Michael is the Environmental Safeguards Officer (ESO) for the RESDP. His responsibilities entail providing conceptual, operational, and technical leadership on environmental safeguards and carrying out the actions to implement the safeguards requirements. He is also responsible for conducting environmental assessments at project sites to identify the impacts the project will have on the environment and the biological resources, and the environmental risks associated with those impacts. As ESO, he will provide on-site support to consultants involved in preparing and implementing safeguards instruments and procedures as prescribed in the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).Michael has over thirty-six years of experience in Natural Resources Management, including 25 years and 5 years of experience in Sustainable Land Management and Water Resources Management, respectively. He worked within the government sector (Ministry of Agricultural and the Ministry of Sustainable Development) for 36 years, held the officer of Chief Forestry Officer and Director of Water Resources, he also served as the National Focal Point for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification/Land Degradation (UNCCD) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and Country representative to the FAO Forestry Conferences. Michael holds a bachelor's degree in Forest Resources Management and Silviculture, certificates in Watershed Management, Project Management, Participatory Resources Management, and a diploma in Agricultural Science.