Putuma Balintulo

Organised and detail-oriented early-career researcher and programme coordinator with a Master's in Environmental Science and experience supporting academic research, institutional programmes, and multi-stakeholder initiatives. Skilled in project coordination, administrative systems, financial tracking support, reporting, stakeholder communication, and workshop implementation. Experienced working across university governance, community-based projects, and research environments involving students, academics, and external partners.

Interested in research administration, operational coordination, and programme support within interdisciplinary academic settings focused on transdisciplinary and transformative research, climate change adaptation, sustainable development, and environmental justice.

Health, Safety & Environmental Officer Intern - Rhodes University

• Conduct risk assessments and maintain structured records, inspection data, and compliance documentation.
• Prepare and present structured reports for institutional meetings and governance structures, supporting risk assessment and compliance monitoring
• Coordinate training programmes and support programme implementation, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy initiatives.
• Support procurement processes, ensuring accurate documentation, record-keeping, and operational coordination

Field Officer - South African National Biodiversity Institute

(2022 - 2022)

Sustainable Wildlife Economy Project

• Coordinated fieldwork logistics, including planning site visits, scheduling field trips, and organising interview activities with landowners and stakeholders
• Liaised with private landowners and local communities to arrange access, confirm participation, and coordinate field-based engagements.
• Assisted with structured data collection processes contributing to biodiversity and socioeconomic monitoring

Research Assistant (Externship Placement) - Cooperative Policy Alternative Centre (COPAC)

(2022 - 2022)

• Supported decolonial and policy-centric research administration through structured documentation, and research administration for policy-oriented projects focused on social, environmental, and climate justice.
• Assisted in preparing reports, briefs, and administrative documentation to support translate complex interdisciplinary research into actionable outputs for diverse stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Media Management: Coordinated strategic communication channels, including social media campaigns, newsletters, and digital content, to broaden public engagement on key social equity and sustainability issues.

Programme Chairperson, Treasurer, and Coordinator - ACCESS Habitable Planet Workshop Programme

(2019 - 2025)

• Developed and coordinated funding proposals and grant applications, securing approximately R1 million in funding for national and international programmes
• Coordinated end-to-end implementation of a 10-day intensive workshop, including logistics planning, scheduling, participant coordination, and operational delivery
• Managed budgeting processes, financial tracking, and expenditure monitoring for donor-funded and in-kind contributions.
• Maintained programme records, reporting documentation, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) outputs across implementation cycles

Film Producer & Director Fellow-Media and Storytelling Lab - Nature, Environment & Wildlife Filmmaking (NEWF)

(2022 - 2022)

• Managed on-site production operations, including equipment coordination, workflow scheduling, and field coordination activities
• Coordinated production logistics, including scheduling, location planning, and shoot organisation across field sites
• Applied training in science communication to translate research and complex issues into accessible public-facing outputs

Vice President - Student Representative Council - Rhodes University

(2023)

• Developed and maintained annual operational plans, calendars, and reporting structures for SRC activities
• Contributed to monitoring of SRC project implementation through tracking systems, follow-ups, and documentation of progress updates

Master of Science - Environmental Science - Rhodes University (2021)

BSc Honours - Rhodes University (2019)

BSc - Rhodes University (2018)