverage to serve approximately 130,000 people
- Strengthened the capacity of rural water schemes through business improvement processes, improving service delivery and expanding access to water and sanitation services
- Promoted public-private partnerships (PPP) by developing proposals, Terms of References (TORs), and Model Contracts to improve revenue collection, enhance service delivery, and implement cost recovery mechanisms for long-term sustainability
- Conducted water point mapping to assess the functionality of water sources in three Kenyan counties of Kisumu, Siaya and Busia, guiding investment strategies and resource allocation for improved water service delivery
Heath Program Coordinator - Homa Bay Program Unit
PLAN INTERNATIONAL, INC., Kenya Country Program
03.2011 - 08.2013
- Directed a five-member team of Health Project Officers, providing supervision, coaching, and performance management while administering health program budgets of up to $3 million
- Oversaw technical aspects of multi-sector projects, ensuring timely planning, implementation, and budget tracking through corporate systems
- Led the preparation and dissemination of implementation plans and progress reports while engaging with district, county, provincial, and national stakeholders across Eastern and Southern Africa countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and Ghana and Sierra Leone in West Africa
- Successfully managed key projects, including maternal and child health initiatives, water governance programs, and large-scale Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) efforts across multiple countries, funded by governments and international agencies such as the Dutch Government, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and AusAID/DFAT
- Led the design and delivery of health programs, managing a team of five Project Officers to ensure successful implementation and compliance with contractual obligations
- Strengthened program impact by collaborating with government ministries, district, county, and national organizations across Kenya and Eastern & Central Africa
- Played a key role in the Program Unit Management Team (PUMT), ensuring efficient program operations and effective risk management
- Expanded the health program portfolio by securing over $3 million in funding through successful fundraising campaigns and resource mobilization efforts
- Provided technical oversight for key initiatives, including CLTS sustainability studies and emergency response efforts for cholera outbreaks, floods, and food crises
Field Officer - Gates Foundation's School WASH plus Community Impact (SWASH+) Program
CARE INTERNATIONAL IN KENYA
01.2007 - 07.2008
- Managed and directed program interventions across 59 schools and communities in Suba district, Nyanza Province, collaborating with key government officials and stakeholders to ensure successful implementation
- Led baseline surveys and mid-term evaluations, provided technical guidance on water, sanitation, and hygiene, and oversaw financial and narrative reporting
- Gained extensive experience in project management, including work plan development, milestone tracking, and budget administration
- Effectively managed cholera outbreaks and humanitarian crises, including post-election returnee response, by coordinating strategic emergency interventions
- Designed and developed training curricula, manuals, participatory tools, and IEC materials to enhance program impact and community engagement
- Strengthened organizational recognition by representing CARE Kenya in district, regional, and national forums while promoting widespread WASH participation in schools and communities
Research Assistant
03.2006 - 01.2007
Project Intern
Care International Kenya
05.2005 - 03.2006
Program Intern
World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)
01.2005 - 05.2005
Education
Master of Science - Water Management for Development
Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC) at Loughborough University
09.2020 - Current
Master of Arts - Project Planning and Management
The University of Nairobi
01.2010 - 12.2010
Bachelor of Environmental Studies - Community Development
Kenyatta University
01.2004 - 12.2004
Project Management Professional - undefined
Project Management Institute
Skills
- Program Management
- Strategic Leadership
Efficient Work Scheduling
Strategic Organizational Development
Strategic Public Relations
Effective Training Delivery
Development of Corrective Action Plans
Collaborative Teamwork
Professional Organizations
Project Management Institute, 2017, 4842339
Publications
Sustaining WASH Services through Market Based Approaches: Experiences by USAID's KIWASH Project, KUBASU, R. NDIRANGU, N. AND MBUVI, J., 41st WEDC International Conference, Egerton University, Nakuru, Kenya, 2018
Timeline
Deputy Chief of Party - USAID's STAWI Program
DAI GLOBAL LLC
04.2023 - Current
The Deputy Director, Water Program
GATSBY AFRICA FOUNDATION
04.2022 - 05.2023
Sector Manager - Water
KENYA MARKETS TRUST - KMT
09.2020 - 03.2022
Master of Science - Water Management for Development
Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC) at Loughborough University
09.2020 - Current
Service Provider Capacity Building Manager - Western Kenya Region (Six Counties)
DEVELOPMENT INNOVATIONS GROUP (DIG) USA, INC., KENYA PROGRAM
04.2016 - 05.2020
Country WASH Advisor
SNV NETHERLANDS DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION, KENYA PROGRAM
06.2014 - 05.2016
WASH Advisor - Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Program
SNV NETHERLANDS DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION, KENYA PROGRAM
07.2013 - 05.2014
Heath Program Coordinator - Homa Bay Program Unit
PLAN INTERNATIONAL, INC., Kenya Country Program
03.2011 - 08.2013
Master of Arts - Project Planning and Management
The University of Nairobi
01.2010 - 12.2010
Field Officer - Gates Foundation's School WASH plus Community Impact (SWASH+) Program
CARE INTERNATIONAL IN KENYA
01.2007 - 07.2008
Research Assistant
03.2006 - 01.2007
Project Intern
Care International Kenya
05.2005 - 03.2006
Program Intern
World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)
01.2005 - 05.2005
Bachelor of Environmental Studies - Community Development
Kenyatta University
01.2004 - 12.2004
Project Management Professional - undefined
Project Management Institute
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