Thomas MacWilliams

I have 35+ years experience in Kenya and East Africa in managing projects and programs in renewable energy, community development, environmental conservation, program administration, refugee resettlement and sustainable agriculture.  I am passionate about positive change in society, particularly in relation to protecting and restoring the environment and creating employment through sustainable enterprises.  I have both rural and urban experience and am comfortable in both office and field environments, including extremely remote locations.  I have excellent communication skills in English and Swahili, both oral and written.  Experienced in preparing grant proposals, project reports, community surveys, monitoring and evaluation and company policies.  Experienced bush driver.

Solar Station Development Manager at WE! Hub Victoria Ltd, Nyanza - western Kenya for almost 3 years: community survey/team leader/construction site management/finance - procurement/ local contracts management/enterprise development/renewable energy systems/productive uses for clean energy/business expansion/grants and policies writing/strategic planning and budgeting.

Senior Operations Manager at Solar Kiosk Kenya Ltd., 9 counties in Kenya for about 6 years: community and regional surveys/construction in remote locations/ FMCGs/solar energy products and systems/team building/data management/logistics/business expansion/marketing/logistics/strategic planning/budgeting/project reporting, travel to remote locations/recruitment.

Office Manager at Desert Edge Bio-Trading Co. Ltd., Laikipia and Samburu counties, 10 months:  office systems/procurement/stock and inventory/honey production and marketing/natural products/finance/conservation/ Acting CEO for 7 months.

Deputy Representative - Admin, Finance and Personnel at Church World Service Inc., Nairobi office for sub-Saharan Africa, 11+ years: refugee resettlement processing, program administration, finance and accounting, HR management, managing a team of professionals, budget proposals and monitoring expenditure, US government financial requirements, rigorous annual external audits, property management, service contracts and contractors, IT support for teams, security and logistics, retirement benefits, recruitment.  

Refugee Caseworker at Church World Service Inc., Nairobi office and locations in sub-Saharan Africa; 10 months: refugee law/ refugee interviews and case preparation/logistics and travel to remote locations/conflict histories for relevant locations/emotional intelligence.

Program Coordinator/Director of Field Operations at Habitat for Humanity International; Kenya program, Nairobi for 5 years: program administration/setting up national office/creating systems and procedures/low-cost housing/budgeting/expenditure monitoring/grant proposal writing/program finances and reporting/appropriate technology/construction/recruitment/staff training/representation at forums/strategic planning.

Affiliate Manager/Project Devloper at Habitat for Humanity International, western Kenya for about 6 years: community development/low-cost construction/project management/finance and procurement/ logistics/vehicle maintenance/community accountability/loan repayments/beneficiary selection.

Community Extension Worker at US Peace Corps-Kenya with Ministry of Agriculture; western Kenya for 3 years: small scale farming/small animal husbandry/improved agricultural practices/health and nutrition/ fuel conserving stoves built locally/tree planting/local languages and culture.

BA in Environmental Agriculture; self-design major at University of Vermont.  graduated 1981 with 3.17 GPA

Numerous training courses done in finance and accounting, budgeting, advanced excel, first aid, senior leadership, OSHA compliance.