General Worker - Climate & Food Security
Resume:
L.M Lungile May Sisoka
B C o n s u m e r S c i e n c e s ( E x t e n s i o n & R u r a l
D e v e l o p m e n t ) B S c H o n o u r s C o n s u m e r S c i e n c e s M S c C l i m a t e C h a n g e, A g r i c u l t u r e a n d F o o d S e c u r i t y .
***********@*****.***
J1515 Siqophamithi Street
eSikhawini
3887
Skills
Programme & Project Coordination;
Research and Data Management Skills; Food
& Nutrition Science; Climate-Smart
Agriculture & Development; Administrative
& Financial Management; Digital Tools;
Communication Skills; Planning &
Organization; Teamwork & Leadership;
Attention to Detail; Food Preparation &
Laboratory Skills.
Tertiary Education
Master of Sciences in Climate Change,
Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS)
(Results: Pass with First Class-Honours)
Sep 2021-Aug 2022 University of Galway
Modules taken: Climate Change,
Agricultural & Global Food Security; Climate
Change, Agriculture, Nutrition & Global
Health; Policy & Scenarios for Climate
Change, Adaptation & Mitigation; Gender,
Agriculture & Climate Change; Low-
Emissions & Climate-Smart Agriculture &
Agri-Food Systems; Climate Change
Adaptation, Mitigation & Risk Management;
Sustainable Bio-Based & Circular Economy;
Climate Change, Natural Resources &
Livelihoods; Agri-Biological Responses to
Climate Change; CCAFS Science
Communication; CCAFS Perspectives;
CCAFS Research Skills & Techniques and
CCAFS Research Project.
PERSONAL PROFILE
I am a motivated and detail-oriented professional with a strong academic and practical background in climate change, agriculture, food security, and consumer sciences. I hold an MSc in Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security from the University of Galway, and have hands-on experience in research, programme coordination, and food and nutrition science. My work has involved managing international scholarship programmes, supporting research projects, and facilitating student learning, all of which have strengthened my skills in communication, organisation, and teamwork. I am confident in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and passionate about contributing to sustainable development and climate-resilient food systems. I thrive in collaborative environments and bring a consistent, solution-focused approach to every task I take on.
P R O F E S S I O N A L E X P E R I E N C E
CLIFF-GRADS Scholarship Programme Coordinator
University of Galway, Ryan Institute Galway, Ireland 6 June 2023- 30 June 2025
Key responsibilities involved:
• Managed end-to-end processes for calls for proposals from host institutions and PhD student applicants, ensuring alignment with the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) protocols.
• Prepared and refined application documents and managed digital submission platforms.
• Acted as primary liaison for application queries.
• Coordinated comprehensive review processes for programme applications.
• Issued official grant award letters and managed acceptance confirmations.
• Collected and verified banking details, initiated international grant disbursements, and ensured transparent tracking of funds.
• Maintained an up-to-date financial database.
• Served as the primary point of contact for host institutions, awardees, and programme alumni to ensure effective communication and programme adherence.
• Ensured all research placements aligned with scholarship objectives and timelines, providing ongoing support to fellows.
• Developed and disseminated branded content to promote the programme and highlight achievements of fellows via social media and other channels.
• Handled sensitive queries from fellows and hosts, escalating complex issues to MPI when necessary.
• Led coordination of virtual events including scholar inductions and webinars to build programme engagement.
• Produced and submitted quarterly reports covering operational, financial, and impact metrics.
Tertiary Education
BSc Honours (Consumer Sciences)
2017 University of Zululand
Modules taken: Economics of
Development; Community Nutrition;
Food; Research Methods; Research
Project & Oral.
B Consumer Sciences (Extension and
Rural Development)
2o13-2016 University of Zululand
Modules taken
2013-1st Year Modules: Practical English
language A1; Household & Consumer
Studies; Elementary Physics for
Consumer Sciences; Human Anatomy &
Physiology 1. Food Safety & Hygiene;
Introduction to Food Sciences;
Chemistry for Consumer Sciences;
Introduction to Nutrition; Human
Anatomy & Physiology 2.
2014-2nd Year Modules: NGO Sector,
Development & Underdevelopment;
Introduction to Extension and Rural
Development; Meal Planning &
Management; Household Resource
Management; Nutrition in Lifecycle.
Community Project Development &
Facilitation; Intro to Agricultural
Economics & Farming; Extension
Methods; Consumer & the Market.
2015-3rd Year Modules: Development
Concepts: Economic & Social; Food
Processing Technologies; Community
Nutrition; Nutrition Education &
Training; Integrated Rural Development;
Quantity Food Production; Food
Marketing; Gender, Development &
Technology.
P R O F E S S I O N A L E X P E R I E N C E
Research Team Member for the LEG4DEV project
University of Galway, Ryan Institute Ireland April 2022- Aug 2022 Key responsibilities involved:
• Literature research data collection and writing a thesis for publication. Currently under review.
• Fortnight virtual reporting and weekly written reporting on progress.
• Presenting research results.
Tutor for the Food Product Development Module
University of Zululand, Consumer Sciences Department KwaDlangezwa Campus May 2021- July 2021
Key responsibilities involved:
• Prepared for final year students’ food product development practical demonstrations under supervision.
• Participated in sensory evaluation of food products for student feedback with the supervisor.
• Assisted in monitoring online student submissions of students and follow up on non-submissions and late submissions.
• Offered online Moodle support and e-learning interactive online tools
(Blue-button and Padlet) for students facing challenges.
• Reported to the lecturer responsible of the course. Laboratory Technician
University of Zululand, Consumer Sciences Department Richards Bay Campus Feb 2020- Nov 202o
Key responsibilities involved:
• Ensured proper running of the Department’s domestic kitchen, industrial kitchen and student restaurant by taking on appropriate Department coordinating roles following COVID19 regulations.
• Provided mentorship to students, advising and ensuring that they are meeting the standards required in food preparation and beverage production courses.
• Liaised with suppliers for securing practical equipment and supplies.
• Weekly procurement of consumables and regular stocktaking as well as updating of inventories by ensuring proper record keeping.
• Managed petty cash, budgeting and record keeping.
• Organized practical’s by preparing and setting up practical classes in culinary studies and food service.
• Ensured the following of proper food hygiene standards and proper following of HACCP standards.
• Demonstrated dishes to be prepared by students as part of their practical lesson and sensory evaluated their dishes.
• Took part in the supervision of practical lesson in the above-mentioned courses.
• Organized workload to ensure all priorities and deadlines are met.
• Managed kitchens to ensure continuous development and support of staff and students and oversee and ensure maintenance of the kitchens.
2016- 4th Year Modules: Integrated
Urban Development; Food Product
Development; Computer Literacy 1;
Research Methods in Consumer
Sciences; Project Management &
evaluation; Enterprise, Co-Ops, & Other
forms of Businesses; Management of
Community Programmes; Research
Project; Internship for Extension & Rural
Development.
Research Thesis Project
Master’s Research Project Title:
Recipes as barriers and enablers of
dietary transitions for legume scaling in
sub–Saharan Africa.
Key responsibilities involved:
• Conducting a literature review.
• Compiling a weekly report of work
done
• Attending a virtual fortnight progress
meeting to report on progress.
• Aim: Produce a thesis up to standard
for publication.
BSc Honours Research Project Title:
The Effects of Nutrition Knowledge on
Food Consumption Patterns and
Physical Exercise of Students at the
University of Zululand.
Key responsibilities involved:
• Writing the research methodology
for conducting the study.
• Writing a literature review.
• Collecting survey data from students.
• Collecting food frequency data.
• Analysing research data using IBM
SPSS statistics.
• Reporting on research results to
study supervisors.
B Degree Research Project Title: The
Effects of Nutrition Knowledge on
Food Consumption Habits of Students
at the University of Zululand
Key responsibilities involved:
• Writing a literature review.
• Collecting survey data from students.
• Collecting food frequency data.
• Analysing research data using
Microsoft excel.
• Reporting in writing and presented
research results to the supervisors.
P R O F E S S I O N A L E X P E R I E N C E
Research Assistant
Dr Kheswa’s PhD Project Northern KwaZulu-Natal Feb 2018- Nov 2018 Key responsibilities involved:
• Quantitative and qualitative data collection in research sites.
• Data analysis of quantitative research data on IBM SPSS statistics; assisting in running and planning a workshop; assisting in conducting focus groups discussion; conducting anthropometric recording of research participants.
• Assisted in the cowpea biscuit and cowpea soup product development in the foods laboratory and conducting the tasting sessions for the cowpea biscuit and cowpea instant soup.
• Record keeping.
Work Integrated Learning Experience
Thandukuphila Community Based Organization eNseleni, Richards Bay June 2016- July 2016
Key responsibilities involved:
• Assisted the organization with administration work.
• Attended community meetings on behalf of the organization.
• Assisted with food preparation for the Luncheon Club and crèche
(Kindergarten)
• Assisted at the crèche by monitoring the children.
• Assisted in running the School Holiday Children Program activities.
• Prepared and conducted community dialogue events. Tutor for the Introduction to Nutrition Module
University of Zululand, Consumer Sciences Department KwaDlangezwa Campus July 2015- Nov 2015
Key responsibilities involved:
• Academic support to 1st year students with the Introduction to Nutrition course.
• Conducted tutorial class activities.
• Marked tutorial activities.
• Assisted with invigilating course tests.
• Provided feedback on tutorial activities.
• Reported to the lecturer responsible for the course. REFEREES
Prof. C. Spillane
Lecturer at the University of Galway.
Former Principal Investigator for the CLIFF-GRADS Programme Director of the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security Course
Email: *******.********@******************.**
DR P. McKeown
Former Assistant Principal Investigator for the CLIFF-GRADS programme
Co-ordinator of MSc Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security Course at the University of Galway.
Email: *****.*******@******************.**
Dr. Noel Ndlovu
Co-Supervisor for my Maters Thesis at the University of Galway.
Email: ************@*****.***
Miss A.S Sibisi
Lecturer: Department of Consumer Sciences at the University of Zululand, Richards Bay Campus
Tel: +27-35-902-****
Mobile: +27-67-656-****
Email: *******@*******.**.**
Prof. C.J Du Preez
Senior Lecturer: Department of Consumer Sciences at the University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa Main Campus
Tel: +27-35-902-****
Mobile: +27-79-167-****
Email: ********@*******.**.**
DR T.P. Kheswa
Former Senior Lecturer: Department of Consumer Sciences at the University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa Main Campus.
Mobile: +27-82-875-****
Email: *******@*****.***
Prof. B.M. Selepe
Former Lecturer: Department of Consumer Sciences at the University of Zululand. Honours and Undergrad degree research supervisor.
Current Lecturer at the University of Limpopo
Mobile: +27-83-365-****
Email: **********@*******.***
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