Michelle Ouma
Research Officer at Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK)- Claim this Profile
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English Full professional proficiency
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Swahili Native or bilingual proficiency
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Bio
Credentials
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Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Audit, Associate Expert
National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA)Feb, 2020- Nov, 2024
Experience
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Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK)
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Kenya
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Architecture and Planning
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1 - 100 Employee
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Research Officer
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May 2022 - Present
My main role predominantly involves developing and implementing MEAL mechanisms for public policy development & research project activities undertaken by AAK including the end of project evaluation structures.I also serve as a representative of AAK in the World Urban Campaign (WUC) Communications, Events, & Engagement working group as well as representing AAK in national technical forums such as Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the Coalition of Built Environment Professionals.A large part of my role includes serving as the government relations liaison and supporting the leadership of the association on relevant themes for round table discussions with different actors and related government agencies. I also play an instrumental role in serving as lead advisor to the AAK leadership on the design and implementation of research initiatives and advocacy programs relating to the built environment sectorKey Achievements • Successfully planned and executed the AAK Urban Thinkers Campus (UTC) 7.0 which encompassed eight sessions and 40 different speakers with each session garnering about 150 participants;• Instrumental in providing program management support in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International on a multi-stakeholder project where an assessment was conducted on the impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Housing in informal settlements;• Successfully provided technical support in the development of the Guidelines for Healthy Homes;• Successfully spearheaded the conceptualization and successful execution of the #KenyaWeWant Campaign 2022;• Participated in the Kounkuey Design Initiative where we developed the Inclusive Integrated Infrastructure Framework (3IF) and subsequently published four policy briefs to support the projects goals in improving the delivery of infrastructure within Kenyan informal settlements;• Participated in developing and maintaining the AAK Build Hub portal that records information on 26 counties within portal. Show less
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Assistant Secretary- Town Planners Chapter
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Apr 2021 - Apr 2022
My role predominantly involved providing a high level of executive administrative support to the chapter in respect of the following:Key Responsibilities• Implemented robust communication strategies to send information to members on chapter activities;• Always utilized the internal filing system to maintain and manage up to date chapter records ensuring confidentiality;• Served as the first point of contact and liaison between the chapter and the AAK secretariat during my tenure;• Reviewed and compiled comments on various policies and legislations which included the Physical Planners Registration Bill (2021), NMS Draft Development Control Policy (2021) and Draft Land Use Policy (2021);• Supported the Planners Chapter during the development of NLC’s Monitoring Framework for Implementation of the National Spatial Plan (2015-2045);• Participated in reviewing and compiling comments on Sessional Paper No.1 2017 on National Land Use Policy, The Housing Bill, 2021, Urban Areas and Cities Regulations 2021, PLUPA Regulations, among others.Key Achievements • Participated in developing a policy paper on the Role of Town Planners in Kenya’s Economic Recovery Post-Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic;• Played an instrumental role in the planning and executing of various webinars hosted by the chapter during the Pandemic;• Participated as an ardent member of the 2021-2023 council, which developed the chapter's strategic goal and five pillars (Advocacy & Partnership, Reforms, Membership, Capacity Development & Research, Urban Governance, Networking and Fun). Show less
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Gtech Consultants Limited
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Nairobi, Kenya
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ESIA Associate Expert
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Jan 2019 - Present
I served as the associate expert where I conduct the ESIA studies for various roads across the country. I served as the lead liaison to clients and key stakeholders. A large part of my role involves coordinating consultancy teams, conducting baseline data collection and analysis and coordinating public consultation. Projects Undertaken • Consultancy Services for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Studies: Lot 32 Roads Project in Murang’a County. Project Roads Length- 229.1 Km; • Consultancy Services for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Studies: Lot 58 Roads Project in Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu Counties. Project Roads Length- 90 Km; • Consultancy Services for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Studies: Lot 39 Roads Project in Bungoma County. Project Roads Length- 80 Km; • Consultancy Services for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Studies: Lot 57 road projects in Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties. Project Roads Length- 161 Km; • Consultancy Services for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Studies: Lot 48 Road Project in Meru County. Project Roads Length- 180.7 Km; • Consultancy Services for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Studies: Lot 59 Roads Project in Laikipia and Nyeri Counties. Project Roads Length- 97 Km; • Consultancy Services for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Studies: Lot 62 Roads Project in Nyeri County. Project Roads Length- 124 Km; • Consultancy Services for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Studies for Kiutune- Kinna- Garbatulla Road in Isiolo County Project Road length- 65 K; • Consultancy Services for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Studies for Laisamis- Ngurunit Bugar Road in Marsabit County; • Consultancy Services for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Studies for Kapsait- Kapsangar- Tapash- Sondany Road Project in West Pokot County. Show less
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Syagga and Associates Limited
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Nairobi
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Assistant Planner
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Jun 2017 - Nov 2019
My role predominantly involved undertaking various environmental assessments and projects, including coordinating public consultation workshops, report writing, liaison with clients, preparation and submission of proposal documents, submission of development proposals to relevant authorities for approvals and conducting stakeholder analysis and engagement. Key Projects Undertaken: • Independent Audit of the Implementation of Resettlement Action Plan for the Eastern Electricity Highway Project- Lots 6, 5 And 4 (Suswa to Turbi) This project involved yearly audit of the RAP implementation which began in 2013 over a period of 6 years, where I participated from 2017 to 2019 (from the 5th audit, 6th audit, and the final audit). The audits assessed the extent to which the RAP implementation process complied with the World Bank’s Operational Policy on Involuntary Resettlement (OP 4.12), African Development Bank (AfDB) Policies on involuntary resettlement, KETRACO Resettlement Policy Framework (RFP) as well as policies of other international financial institutions/agencies. This was to ensure that the livelihoods of the Project Affected Persons (PAPs) and Project Displaced Persons (PDPs) had been restored through fair and just compensation in the form of cash payments, assistance in relocating, and appropriate grievance redress mechanisms. • Consultancy Services for Environmental Audit for Kisii University Participated as an assistant researcher in the following projects: i. Preparation of the Valuation Roll for Suna East Sub-County; ii. Valuation and asset tagging exercise for fixed movable assets for Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC); iii. Asset tagging exercise for movable assets for Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA); iv. Asset tagging exercise for movable assets for Rongo University College Show less
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Nairobi Placemakers
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Kenya
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Project Coordinator
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Jan 2018 - Jan 2019
Theme: Connecting People to Places My role predominantly involved spearheading the Connecting People to Places project in Luthuli Avenue where the goal transformed the area into a multi-functional space hosting various essential spatial element. The aim was to tackle pollution, congestion, safety issues, inadequate and poor placement of amenities by creating placement weekly activities which included car-free days, street furniture, tree planting and street cleaning. Among the key challenges identified in Luthuli Avenue were: air pollution, congestion, safety issues, inadequate and poor placement of amenities, lack of pedestrian crossings, uneven surfaces and poor drainage. PMW aimed at transforming Luthuli Avenue into a multi-functional space hosting various important spatial elements. The week's activities included: car-free days to allow for pedestrianization of a section of the street, installation of street furniture like greenery and bicycle racks, urban breakfast, public engagement, street performances, street painting, critical mass, street cleaning, and crowned by the Kalapapla Art Festival. Show less
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Intern
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Jan 2016 - Jul 2016
My role predominantly involved providing support to the Planning team where I gained skills in preparing subdivision and amalgamation schemes, proposal development and preparing base maps and location plans for the various project areas. I also participated in various projects including the Environmental Impact Assessment for Proposed Commercial Cum Residential Multi-Dwelling Units (Flats) on L.R No. 4260 Loc 2/ Kangari Located along Thika- Kangari Road in Murang’a County and the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Proposed Extension to Raw Materials Store on L.R No. 209/14835/4 Located along Mombasa Road in Nairobi County. Show less
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Education
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2020 - 2023
University of Nairobi
Master's degree, Environmental Planning & Management -
2019 - 2019
Africa Nazarene University
Environmental Impact Assessment & Environmental Audit Certificate -
2013 - 2016
University of Nairobi
Bachelor of Arts (Planning), Urban and Regional Planning
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