Thompson Smooth OKOYEN

Marine and Blue Economy, Environmental & Climate Policy Specialist | Operations & Project Manager

Yenagoa, NG.

About

Highly accomplished Environmental & Climate Policy Specialist and Operations Manager with a proven track record in developing sustainable environmental policies, leading climate risk mitigation initiatives, and managing complex projects across government, tech, and educational sectors. Adept at leveraging digital literacy, strategic communications, and robust project management to drive impactful outcomes and foster sustainable development. Seeking to apply diverse expertise to leadership roles focused on environmental resilience, operational excellence, and strategic growth.

Work

TheHyWing App

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Climate/Environmental Lead, Operations & Management Lead

Nigeria

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Summary

Spearheads climate and environmental strategy for TheHyWing, a climate-risk intelligence and preventive teleprimary healthcare initiative focused on mitigating health impacts.

Highlights

Led climate and environmental strategy for TheHyWing, a climate-risk intelligence platform, reducing impacts of extreme heat, poor air quality, and weather-related health risks among vulnerable populations.

Coordinated project operations and management activities, ensuring smooth implementation, schedule adherence, and successful project delivery through virtual collaboration tools.

Managed comprehensive project documentation, uploading critical files and reports to the project data room for secure access, organization, and compliance.

Nigerian National Assembly (NASS), House of Representatives

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Intern - House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration

Abuja, Nigeria

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Summary

Supports the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration, contributing to legislative processes and policy development.

Highlights

Assisted legislative processes within the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration, contributing to policy formulation.

Contributed to research and administrative tasks supporting national policy development and committee objectives.

Bayelsa State Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy

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Senior Scientific Officer

Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

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Summary

Leads environmental sustainability initiatives, marine environmental policy development, and strategic project planning within the Bayelsa State Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

Highlights

Developed and implemented marine environmental policies, enhancing sustainable practices and resource management for the blue economy.

Designed and executed strategic projects and programs, ensuring effective planning and successful implementation within the ministry.

JForce (Jumia Nigeria)

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Online Sales Consultant

Nigeria

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Summary

Generated online sales and managed client bookings for goods, airline tickets, and hotels, leveraging social media for advertising and client engagement.

Highlights

Successfully managed online sales for a variety of products and services, including goods, airline tickets, and hotel bookings, for interested clients.

Utilized social media platforms to effectively advertise Jumia products, expanding market reach and driving client engagement.

Tech4Dev, ATC Nigeria Data Centre

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ATC Digital Literacy Facilitator (Contract)

Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

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Summary

Delivered practical basic digital literacy training to 33 trainees monthly, enhancing essential computer skills across multiple daily sessions.

Highlights

Provided practical basic digital literacy training to 33 trainees every 4 weeks, significantly improving computer proficiency and digital inclusion.

Conducted structured daily training sessions (09:00-11:00, 11:30-13:30, 14:00-16:00), maximizing learning accessibility and participant engagement.

Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment

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Scientific Officer I and II

Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

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Summary

Conducted climate change adaptation and vulnerability profiling for Bayelsa State, contributing to environmental policy and planning.

Highlights

Profiled climate change adaptation and vulnerability for Bayelsa State, informing regional environmental strategies and mitigation efforts.

Contributed to the development of environmental policies and programs, ensuring alignment with climate resilience objectives and regional needs.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

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Assistant Presiding Officer (ad-hoc staff)

Peretoru Community, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

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Summary

Managed electioneering processes in a Polling Unit for multiple general elections, ensuring fair and organized proceedings.

Highlights

Successfully managed electioneering processes in a Polling Unit for national and gubernatorial elections (2012, 2015, 2019, 2023).

Ensured smooth and compliant execution of voting procedures, upholding democratic integrity and public trust.

Emeleflow Nigeria Limited

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Construction Project Site Manager

Nigeria

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Summary

Oversaw day-to-day operations and safety on construction sites, managing expenses, materials, and ensuring worker well-being.

Highlights

Supervised daily construction site operations, ensuring efficient workflow and adherence to project timelines.

Managed and recorded daily expenses and material logistics, optimizing resource allocation and cost control.

Ensured strict compliance with health and safety regulations, minimizing risks and promoting a secure work environment for all workers.

National Youth Service Corp (NYSC)

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Geography Teacher (National Service)

Toru-Angiama Community, Delta State, Nigeria

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Summary

Taught Geography to secondary school students across Senior Secondary Schools I, II, III as part of national service, fostering academic development.

Highlights

Educated secondary school students in Geography (SSS 1-3), enhancing their understanding of environmental and societal concepts.

Developed and delivered engaging lesson plans, contributing to student academic performance and knowledge acquisition.

Smooth-B Cyber Café

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Manager

Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

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Summary

Managed overall operations of a cybercafé for a decade, encompassing internet services, documentation, finance, and general work supervision.

Highlights

Directed comprehensive cybercafé operations, including internet services, typesetting, photocopying, and laminating, serving a diverse clientele.

Managed financial records and documentation, ensuring accurate accounting and operational transparency.

Supervised daily work activities, maintaining high service quality and operational efficiency over a decade.

Bayelsa State Geographic Information Systems (BGIS)

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Team Leader, Enumeration Officer – Intern/Industrial Attachment

Bayelsa State, Nigeria

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Summary

Led a team in collecting geographic data on landed properties to facilitate taxation and issuance of Certificates of Occupancy for BGIS.

Highlights

Led a team in collecting critical geographic data on landed properties, enabling accurate property assessment for BGIS.

Supported the acquisition of information vital for taxation and the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (CoO).

Volunteer

Outreach and Partnership Lead

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Three Million Technical Training (3MTT) – Bayelsa Community

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Leads outreach and partnership efforts for the Three Million Technical Training program, driving community engagement and program expansion.

Highlights

Developed and executed outreach strategies to engage community members in technical training programs.

Fostered key partnerships to expand the reach and impact of the Three Million Technical Training initiative.

Member, Social Media Team

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People's Democratic Party (PDP) – Bayelsa State Chapter

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Contributes to the social media presence and communication strategies for the People's Democratic Party in Bayelsa State.

Highlights

Managed social media content and engagement strategies for the PDP Bayelsa State Chapter, enhancing public communication.

Supported political outreach efforts through digital platforms, contributing to party visibility and public discourse.

Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Chairman & Conferee

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Nigeria Human Rights Conference & Human Rights Honour

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Chaired the Local Organizing Committee for a national conference, overseeing planning, logistics, and successful execution.

Highlights

Chaired the Local Organizing Committee, successfully overseeing the planning, logistics, and execution of a national conference.

Coordinated stakeholders and managed program flow, ensuring alignment with conference objectives and successful outcomes.

Contributed as a conferee to discussions on Environmental Rights & Climate Justice, providing insights on law, remedies, and accountability.

Wetland Management

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Prime Initiative for Green Development (PIGD)

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Contributed to wetland management initiatives, supporting environmental conservation and green development efforts.

Highlights

Participated in wetland management activities, promoting ecological balance and biodiversity preservation.

Supported green development initiatives, contributing to sustainable environmental practices.

Education

University of Port Harcourt

Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
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M.Sc. Blue Economy and Maritime Studies

Courses

Thesis: Environmental Policy Gaps in The Implementation of Nigeria's Blue Economy: Implications for Coastal States, With Focus on Bayelsa State.

Niger Delta University

Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
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PGD Marine Surveying

Courses

Research Work: Marine Offshore Incidents in Nigeria, Negative Impacts and Crucial Precautionary Measures

Niger Delta University

Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
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B.Sc. Geography and Environmental Management

Courses

Research Work: Solid Waste Management: The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Approach to Dumpsite Selection in Yenagoa Metropolis.

Government Secondary School

Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
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O`Level, SSCE

Awards

Award of Meritorious Service – In Recognition of Enthusiastic and Devoted Service as the Director of Socials (2014/2015 Academic Session)

National Association of Geography and Environmental Management Students Association (NAGEMS), Niger Delta University (NDU) Chapter

Recognized for enthusiastic and devoted service as the Director of Socials during the 2014/2015 academic session.

Publications

Sustainability approach to Tourism and its Development within Cross River State, Southern Nigeria with Geospatial Techniques.

SSRG International Journal of Geoinformatics and Geological Science

Co-authored a publication exploring sustainable tourism development in Cross River State using geospatial techniques, published in SSRG International Journal of Geoinformatics and Geological Science 7(2), 1-13.

Certificates

Fellow, Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI) | Cohort 4

Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislators (CoSPAL) – FCT Abuja, Nigeria

Fresh Prawn Farm Management

African Regional Aquaculture Centre (ARAC) of Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR)

Three (3) Months Training on Poultry Farming

Industrial Training Fund (ITF)

Entrepreneurship Development Programme

Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN)

HSE 1&2, Fire Safety, Risk Assessment/Management

British International Safety Organisation (UKSHE)

Project Management (10PDUs, 25PDUs)

British Project Management Academy

Skills

Microsoft PowerPoint

Presentations.

Leadership

Team Leadership, Strategic Leadership.

Strategic Communications

Public Relations, Stakeholder Engagement.

Environmental Sustainability

Marine Environmental Policy, Climate Change Adaptation, Vulnerability Profiling, Wetland Management.

Project Management

Project Operations, Program Planning, Implementation Strategies, Logistics Coordination, Stakeholder Management.

Climate Risk Intelligence

Preventive Teleprimary Healthcare, Extreme Heat Mitigation, Air Quality Monitoring.

Digital Literacy Training

Computer Literacy, Curriculum Development.

Figma

Responsive Frontend Web Development, UIUX Design.

No-code MVP Development

AI, ChatGPT, Antigravity, Netlify, Github.

Microsoft Excel

Data Analysis, Data Entry.

Microsoft Word

Typesetting, Word Processing.

Construction Site Supervision

Expense Management, Material Logistics, Health & Safety Management.

Cybercafé Management

Internet Services, Typesetting, Photocopying, Laminating, Finance Management.

Geographic Data Collection

GIS, Property Assessment, Taxation Data.

Online Sales & Marketing

Social Media Advertising, Client Booking, Product Promotion.

Election Management

Polling Unit Operations, Electoral Process Oversight.

Legislative Support

Policy Research, Administrative Assistance.

Community Outreach

Partnership Development, Program Promotion.

Languages

English

Fluent