Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Advanced Training
Awards
Publications
Languages
Timeline
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Ndaindila Haindongo-Kayofa

Namibia

Summary

Results-oriented individual with proven experience in resilience and livelihood projects, bioeconomy and food safety and quality management systems. Along with strong academic qualifications, she brings rich experience from the public, private and United Nations in developed and developing countries.


Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience

Work History

Head of Food Systems and Nutrition

United Nations World Food Programme
11.2022 - Current
  • Oversee the design, planning and implementation of resilience and livelihood food systems projects
  • Spearhead resource mobilisation of resilient livelihood food systems projects
  • Coordinate monitoring and evaluation activities for resilient livelihood food systems projects
  • Mentor and supervise the deliverables of the resilience team
  • Identify opportunities for programme integration with humanitarian response and social protection programmes
  • Manage partnerships and relationships with Government, private sector and UN agencies relevant to resilience and livelihood food systems projects
  • Develop implementation plans, donor reports, and communication materials including high level talking points
  • Budget and develop expenditure plans
  • Ensure the timely and effective implementation of projects in compliance with spending timelines
  • Oversee the implementation of rural transformation projects
  • Managing the performance of cooperating partners
  • Develop Annual Performance Plans and Annual Country Plan narratives for the resilience unit

Lead Country Strategic Plan Consultant

United Nations World Food Programme
07.2022 - 11.2022
  • Led the Country Office in strategic thinking and designing of the Namibia Country Strategic Plan 2025-2029
  • Led the team developing the Namibia Country Strategic Plan 2025-2029
  • Organized Country Strategic Plan stakeholder engagements with communities, government, private sector, development partners, UN agencies and civil society
  • Conducted policy mapping of national development plans and strategies
  • Ensured alignment of Country Strategic Plan to development plans and United Nations Cooperation Framework
  • Led the design of the Theory of Change, Strategic Papers, Transition Strategy, and Line of Sight Documents

Senior Research Associate

United Nations World Food Programme
04.2021 - 07.2021
  • Developed data collection tools (surveys, questionnaires) on stunting and malnutrition in Namibia (Household Economy Approach Study)
  • Supervised field data collection team conducting a study on the root causes of stunting and malnutrition in Namibia.
  • Provided technical advise and support on the integration of food safety initiatives in school feeding programmes
  • Analyzed data on the root causes of stunting and malnutrition in Namibia

Bioeconomy Consultant and Food Safety Specialist

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
07.2020 - 11.2022
  • Conducted research for the FAO’s Global Report on the environmental issues, economic viability and policy intervention associated with novel food proteins and food systems transformation
  • Provided technical support and advice to the FAO’s initiative on plastics in food and agricultural systems.
  • Provided technical advice and support to the Namibian Government on the development of the Bioeconomy Strategy in Namibia
  • Collaborated and co-authored the United Nations Environment Programme's Global Report on food systems
  • Lead author in Elsevier Journal Paper on emerging contaminants related to plastics and microplastics pollution

Bioeconomy Intern

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
11.2019 - 06.2020
  • Conducted research for a global report on the environmental issues, economic viability and policy intervention associated with novel food proteins and food systems transformation
  • Organized the peer review for FAO Global Report on Alternative proteins and Food Systems Transformation

Quality Control and Systems Supervisor

Namibia Dairies
06.2018 - 08.2018
  • Mentored and supervised the deliverables of the quality and laboratory teams
  • Co-developed food safety and quality management systems
  • Drafted and reviewed food safety and quality policies, programs and checklists
  • Ensured compliance to food safety and quality standards, certifications and regulations
  • Trained quality team on food safety and quality

Quality Manager

Natural Namibian Meat Producers
  • Spearheaded Quality Management Department
  • Managed Food Safety Team
  • Conducted food hygiene and animal welfare trainings for over 60 employees
  • Managed partnerships and relationships with external stakeholders
  • Budgeting for quality department
  • Developed and implemented Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points Program
  • Ensured regulatory compliance to standards and regulations
  • Conducted Risk Assessments
  • Restored company’s export certification and saved the livelihoods of over 100 people

Education

Ph.D. - Sociology (Food Systems And Rural Transformation)

University of Namibia
Windhoek, Namibia
10-2027

Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice - Business Administration

University of Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa
05.2022

Master of Science - Food Safety, Hygiene and Management

University of Birmingham
Birmingham, United Kingdom
10.2019

Bachelor's Degree - Environmental Health Sciences

Namibia University of Science And Technology
Windhoek, Namibia
11.2016

Skills

  • Resilience and livelihood projects
  • Policy formulation
  • Stakeholder engagement and management
  • Resource mobilisation
  • Project management
  • Quality management systems
  • Bioeconomy Strategies
  • Research

Advanced Training

  • Management Development Programme, Leading People, Leading Teams, World Food Programme, 2023
  • Supervisory Skills, World Food Programme, Ongoing

Awards

  • Chevening Scholarship, 2018
  • B360 Education Partnership, 2016

Publications

  • The Social Impacts of The Current Food System, In press, UNEP Frontier Series on Food Systems Transformation Assessment
  • Emerging contaminants related to plastic and microplastic pollution, Haindongo et al., 2022, Present Knowledge in Food Safety – A Risk-Based Approach Throughout the Food Chain. Elsevier
  • Antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of garlic (Allium sativum), ginger (Zingiber officinale) and mint (Mentha piperta) on Escherichia coli biofilms, Haindongo et al., 2021
  • The prevalence of non-O157:H7 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in Namibian game meat, Haindongo et al., 2018

Languages

English
Proficient
C2
French
Beginner
A1

Timeline

Head of Food Systems and Nutrition

United Nations World Food Programme
11.2022 - Current

Lead Country Strategic Plan Consultant

United Nations World Food Programme
07.2022 - 11.2022

Senior Research Associate

United Nations World Food Programme
04.2021 - 07.2021

Bioeconomy Consultant and Food Safety Specialist

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
07.2020 - 11.2022

Bioeconomy Intern

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
11.2019 - 06.2020

Quality Control and Systems Supervisor

Namibia Dairies
06.2018 - 08.2018

Quality Manager

Natural Namibian Meat Producers

Ph.D. - Sociology (Food Systems And Rural Transformation)

University of Namibia

Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice - Business Administration

University of Cape Town

Master of Science - Food Safety, Hygiene and Management

University of Birmingham

Bachelor's Degree - Environmental Health Sciences

Namibia University of Science And Technology

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