Open To Work
Stephen Gichuki
Program Management Specialist
Nairobi
Summary
Senior development professional with over 20 years of leadership experience managing multi-stakeholder programs across Kenya and Malawi. Expertise in climate resilience, natural resource management, sustainable livelihoods, and integrated water-energy-food systems. Proven record in strategic program leadership, donor fundraising, partnership development, and institutional strengthening. Proven expertise in providing management advisory services to national and county governments. Extensive background managing multi-donor budgets (EU, USAID, UN, Dutch Embassy, Foundation ), and leading Monitoring & Evaluation. Expertise in leading cross-functional teams, managing grants and program budgets, developing strategic frameworks aligned with SDGs, and delivering high-impact interventions that advance women’s and youth economic empowerment, livelihoods, and inclusive development. Holds an MBA in Project Management, with additional certifications in Monitoring & Evaluation, Sustainability Reporting, and Financial Management for NGOs.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Consultant
Gmaste Consulting
01.2025 - Current
- Strengthening the internal capacity of NGOs and civil society organizations to improve governance, accountability, and sustainability
- Supporting NGOs and CSOs to develop high-impact programmes and projects aligned with donor priorities and community needs.
- Improving operational efficiency and effectiveness through review of internal systems
- Designing and delivering training programs and workshops for NGOs and civil society organizations.
- Supporting organizations to expand their funding base and build sustainable partnerships.
- Supporting organizations to measure results, improve accountability, and enhance learning.
- Supporting NGOs and civil society organizations to strengthen partnerships and collaboration.
Project Manager
SNV Netherlands Development Organization
Laikipia, Isiolo Samburu
10.2020 - 01.2025
- Initiated and operationalized the LISTEN Project Support Office, establishing critical systems and infrastructure to coordinate the climate resilience project in Upper Ewaso Ng’iro Basin.
- Served as principal liaison between Dutch Embassy donor and consortium partners (SNV Netherlands Development organization, Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC), National government agencies and county governments
- Led the Water, Energy, and Food (WEF) Nexus approach to enhance climate resilience and promote sustainable natural resource management through integrated water management and landscape restoration, circular and sustainable principles across selected climate-resilient agricultural and livestock value chains and productive use of renewable energy.
- Championed policy development, review and implementation as well as translation and domestication of national policies at county level.
- Capacity building of various agencies and community groups, government agencies and community conservancies for efficient management of natural resource resources
- Ensured that women, youth, and persons with disabilities are meaningfully engaged in community structures and project implementation.
- Led the monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) team in synthesizing project data, development of reports and implementation of comprehensive knowledge management and communication strategies.
- Led the identification, selection, evaluation, contracting, disbursement, compliance monitoring and performance management of local grantees
- Developed and executed diversified fundraising strategies that secured co-financing partnerships
- Managed cross-functional teams of international and local staff for the LISTEN project
- Developed and delivered comprehensive progress and financial reports to the Project Steering Committee (PSC)
Grants Manager – Safe Roads Programme
National Transport and Safety Authority
04.2020 - 11.2020
- Managed a €5M EU-funded road safety grant at NTSA, overseeing the full grant cycle from design, implementation, and evaluation ensuring alignment with donor and institutional goals.
- Supervised the grant implementation unit, delivering milestones on time while adhering to EU and NTSA indicators, budgets, and work plans.
- Led strategic planning, issue resolution, and progress tracking toward institutionalization of road safety programs.
- Coordinated with County Transport Committees, national stakeholders, and the EU Delegation to drive implementation and results.
- Prepared and presented detailed financial and progress reports to the Project Steering Committee and EU, informing high-level decisions.
- Advised on stakeholder engagement strategies and contributed to policy formulation through lessons learned.
- Advocated for policy and institutional improvements that advance gender equality and inclusion.
- Cultivated strategic partnerships and maintained effective collaboration with government counterparts.
- Ensured strong financial oversight, risk mitigation, and compliance with EU grant conditions in coordination with NTSA departments.
Consultant
Gmaste Consulting
Nairobi, Kenya
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Strengthening the internal capacity of NGOs and civil society organizations to improve governance, accountability, and sustainability
- Supporting NGOs and CSOs to develop high-impact programmes and projects aligned with donor priorities and community needs.
- Improving operational efficiency and effectiveness through review of internal systems
- Designing and delivering training programs and workshops for NGOs and civil society organizations.
- Supporting organizations to expand their funding base and build sustainable partnerships.
- Supporting organizations to measure results, improve accountability, and enhance learning.
- Supporting NGOs and civil society organizations to strengthen partnerships and collaboration.
National Coordinator
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Led development of Kenya’s UNDAF 2018–2022, aligning Result Area 3 with SDGs on inclusive growth, climate, and environment.
- Delivered timely reports to UNCT and ensured alignment with strategic frameworks. Coordinated agencies and ministries in drafting the 5th UNDAF under UNIDO’s leadership.
- Chaired inter-agency meetings with UN agencies, government ministries, and private sector partners to harmonize inputs and align resources for Kenya’s UN cooperation framework.
- Developed joint partnership proposals with other UN agencies and government, liaising closely with a wide range of donors and private sector institutions to mobilize resources.
- Coordinated UNIDO’s participation in the TICAD-VI Summit, a key platform for advancing public-private partnerships for development in Africa.
- Designed results frameworks, refining KPIs and tools for tracking performance. Served on UN M&E group and national TVET education subgroup.
Manager
Co-operative Bank Foundation
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Pioneered the Bank's corporate citizenship strategy, institutionalizing the Foundation’s operational framework across five thematic areas to align with business objectives and social impact.
- Supported the development of GEWI responsive strategies, guidelines, and tools in collaboration with the Behaviour Change Communication and MEL teams.
- Designed and launched strategic shared-value partnerships with private companies, leading to the youth education initiative that provided scholarships and mentorship to over 3,000 poor students.
- Secured $1.2M in private donor funding through targeted engagement, concept note development, and compelling proposal writing.
- Collaborated with the Bank’s marketing team to develop high-impact collateral, enhancing brand visibility and donor engagement, a model for effective cause-related marketing.
- Initiated a community volunteering program for university students under the bank’s scholarship scheme, encouraging them to give back through service. As a result, over 300 students participated in volunteer activities during their university holidays, each committing at least three months to community engagement throughout their studies
- Spearheaded annual work plans, budgets, and procurement, aligning with strategic goals and reporting to the Board for governance decisions.
Program Manager
Catholic Relief Services
01.2007 - 01.2012
- Managed financial operations of a $5M- $10MUSAID funded consortium projects ensuring budget execution, compliance, and reporting across five field offices in Rift Valley, Coast and Nyanza regions in Kenya.
- Led implementation of a multi-sectoral program reaching over 95,000 vulnerable children, youth, and families with education, health, nutrition, and economic support.
- Developed grantmaking framework, selected grantees, and managed contracts including disbursement, reviews, and closure.
- Strengthened capacity of 18 local partners via training in planning, leadership, and operational management.
- Coordinated stakeholder forums and training to improve grant uptake and awareness.
- Guided institutional strengthening for partners, developing policies and procedures for better governance and compliance.
- Advocated for policy and institutional improvements that advance gender equality and inclusion
- Engaged with local leaders, faith-based organizations, and community influencers to promote equitable social norms and inclusive behavior change.
- Oversaw full project execution from administration, procurement, inventory, and quality assurance.
- Facilitated team collaboration and capacity building while leading annual work plan and budget implementation across 18 partners.
Program Coordinator
Build Africa
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Led youth empowerment programs across 3 counties in areas of education, health, livelihoods, and psychosocial support.
- Coordinated school infrastructure projects, overseeing over 50 gender-segregated WASH blocks, 30 classrooms (disability-accessible), 3 dormitories (100-bed each), and 5 solar-powered water systems.
- Oversaw development of fully equipped TVET workshops, enhancing vocational capacity for over 1,500 students annually across 3 districts.
- Strengthened local women’s and youth groups to enhance their leadership and participation and economic empowerment activities.
- Work closely with the MEL team to track progress on GESI outcomes using disaggregated data.
- Strengthened TVET institutions by modernizing facilities, training over 20 instructors, and improving governance through targeted support to management committees.
- Designed and implemented a youth apprenticeship program placing over 100 trainees with MSMEs, offering skills training, starter kits, mentorship, and market linkages.
Education
Master of Business Administration -
Moi University
Bachelor of Arts - undefined
Kenyatta University
Diploma in Human Resource Management - undefined
University of Nairobi
Diploma in Project Management - undefined
The Management University of Africa
Skills
- MS Office Suite, MS Teams/SharePoint/Planner, ERP (SAP), LogAlto M&E
- Team leadership & development
- Problem-solving
- Integrity and honesty
- Project management
- Project implementation
- Work Planning and Prioritization
- Staff management
- Project analysis
- Performance tracking
- Stakeholder engagement
- Training and development
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Relationship building
- Excellent communication
Certification
- Monitoring & Evaluation – MS-TCDC, Arusha, Tanzania
- GRI Sustainability Training – Environmental Sustainability Solutions, South Africa
- Practical Financial Management for NGOs – MANGO, Kenya
- Report Writing & ToT – British Council, Kenya
- LogAlto M&E Software – SNV Netherlands Development Organisation
- Coaching for Performance – Co-operative Bank of Kenya
LANGUAGES
English (Fluent), Swahili (Fluent)
Timeline
Consultant
Gmaste Consulting
01.2025 - Current
Project Manager
SNV Netherlands Development Organization
10.2020 - 01.2025
Grants Manager – Safe Roads Programme
National Transport and Safety Authority
04.2020 - 11.2020
Consultant
Gmaste Consulting
01.2019 - 01.2020
National Coordinator
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
01.2016 - 01.2018
Manager
Co-operative Bank Foundation
01.2013 - 01.2016
Program Manager
Catholic Relief Services
01.2007 - 01.2012
Program Coordinator
Build Africa
01.2004 - 01.2007
Bachelor of Arts - undefined
Kenyatta University
Diploma in Human Resource Management - undefined
University of Nairobi
Diploma in Project Management - undefined
The Management University of Africa
Master of Business Administration -
Moi University