Project Management
08.2023 — 08.2024
I was employed for one year as Project Manager for C4EcoSolutions (Pty) Ltd., an environmental consultancy in Tokai, Cape Town, South Africa. The work was a profound learning experience. I transitioned out of this role because I was eager to work more locally. I am intrigued by international development and fund mobilisation, but my focus is on local implementation.
The company has between 50 and 100 employees, and works in the fields of climate change, biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, and some scientific research. The pillar of the company that I was most involved in develops Feasibility Studies, Project Proposals, Environmental and Social Safeguards, and Environmental Site Assessments on behalf of the United Nations. These documents, developed by teams of GIS specialists, implementations specialists and consultants, were submitted by the UN to the Green Climate Fund or the Global Environment Facility to mobilise development funds for developing nations. C4EcoSolutions has had consultants in 111 countries running over 300 projects to completion, to describe of the scale of the work.
See the following website for context:
I was employed to develop a project management system to ensure productivity and profitability were balanced, training consultants in managing their time and ensuring a strong business flow. I played a role in a number of key organisational areas, including:
web hosting and development,
assisting with job specifications and interviews,
client engagement and conflict negotiations,
bid development, project contracting, project inceptions and transfers, and
managing some projects, including
4.1 An EbA Protocol for Mozambique Coastal Development. Client: UNEP. Title: Building resilience in the coastal zone through ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation (EbA) in the Greater Maputo Area.
4.2 An ESMP for Mekong. Client: UNEP. Title: Ecosystem-based Adaptation in the Greater Mekong sub-region.
4.3 Bid development, contracting and launching a project developing an African climate resilient water investment programme. Client: GWP. Title: Climate resilient hydrological systems and observation for the SADC regional climate resilient water investment programme.
Business Development
08.2024 — Current
I have spent the last 6 months developing a Non-Profit Company, called Return on Ecology, an Institute for Urban and Agro-Ecology, with a local farming consultant, Bennie Diedericks, as well as the director of LabServe, a local soil and water quality laboratory, Pieter Raath.
This has involved web development, coordinating collaborations, investigating business structures, registering as an NPC via the CIPC, as well as a PBO via the DSD, for Section 9 and Section 18A benefits with SARS, as an incentive to motivate farmers and business owners to buy into the development activities.
I would like to keep building this organisation as part of my research footprint, but it will take a year or two to become financially sustainable, and I am exploring salaried options under which this work could continue. I can provide the business proposal upon request.
NPC Non-Profit CompanyCIPC Companies and Intellectual Property CommissionPBO Public Benefit OrganisationDSD Department of Social DevelopmentSARS South African Revenue Service
Mission and Objectives
Return on Ecology is a conservation effort that harnesses the potential of industry, agriculture and urban development as part of the natural ecosystem. We view human activities as a well-spring of conservation opportunities, not in conflict with nature but in collaboration with the surrounding ecosystem services. However, to partner with nature is to listen and respond to the whole system, consistently and patiently, over years.
Compliance versus Creativity
Current land development activities typically view each ‘listening’ activity in isolation, often in response to regulatory pressure (climate data, soil and water quality, biodiversity, waste management, social cohesion and relationships). This institute aims to facilitate cohesive land development strategies rooted in care and strategic scientific design. We serve as a one-stop-shop, assisting land managers in farming, industry and development to design fit-for-land approaches, by
identifying the relevant data,
gathering it efficiently and cost-effectively, and
developing a realistic response that can be managed for the full lifespan of their activities, for multi-generational returns, and
connecting activities in localised areas for scale.
Conservation has historically focussed on protecting intact ecosystems, whereas we propose that ecosystem approaches can be integrated into development strategies, providing win-win solutions for agricultural production, urban design and nature conservation. The impacts are widespread, since agriculture and development
occupy large tracts of land interfacing with intact ecosystems,
promote food and economic security, and
promote human well-being.
We bring land development and conservation together, with a focus on the highest returns.
Our objectives include
1. Providing cohesive, data-based management plans: RoE facilitates a cohesive approach to land management, integrating soil, crop and water sampling, climate data, conservation data, waste management and socio-economic principles to promote sustainability.
2. Facilitating the communication and scientific design of emergent activities: All industries and agricultural sectors already have role players who are making revolutionary strides in regenerative work. Their own activities often limit their capacity to communicate it with a cohesive narrative and sufficient experimental controls. They are also eager to share the lessons learned. RoE is creating a collaborative verification process, database and relational network in the various industries (wine, fruit, industrial development, urban development) where the scientific, economic and narrative pros and cons of interventions can be shared, as part of a reputable brand. This database and web interface will tell the story of nation-wide experiments and connect those who are experienced with those eager to experiment in regenerative work in soil and water.
3. Facilitating on-the-ground, near-retirement knowledge consolidation and transfer: There are many consultants, business owners and farmers who have knowledge that will be lost, since educational institutions transfer complex knowledge rather than practical guidance. RoE aims to create bite-sized educational workshops developed in the NQF framework, capturing this type of knowledge.
The target clientele includes
(1) emergent farmers starting from scratch, without generational knowledge, and need a ‘father/mother figure’ for advice on climate data, soil science, crop science or water systems,
(2) business owners relooking at their waste management plan, or
(3) employers looking to upskill seasonal workers with these land management and development skills, with an ecosystems perspective. The above-mentioned database and web interface will be the container to ‘catch’ and communicate the knowledge.
4. Projects implementing ecosystems models in agriculture and urban development: The Institute will be responsible for mobilising grant, CSI and local and international development funds and tenders, for projects related to regenerative land management and urban development. The aim is the regeneration of local soils and water sources. We have three complete Feasibility Studies that are being mobilised.