Professional biography
About Sharon Kaonga
Sharon Kaonga is Programme Manager at CCAL, with an MA in Economics from UNZA and PMI Certified Associate in Project Management credentials. Since 2020, she has managed multi-donor climate, agriculture, and energy programmes at NIRAS International Consulting including the Scottish Government-funded Climate Just Communities Programme and previously led business development, contributing to USD 10 million+ in secured funding. Active in Zambia’s climate policy space, she’s contributed to Zambia’s NDC 3.0 input, is a YOUNGO member, and has spoken at COP29.
Practice focus
Selected professional experience
- Programme Manager, NIRAS International Consulting — Lusaka, Zambia
- Business Development Manager, NIRAS International Consulting — Lusaka,
- Social Media Manager (Voluntary), Climate Change Writers
- Economics Tutor, The University of Zambia (UNZA)
- Intern, Department of Planning (Voluntary), Kafue Town Council (KTC)
- Education Support Liaison Officer (Voluntary), Rise Community Aid Programme (RICAP)
Academic qualifications
- MA, Economics — The University of Zambia (UNZA), 2021–2025
- BA, Economics with Mathematics — The University of Zambia (UNZA), 2015–2019
Professional certifications and memberships
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) Project Management Institute (PMI), 2024–2027
- Member, YOUNGO Official Children and Youth Constituency of UNFCCC, 2024–ongoing
- Summer Sustainability, Climate & Environmental Education (SCENE) — Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford, 2025
- Certified KUPES Champion KUPES Young Women's Network Leadership Growth Track, 2024
- Safeguarding Essentials The Humanitarian Leadership Academy, 2024