Sana Project Management
Sizo Nongcula
Agricultural Economist
Hillcrest
Summary
Agricultural Economist and Data Analyst with a strong academic foundation from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, holding a B.Sc. in Agriculture (Agricultural Economics). Experienced in data collection, analysis, and management, with practical involvement in multi-country projects across Tanzania, Angola, and Zambia.
Skilled in designing data collection tools, drafting questionnaires, conducting market research, literature reviews, and value chain analyses. Proven ability to contribute to high-quality report writing, business case development, business planning, and proposal writing. Proficient in using digital data collection platforms and Excel-based tools for data management, analysis, and reporting.
Has applied experience in livelihood restoration programmes, undertaking economic and socio-economic assessments, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and performance tracking. Demonstrates strong analytical, quantitative, and qualitative research skills, with a structured and detail-oriented approach to problem-solving.
Committed to supporting evidence-based agricultural development and socio-economic research, with a focus on delivering practical, data-driven solutions in complex project environments.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Junior Agricultural Economist
Vuna Agribusiness
Hillcrest
2023.11 - Current
- Manage and analyse large, multi-country datasets (including 4,000+ households), ensuring data quality, accuracy, and consistency across projects
- Design and implement digital data collection tools, questionnaires, and Excel-based tracking systems to support monitoring and reporting
- Produce technical reports, progress updates, and analytical outputs to inform project delivery and decision-making
- Support market research, literature reviews, and value chain analyses, contributing to business cases, proposals, and development planning
- Coordinate and report on field activities, supporting teams of 2–30+ staff across multiple project sites
- Conduct basic GIS mapping and spatial verification using tools such as Google Earth
- Support monitoring and evaluation (M&E) processes, socio-economic assessments, and livelihood restoration programmes aligned with international standards (e.g. IFC PS5)
Research Assistant
Farmer Support Group, UKZN
Pietermaritzburg
2023.08 - 2023.10
- Supported field data collection for agricultural and rural development research, including household surveys and farmer interviews
- Assisted in designing and testing questionnaires and data collection tools
- Cleaned, captured, and validated datasets in Excel, ensuring data quality for analysis
- Conducted literature reviews and contributed to data analysis and interpretation of socio-economic findings
- Assisted in drafting technical reports and coordinating fieldwork activities
Education
Bachelor of Science - Agricultural Economics
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa 2001.04 -
Skills
Data management - collection, capture, processing and analysis
Research development and support
Business case and business plan development
Economic analysis and socio-economic assessment such as cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness, and livelihood restoration mapping
Proposal development
Fully computer literate in all standard Microsoft packages such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint
Agricultural economics
Proficient in the use of Asana Project Management Software
Basic GIS using Google Earth
Code 10 Driver’s Licence
Additional Information
- Provision of Agricultural, Data Management, and GIS Support for the Longonjo Rare Earths Project | Ozango Minerais S.A | Angola
- Implementation of Livelihood Restoration Plan, Pipeline Work Packages 1 & 2 | East East African Crude Oil Pipeline/Vuna Agribusiness Tanzania Limited | Tanzania
- Implementation of Livelihood Restoration Plan, Priority Areas East East African Crude Oil Pipeline/Vuna Agribusiness Tanzania Limited | Tanzania
- Implementation of Livelihood Restoration Plan, Tanks and Terminals (MTT) East East African Crude Oil Pipeline/Vuna Agribusiness Tanzania Limited | Tanzania
- Wheat Value Chain (Rainfed and Irrigated) Development Strategy and Investment Plan | ITEED (Pty) Ltd | Zambia
- Agroecosystems Assessment & Harvest Training | Digby Wells (Nyanzaga Gold Project) | Tanzania
Accomplishments
HI Behrmann Award (2022) - Best student in AGEC791 / AGBU791 / AMAN790.
Affiliations
- Nelly Seth- Director and Project coordinator at Vuna Agribusiness Tanzania | +255 714 774 909 | neleseti@googlemail.com | nellyseti@vunaagribusiness.com
- Gayle Hancox- Project Manger at Vuna agribusiness |+27 83 797 3342 | gaylehancox@gmail.com
- Professor Maxwell Mudhara- Professor of Agricultural Economics, School of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental studies and Director of Farmer Support Group | +27 33 260 5673 | mudhara@ukzn.ac.za
Software
Google Earth
Timeline
Junior Agricultural Economist
Vuna Agribusiness
2023.11 - Current
Research Assistant
Farmer Support Group, UKZN
2023.08 - 2023.10
Bachelor of Science - Agricultural Economics
University of KwaZulu-Natal
2001.04 -