Joshua Mwankunda
Dodoma
Summary
I have a track record of success with employers, particularly at the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, where I excelled at promoting heritage conservation and utilisation while also cultivating international partnerships, including with UNESCO. I led the establishment of Africa's first sub-Saharan UNESCO Global Geopark, the construction of a new Olduvai Museum, and the rebranding of the NCA's cultural heritage through human-made monuments, demonstrating innovation, dialogue, and negotiation skills. secured over $12 million in grants from multilateral financing institutions for heritage value assessment, museum creation, tourism promotion, and successful community economic engagement activities, demonstrating exceptional fundraising skills and a commitment to long-term heritage advancement combined with community socioeconomic development.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Principle Engineer
Tanzania Roads Fund Board
03.2024 - Current
- Establishing strong working relationships with relevant stakeholder, including Roads Implementing Agencies such as TANROADS, TARURA, MINISTRY OF WORKS and PRESIDENT OFFICE - MINISTRY OF REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS through exceptional communication skills, fostering trust and collaboration.
- Writing, reviewing and editing technical reports/document in accordance with template requirements.
- Developing, reviewing, and carrying out techniques for monitoring value for money in roads projects across the country.
- Investigating and promoting creative approaches to affordable and climate-resilient roads.
- Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to identify opportunities for enhancing financial resources for road development and maintenance.
- Ensuring Linkages for Heritage and road developments in the Country.
Manager of Cultural Heritage and Geopark
Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority
01.2014 - 03.2024
- Preparations and submissions of reports as required, including responding to issues raised by UNESCO and Ministry of Natural resources and Tourism about World Heritage, Man and Biosphere Reserve and Geopark designations.
- Collaborate with Tanzania's team on UNESCO monitoring missions and convention meetings, both in-country and internationally.
- Raise public awareness and uphold Tanzania's UNESCO World Heritage, Man and Biosphere Reserve, and Global Geoparks designations.
- Promoted and executed sustainable use of heritage resources and communities engagement in realization of economic gains and peace within ethical conservation practices.
- Popularized cultural heritage and geoheritage through well-built, high-performing teams formed through excellent recruitment, onboarding, and talent development programs.
- Fostered partnerships with industry leaders, enhancing NCAA's reputation and creating new business lines such as Cultural, space and Geoparks tourism ventures.
- Enhanced cultural and Geopark tourist experience by developing and implementing innovative products developments.
- Managed heritage impact assessment, sociocultural and socioeconomic impact assessment on assets within the NCA.
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
Incharge of Heritage and Tourism Infrastructures
Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority
09.2008 - 01.2014
- Administration of a 600 km road network for the purposes of conservation, tourism, and community services.
- Design, building and maintenance of conservation, tourism and community infrastructures such as toilets, ranger posts, schools and hospitals.
- Conducting feasibility studies, Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), Health Impact Assessments (HIA), as well as preliminary and detailed studies for engineering projects.
- Resource planning and scheduling for construction projects
Management and administration of engineering contracts
Programme Infrastructure Engineer
Prime Minister’s Office
11.2003 - 09.2008
- Project Monitoring and cost control.
- Development of implementation procedures, infrastructure standards and conduct trainings to beneficiaries.
- Designing standards for the implementation of project's targeted infrastructures.
District Engineer
Nachingwea District Council
12.1999 - 11.2003
- Design, implement and supervise Government works related top Roads, Buildings and plant/vehicles workshop in the District.
- Increased operational efficiency by streamlining processes and adopting new technologies.
- Participated in community outreach efforts aimed at engaging residents in ongoing improvement projects and soliciting valuable feedback.
- Provided technical support to other departments, fostering inter-departmental collaboration for district-wide improvements.
- Managed complex projects from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with district and national goals and objectives.
- Aligned district engineering goals with broader national objectives, ensuring a cohesive approach to infrastructure management and maintenance.
- Trained and mentored junior engineers, providing guidance and direction.
- Conducted technical evaluations of engineering designs and test results.
Special Assignments
Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority
01.2008 - 03.2024
- May – June 2020: Chairman – Special Committee to receive and resolve NCAA Employees complainJuly 2015 – July 2018: Client Counterpart Engineer: Design and construction supervision for the Ngorongoro Tourism Tower, 18 Multi storey building in Arusha City.
- November 2014 – June 2018: Project Manager – Feasibility study, environmental & social Impacts Assessment, Detailed Engineering Design and preparation of tender documents for upgrading Loduare gate – Golini main road (83 Km) and access road to Olduvai Museum (5KM) to hardened standard within Ngorongoro Conservation Area UNESCO Mixed World Heritage Site, UNESCO Man and Biosphere reserve and UNESCO Global Geopark.
- September 2012 – March 2024: Project Manager – Opening of Laetoli Hominin Footprints, and Related Research and training, Construction of State of Art Laetoli Hominin Footprints Museum.
- September 2013 – June 2017: Project Director – Promotion of Earth and Human Heritage of Ngorongoro by valorisation of the Oldupai and Laetoli sites, local communities’ development and creation of the Ngorongoro Geopark; Design and construction of Olduvai Museums, Restoration and maintenance of Old Leakey’s Camp buildings, Design and construction of Geopark infrastructures.
- September 2012 – April 2015: Liaison officer – Heritage (Cultural, Geological, Intangible) management Transfer and interim coordination from MNRT – Antiquities Department to NCAA.
- September 2012 – April 2015: Liaison officer – Heritage (Cultural, Geological, Intangible) management Transfer and interim coordination from MNRT – Antiquities Department to NCAA.
Education
Ph.D. - Heritage Management
University of Dar Es Salaam
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania09-2024
Master of Arts - Heritage Management
Kent University
United Kingdom07-2020
MBA - Bussiness Administration
Open University of Tanzania
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania11-2009
Certified Procurement And Supplies Professional - Procurement, Supplies And Contract Management
PSPTB
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.11-2016
Diploma - Projet Management
Galilee International Management Institute
Galilee, Israel10-2010
Professional Certificate in UNESCO WHC Studies - Heritage
UNESCO WHC
Tanzania, France, Benin And Rwanda06-2023
Professional Certificate in UNESCO WHC Studies - Management of Culture And Nature Linkages
University of Tsukuba
Tokyo, Japan10-2019
Professional Certificate in UNESCO Geosciences - Geoheritage And Geotourism
China Geological Survey
Beijing, China11-2013
Professional Certificate - Project Management
MDF Training & Consultancy
Amsterdam, The Netherlands06-2006
ADB Professional Certificate - Management of Multilateral Bank Financed Projects
African Development Institute of The AfDB
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania09-2004
Skills
Fund Raising and technical writings
- Secured a €18 million grant from the European Union Fund for the Promotion of Earth and Human Heritage of Ngorongoro, aimed at valorizing the Oldupai and Laetoli sites, fostering local community development, and establishing the Ngorongoro Geopark
- Secured a $10 million from China Aid for the enhancement of geosites, the establishment of a geological museum, the promotion of Geotourism, and the development of additional infrastructure within the Ngorongoro-Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark
Innovation
- Established the first Global Geopark in sub-Saharan Africa, the second in Africa (http://englobalgeoparkorg/GeoparkMap/geoparks/Tanzania/12591htm)
- Formulated the Cultural Heritage Department for NCAA, overseeing staff recruitments to smooth running of the department
- Design and construction of cradle of human kind tower "rebranding cultural heritage of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area" (https://enwikipediaorg/wiki/Olduvai_Gorge)
- Design and building of the new Olduvai Museum "Presentation of the evolution of human kind, revisited" (https://enwikipediaorg/wiki/Olduvai_Gorge_Museum)
Public Speaking
- Panelist and presenter for IDA’s "Prospects of Ngorongoro - Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark, Tanzania"
- Presenter for the International Digital course on UNESCO Global Geopark and sustainability "Activities, Partnerships, Benefits, challenges and opportunities, case of Ngorongoro – Lengai Geopark”
- Presenter for UNESCO international webinar on fostering governments support on emerging initiatives in geo-heritage for sustainable development " Significance of the Ngorongoro -Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark"
- Host and Presenter on UNESCO International Webinars for the developments UNESCO Global Geoparks for Africa and Arab States " Development phases for the Ngorongoro - Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark, challenges and solutions"
Dialogue and Negotiation
- Team member for the Tanzania team to annual UNESCO General Assembly meetings and World Heritage committee meetings from 2012 - 2023
- Team member for Tanzanian team to UNESCO Global Geopark Conferences 2014 - 2023
- Team member for Tanzanian team to UNESCO International Man and Biosphere reserve annual meetings 2012 - 2018
Project Management
- Project Manager for the Feasibility Study, Environmental & Social Impacts Assessment, Detailed Engineering Design and Preparation of Tender Documents for Upgrading of Loduare Gate – Golini Main Road (83 Km) and the access Road to Olduvai Museum (5Km) to Hardened Standard
- Project Manager for the Design and construction supervision for the Ngorongoro Tourism Tower, 18 Multi storey building in Arusha City
- Technical advisor for the Construction of Multifunctional Research Facility at Olduvai under Donor funding by Cives Mundi – Spain to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, December 2011
- Local coordinator for the UNESCO International Conference on Safeguarding African Heritage as a Driver of Sustainable Development June 2016
Additional Information
Birth Date : 31st August 1972
Birth Place : Mbeya, Tanzania.
Marital Status: Married
Gender: Male
Languages
Swahili
Native language
English
Proficient
C2
Affiliations
- Engineers Registration Board of Tanzania
- Institute of Engineers, Tanzania
- Procurement and Supplies Professional Board of Tanzania
Referees
Prof. Audax Mabulla,
Lecturer,
Department of Archaeology and Heritage,
University of Dar es salaam.
Email: aumabu@gmail.com
Tanzania
Dr. Harrieth Mtae,
Assistant Lecturer,
Center For Economics And Community Economic Development (CECED),
The Open University of Tanzania,
Email: harriet.mtae@out.ac.tz,
Tanzania.
Timeline
Principle Engineer
Tanzania Roads Fund Board
03.2024 - Current
Manager of Cultural Heritage and Geopark
Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority
01.2014 - 03.2024
Incharge of Heritage and Tourism Infrastructures
Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority
09.2008 - 01.2014
Special Assignments
Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority
01.2008 - 03.2024
Programme Infrastructure Engineer
Prime Minister’s Office
11.2003 - 09.2008
District Engineer
Nachingwea District Council
12.1999 - 11.2003
Ph.D. - Heritage Management
University of Dar Es Salaam
Master of Arts - Heritage Management
Kent University
MBA - Bussiness Administration
Open University of Tanzania
Certified Procurement And Supplies Professional - Procurement, Supplies And Contract Management
PSPTB
Diploma - Projet Management
Galilee International Management Institute
Professional Certificate in UNESCO WHC Studies - Heritage
UNESCO WHC
Professional Certificate in UNESCO WHC Studies - Management of Culture And Nature Linkages
University of Tsukuba
Professional Certificate in UNESCO Geosciences - Geoheritage And Geotourism
China Geological Survey
Professional Certificate - Project Management
MDF Training & Consultancy
ADB Professional Certificate - Management of Multilateral Bank Financed Projects
African Development Institute of The AfDB
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