Professional Summary
Frank Timothy Chunga is a Malawian hydrogeologist and water resources specialist with more than nine years of experience in groundwater systems, water supply and sanitation services, environmental monitoring, WASH programming, hydrochemical analysis, groundwater modelling, and climate-resilient water systems.
He holds an MSc in Hydrogeology from the University of Strathclyde in Scotland, an MBA in Project Management, a BSc in Water Resources Management and Development from Mzuzu University, and a Diploma in Python Programming. This combination gives him a powerful profile that connects hydrogeological science, project management, water utility operations, investment planning, and data-driven analysis.
His current role as Scheme Manager for Water Supply and Sanitation Services at Central Region Water Board places him directly at the heart of water service delivery. He leads groundwater abstraction, treatment, distribution, water quality monitoring, operational performance assessment, non-revenue water analysis, technical reporting, and evidence-based management of groundwater-dependent water systems.
Frank’s humanitarian and development experience is also strong. As Country Programme WASH Advisor with Catholic Relief Services, he provided technical leadership for groundwater-based water supply systems in climate-vulnerable and emergency contexts. He supported groundwater monitoring, water quality assessments, borehole siting, contamination risk analysis, WASH coordination, and resilience planning for safe water delivery.
His work at Export Development Fund Limited added a rare financial and investment dimension to his technical profile. He conducted feasibility studies, developed technical and financial models, assessed hydrological and environmental risks, and supported bankable water and infrastructure projects. This makes him valuable not only as a technical expert, but also as someone who understands project viability and financing.
His earlier hydrogeology work under the Shire Basin Programme gave him strong experience in aquifer testing, borehole siting, groundwater resource assessment, groundwater monitoring, conceptual modelling, and basin-level water planning. This technical foundation supports his current interest in surface water-groundwater interactions, isotope hydrology, wetland hydrology, and advanced numerical and geospatial modelling.
Frank brings strong value to AquaLinked / Water for Africa Experts because he represents the kind of groundwater specialist Africa urgently needs: technically trained, field-experienced, utility-aware, climate-conscious, data-driven, and capable of connecting groundwater science with practical water supply, WASH, investment planning, and resilient community service delivery.
Expertise
Specialties
Projects & Contributions
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Scheme Management for Water Supply and Sanitation Services – Central Region Water Board
Leads groundwater abstraction, treatment, and distribution operations as Scheme Manager for Water Supply and Sanitation Services at Central Region Water Board in Malawi. His work includes groundwater-level monitoring, abstraction-rate analysis, system performance tracking, water quality assessment, non-revenue water analysis, technical reporting, regulatory reporting, and evidence-based operational decision-making. -
Groundwater Monitoring and Sustainable Aquifer Management
Monitors groundwater levels, abstraction rates, water quality, and system performance to support sustainable aquifer utilization and adaptive groundwater management. This work helps protect groundwater resources while maintaining reliable water supply services. -
Water Quality and Hydrochemical Assessment for Public Health Safety
Conducts and interprets physical, chemical, and microbial water quality assessments to ensure compliance, protect public health, and support safe water service delivery. His hydrochemical analysis strengthens groundwater and water supply monitoring. -
Country Programme WASH Advisory – Catholic Relief Services Malawi
Served as Country Programme WASH Advisor with Catholic Relief Services, providing technical leadership for groundwater-based water supply systems in climate-vulnerable and emergency contexts. His work included groundwater monitoring, groundwater impact assessment, water quality assessment, borehole siting, contamination risk assessment, and resilience planning. -
Emergency Response Shelter and WASH Programming – Catholic Relief Services
Contributed to emergency response, shelter, recovery, and WASH programming, including USAID-funded activities. He was recognized as a best project team member for ER4 Shelter and Recovery work and served as country programme focal point person for WASH. -
Groundwater Contamination Risk Assessment and Safe Water Delivery
Assessed groundwater contamination risks and developed mitigation strategies for safe water supply delivery in post-disaster, rural, and climate-vulnerable settings. This contribution supports resilient WASH services and public health protection. -
Project Origination and Development – Export Development Fund Malawi
Worked on project origination and development for water and infrastructure investments, conducting feasibility studies, groundwater resource assessments, sustainability analysis, environmental and hydrological risk assessment, and bankable project preparation for development finance initiatives. -
Financial and Technical Modelling for Water Infrastructure Investments
Developed and applied financial and technical models for water-related investments, linking hydrogeological data, infrastructure needs, climate resilience, and investment viability. This rare combination supports sustainable and finance-ready water projects. -
Shire Basin Water Project – Hydrogeological Investigation and Basin Planning
Served as Hydrogeologist under the Shire Basin Programme with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development. His work included aquifer testing, borehole siting, groundwater resource assessment, groundwater-level and water-quality monitoring, conceptual modelling, data analysis, and technical reporting for basin-level water planning. -
Kholongolo Multipurpose Dam Project and Water Resource Development
Contributed to water resources and infrastructure work linked to the Kholongolo Multipurpose Dam Project, supporting water resource planning, infrastructure development, and climate-resilient water management priorities. -
Irrigation and Production Programmes for Development Finance Institutions
Supported irrigation and production programmes for development finance institutions in Malawi, linking water resource assessment, infrastructure planning, financial modelling, and agricultural development objectives. -
Climate-Resilient Water Supply and Groundwater Management Programmes
Contributed to climate-resilient water supply and groundwater monitoring programmes, supporting adaptation, sustainable abstraction, system reliability, and water security in vulnerable and water-stressed communities. -
Private Sector Programming for Shelter and WASH in Malawi
Supported private sector programming for shelter and WASH in Malawi, contributing to practical implementation, stakeholder engagement, and service delivery approaches that link water, sanitation, shelter, and recovery priorities. -
Professional Capacity Building, Mentorship and Leadership
Mentors junior staff, supports multidisciplinary teams, coordinates stakeholders, prepares technical and performance reports, and contributes to sector coordination. His leadership combines hydrogeology, water utility operations, WASH, and project management. -
Advanced Training in Groundwater Flow Modelling, Water Financing and Python
Completed advanced training in applied groundwater flow modelling, water utility financing, financial modelling and valuation analysis, water-energy-food nexus, and Python programming. These skills support modern groundwater modelling, data-driven analysis, and investment-ready water planning. -
Professional Affiliations in Hydrogeology, Engineering and Water Resources
Participates in professional networks including the Association of International Hydrogeologists, Malawi Engineering Institution, International Water Resources Association, and Southern African Development Community Water Division, reflecting commitment to professional growth and regional water-sector collaboration. -
Future Contribution: Climate-Resilient Groundwater and Sustainable Water Security
Aims to contribute to climate-resilient groundwater management, surface water-groundwater interaction studies, isotope hydrology, wetland hydrology, advanced numerical and geospatial modelling, sustainable water supply systems, evidence-based policy, and large-scale water infrastructure development for Malawi and Africa.