Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 33 years of experience in rural development, food security, and agricultural economics, the expert has excelled in strategic planning and project implementation in developing countries. With more than 28 years leading multi-disciplinary teams, the expert has managed EU-funded projects for over 14 years, achieving significant outcomes in policy development and institutional reform. Key skills include financial and economic analysis, change management, and capacity building. Responsibilities have included coordinating large teams and overseeing complex projects across sectors such as agriculture and climate resilience.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving international donors such as the European Union, World Bank, African Development Bank, and Green Climate Fund. The expert's involvement includes project implementation, technical assistance, evaluations, and capacity building in sectors like agriculture, irrigation, and climate resilience. Projects have been implemented on national and regional scales in countries including Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania, Eswatini, Ghana, and Sri Lanka. Career highlights include enhancing agricultural productivity, infrastructure development, and sustainable resource management through successful collaborations with these donors.

Sectors and geographic focus

Background includes positions at the forefront of sectors such as rural development, food security, agriculture, water and sanitation, and climate change resilience. Previously held roles such as team leader, agricultural economist, and capacity building expert, with responsibilities spanning project management, strategic planning, and policy development. The expert possesses interdisciplinary knowledge in areas like digitalization in agriculture and infrastructure development. Geographic scope includes regional and country-specific projects in Africa and Asia, with significant contributions to enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainable resource management.

The expert has extensive geographic experience, having worked in numerous countries across Africa and Asia, including Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania, Eswatini, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Liberia. Particularly deep familiarity exists with local governance and regional development issues in Malawi and Eswatini, where long-term assignments have been completed. The expert's work has often involved repeated engagements in these regions, contributing to a nuanced understanding of cultural dynamics and development challenges.

Languages and education

With a background in linguistic proficiency, the expert is fluent in English and French, with German as the mother tongue. These language skills have been utilized extensively in international development projects, facilitating communication in multilingual teams and across various countries. The expert's proficiency in these languages has supported effective project management and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in global settings.

The expert holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Hohenheim, specializing in Agricultural and Social Economics in the Tropics and Subtropics, obtained between 1994 and 1997. Additionally, the expert earned an M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from the same university in Germany, completed between 1984 and 1992. These degrees reflect a strong foundation in economic analysis and agricultural development.