AOMO ASAKA NYANGARA
Asaka
Nairobi
Summary
An accomplished humanitarian and development professional with 20+ years of experience in turning challenges into opportunities. Skilled in design and execution of climate-smart and adaptable programs, with a proven track record in organizational management, multi-year donor-funded programs, and high-performing cross-functional team leadership. Adept in strategic planning, financial management, and donor relations. I am focused on contributing to climate action, sustainable development goals and creating positive impacts in communities faced with food insecurity, inequality and injustice
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Consultant
Asaka Consultancy Firm
01.2018 - Current
- Led conflict-sensitivity analysis in Myanmar’s Kachin and Northern Shan States, influencing impactful and flexible humanitarian aid strategies that innovatively and inclusively defeated poverty, social injustice and saved lives for 26,000 women, children and most at-risk people within hardest-to-reach communities
- Secured USD 935,000 in funding through a successful data-driven proposal for ADRA’s climate and conflict response efforts in Myanmar
Deputy Country Director and Head of Program
United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP)
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Developed twenty-one (21) new strategic partnerships and maintained strategic alliances with existing partners, government agencies, donors, local organizations for cost effective solutions, communities, civil society organizations, philanthropic funders, top influencers, private sector and volunteers to align efforts and accelerate program delivery
- Successfully developed, managed and implemented climate-smart UNWFP’s Country Strategic Plan, which was based on data-thinking, saving lives of 2.8 million people, mainly children devasted by conflict and climate-fueled disasters in hardest-to-reach locations in Myanmar and restoring their dignity, rights and social justice.
- Effectively represented UNWFP at senior-level engagements and assumed the role of Representative and Country Director during key leadership transitions, ensuring organizational policies, values, goals, achievements and challenges were well articulated, and organization well represented
- Secured USD 85 million in donor contributions through advocacy, compelling data-based proposals and robust and evidence-based reporting that attracted funding from USAID, FCDO, EU, ECHO, Japan, China, and DFAT
- Built and managed a highly performing and diverse team of 15+ senior professionals, driving performance through coaching, inclusive leadership, and staff development initiatives
- Provided strategic financial oversight, stewardship and governance and prepared high-level reports for regional and HQ leadership, ensuring responsive program adjustments based on evolving needs in Myanmar
- Enabled timely resource allocation through risk assessment and management, continuous analysis of operational trends, program cycle and humanitarian developments across the country, region and globally
- Led data-based scenario planning and operational forecasting to inform decision-making in complex humanitarian contexts across Myanmar, prioritizing the minority Rohingya community to restore their dignity and to ensure justice
- Ensured staff safety and security as the UN Area Security Coordinator for Rakhine State (Rohingya Community)
- Championed the integration of gender, protection, safeguarding and accountability considerations into all phases of program implementation
Head of Program
United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP)
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Effectively developed and maintained partnerships with seven (7) local traders, fourteen (14) local organizations and communities and introduced innovative Cash-Based Transfers (CBT) and vouchers to reach the most at-risk communities in remote, insecure and hardest-to-reach locations in Yemen
- Designed and executed a USD 1.2 billion data-centric and impactful Emergency Operation to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance to 7 million conflict-affected people in hardest-to-reach locations across Yemen
- Engaged my humanitarian diplomacy skills and successfully negotiated humanitarian access with the Houthi authorities, enabling critical aid delivery to communities devastated by conflict, thus restoring their dignity and ensuring justice
- Led Yemen’s Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, providing the evidence base for targeted humanitarian and development interventions, aligning these with humanitarian-development-peace nexus
- Raised nearly USD 89 million by contributing strategic input to donor proposals and producing high-quality reports that influenced global funding decisions
- Represented WFP in senior-level humanitarian coordination forums and briefed partners on evolving needs and operational priorities across Yemen
- Supervised, mentored, and supported seven (7) senior national and international staff, ensuring strong leadership, staff well-being, and protection measures amid crisis conditions
- Oversaw financial systems and compliance processes that resulted in WFP Yemen achieving top audit performance during a high-risk emergency environment
- Established a robust monitoring, evaluation, accountability, research and learning (MEARL) mechanism to monitor effectiveness, efficiency and impactful outcomes, leading to adaptable cross-functional programming
- Coordinated cross-sectoral planning to ensure alignment between emergency response activities and long-term food security strategies
- Strengthened operational readiness by developing contingency plans for fluctuating access and funding scenarios
- Supported evidence-based advocacy by translating real-time field data into policy briefs and donor updates used for resource mobilization and decision-making
- Effectively chaired the Country Office’s procurement committee ensuring that transparency and accountability were observed for WFP’s Yemen procurement profile with an annual budget of USD 550 million
Deputy Country Director
United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP)
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Successfully developed, managed and executed a USD 72 million impact program that transformed the lives of 1.4 million people, mainly women and children affected by conflict and climate-related shocks in hard-to-reach locations in Mindanao and in line with WFP’s organizational’ identity.
- Drove the successful mobilization of USD 65 million to support WFP’s climate emergency programming, that included regenerative school meals for children through targeted donor engagement and strategic reporting
- In strategic partnership with Churches, local NGOs and communities developed an impactful food system for small scale farmers that led into regenerative school feeding program for school going children
- As the appointed UN Area Security Coordinator for Mindanao, effectively managed risk and security and ensured staff safety and security
- In partnership with the Government, rolled out a large-scale mangrove reforestation initiative involving the planting of over 6,000 trees to enhance ecosystem resilience and mitigate disaster risks
- Oversaw budget tracking and financial processes using WFP’s enterprise performance management (WINGS), ensuring compliance and accountability across cooperating partners
- Built, coached and mentored a diverse professional team of 11 staff across field offices and key support functions, fostering operational cohesion and providing day-to-day strategic oversight
- Aligned logistics, security, and administrative functions to strengthen delivery mechanisms in complex operational settings
- Conducted site-level program reviews to evaluate the performance and climate impact of implemented interventions and refine program approaches
- Supported government and partner consultations by sharing operational insights that shaped local strategies on climate adaptation and food systems resilience
Senior Regional Program Adviser (Asia and the Pacific)
United Nations World Food Program (WFP)
01.2006 - 01.2010
- Led an 8-month assignment as Head of Program in DPRK, managing the successful delivery of assistance to 2 million vulnerable individuals across the country
- Provided technical guidance and policy support to 14 WFP Country Offices across Asia and the Pacific, enhancing program implementation and performance
- Conducted independent evaluation missions in Pakistan, Afghanistan, DPRK, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines to assess operational effectiveness and inform strategic planning
- Contributed to the design and refinement of emergency and development responses in countries including Timor-Leste, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, and India, aligning interventions with context-specific needs
- Supported the development of multi-sector program portfolios by advising Country Offices on approaches to food security, food system, resilience building, and humanitarian coordination
- Collaborated with regional and HQ units to standardize results frameworks and strengthen monitoring systems across multiple country operations
- Assessed program impact through field-based consultations, helping identify critical gaps and shape more responsive and adaptive programming
- Promoted cross-country knowledge exchange by facilitating learning between Country Offices on best practices in program design and delivery
Head of South Darfur Area Office
United Nations World Food Program (WFP)
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Directed operations across four WFP field offices in South Darfur, delivering one of the largest humanitarian interventions at the time that reached 2 million conflict-affected individuals
- Oversaw a team of 15 staff members, providing leadership, mentorship, and daily operational guidance under complex emergency conditions
- Served as the UN Area Security Coordinator for South Darfur, ensuring protection measures and crisis protocols were in place for all UN personnel in the region
- Conducted multi-sector needs assessments across affected communities to identify priority needs and inform the design of life-saving interventions
- Maintained oversight of WFP funds through WINGS, reviewed partner budgets, and produced timely financial reports to uphold accountability and control
- Built strong working relationships with government officials, donors, and humanitarian partners to align efforts and strengthen response capacity
- Represented WFP in coordination platforms and advocacy meetings, contributing updates and analysis that shaped partner resource allocations
- Produced operational briefs and situational updates to inform internal leadership and external stakeholders on emerging humanitarian trends in South Darfur
United Nations World Food Program (WFP) / German Agro Action (GAA)
01.1993 - 01.2004
- Managed large-scale food assistance programs in drought-prone regions of Kenya while serving as Project Coordinator with German Agro Action, overseeing planning, delivery, and reporting to headquarters in Bonn
- Led humanitarian operations for WFP in conflict and post-conflict zones including South Sudan, Eritrea, and Sudan, ensuring timely and coordinated response in high-risk environments
- Oversaw field-level implementation of relief activities in Marsabit, focusing on access to food and essential services in remote and underserved communities
- Contributed to cross-border emergency coordination efforts during the Eritrea-Ethiopia war while stationed in Keren, ensuring operational continuity under volatile conditions
- Supported program execution and monitoring in Wau and Nairobi, ensuring efficient delivery of food assistance and compliance with WFP’s operational standards
- Worked in Johannesburg Regional Bureau to support WFP country offices across Southern Africa, enhancing program planning, logistics, and resource management
Education
Bachelor of Science - Applied Mathematics
University of Nairobi
01.1993
MBA - Business Administration And Management
University of South Africa
South Africa 04.2001 -
Skills
Strategic Planning and Country Strategy Development
Program Oversight and Financial Management
Government Collaboration, Compliance and External Relations
Risk Assessment and Crisis Management
Strategic Leadership and Team Management
Operational management and cross-sectoral coordination
References
Available Upon Request
Timeline
Consultant
Asaka Consultancy Firm
01.2018 - Current
Deputy Country Director and Head of Program
United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP)
01.2017 - 01.2018
Head of Program
United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP)
01.2014 - 01.2017
Deputy Country Director
United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP)
01.2010 - 01.2014
Senior Regional Program Adviser (Asia and the Pacific)
United Nations World Food Program (WFP)
01.2006 - 01.2010
Head of South Darfur Area Office
United Nations World Food Program (WFP)
01.2004 - 01.2006
MBA - Business Administration And Management
University of South Africa
04.2001 -
United Nations World Food Program (WFP) / German Agro Action (GAA)
01.1993 - 01.2004
Bachelor of Science - Applied Mathematics
University of Nairobi