Key skills and expertise

With 15 years of experience, the expert excels in project management, knowledge management, and regional and urban governance. They have led international and local initiatives in social development, urban planning, and emergency response, coordinating multi-disciplinary teams and engaging stakeholders. Career highlights include managing projects like the Cyclone Idai Response and the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Programme. Responsibilities have included policy analysis, capacity building, and strategic partnership development, ensuring successful project implementation and stakeholder collaboration across various geographic regions.

Project experience and donor exposure

The expert has collaborated with international donors such as the UN Emergency Response Fund, JICA, the European Union, the European Investment Bank, DFID, and BMU - IKI. Their involvement includes project implementation, technical assistance, capacity building, and evaluations across thematic areas like governance, water, sanitation, and infrastructure. The projects have been regional and national in scope, covering locations such as Palestine, East Africa, Ethiopia, Malawi, Kenya, Brazil, India, and Nepal.

Sectors and geographic focus

Worked across sectors such as social development, urban development and housing, water, sanitation and hygiene, and public sector governance. Previously held roles in project management, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement. Their interdisciplinary expertise includes integrating sustainable and green cities development into regional planning. The expert's work spans regional and international contexts, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, with significant contributions to initiatives like the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Programme and the Cyclone Idai Response. The expert has extensive geographic experience across Africa, including Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Malawi, and the East African region. They have also worked in Palestine, Brazil, India, and Nepal. Their work has involved local governance, urban development, and regional planning, with a focus on sustainable development and basic service provision. The expert's recurring involvement in East Africa, particularly through projects like the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Programme, underscores their deep familiarity with the region's governance and development dynamics.

Languages and education

Bringing a diverse linguistic capability, the expert is fluent in English and confident in Spanish, both of which are UN official languages. They have utilized these language skills in international development settings, collaborating with multilingual teams and engaging in cross-cultural communication. Additionally, the expert has basic proficiency in German and Kiswahili, and is a native speaker of Shona, enhancing their ability to work effectively in diverse environments. With a background in academia, the expert holds an MSc in Regional Development Planning and Management from Technische Universität Dortmund in Germany and Universidad Austral de Chile in Chile. Additionally, they have a BSc in Local Governance Studies from Midlands State University in Zimbabwe.