Stanley Sharaunga

Agricultural Economist and Development Specialist with over 10 years of experience coordinating agricultural transformation, enterprise development, rural development and socio-economic development programmes. Proven expertise in designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating projects that support emerging farmers, SMMEs and rural communities. Strong experience working with government departments, municipalities, development agencies, NGOs, private sector partners and farming communities.

Skilled in project coordination, stakeholder engagement, business planning, proposal development, monitoring and evaluation, governance, reporting, procurement support and budget management. Passionate about agricultural transformation, sustainable rural livelihoods and community empowerment through practical development programmes.

Business Development Manager - T&M Andram Engineers & Project Managers

(2024-04)

• Coordinate development projects from initiation through implementation.
• Prepare business plans, feasibility studies and investment proposals.
• Conduct project monitoring and impact assessments.
• Coordinate Public Private Partnership (PPP) development projects.
• Engage government departments, municipalities, investors and private sector partners.
• Provide business advisory and financial analysis services.

Manager: Local Economic Development - uMhlosinga Development Agency

(2020-03 - 2024-03)

• Coordinated Local Economic Development projects across agriculture, tourism, infrastructure and investment promotion.
• Supervised project managers responsible for agriculture, tourism, infrastructure and SMME development.
• Coordinated project implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Managed stakeholder engagement with municipalities, provincial departments, investors and development partners.
• Developed annual and multi-year business plans.
• Prepared Board reports and project performance reports.
• Drafted Terms of Reference, procurement documents and tender specifications.
• Coordinated project budgets and expenditure monitoring.
• Supported governance and strategic planning processes.

District Agribusiness Development Officer - uMhlosinga Development Agency

(2017-01 - 2020-02)

• Coordinated agricultural development projects supporting emerging farmers.
• Conducted farm assessments and identified farmer development needs.
• Prepared business plans and funding proposals.
• Coordinated farmer support programmes.
• Organised monthly agribusiness forums and stakeholder meetings.
• Coordinated procurement submissions and monthly reports.
• Linked farmers to markets and development opportunities.
• Managed National School Nutrition Programme agricultural initiatives.
• Built partnerships with government departments, NGOs and private sector organisations.

Acting Chief Executive Officer - uMhlosinga Development Agency

(2018-12 - 2019-05)

• Managed organisational operations.
• Ensured governance and legislative compliance.
• Oversaw financial management.
• Reported directly to the Board.
• Coordinated organisational strategy implementation.
• Managed stakeholder relationships.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow - WaterNet / University of KwaZulu-Natal

(2015-06 - 2016-12)

• Coordinated agricultural research projects.
• Prepared grant funding proposals.
• Managed project implementation.
• Organised conferences and training workshops.
• Supervised postgraduate research.
• Coordinated international stakeholder engagement.

Assistant Researcher - Farmers Support Group, University of KwaZulu-Natal

(2011-02 - 2012-12)

• Conducted socio-economic research.
• Monitored and evaluated community development projects.
• Analysed agricultural and household survey data.
• Prepared technical reports.

PhD - Agricultural Economics - University of KwaZulu-Natal

MSc - Agribusiness - University of KwaZulu-Natal

BSc - Agribusiness - University of KwaZulu-Natal

BSc Honours - Physiotherapy - University of Zimbabwe