Victor Mwiningbang Mombu
Accra
Summary
Over 2 decades, I have cultivated a distinguished career as a natural resources management professional, dedicating a substantial portion of my professional journey to the confluence of biodiversity conservation and climate change initiatives. My expertise spans a spectrum of focal areas, encompassing environmental cooperation, regional affairs, community conservation endeavors, agrochemical management, environmental assessments, and the development of value chains within the sectors of forestry and agriculture. Throughout my career, I have assumed a leadership role in shaping organizational strategies related to environmental and climate risk management. I have managed budgets exceeding $50M and have managed teams of up to 20 people. My approach is characterized by a commitment to creative problem-solving, underscored by exceptional analytical acumen, effective communication, proficient presentation skills, and a collaborative team-oriented mindset. I possess a high level of proficiency in English and maintain a working understanding of French.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Environmental Policy Specialist
USAID/West Africa Regional Mission
Accra
11.2017 - Current
- Led design and start-up of two high-impact regional projects valued at $57 million, driving climate resilience and environmental sustainability across 15 West African nations
- Directed a $50M USAID-funded initiative across 15 countries, strengthening anti-wildlife trafficking networks (resulting in 30% increase in seizures of illegal wildlife specimen in the region), advancing REDD+ strategies, and training over 1,200 officials on transboundary conservation
- Program contributed to 25% improved enforcement of wildlife laws in priority landscapes
- Negotiated and structured a $7M public-private partnership with Olam Food Ingredients, establishing over 220,000 hectares of climate-smart cocoa agroforestry in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, boosting cocoa productivity by 15% in Ghana and 20% in Cote d’Ivoire while increasing tree cover by 15% in pilot communities
- Co-designed the $14M West Africa Municipal WASH Project, addressing urban water access and sanitation services for over 2 million residents in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire
- Co-designed the $13M USAID/Liberia Conservation Works Project to protect 500,000 hectares of critical biodiversity zones
- Co-designed the USAID/Senegal Fisheries project to improve health coastal ecosystems for sustainable fisheries to support Senegal’s coastal communities
- Managed over $50 million portfolio across 15 countries, delivering project milestones on time and within budget for 3 major regional climate related projects
- Streamlined reporting processes, cutting approval times for work plans and MEL frameworks from 2 months to one month
- Oversaw conservation programs in 4 transboundary forests (spanning 1.8 million hectares) and 2 coastal mangrove sites in Sierra Leone and Cote d’Ivoire, safeguarding habitats for endangered species
- Strengthened Regional Collaboration: Over 1200 officials (judges, customs agents, forestry staff) on CITES compliance, leading to 30% increase in seizures of illegal wildlife specimens by government officials in West Africa
- Acting Office Director and Team Lead: Oversee the daily operations of the Regional Economic Growth Office, managing administrative functions, coordinating staff 15 staff, and ensuring efficiency to support organizational goals
- As the Climate Integration Lead for the USAID West Africa Regional Mission, I provide technical support to USAID missions in West Africa and partners related to climate integration, greenhouse gas mitigation, adaptation, and climate finance
- I work with technical officers from a range of sectors to develop climate-positive programming by integrating climate change considerations, objectives, and metrics into their work
- I lead in conducting climate risk assessments during project design, and provide overall coordination and technical support for climate risk management during project design and implementation, aiming to minimize the long-term effects of extreme weather events on project outcomes
Environmental Specialist (USAID/ADVANCE Project)
Technoserve Ghana
Tamale
06.2014 - 11.2017
- Advised on environmental risks, regulatory compliance (USAID, Ghana EPA), and cost implications for project activities
- Conducted environmental audits to monitor performance and ensure adherence to legal and programmatic standards
- Screened over 100 sub-grant applications for environmental risks, designing mitigation and monitoring plans for high-impact activities
- Authored the project’s Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP) and managed the implementation of the Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP), achieving 100% compliance across project sites
- Designed training modules and radio content on safe pesticide/fertilizer use, aligning with national and international safety standards
- Partnered with agrochemical dealers to implement environmental and safety management systems, reducing hazardous incidents by 40%
- Trained and equipped 740 individuals as certified spray service providers, establishing sustainable commercial spray businesses across Northern Ghana
- Led the creation and implementation of the project’s Climate-Smart Strategy enhancing climate adaptation practices for over 15,000 smallholder farmers
- Spearheaded adoption of conservation farming techniques (minimum tillage, cover cropping, agroforestry), training over 500 farmers and stakeholders
- Developed drought mitigation strategies, including water harvesting systems and drought-tolerant seed distribution, improving resilience for over 200 communities
- Led a feasibility study on small reservoirs/dugouts for irrigation in Northern Ghana, informing the design of a $25M USAID project in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management
- Designed a community engagement strategy for areas adjacent to Mole National Park, balancing agricultural productivity with biodiversity conservation
Program Development Consultant
Rural Innovations for Sustainable Environment (RISE)
Accra
07.2013 - 05.2014
- Strengthened collaborations with key stakeholders, including NGOs, government agencies, and private sector partners, to identify funding opportunities and co-design donor-aligned interventions
- Spearheaded the design of climate-resilient agricultural programs in maize production, integrating environmental management, climate adaptation, and mitigation strategies for 2 communities in the Savannah Region of Ghana
- Developed innovative value chain models for maize and catfish sectors, enhancing market linkages and sustainability for over 100 smallholder farmers and agribusinesses
- Designed and implemented a robust M&E framework to track program performance, ensuring full compliance with donor reporting requirements and enabling data-driven decision-making
- Trained staff and partners on M&E tools, improving accountability and adaptive management across projects
Environmental Services Specialist
Rainforest Alliance
Accra
05.2010 - 05.2014
- Spearheaded a biodiversity and socioeconomic assessment of the Juabeso-Bia landscape, establishing the first baseline for carbon accounting in the region to guide sustainable land-use practices
- Piloted a Natural Ecosystem Assessment methodology to monitor biomass changes in agricultural landscapes, enabling data-driven conservation strategies
- Contributed to the development of a Climate Model aligned with the Sustainable Agricultural Network (SAN) Standards, piloting its implementation in Juabeso-Bia cocoa agroforestry landscapes of Ghana to integrate climate resilience into cocoa farming
- Oversaw technical execution of climate-smart cocoa production initiatives, including farmer outreach programs that trained over 1,200 farmers on sustainable practices with a 60% adoption rate by the end of the project
- Supervised GPS mapping of over 5,000 cocoa farms, creating a traceability system by assigning unique codes to farms, farmers, and cocoa batches to enhance supply chain transparency
- Conducted a comprehensive analysis of Ghana’s climate-related policies for agricultural and forest landscapes, informing national strategies for low-carbon development
- Designed a monitoring framework to track cocoa productivity, carbon data, and community development metrics, adopted by 10+ partner organizations
- Directed the nursery cultivation and transplantation of 62,800 tree seedlings across 25 cocoa-growing communities, improving soil stability, microclimates, and long-term cocoa and timber resources
- Documented fertilizer/pesticide use on cocoa farms to calculate carbon footprints, identifying strategies to reduce emissions by 15 – 20% through sustainable alternatives
- Developed climate education curricula and trained 500+ stakeholders, including district officials, schools, and farmers, on climate adaptation and mitigation practices
Program Director
Nature Conservation Research Centre (NCRC)
Accra
12.2007 - 04.2010
- Spearheaded the development of NCRC’s strategic plans, aligning research, conservation, and community development initiatives with organizational goals
- Secured over $3M in grants by identifying gaps in conservation knowledge and designing innovative programs focused on sustainable natural resource management
- Directed 7 projects across Ghana, ensuring alignment with community needs and conservation objectives
- Evaluated project outcomes to improve program efficiency
- Built partnerships with public, private, and academic stakeholders to execute initiatives
- Organized regional workshops to advance conservation research and policy dialogue
- Addressed media, public, and partner inquiries, enhancing NCRC’s visibility and fostering trust with stakeholders and local communities
Project Coordinator
Nature Conservation Research Centre (NCRC)
Accra
07.2005 - 11.2007
- Authored 5 winning funding proposals, raising over $500,000 for community conservation activities and environmental management programs
- Collaborated with 21 villages in the Wechiau area to implement sustainable farming practices, reducing deforestation over 2 years
- Lobbied local authorities to adopt 5 community-crafted conservation bylaws, strengthening protections for critical ecosystems
- Trained 500+ community members in environmental stewardship and income-generating activities, improving livelihoods for 1,200+ households
Red Volta Field Officer
Nature Conservation Research Centre (NCRC)
Bolgatanga
09.2003 - 07.2005
- Reduced human-elephant conflicts by 95% (2003–2005) through community-led deterrent methods, safeguarding crops for 8 villages
- Partnered with TechnoServe to launch eco-tourism projects in 5 Red Volta River Valley communities, boosting local incomes for 2 communities
Sanctuary Advisor
Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary
Wechiau
11.2002 - 09.2003
- Pioneered the drafting and implementation of Sanctuary bylaws, establishing a legal framework for conservation and community-led management
- Steered daily operations as interim Manager, coordinating 15+ staff (rangers, tour guides) and training 10 community committees for participatory governance
- Led environmental awareness campaigns across 12 villages, increasing community participation in conservation efforts
Education
Certificate in French language skills (DELF B1) -
Alliance Francaise
Ghana03.2023
Certificate of competence in Training and Facilitation Skills -
Knowledge & Skills training consultants
Ghana04.2015
Certificate in Environmental Leadership (4 weeks) -
Kinship Conservation Fellowship
Bellingham, USA07.2009
Masters in Governance and Sustainable Development -
University of Cape Coast
Ghana05.2009
Certification in Forest Carbon Project Development (40hrs of Instruction) -
Conservation International
Monrovia, Liberia03.2009
Certificate in applications of ArcGIS in conservation (40hrs of instruction) -
Earthwatch Institute
Samburu, Kenya04.2008
Certificate in Writing funding proposals and communicating scientific results - Tropical Biology Association
Sokoini University of Agriculture
Tanzania08.2005
Bachelors in Natural Resources Management (Hons) -
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Kumasi, Ghana07.2002
Skills
- Project management
- Policy writing
- Regulatory compliance
- Environmental assessment
- Stakeholder engagement
- Budget management
- Strategic planning
- Climate integration
- Public-private partnerships
- Team leadership
- Project planning
- Sustainability strategies
Selected Consultancies And Research Roles
- Consultant, Case Studies of Agricultural Carbon Projects, 07/01/12 - 10/31/12
- Consultant, Socioeconomic Studies of Afram Plains Communities, 03/01/12 - 04/30/12
- Consultant, Evaluation of the Ghana Traditional Textiles Project, 04/01/11 - 06/30/11
- Principal Investigator, Review of Farming and Fishing Practices in Ghana, 02/01/08 - 06/30/09
- Principal Investigator, The Charcoal Trade and Economic Linkages in Ghana, 03/01/07 - 09/30/07
- Principal Investigator, Socioeconomic Survey of the Nyankamba Escarpment Communities, 06/01/07 - 12/31/07
- Team Leader and Coordinator, Survey of Wildlife and Forest Resource of the Nyankamba, 06/01/06 - 02/28/07
- Team Leader and Coordinator, Rapid Tourism Assessment of the Nyankamba, 04/01/07 - 09/30/07
- Research Fellow, Water Resources Research in Samburu Region, Kenya, 08/05/05 - 08/18/05
Additional Details - Professional Development
- Panel Member – USAID Global Environment Conference, Washington DC, 01/20/24 - 02/02/24
- Panel Member – IUCN Africa Protected Areas Congress, Kigali, Rwanda, 07/18/22 - 07/23/22
- US Forest Service International Seminar on Climate Change, California, 04/27/19 - 05/18/19
- Rainforest Alliance representative to the UNFCCC sixteenth session of the Conference of Parties, Cancun, Mexico, 2010
- Presenter at XV Katoomba Group Workshop, Accra, Ghana, 2009
- Session leader and participant – Africa Focus Workshop, Egerton University, Kenya, 2012
- Panel Member – Ghana’s second National Cocoa Stakeholder’s Conference, 2012
Updated
03/17/25
Geographic Experience
- West Africa - Particularly in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Senegal and Benin
- Kenya and Ethiopia - Case studies of small-holder agricultural carbon projects in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Ghana which supported revision of the Climate Community and Biodiversity standards.
Personal Information
- Year of Birth: 1977
- Nationality: Ghanaian
- Marital Status: Married
Languages
Dagaare
Native language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
French
Intermediate (B1)
B1
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Environmental Policy Specialist
USAID/West Africa Regional Mission
11.2017 - Current
Environmental Specialist (USAID/ADVANCE Project)
Technoserve Ghana
06.2014 - 11.2017
Program Development Consultant
Rural Innovations for Sustainable Environment (RISE)
07.2013 - 05.2014
Environmental Services Specialist
Rainforest Alliance
05.2010 - 05.2014
Program Director
Nature Conservation Research Centre (NCRC)
12.2007 - 04.2010
Project Coordinator
Nature Conservation Research Centre (NCRC)
07.2005 - 11.2007
Red Volta Field Officer
Nature Conservation Research Centre (NCRC)
09.2003 - 07.2005
Sanctuary Advisor
Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary
11.2002 - 09.2003
Certificate in French language skills (DELF B1) -
Alliance Francaise
Certificate of competence in Training and Facilitation Skills -
Knowledge & Skills training consultants
Certificate in Environmental Leadership (4 weeks) -
Kinship Conservation Fellowship
Masters in Governance and Sustainable Development -
University of Cape Coast
Certification in Forest Carbon Project Development (40hrs of Instruction) -
Conservation International
Certificate in applications of ArcGIS in conservation (40hrs of instruction) -
Earthwatch Institute
Certificate in Writing funding proposals and communicating scientific results - Tropical Biology Association
Sokoini University of Agriculture
Bachelors in Natural Resources Management (Hons) -
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
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