Her work focuses on driving social, economic, environmental, and governance transformation, underpinned by a robust intersectional gender lens. She specializes in social impact monitoring and evaluation (M&E), capacity building, action research, systems thinking, advocacy, policy influence, organization development (including diversity, equality, and inclusion), strategic planning, and comprehensive programme management. Her expertise spans sustainable livelihoods, land, labour, climate and just transition, health and education systems, gender and youth, community and SMME development, ethical leadership, and anti-corruption.
Thevan Naidoo is a strategic and solutions-oriented Social Scientist with three decades of experience across civil society, public, private, academic, and donor sectors in sub-Saharan Africa.
Notable Projects
EU-South Africa Partnership:
- Final Impact Evaluation – EU/South Africa Dialogue Facility (2022).
- Key Research Expert – EU/National School of Government (S.A.), Case Study
- Development for Evidence-Based Learning in Governance and Public Administration (Sub-Saharan Africa) (2018-2020).
- Impact Evaluation – GIZ Multi-sectoral HIV Programme (MHIVP), South Africa (2021).
Action Aid South Africa (AASA) & International (AAI):
- Impact Evaluations for SLPs (Mining & Extractives Programme), Rainbow Activist Alliance (RAA) Programme, and Young Urban Women’s Programme (South Africa/Ghana/India).
- Editor – Women’s rights/Feminism and Human Rights Based Approach – Building a feminist perspective into programming Training of Trainers Manual.
National Business Initiative (NBI):
- Project Manager for Social Transformation, focusing on Building Trust & Accountability (BTAcc) and Ethical Coalition for Business (EC4B) projects.
- Project Lead for Gender Equity & Social Inclusion (GESI) and Economic Inclusion: Youth Skills & SMMEs for the Green Economy (GIZ/KfW).
- Project Lead for Gender Pay Gap (in partnership with Genesis Analytics and Wits, SCIS).
Credentials and Qualifications
- Bachelor of Social Science (Industrial, Organisation & Labour Studies) – University of Natal (Durban), 1993
- Master Certificate – Training & Development – University of Johannesburg, 1997
- Certificate in Value Chain Development and Actor Empowerment for Agricultural Development – International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), 2011
- Certificate in Measuring Impact – Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), 2016
- Certificate in Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning – On Think Tanks (OTT) U.K., 2016
- Certificate in Systems Change & Social Impact – UCT Graduate School of Business, 2021
- Certified Sustainability Professional – Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), 2023
- ISO-30415 Diversity and Inclusion Professional Certification – Diversity and Inclusion Service Management (DISM) Forum, 2024
Key Achievements
- Co-editor of the major publication ‘Public Administrative Challenges-Cases from Africa’ (Juta Press, 2021).
- Contributed to the establishment of the EU-funded Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Facility (MLF) within the Office of the Presidency in South Africa (2010).
- Southern Africa Representative for UN/ IFAD Strengthening Management for Impact Programme (SMIP).
- Provided expert technical consultancy support on sustainable livelihoods, market access, financing, and community-driven development across Southern & East Africa.
- Recognized as an Alliance for Integrity Trainer (first cohort for SA) for the Ethical Coalition for Business project.
Let’s Work Together
If you’re looking for a trusted partner to help facilitate impactful dialogue and create meaningful solutions, VMM is here for you. Contact us today at info@vmmadvisory.com to explore how we can work together to make a difference.