Biography

Dr. Mkhokheli Sithole is a development practitioner, researcher, and climate change adaptation specialist with over two decades of experience in research, policy engagement, and development practice across Southern Africa. He currently serves as Director of the Institute of Development Sciences (IDS) at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Zimbabwe, where he leads the Institute’s research agenda, academic programmes, and strategic partnerships in development studies, disaster risk reduction, and climate resilience.

Dr. Sithole holds a PhD in Development Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand, and has built an extensive career bridging academia, policy, and practice. His work focuses on climate change adaptation, natural resource governance, watershed management, and resilience-building in vulnerable rural and urban communities. Over the years, he has led and contributed to numerous high-level research and consultancy assignments with governments, UN agencies, and international development partners including the World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), USAID, COMESA, and the International Trade Centre.

Prior to his current leadership role, Dr. Sithole coordinated watershed management programmes under the USAID-funded Amalima and Amalima Loko resilience programmes, where he oversaw the implementation of climate-resilient infrastructure such as irrigation schemes, dams, and boreholes across multiple districts in Zimbabwe. He has also played a key role in national climate policy processes, including contributing to the Zimbabwe National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks for national climate change learning strategies.

Dr. Sithole is also an accomplished academic who has taught development theory and research methods at the University of the Witwatersrand and NUST. He has supervised postgraduate research in climate change adaptation, rural livelihoods, and natural resource governance, and has produced numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters on climate resilience, sustainable development, and environmental governance.

Beyond academia, he has extensive experience facilitating capacity-building initiatives for governments, civil society organisations, and regional institutions. His recent international work includes leading gender-responsive capacity needs assessments for the African Union Green Recovery Action Plan (AU-GRAP) across several African countries, contributing to continental efforts to strengthen climate governance and resilience.

Through his work, Dr. Sithole continues to advance interdisciplinary research and practical solutions aimed at strengthening climate resilience, inclusive development, and sustainable natural resource management in Africa.

Academic Qualifications

• PhD in Development Studies – University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
• Master of Philosophy in Development Studies – Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
• Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Geography – University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
• Certificate in Environmentally Sound Project Design and Management – USAID
• Certificate in Development Research Uptake in Sub-Saharan Africa – University of Stellenbosch

Research Interests

Climate change adaptation; Nature-based solutions; Natural resource governance; Watershed management; Disaster risk reduction; Climate finance; Gender and social inclusion in development; Environmental and social impact assessment; Community-based climate resilience; Sustainable rural livelihoods.

Research Links

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=YemP4foAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao

ORCID link: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5108-4529