Guyo Roba is energy and dryland expert with extensive experience in conceptualizing, managing and technically backstopping natural resource management programmes in Eastern and Southern Africa region. He has significant expertise in strategic management, documentation and leadership, ensuring flexible responses which adapt to the needs of people in complex dynamic environments. Guyo has vast knowledge of the political-economy of societies in Africa and has led on environmental policy research processes, evaluations and environmental management at local, national and regional levels, to inform policies and programmes. All his work has involved extensive engagement with local communities, national government(s), donor agencies and civil society organizations and has sought to develop strong collaborative partnerships between these stakeholders to address complex interrelated natural resource management issues. Until now, Guyo was working with IUCN as a senior programmes manager in charge of arid lands with overall management to the water, dryland and biodiversity portfolio for Eastern and Southern African region. He was responsible for the strategic direction and growth of the portfolio, ensuring engagement with appropriate partners and in processes which fit with the overall objectives of the Union and its members. Previously he served both as Young Professional and Policy Analyst at the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA), an autonomous public institute whose primary mission is to provide evidence-based quality public policy advice and capacity building to the government of Kenya and to the private sector in order to contribute to achievement of national development goals. Accordingly, he has trained, written and published in the areas of environment, energy and policy development.
Some of the key projects he has undertaken includes: Lead consultant in a baseline survey for NRM project in Puntland region of Somalia for ADESO, worked for ADRA Somaliland in final evaluation of engaging non-state actors in the promotion of alternative energy activities in Somaliland’ UNDP: consultancy on documentation of indigenous Institutions for NRM in Mbeere North, Garissa,Kyuso and Narok In Kenya, African Development Solution; Consultancy in baseline study for Natural Resource Management parameters in North Eastern Kenya, Consultancy service to assess pastoralists’ mobility in Northern Kenya and Southern Ethiopia: adaptation to spatial and temporal resource variability and Risk Management Strategies. The project funded by Catholic Organization for Relief and Development (CORDAID) aim to establish the mobility patterns and resources available to the pastoralist in the region.in a bid to inform pastoral intervention in the two regions, Environmental Impact Assessment for water projects, Infrastructure, Refugee camps in (Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia), Agricultural projects such as green houses, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for Thwake Water dam in Makueni, Environmental Impact Assessment for Green houses in Kambi Oos in Dadaab for UNHCR.