Kaustella Kialain-Sarsih
Monrovia
Summary
Versatile and results-oriented engineering professional with over a decade of experience in infrastructure management and project execution. Skilled at overseeing large-scale road maintenance and urban development projects, with a proven track record of managing budgets of up to $13 million. Collaborative by nature, adept at fostering critical infrastructure relationships across public and private sectors and seamlessly engaging executives, engineering professionals, donor partners, and regional/International organizations. Renowned for exceptional organizational skills, technical proficiency, and the ability to thrive in multicultural, fast-paced environments. Ready to leverage extensive engineering and management expertise to drive impactful infrastructure initiatives.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Co-Owner and Manager
Galaxy Group of Companies
Monrovia
08.2020 - Current
- Overseeing day-to-day operations of real estate construction and management services
- Supervise and trained 3 full time employees
- Promote services on multiple channels, including social media, online ad campaigns, and word-of-mouth initiatives
- Handle accounting, logistics and the selection of specialty/general contractors, materials, and project staff.
Assistant Minister for Operations
Ministry of Public Works
Monrovia
09.2018 - 01.2024
- Led a team of 40+ staff and managed a budget of $8-$13 million annually for nationwide projects, overseeing strategic road condition assessments, project proposal preparation and review, providing technical details, and formulating cost-efficient maintenance approaches for roads, bridges, and drainage systems procurement
- Ensured projects are properly monitored, regularly evaluate outputs and report directly to the Deputy Minister for Technical Services at Ministry of Public Works.
Project Engineer
Ministry of Public Works
Monrovia
- 01.2018
- Led road condition assessments, Project preparation and estimates, supervision and implementation, project evaluation, technical advisement and regular reporting on projects
- Conducted feasibility studies, field assessment and data analysis for new road Construction implementation plans in Liberia
- Conducted research and proposal for an interagency Collaboration for the quality testing of imported Bitumen.
Project Coordinator
Renovation of Executive Mansion
Monrovia
- Coordinated and scheduled meetings and project activities on site between contractor, consultant, and client
- Handled contract administration, site inspection, verification of Schedule of value for payment, review of drawings and assessment of material quality, and generated bi-weekly reports.
Field Supervisor
Highway Maintenance Interventions
Monrovia
- Supervised highway maintenance activities including drainage cleaning, shoulder brushing, and patching of potholes
- Prepared and reviewed Bill of Quantities and Cost estimates, set up work schedules, and supervised community youth volunteers in the execution of community self-help initiatives.
Internship
National Oil Company of Liberia
Monrovia
01.2014
- Assisted in oil well logging data interpretation and analysis
- Generated various correspondence and managed electronic filing system
- Performed administrative duties as required.
Team Assistant
United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)
Monrovia
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Performed administrative duties and secretarial functions for the Construction and Infrastructure Unit
- Managed schedule and appointments, prepared conference rooms, established filing systems, generated various correspondence, maintained office equipment, procured office supplies, handled communications, and performed additional responsibilities to support office operations
- Also involved in construction engineering/management projects.
Field Supervisor
LOFACO Engineering & Construction Company
Monrovia
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Supervised construction projects, monitored material and workmanship quality, oversaw safety and quality of work, prepared and evaluated Bill of Quantities, set up work schedules, and purchased construction materials
- Also performed administrative duties and secretarial functions.
Internship
Ministry of Public Works
Monrovia
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Assisted in highway maintenance activities, prepared and reviewed Bill of Quantities and Cost estimates, conducted community awareness, supervised community youth volunteers, compiled project data, prepared proposals and reports, and performed other duties as required.
Internship
Ministry of Public Works
Monrovia
- Performed administrative duties and secretarial functions for the Minister of Public Works
- Managed schedule and appointments, prepared conference rooms, established filing systems, generated various correspondence, maintained office equipment, procured office supplies, handled communications, and performed additional responsibilities to support office operations.
Education
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering and Technology -
Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering -
Stella Maris Polytechnic
Skills
- Infrastructure Management: Oversees large projects effectively
- Project Execution: Manages budgets up to $13M
- Collaboration: Engages stakeholders across sectors
- Technical Proficiency: Engineering assessment, Design review, estimation, quality control & assurance
- Donor Partnership: Works with World Bank, USAID, etc
- Organizational Excellence: Exceptional coordination skills
- Adaptability: Thrives in fast-paced, diverse environments
- Leadership: Leads teams of 40 staff
- Analytical Skills: Makes data-driven decisions
- Communication: Strong verbal and written abilities
- Problem-Solving: Addresses complex challenges
- Time Management: Meets deadlines efficiently
- Self-Supervision: Works independently and meets targets
- Continuous Learning: Committed to professional growth
- Self-Starter: Proactive and motivated approach
Papers Published
- A Data Driven-Approach For Early Fault Detection Of The Reactor-Regenerator In The RFCC Unit, Journal of Computers & Applied Chemistry, 2015, Beijing China
Professional Development
- February 2023, The Resilient Entrepreneur: Planning, Adapting and Persevering. Young African Leaders Initiative. Online
- January 2023, Dream Builder. Academy of Women Entrepreneurs- Cohort 1. U.S Embassy. Monrovia, Liberia
- July 2022, Leadership in Public Management. Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. University of California Davis. USA
- August 2019, Seminar on Highway and Housing Construction for Developing Countries. Changsha, Hunan Province. Peoples Republic of China
- January 2018, Certificate in HDM-4 (Highway Development and Management Model) training. Millennium Challenge Account Liberia. Monrovia, Liberia
- November 2017, Certificate in Procurement and Contract Supervision Training. USAID-Feeder Road Alternative and Maintenance Program. Monrovia, Liberia
- April 2017, Certificate in Training of Trainers Course. USAID-Feeder Road Alternative and Maintenance Program. Monrovia, Liberia
- May 2017, Geometric and Pavement Design workshop. GIZ. Monrovia, Liberia
- September 2016, Seminar on Building Technology for Liberia. Hunan Province. Peoples Republic of China
- June 2016, Consultancy Services Contract Work shop. GIZ. Monrovia, Liberia
- July- August 2009, Certificate in Road Management and Maintenance For Africa. JICA. Osaka, Japan
- June 2012, Basic Security in the Field I&II. UNMIL, Liberia
- June 2012, Administrative Management (Supervisory Level) Training. Cuttington University/ UNMIL. Liberia
Organization And Community Activities
- Head of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and mathematics Committee (STEAM) at Society of Women Engineers in Liberia (SWEL) July 2023
- Mentor for The Terry Hall Mentorship Program co-implemented by International Research And Exchange Board Elections and Democracy Activity in Liberia since November 2022
- President of the 2022 Mandela Washington Fellowship Liberia Cohort since September 2022
- Head of the MPW-Independent Election Commission for Employee Welfare Association Elections (2016)
- Participant in the Social and Gender Integration Plan workshop
- Member of the Engineering Society of Liberia
- 2017 Graduate of the Presidents Young Professional Program (Class VI)
- 2015 Participant in the Junior Africa-China Economic Forum
References
- Hon. Amos Y. Barclay, Former Deputy Minister for Technical Services, Ministry of Public Works, +231777061808
- Mr. James Reynolds, Senior Technical Advisor, ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, jreynolds@bidc-ebid.org
- Mr. Chris Appiah, Ag. Director of Transport Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalizaiton Department, ECOWAS Commission, cappiah@ecowas.int, +2348165834824
Timeline
Co-Owner and Manager
Galaxy Group of Companies
08.2020 - Current
Assistant Minister for Operations
Ministry of Public Works
09.2018 - 01.2024
Internship
National Oil Company of Liberia
01.2014
Field Supervisor
LOFACO Engineering & Construction Company
01.2009 - 01.2011
Team Assistant
United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)
01.2007 - 01.2009
Internship
Ministry of Public Works
01.2007 - 01.2009
Project Engineer
Ministry of Public Works
- 01.2018
Project Coordinator
Renovation of Executive Mansion
Field Supervisor
Highway Maintenance Interventions
Internship
Ministry of Public Works
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering and Technology -
Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering -
Stella Maris Polytechnic
Similar Profiles
WAN ZUHAITUL IMA SAADWAN ZUHAITUL IMA SAAD
SECRETARY CUM OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE at GALAXY GROUP OF COMPANIESSECRETARY CUM OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE at GALAXY GROUP OF COMPANIES
Dinesh KumarDinesh Kumar
Project Architect at M/S PANCH TATVA PROMOTERS PVT. LTD GALAXY GROUP OF COMPANIESProject Architect at M/S PANCH TATVA PROMOTERS PVT. LTD GALAXY GROUP OF COMPANIES
Nicholas ChronisNicholas Chronis
Controller at Galaxy GC Group LLCController at Galaxy GC Group LLC