Anya Eilers

Experience

• 

  Stellenbosch University

  Jan 2014 - Dec 2015

  Leadership and organisational position in the novel post-graduate residence of 250 students, named after the late rector of Stellenbosch University. Main portfolio included Green and Sustainability. Tutored undergraduate geology students during weekly Optical Mineralogy and Metamorphic Geology practicals

  • Russel Botman House forum leader - Sustainability portfolio

    Jan 2015 - Dec 2015

  • Laboratory tutor

    Jan 2014 - Dec 2015
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  Wetskills

  May 2016 - May 2016

  Wetskills Water Challenge participant

  Consultant for the Dutch ‘Kingfisher’ project as part of the 2-week Wetskills challenge. Presented team’s findings to key international stakeholders at the 2016 WISA biennial conference

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  Stellenbosch University

  Jan 2017 - Sept 2017

  Science Faculty post-graduate coordinator

  Mobilised the inter-departmental postgraduate network for cross-discipline research collaboration and support in the science faculty.

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  Global Green Growth Institute

  Sept 2017 - May 2019

  Consultant

  Consultant in the water sector, Investment and Policy Solutions Division, Ethiopia Country Program- Project manager and technical lead on 4 main projects: 1) Climate resilient water supply in northern Somali, Oromia and Harar (with the Ethiopian Ministry of Water); 2) Transforming Investments in African Rainfed Agriculture (with SIWI); 3) Establishment of an Ethiopian Climate Insurance Facility for smallholder farmers (with the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency and Kifiya Financial Technology; 4) Solar power and sludge management for 4 eco-industrial parks (with the Ethiopian Industrial Parks Development Corporation).- Accountable for the business development and project management of GGGI’s water program in Ethiopia.- Offering technical advice on a range of water and climate change related projects.- Maintaining and further developing strong working relations with key stakeholders in Ethiopia.- Assisted the country team with preparation for GGGWeek 2017 and initiated GGGI’s water program in Ethiopia.- Developed working relationships with key Ethiopian government institutions and development partners Show less

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  Zutari

  Jun 2019 - now

  I am extensively involved in climate change adaptation and integrated water resource management projects across sub-Saharan Africa including Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho and South Africa. I work in a range of interdisciplinary technical roles including water resource sciences, engineering, climate change adaptation, stakeholder engagement and project management. I have experience working with public, private, and international clients and teams from across Africa. I am also responsible for projects as a technical lead and project manager, and regularly play a high-level strategic role for projects.My key project experience includes:•Project manager and lead: “Development of a 15-year integrated drought and water response plan for the Western Cape province”, with the Western Cape Department of Local Government. 2023 CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards finalist.•Project manager and climate change adaptation: “Development and application of a Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment tool for Lesotho’s roads”, with the World Bank.•Catchment management specialist: “Comprehensive situation assessment and preparation of the Albert Water Management Zone Strategy and Action Plan, Uganda”, with the Ugandan Ministry of Water and the World Bank.•Catchment management specialist: "Development of Catchment Management Plans and National Guidelines, Lesotho", with GIZ. Show less My key project experience includes:•Project manager and technical lead: “Africa Urban Water Initiative in Johannesburg and Gqeberha, South Africa”, with the World Resources Institute.•Water resource scientist: “National water master planning for water security and climate resilience in Kenya”, with the Kenyan Ministry of Water and the World Bank.•Water resource financing: “Innovative financing mechanisms for sedimentation and siltation management in South Africa”, with the Water Research Commission.•Water analyst: “Water Fund feasibility assessment for Blantyre City, Malawi”, with The Nature Conservatory.•Water analyst: “Future Resilience for African Cities and Lands (FRACTAL) in sub-Saharan Africa”, with the Natural Environment Research Council. Show less

  • Professional Scientist

    Sept 2022 - now

  • Water Resource Scientist

    Jun 2019 - Sept 2022
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  SIWI - Stockholm International Water Institute

  Oct 2019 - Oct 2019

  SIWI World Water Week Junior Rapporteur

  Junior rapporteur for the environmental team at SIWI World Water Week. Contributed to the final conference publication and presented on behalf of the environmental team at the closing plenary session. Travel grant from the ARUP young professionals funding program.

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  Young Water Professionals South Africa

  Jun 2022 - now

  National Lead

  National lead of the South African Young Water Professionals (YWP-ZA): https://ywpza.org/In this role I lead a team of 12 talented young professionals including 6 provincial leads who manage their own provincial committees in the Western Cape, North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Limpopo and the Eastern Cape. In addition to overseeing national committee activities and mandates, I act as the key liaison point between our national organisations and partners (including WRC, Rand Water, DWS etc.) and international ones (such as other YWP country chapters and the International Water Association). who overseas our finances and activities.Our key objective is to support the transition of young students and early career professionals into the water sector through the provision of mentorship, knowledge sharing and networking opportunities. In line with this, we run a range of activities:- Hosting CPD accredited conferences and seminars. Our 7th WISA-YWP conference will be taking place in Stellenbosch in November 2023, in partnership with WRC and EWSETA.- Facilitating other sub-Saharan countries with establishing their own YWP branches (specifically Zambia and Lesotho).- Empowering young water professionals in the provinces through networking events, technical tours, soft skills development, career fairs, mentorship etc.- Promoting the importance of water through publications, outreach campaigns, media briefings etc.- Leveraging international opportunities for young people in the Water Sector (we sent 6 South African YWPs to the international IWA conference in Denmark in 2022 to run a workshop on Global Megatrends and the Workforce of Tomorrow).- Supporting other programmes in the water sector, such as Wetskills Show less