James Kamau

Experience

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  The Energy Source

  Jan 2008 - Jan 2009

  I assisted account directors in editing and writing press releases and other documentations for electronic and print media. I assisted in organizing media forums and media briefs. I monitored and analyzed client’s coverage and mentions in print and electronic media. I was responsible for filling, bookkeeping, and handling petty cash for office supplies and daily expenses.

  • Intern

    Jan 2008 - Jan 2009

  • Intern

    Jan 2008 - Jan 2009
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  Brett Communication

  Sept 2010 - Dec 2010

  Assistant Events Manager

  I assisted in editing and writing flyers, press releases, and newsletters according to client’s specifications. I ensured high-quality media relations and sought advertisement space on behalf of clients. I organized press conferences and media briefs. I followed up on suppliers and other stakeholders for client’s corporate events. I was part of Kenya Railways’ re-branding process in 2010.

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  Kuona Trust- Center for Visual arts

  Feb 2011 - Jan 2012

  Art Project Administrator

  I organized and coordinated various art programs, exhibitions, workshops, and artist presentations. I was in charge of conceptualizing, organizing, and formulating the center’s calendar of events, including international workshops; open days, happy hours, and exhibitions. I designed, contributed to, and disseminated the center’s monthly e-newsletter and electronic invitations. I also updated and organized the center’s mailing list and was in charge of procuring art materials and general supplies. Show less

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  Danya International, Inc.

  Feb 2012 - Apr 2015

  Customer Service Administrator

  Key Achievements• Recognized as the winner of the “Danya Internal Customer Service Award” in 2012 and 2013 afterdemonstrating outstanding customer service skills for efficiency.• Partnered with the HR and Finance team to create the administrators and user manual for the companytimesheet system to improve operations.• Met and exceeded organization expectations by developing communication guidelines for all the projectsand implementing strong policies for guidance.• Initiated strategies for smooth operations, resulting in 15% reduced overhead operational costs byassuming sensitive duties of the project, capturing new bidding, tendering, and standardizing theprocurement system.• Collaborated with contractors, architects, and landscapers to restructure management, construction, andlogistics while creating a functional outdoor working area.• Spearheaded and scheduled project meetings and oversaw inbound/outbound office communication foreffective project delivery.• Coordinated recruitment of staff, held full accountability for Fanikisha Portal social media management,USAID Project portal to bring together Kenya CSOs for health. Show less

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  Techno Brain Limited

  May 2015 - May 2017

  Manager Project Management Office

  This was a highly pivotal role in the Project services division. I was responsible for providing and assisting in the management and supervision of key initiatives and programs supporting the strategic objectives of Techno Brain- Project Services division, particularly around standardization, accreditation and business processes. I supported Quality Assurance team with regard to Processes, Documentation and support to customer satisfaction initiatives. I worked closely with Delivery Heads and Project Managers in providing the full Project Delivery lifecycle, maintaining records and providing regular and ad-hoc reporting. Key Achievements• Provided technical support while leading T-help to support after-sale contracts, delivered resiliencetraining, and acquainted 40+ support clients and 40 project managers to realize acceptance andadoption.• Outperformed coordination of customer satisfaction survey for the company’s projects and nominatedimpactful surveyors, scheduled interviews, and other services, resulting 20% customer satisfaction rate.• Conferred with the project services departments, delivered training, collected need analysis, and createdeffective calendars to improve project delivery.• Communicated the project targets and objectives to inform stakeholders of the project status, milestonesand administered project monitoring and management systems.• Implemented comprehensive tracking and monitoring processes and process reports while streamliningand documenting communications strategy processes for 50+ projects.• Developed solid reporting infrastructure for monthly and quarterly reports to facilitate project evaluationand process improvements in the organization. Show less

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  IntraHealth International

  Jun 2017 - Jul 2017

  Research Project Assistant

  This was a short contract, with Intrahealth international.I was the lead research coordinator for USAID (HRH) Human Resource for Health project- The project targeted 27 countries in Kenya with the HIV/AIDs burden in order to strengthen health professional training programs and health workforce management systems.I was in charge of leading the research process in 5 counties in Kenya; Kajiado, Narok, Bomet, Nyamira, Kisii, Migori and Homa bay.My key deliverables were;• To ensure all tools were ready and dispensed in time,• Coordinate all research activities and manage the research personnel,• Prepare the persona and consolidate all research findings for analysis Show less

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  Apex Softwares Limited - Banking and Microfinance Solutions

  Sept 2017 - Nov 2019

  Program Management Office Consultant

  I setup the project management office- PMO, in the organization and ensured its sustainability in a software development startup.I was the project manager for Apex software portal, to ensure if a fully functional and intuitive portal fit for the micro-finance market. With the team, we conducted research, managed all content, managed resources, tested and ensured closure of the project.http://apex-softwares.com/I provide advisory for change request, project documentation, and all pre-sales activity for the Apex team. Show less

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  SoCha, LLC

  Nov 2019 - Aug 2024

  Demonstrate management expertise in serving USAID/Kenya East Africa to create sound on theimportance of self-reliance and align programs towards promoting the project target. SoCha LLC isimplementing a two-year (optional three-year) mission support program to enable USAID to pivot into thisjourney to self-reliance (J2SR).Key Highlights • Conduct logistics activities and make close follow-ups on procurement, vendor selection, and setting achievable goals to ensure project delivery within the required time.• Met the evaluation standards during trainings/ Co- creation/ Partners meeting etc. and other project activities while coordinating project planning to ensure compliance during project operation.• Cultivate and maintain exceptional relationships with USAID personnel and other stakeholders to ensure adequate development and execution of operation-related work orders.• Formulate procurement work-related orders for the project implementation and proper management; Steer performance monitoring for project drivers, logistics assistants, and other operations staff as assigned. • Instill standard management of vehicle maintenance, maintaining safety procedures, and fuelmanagement to ensure compliance and accurate project documentation.• Implement profitable initiatives and meet organization standards for identifying media channels through collaborating with communication specialists and program managers for media buying promotional messages. For Covid 19 behavior change communications. • Lead technical and program teams to negotiate and draft contracts with vendors. Show less USAID/Kenya East Africa seeks to advance what self-reliance means for Kenya and the broader region. To support USAID/KEA to align programming toward promoting self-reliance outcomes, SoCha LLC is implementing a three-year mission support program to enable USAID to pivot into this journey to self-reliance (J2SR).Key Achievements• Seamlessly achieved the logistics and management for the whole project cross-departmental through coordinating departmental heads to ensure work orders within the scope with the required resources and within the budget.• Orchestrated hiring and strong management to build team capacity to back-up procurement components for the project; created efficiency in budgeting, invoicing, and accurate procurement documentation.• Demonstrated expertise in organization management and development by hiring, building and managing capacity of logistics team while scaling efforts for supporting procurement component for the project. Show less

  • Logistics Operations Specialist

    Mar 2023 - Aug 2024

  • Operations Manager - USAID/KEA Mission Support for Journey to Self Reliance Pivot (MSP)

    Oct 2021 - Feb 2023

  • Logistics Specialist - USAID/KEA Mission Support for Journey to Self Reliance Pivot (MSP)

    Nov 2019 - Oct 2021
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  DAI

  Sept 2024 - now

  Operational Logistics and Procurement Coordinator - USAID Africa Trade and Investment (ATI)

  Operational Logistics and Procurement Support - USAID Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) Activity In my current role, I provide operational continental logistics and procurement support for the USAID Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) Program, a key initiative designed to strengthen the U.S. Government's capacity to enhance trade and investment across the African continent. As part of this continent-wide program, which is USAID's flagship effort in support of the Prosper Africa initiative, I help facilitate and accelerate two-way trade and investment between Africa and the United States.ATI is driven by market demand and embraces innovative strategies to achieve its goals. The program is structured with a small, centrally coordinated set of technical and institutional support activities, complemented by a large, flexible, performance-based subcontracting and grants under contract facility that enables support for the evolving needs and opportunities identified by USAID Missions and the private sector. My role ensures efficient logistical coordination, procurement, and implementation of these activities, contributing to the success and impact of the ATI program across the continent. Show less