Patrick Banda Email and Phone Number

As a results-driven project manager with 7 years of experience, I have a proven track record of delivering projects in the sustainable energy management sector. My expertise includes providing technical and strategic advice to ensure impactful delivery of projects and their outputs, specifically meeting all carbon finance requirements.In my current role, I lead the planning, execution, and reporting of carbon monitoring, verification, and validation exercises for the technology promoted within project boundaries. Additionally, I work closely with carbon brokers to facilitate the smooth set-up of carbon finance programs, coordinate local stakeholder consultation meetings, and collaborate with the Compliance Manager to respond to all donor requirements.I also work proactively with the Monitoring and Evaluation officer to capture learnings and insights from implementation and collaborate with the Communications Advisor to disseminate learnings and impact stories. Furthermore, I ensure project materials are timely sourced, supplied, and distributed/disbursed to avoid any disruptions to project implementation, support the Internal Audit team, and contribute to proposal development processes in the Sustainable Energy Management Unit.As a collaborative team leader, I effectively manage project implementation staff, develop their capabilities, and ensure they engage internally and externally to effectively share knowledge, experience, and business intelligence. I also meet reporting requirements on time and with quality, provide narrative on management information, manage project budgets, and uphold UP's safeguarding policy.With my strong analytical and problem-solving skills, I am committed to delivering high-quality results, meeting timelines and budgets, and ensuring stakeholder accountability. I am passionate about contributing to the growth of the program and UP's organizational development while upholding the highest standards of ethics and integrity.

As a Project Coordinator I provided technical leadership and project management for the commercialisation of the Chitetezo Mbaula stove market in southern Malawi. I played a critical role in the transitioning of the Chitetezo Mbaula market system from the pre-commercial phase through the pioneering phase to the expansion phase. Through research and implementation of a social behavioral change campaign strategy, I successfully promoted the Chitetezo Mbaula cookstoves and improved its availability on the market.I established new retailing structures and ensured smooth cash flow along the entire value chain, connecting value chain players to financial service providers. Additionally, I researched and piloted new means of transport for last-mile distribution, while implementing quality assurance checks to ensure over 95% of improved cookstoves fulfilled high-quality standards and reached end-users without damage.To support the growth of energy micro small and medium enterprises, I developed and delivered a business coaching package. I also developed clear MoUs and Standard Operating Procedures for each link in the stove value chainThrough effective collaboration and coordination with government structures and all project stakeholders, I ensured the smooth implementation of the project. Additionally, I led, supervised, motivated, and monitored the performance of a Marketing Manager, Distribution Manager, 4 Marketing Officers and 3 Drivers in order to deliver on all the project targets within contracted budget, time frame and scope.

I provided technical guidance and led the implementation of a USAID funded project “Addressing the Drivers of Deforestation; Integration of the Chitetezo Mbaula into the Public Works Programme (PWP) in Machinga District” I successfully designed a voucher system which was used to integrate the Chitetezo Mbaula into the public works program. I coordinated the identification of beneficiaries using existing government systems and approaches. Futhermore, I developed linkages with institutions involved with the Public Works Programme. I led the identification, training and coordinated the signing of contracts with stove production groups and promoters responsible for stove supply and distribution respectively. Through my skills in identifying and exploiting opportunities for marketing and distribution, I was able to support and monitor stove distribution to marketing and adoption points.To mitigate the potential environmental impact of stove production, I formulated comprehensive environmental management strategies for all stove production groups. These strategies were developed in line with relevant environmental management regulations and guidelines, and were implemented and monitored in collaboration with the District Environmental Officer. Through my technical expertise in environmental management, I ensured that the stove production process was carried out sustainably, minimizing any negative impact on the environment.

As a Sustainable Agriculture Technician at a commercial farm, I ensured that all farm activities adhered to the environmental certification standard subscribed to by the company, promoting sustainable agriculture practices. I implemented successful environmental management strategies on all major farm projects, strictly adhering to Rainforest Alliance and Sustainable Agriculture Network principles. Through research, I identified new and cost-effective ways of implementing projects in an environmentally friendly manner, consistently meeting impact reduction targets on all projects.I played a crucial role in driving significant changes in how internal environmental audits were conducted, resulting in vastly improved compliance. By identifying critical environmental corrective actions and recognizing opportunities for improvement, I ensured that the farm activities were environmentally sustainable. I also spearheaded the restructuring of staff reporting and documentation systems, ensuring the accurate and efficient capture of all relevant information.In addition, I supervised all agroforestry activities at the farm, including raising healthy agroforestry tree seedlings and implementing necessary tree management practices to ensure high survival rates. To promote biodiversity and environmental sustainability, I managed a reserved buffer forest area around the farm, ensuring regular weeding, firebreaks creation, and natural regeneration management.