Biography

Scola Kevin Ponera is a development and programme management professional with over 15 years of experience managing donor-funded programmes across Africa. His expertise spans climate resilience, natural resource management, sustainable agriculture, livelihoods, and community development, with strong experience in programme coordination, grants management, donor compliance, and stakeholder engagement.

He currently serves as a Programme Officer at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, where he coordinates multi-country projects across East and Central Africa focused on climate resilience, sustainable land use, and rural development. His role includes programme planning, budgeting, reporting, partnership coordination, and donor compliance.

Prior to joining IITA, Scola worked with Helen Keller International and Istituto Oikos, supporting international development and environmental programmes focused on food security, conservation, livelihoods, and community resilience. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with governments, NGOs, donors, and research institutions in implementing complex, multi-stakeholder projects funded by organizations including USAID, the European Union, and philanthropic foundations.

Scola is passionate about climate action, sustainable development, and strengthening resilient communities, and is pursuing international programme leadership opportunities within the UN system and global development organizations.