Biography
Melisa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Environmental Studies and a Masters in Geography and Environmental Studies from Stellenbosch University, majoring in natural resources management, specifically water. She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation from Stellenbosch University. She began career with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and GlaxoSmithKline focusing on water, energy and environmental and policy issues. She then extended her knowledge and project portfolio after joining the International Union for Conservation of Nature where she has had practical experience with natural resources management, nature-based solutions, wildlife conservation, climate change as well as water cooperation, and governance related issues from a regional and transboundary level (SADC and partly Eastern Africa). Melisa has experience in project drafting, reporting and monitoring and evaluation. She kicked off her career by working as a Research Assistant at the University of Zimbabwe, Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, where she assisted the Department with report writing, fieldwork, evaluation and facilitating GIS short courses. She has worked for various projects funded by various donors including Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), European Union (EU), United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), United States Agency for International Development, Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) among others.