Team ADAP

ADAP Switzerland

Claude Fischer – President

Claude has a Ph.D. in biology and is an associate professor at the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland (HEPIA, Geneva). Passionate about fieldwork and mammals, Claude has participated in the development of ecological monitoring in the Beekeeping Zone of Mlele since 2007. There he has regularly trained the village game scouts in ecological monitoring, especially in the use of camera traps.
Claude has become involved more formally with ADAP since he took over the presidency in 2020.

Jean-Félix Savary – Vice-president

Aware of development issues early on, Jean-Félix worked at the University Institute for Development Studies in Geneva (IUED) for many years. He focused on the problems of access to natural resources and their resulting conflicts and advocated for local development, the promotion of peace, and the safeguard of natural resources as one cause. He coordinated Tanzania’s Inyonga project during its first five years.
Since 2006, Jean-Félix has devoted himself more to ADAP’s administration and representation in Geneva.

Lucy Novovitch – Treasurer

Lucy joined ADAP in 2022 as part of her Master’s degree in Conservation Biology at the University of Bern. She carried out ecological monitoring using camera traps at one of the association’s new study sites. The aim of her work was to describe habitat use by medium-sized mammal communities linked to human presence. Passionate about large fauna in general and spatial ecology in particular, she has now joined ADAP as treasurer to continue her collaboration on projects and become more involved in the association. At the same time, she is starting a PhD at the University of Zürich on spatial use and interspecific interactions in large mammals.

Yves

Yves Hausser – Head of operations

As co-founder of ADAP in 1997, Yves has worked with the association since its inception. After his training in the social sciences, he has worked with biologists and engineers on questions of sustainable use of natural resources and the participation of local actors in these processes for years. Invested in various international networks working on conservation issues, Yves has been able to bridge the gap between the discourse advocating the integration of local communities into conservation strategies, and the practices carried out in the field.
Yves has been a teacher-researcher and conservation practitioner in the Nature Management branch of the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland – HEPIA since 2003.

Sandy Mermod – Program Manager

In 2012 Sandy carried out work for her bachelor’s degree in Tanzania as part of the ADAP project in Inyonga and has since participated in multiple activities. She became ADAP’s vice-president in 2015, managed the Inyonga project in 2016, and held the position of vice-president through 2018 when she became ADAP’s executive secretary. She was promoted Program Officer in 2023. During this time, she completed her training as an engineer in nature management with a complementary certificate in geomatics. Her Master of Geography with a specialization in development studies enables Sandy to thoroughly understand the socio-political dimension of environmental issues. Her thesis dealt with the use of natural resources in western Tanzania’s forest reserves.

Louise Sérasset– Executive Secretary

After completing a bachelor’s degree in International Relations at the University of Geneva, Louise decided to continue her studies with a focus on political science and the history of the African continent. During her master’s degree in African Studies at the University of Geneva, Louise became interested in the many environmental issues facing local African communities. She completed a six-month internship with ADAP, assisting Sandy Mermod with the monitoring and management of current projects and the start of a new project in Tanzania. Louise also analyzed women’s involvement in ADAP’s projects during a two-month field trip to Inyonga.

Lucas Villard– Head of research

Lucas Villard is a biologist with a passion for ecology, specializing in plant-microorganism interactions and data analysis. After a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a master’s degree in Behaviour, Evolution and Conservation, he worked for 5 years as a research assistant at the Department of Ecology and Evolution of UNIL. Lucas Villard completed a 6-month internship at ADAP, mainly dedicated to the statistical processing and analysis of ecological monitoring data by camera traps in Tanzania with the aim of writing a scientific article. After his recruitment at the University of Landscape, Engineering and Architecture, he remains engaged at ADAP for the processing of ecological data, the coordination of research and the implementation of digital work tools.

Raimundo Pizarro– Head of Communication commission

Raimundo joined ADAP as part of his master’s degree in nature management at the HES-SO. His thesis was a project on the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus). GPS collars were placed to study their habitat use and potentially find ecological corridors in the Katavi region whose populations are very poorly known. At the same time, agro-pastoralists were interviewed to find ways to cohabit in the best possible conditions. He is currently looking for potential links between conservation, science, and art, to enhance the activities of the association and the work of the Tanzanian teams.

ADAP Tanzania

Jovin Lwehabura – National representative ADAP Tanzania, and Project manager, Ipole WMA project,

Mr. Jovin Lwehabura has more than 15 years of experience working on applications of geospatial science and technology in sustainable management of natural resources. He holds an MSc. degree in Geographic Information Systems (M.S. GIS) from the University of Redlands in California as well as a BSc. degree in Geomatics from the University of Dar es Salaam. Mr. Lwehabura is a member of Global society for Conservation Geographic Information Systems (SCGIS). He has developed several GIS Databases, guide mapping, and support implementations of land use planning for more than 50 local communities in Tanzania. He has engaged in developing conservation action plans to guide sustainable conservation of wildlife and forests. He has also engaged in promoting sustainable intensification innovative agricultural practices to ensure food and nutrition security, resilient to climate change, livelihood, and environmental conservation.

Frank Kweka – Project manager, Katavi-Ugalla corridor project,

Frank Kweka joined University of Dar es salaam College of arts and social sciences from 2008-2012 where he persuaded bachelor degree in Geography and Environmental Management. Frank has professional skills and abilities in team work, collaborative and motivational person. He worked as an Environmental Officer for Mpanda District Council during six years. He was appointed to be a member of Mpanda district technical facilitation team on Village Land Use Planning and District Participatory Forest Management team. Frank have been working for three years with Carbon Tanzania, where he executed as Project Manager at Ntakata Mountains REDD Project, a community led project in Western Tanzania for forest protection for people, wildlife and climate. Frank joined ADAP Katavi-Ugalla corridor project as project manager in 2023.

Romanus Mwakimata – Project manager, Rungwa River corridor project

Romanus George Mwakimata is an agricultural economist with extensive experience in improving production and commercialization of farm and non-timber forest products for increased household income and efficient functioning of actors along the value chain. Romanus holds an MSc. in Agriculture and Applied Economics, and a BSc. in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, both from Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania. Previously he worked with the Bureau of Agricultural Consultancy and Advisory Services, Centre for Sustainable Development Initiatives (CSDI), and ACDI/VOCA-USAID Nafaka Staples Value Chain Project. He joined ADAP Rungwa corridor project in 2018 as a livelihoods and natural resources officer and became a project manager in 2020.

Renico Kinemo – Regional Accountant, Katavi-Ugalla corridor and Ipole WMA projects

Renico is a professional of finance with an extensive experience in Financial Accounting, Product costing, Management Accounting, and Financial Planning & Analysis. He has previously worked for Japan Tobacco International (JTI) in various capacities -from Accounting Associate to Finance Business Partner. He is skilled with financial ERP’s such as SAP -where he has been a Power User and end-user trainer in areas of Finance, Product Costing, and Purchasing for nine years. He is a certified Public Accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance.

Helimina Gerald Mguli – Project accountant, Rungwa River corridor project

Ms. Mguli has developed accounting skills and experiences after working with different profit and non-profit organizations. Previously she worked as an accountant for Essacare Company Limited, an auditing firm, and as a Business Consultant for MG Empire. Helimina has a bachelor’s of accountancy from the Institute of Finance Management (IFM) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Because of her innate passion for environmental conservation, Ms. Helimina searched for and found a place at ADAP to be part of the association’s accounting.

Abdala Liingilie – Natural resources and monitoring officer, Katavi-Ugalla corridor project

Abdala Liingilie has extensive experience in the field of Natural Resources Management and climate change. He has a MSc and a BSc IN WHAT Forestry and graduated from the Sokoine University of Agriculture. Previously, Abdala worked in field coordination on Community Based Mangrove Conservation initiatives in southern Coastal areas of Tanzania. Afterward, he joined World Agroforestry (ICRAF) and participated in different agroforestry research/ development programs as an intern and researcher. Next, He worked for Olmotonyi Forestry Training Institute as a consultant. He joined ADAP in November 2021 and is responsible for facilitating Joint Forest Management and supporting income-generating activities for the local communities around Mlele Hills Forest Reserve.

Valeria Shirima – Livelihoods and natural resources officer, Rungwa River corridor project

Valeria is a graduate with Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture. She possesses strong inclination towards the management of natural resources. Prior to her involvement with ADAP, Valeria gained professional experience as a Project Officer within the WCS Ruaha Katavi Landscape Program.
Valeria’s expertise lies in conducting fieldwork particularly in providing training on data collection utilizing SMART technology, thereby ensuring the effective integration of technology in wildlife conservation effort. She exhibits a keen interest in working in rural areas, specifically in collaboration with women and youth.

Rashid Kikoti – Livelihoods and natural resources officer – Ipole WMA project

Rashidy is a graduate of the first degree in tourism and cultural heritage at the University of Dodoma. He knows how to operate, organizing and controlling various issues concerning tourism such as policies, strategies and plans. Before he joined Adap, he was the executive secretary of Ipole WMA JUHIWAI. Now, his goal is to direct the villagers to use the resources they have for the benefit of the current generation and the future, especially to cooperate with all young people girls and boys.

Dickson Malembeka – Head of VGS – Katavi-Ugalla corridor project

Dickson Malembeka is a trendsetter on Community Based initiatives in Natural Resource Management. He has intensive experience in the conservation and sustainable utilization of forestry and wildlife resources for livelihoods. From 1995 on he participated in a conservation program with Coleman Hunting Company. Then in 2002, he joined ADAP as Village Game Scout (VGS) and in 2017 he was promoted to the VGS Supervisor Position. In 2021, he attended both practical and theory training courses on natural resource management at Likuyu Sekamaganga Institute Training. As the VGS Supervisor, his daily duty is to supervise VGS, organize patrols, and implement wildlife monitoring. His interaction skills with the VGS, local community, and foreign researchers are fantastic.

Yahya Ally – Driver – Katavi-Ugalla corridor project

Yahya was raised in Mlele District, Katavi Region, Tanzania, in areas with high species diversity of flora and fauna. Since his childhood, Yahya has been passionate to work in conservation initiatives. To fulfill his dream of working in the conservation field, Yahya joined ADAP as a driver in 2012. He is responsible for moving the project team from one place to another during the field operations. He also assists the field team in ecological monitoring and law enforcement activities to ensure the general safety and excellent maintenance of assigned vehicles. For increasing his work efficiency in driving the field team, ADAP supported Yahya to attend a driving course in 2017 at the National Institute of Transportation, Dar es Salaam. He is a smart, interactive, and flexible driver.

Anthony Julius – Driver – Katavi-Ugalla corridor project

Anthony Julius joined ADAP in 2019 as a temporary driver. Because he showed excellent driving and fieldwork skills, he was promoted to a driver position in 2021. His daily routine is to drive the field team for the different activities in the forests, including participation in patrols and ecological monitoring with VGS, researchers, and government employees. He is dedicated to protecting nature and his technical skills are invaluable to the project team.

Gabinus Tandika – Driver – Rungwa River corridor project

Gabinus Michael Tandika is an experienced driver and previously worked with various organizations, including Ukonongo Tobacco primary cooperative society, Mlele District Council, both located in Katavi Region, and SIDO Rukwa. He has good mechanical skills to fix different car-related problems. Gabinus has a good understanding of local languages, especially Konongo, Nyamwezi, Fipa, and Sukuma, and is able to interact with various communities in Rukwa, Katavi, and Tabora Regions. Moreover, he can use GPS to identify various locations. Currently, he is working as a driver for the Rungwa River corridor Project.

Said Kafuta – Driver – Rungwa River corridor project

Said Haji Kafuta is a young but experienced driver who previously worked for Tanzania National Road Agency (TANROAD) and WINROCK International, both located in the Tabora region. He received training in driving and mechanics from Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) in Tabora. He has a good understanding of Nyamwezi, Swahili, and English and easily interacts with locals and foreigners. Moreover, he can use GPS to identify various locations. Currently, he is working as a driver with the Rungwa River Corridor Project.

Generosa Francis – Office attendant – Katavi-Ugalla corridor project

Since she joined ADAP in 2012, Generoza has met her duties of keeping the office clean in a cheerful and timely manner. The office wouldn’t have the same atmosphere without her. She is very humble, charming, and pro-active, and gladly joins diverse social and volunteering community matters.

Yutha Joseph – Office attendant – Rungwa River corridor project

Yutha Joseph is one of our youngest team members. She completed the secondary school education. Calm and lively, she is fluent in two languages, Nyamwezi and Swahili. She works as an office attendant in Kapumpa for the Rungwa River Corridor project, ensuring that a pleasant atmosphere always prevails in the office.

Thanks to all the former committee members, employees, interns, and volunteers have worked for ADAP: Fabrice Buffard, Alix Jornot, Ezra Ricci, Florian Reinhard, David Hartlieb, Nicola Cantoreggi, Joanne Félix, Gabriel Valdez, Tania Garnier, Mariela Gois Carrel, Céline Bartolomucci, Manon Mariller, Hélène Weber, Alejandro Jorand, Claire Julliand, Fabrice Frigerio, Anne Ceppi, Issa Mpinga, Shabani Halfani, Margareth Makuke, Twinzi Henrico, Matana Levi, Christina Komba, Andrew Mariki, Vincent Vyamana, Pauline Plagnat, Paulo de Cantos, Alexandre Tasev, Lina Conus, Pierre-Armand Roulet, Alexis Kabore, and all those who have been forgotten here.