Winfred Mutindi Wambua
Senior Gender and Social Inclusion Expert
Nairobi
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) expert with over 18 years’ experience driving transformative policy, institutional reform, and inclusive development across national and sub-national levels in Kenya. Proven track record in public policy design, gender mainstreaming, disability inclusion, youth empowerment, GBV prevention, and climate justice. Currently serving as Assistant Director, Programs & Research at Kenya’s National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), leading the design, coordination, and delivery of high-impact inclusion programs aligned with constitutional mandates and international obligations. Experienced in multi-stakeholder partnerships, advisory support to government ministries and county governments, donor engagement, and regional policy dialogue. Adept at translating complex policy into actionable programming and conducting participatory research, M&E, and strategic advocacy. Skilled in working with vulnerable and marginalized groups, and engaging with international institutions including UNDP, UN WOMEN, UNFPA, DFID, USAID, and the World Bank.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Assistant Director, Programs & Research
National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC)
09.2018 - Current
- Leading national programs and policy advisory to integrate princiiples of equality and inclusion in Kenya’s development, legal, policy, and administrative frameworks at national and county levels.
- Spearhead development and implementation of NGEC’s Strategic Plan, aligning programs with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Africa Agenda 2060,Constitution of Kenya (Art. 10, 27, 43, 54–57), Vision 2030 and other frameworks.
- Provide technical support to government entities on gender-responsive budgeting, affrimative action programmes, GBV prevention and response, and climate inclusion.
- Oversaw Kenya’s national reporting to regional and global human rights mechanisms relating to Special Interest Group (e.g., CEDAW, CRPD, SDGs, Maputo Protocol, Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security)
- Coordinated research on issues of Special Interest Groups in Climate Change Policy, and Accessibility of Built Environment for PWDs.
- Supervised design of inclusion models: Gender Strategy for Northern Kenya Bloc (NOREB), Framework for PWDs in Anti-Corruption, and Model TVET Policy among others
- Led multi-county policy engagement forums on marginalized communities, gendered data systems, and inclusion monitoring.
- Supervised a team of over20 staff and managed multimillion-shilling program budgets and M&E frameworks.
Chief Officer – Youth, Gender, Sports, and Social Services
County Government of Makueni
03.2014 - 12.2017
- Provided policy leadership for integrated youth empowerment, social protection, and gender equality programming.
- Led multi-sectoral budget planning and donor coordination with UN Women, ActionAid, and DANIDA-funded gender and youth projects.
- Oversaw design of Makueni County’s Gender Policy and Social Services Strategic Framework.
- Directed 200+ staff and coordinated projects on economic empowerment, GBV services, sports development, and cultural integration.
Programme Advisor
Life and Peace Institute (LPI)
09.2012 - 09.2013
- Coordinated Participatory Action Research (PAR) and peacebuilding interventions in conflict-affected counties.
- Led organizational capacity assessments for CSO partners and developed strategic OD plans.
- Provided technical support on community engagement and peace programming in Northern Kenya.
National Cohesion Officer
Office of the President – Directorate of National Cohesion and Values
11.2009 - 08.2012
- Contributed to the formulation of Sessional Papers No. 8 (National Values) and No. 9 (Cohesion).
- Led civic dialogues in 47 counties promoting coexistence, reconciliation, and cultural diversity.
- Coordinated the National Cohesion Assessment and developed Kenya’s first national strategy on cohesion.
Programme Officer/Coordinator
CEDMAC (Consortium for Empowerment & Development of Marginalized Communities)
10.2006 - 11.2009
- Led voter education, peacebuilding, and inclusion projects in marginalized communities.
- Designed civic education materials and M&E tools; represented CEDMAC in donor consortia and policy forums.
Programme Assistant
Interreligious Council of Kenya (IRCK)
11.2005 - 10.2006
- Supported implementation of interfaith development programs and community-based M&E processes.
Education
Master of Arts - Development Studies
University of Nairobi
Nairobi 01.2007 - 01.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology
University of Nairobi
Nairobi 01.2001 - 01.2005
Strategic Leadership Development Programme -
Kenya School of Government
Nairobi 01.2023 - Current
Certificate in Peace and Conflict Consultancy - undefined
Academy for Conflict Transformation
Certificate in Monitoring & Evaluation - undefined
AMREF
Certificate in Statistical Data Analysis - undefined
AMREF
Active Citizens TOT - undefined
British Council & Peacenet
African Civic Engagement Academy - undefined
University of Georgia
Designing Peace-Security-Development Nexus - undefined
UNSSC
Skills
- Social Inclusion Strategy & Policy Reform
- Peacebuilding and conflict transformation
- Gender-Responsive Governance & Public Sector Reform
- GBV Prevention, Response & Safeguards
- Stakeholder Engagement & Systems Change
Strategic planning
Operations management
Regulatory compliance
Staff development
Data analysis
Project Management
Program Coordination
Analytical Skills
Teamwork and Collaboration
Project Planning
Creative direction
Report generation
Staff coordination
Task delegation
Project management
Crisis management
Staff management
Stakeholder engagement
Contract management
Selected Consultancies
- UNDP, 01/01/20, 12/31/21, Assistant Technical Lead: Gender and Vulnerability Assessment in Kenya’s REDD+ Readiness
- USAID/MSI, 01/01/13, 12/31/14, Conflict Expert: Evaluation of Conflict Mitigation Programs (2008–2013)
- Integrity Research Solutions, 01/01/14, 12/31/14, Lead Researcher: Rapid Assessment on Child Trafficking in Urban Kenya
- Defenders Coalition, 01/01/21, 12/31/21, Gender Expert: TOT Training for Women Human Rights Defenders on Monitoring and Documentation
Awards
- University of Nairobi Academic Excellence Scholarship
- Staatskanzlei Des Landes NRW Scholarship (Germany)
Timeline
Strategic Leadership Development Programme -
Kenya School of Government
01.2023 - Current
Assistant Director, Programs & Research
National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC)
09.2018 - Current
Chief Officer – Youth, Gender, Sports, and Social Services
County Government of Makueni
03.2014 - 12.2017
Programme Advisor
Life and Peace Institute (LPI)
09.2012 - 09.2013
National Cohesion Officer
Office of the President – Directorate of National Cohesion and Values
11.2009 - 08.2012
Master of Arts - Development Studies
University of Nairobi
01.2007 - 01.2010
Programme Officer/Coordinator
CEDMAC (Consortium for Empowerment & Development of Marginalized Communities)
10.2006 - 11.2009
Programme Assistant
Interreligious Council of Kenya (IRCK)
11.2005 - 10.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology
University of Nairobi
01.2001 - 01.2005
Certificate in Peace and Conflict Consultancy - undefined
Academy for Conflict Transformation
Certificate in Monitoring & Evaluation - undefined
AMREF
Certificate in Statistical Data Analysis - undefined
AMREF
Active Citizens TOT - undefined
British Council & Peacenet
African Civic Engagement Academy - undefined
University of Georgia
Designing Peace-Security-Development Nexus - undefined
UNSSC
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