Edwin Kiarie
Verified Expert in Support and Operations
Support & Operations Expert
Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
Toptal member since March 10, 2026
A dedicated researcher with expertise in designing and executing data-driven studies, Edwin has contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications and secured research funding. Skilled in data analysis, data annotation, survey design, and student mentoring, Edwin delivers actionable insights that inform policy, drive academic excellence, and support evidence-based decision-making.
Expertise
- CRM
- Call Agent
- Call Notes
- Data
- Language Skills
- Languages
- Remote Work Skills
- Wrike
Work Experience
Remote Virtual Assistant & Data Analyst
Online Freelance Agency
- Managed data organization, documentation, and project-related communication using remote collaboration tools such as Google Workspace, Trello, Slack, and Zoom.
- Provided remote administrative and research support to international clients as a virtual assistant and freelance data analyst.
- Automated dashboards and reporting systems using Python and Excel, reducing manual work by 40%.
Research Assistant, Finance & Accounts Management
National Irrigation Authority, Kenya
- Trained 50+ staff on water conservation techniques and operational best practices, elevating team productivity and sustainability awareness.
- Monitored and analyzed water usage data, identifying system inefficiencies and achieving annual cost savings of KES 4 million.
- Led a multidisciplinary team of 15 engineers and technicians to maintain irrigation canals, cutting water loss by 22% and ensuring an uninterrupted supply.
- Planned and executed five large-scale irrigation projects, expanding irrigated farmland by 1,200 hectares and driving an 18% increase in crop yields.
- Designed and implemented optimized water distribution schedules across 10 farming zones, boosting operational efficiency by 30%.
- Developed comprehensive SOPs for irrigation management, improving regulatory compliance by 40% and streamlining operations.
- Prepared detailed project performance dashboards and reports for senior management, enabling data-driven strategic decisions.
- Implemented modern irrigation technologies, including drip and sprinkler systems, enhancing water-use efficiency by 25%.
- Conducted field inspections and quality audits, reducing system downtime by 15% and preventing potential crop losses.
AI/Machine Learning Engineer & Data Analyst Intern
National Irrigation Authority, Kenya
- Developed predictive models using Python and machine learning techniques to forecast irrigation needs, improving water resource planning efficiency by 20%.
- Analyzed large agricultural datasets with SPSS and EViews, uncovering key patterns that informed strategic decision-making for crop management.
- Created interactive data visualizations and reports that enabled stakeholders to monitor and optimize irrigation operations effectively.
Data Analyst
- Compiled a catalog of 50+ products, including model numbers, pricing, and images, ensuring 100% accuracy and consistency in Google Sheets.
- Organized product data into structured spreadsheets, improving team access and reducing retrieval time by 40%.
- Managed image assets by uploading, labeling, and linking 50+ product photos to corresponding entries, enhancing visual clarity for stakeholders.
- Verified pricing and model information against official product sources, achieving zero discrepancies during final review.
- Streamlined data entry processes by creating standardized templates in Google Sheets, reducing input errors by 30%.
- Maintained up-to-date product records across multiple spreadsheets, supporting accurate reporting and decision-making.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to gather missing product details, completing all assigned tasks ahead of deadlines.
Research Assistant, Finance & Accounts Management
Kenyatta University
- Collaborated with faculty and postgraduate students on interdisciplinary studies, enhancing research output quality and meeting all grant deadlines.
- Collected and analyzed large datasets using statistical software (SPSS, Stata, or Python), improving research accuracy and efficiency by 30%.
- Developed survey instruments and experimental designs, increasing data reliability and validity by implementing rigorous methodologies.
- Presented findings to university stakeholders and external partners, influencing policy decisions and practical applications in Big Data.
- Maintained accurate research documentation and ethical compliance, ensuring adherence to university and national research standards.
- Mentored undergraduate and postgraduate students on research methods, data collection, and analysis, improving team research capabilities.
- Designed and executed research projects in economics and social sciences, producing actionable insights that contributed to three published papers in peer-reviewed journals.
Workflow Optimization for Data Entry
EntryPoint Capital
- Streamlined data entry processes to improve accuracy and efficiency across multiple product spreadsheets.
- Monitored and tracked data quality with regular audits, identifying inconsistencies early and improving the overall accuracy of product records to 99%.
- Automated repetitive tasks using spreadsheet formulas and conditional formatting, reducing manual data checks by 50% and saving the team several hours per week.
Project History
Tala App
Used this app to lend money to college and university students, which enabled the students to pay off their fees and personal upkeep.
The Tala App has grown beyond the school compound and now serves the general public. It provides funds to start businesses and enables users to pay for goods and services through Visa cards. The platform is also working toward national recognition, enabling users to trade and transact domestically and internationally with Visa cards.
Product Catalog Optimization Project
Compiled and organized 50+ product entries with pricing, model numbers, and images for a streamlined Google Sheets catalog.
I led a project to create a comprehensive product catalog in Google Sheets, managing over 50 product entries, including pricing, model numbers, and images. I implemented a structured data-entry workflow, standardized templates, and an image management system to ensure each product entry was accurate, visually organized, and easily accessible to stakeholders. The project reduced retrieval time by 40% and errors by 30%, improving operational efficiency for the team. I also coordinated with cross-functional teams to gather missing product details and verified all entries for accuracy, ensuring a high-quality, reliable dataset.
Cross-functional Product Data Coordination
Coordinated with multiple teams to gather, verify, and consolidate complete product information.
I worked closely with marketing, sales, and inventory teams to collect missing product details, including pricing, model numbers, and images. I consolidated all information into a single, well-structured Google Sheet, ensuring accuracy and completeness. This collaborative project enabled faster reporting, improved decision-making, and supported high-quality product listings for stakeholders.
Education
Master's Degree in Data Science
Kenyatta University - Nairobi
Bachelor's Degree in Economics
Kirinyaga University - Nairobi
High School Diploma in Data Annotation
Google - Google
Certifications
Duolingo
Duolingo
AWS Certified Developer Associate
Amazon Web Services
AWS Certified Data Analytics Specialty
Amazon Web Services
Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate
Microsoft
GCP Professional Data Engineer
Google Cloud
Skills
Tools
Zendesk WFM, Zendesk Guide, Zendesk Chat, Zendesk
Troubleshooting
Object-oriented Programming (OOP)
Travel & Events
Ground Transportation
Professional Skills
Data Annotation
People Ops
ATS Data Entry
Operations
HTML Editing, Image Cropping
Communication
External Communications, Client Communication
Research
Source Vetting
Customer Experience
Team Collaboration, Attention to Detail
Tool Features
Project Setup, Reporting, Triggers, Macros
Scheduling & Meetings
Scheduling
Sales Operations
CRM
Project Management Tools
Wrike, Airtable
Productivity Suites
Data Cleaning, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft OneNote, VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, Data Validation
Product Support
Help Center
File Storage
SharePoint
Documentation
Call Notes
Customer Support
Communication, Bug Report Writing
Administrative Operations
Data Entry, Calendar Management, Customer Service, Transcription
Other
International Relations, Data Science, Languages, Economics, Remote Work Skills, Language Skills, Team Management, Call Agent, Automation, Subtitling, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Purview, Data Migration, Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Data Governance, MacOS, Domain Adaptation, IT Consulting, Zendesk API, SharePoint Online, Business Development, Business Operations, Business Strategy, COO, Chief Operations Officer (COO), Fractional COO, Growth Strategy, Media, Operations, Project Management, Administration, Meta Ads, Accounting, Data, Translation, Linguistics, Python, Finance, Banking & Finance, Consulting, Architecture, Squarespace, Google Merchant Center, Customer Service Support, Customer Service Management (CSM), Data Analysis, Policy, Business Analysis, HTML, Data Visualization, IBM SPSS Statistics, Excel Modeling, Research, Strategy, Big Data, Internal Audits, Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), Claude Code, Excel 2016, Data Research, Field Research, Community Outreach, Google, Client Services, TypeScript, Analytical Thinking, Business, Data Organization, Data Handling, Spreadsheet Management, Product Cataloging, Image Management, Process Improvement Project Management, Process Improvement, Data Collection & Verification, AI Research, Public Relations (PR), Google Workspace, Administrative Support, Data Processing, Master Data Management (MDM), Machine Learning, Predictive Modeling, SPSS, EViews, Statistical Analysis, Project Planning
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