Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 35 years of experience in community development, NGOs, and agriculture, the expert has dedicated 13 years to rural development in The Gambia and 12 years to international development. Key qualifications include expertise in project design and management, strategic communication, and humanitarian quality and accountability. Career highlights include leading significant projects impacting over 600,000 people and managing initiatives in conflict resolution, food security, and livelihoods. Accomplishments include developing over 40 local NGOs and implementing EU and USAID-funded projects. Previously held roles such as Programme Coordinator and Programme Director, the expert has been responsible for project implementation and strategic development.

Project experience and donor exposure

The expert has collaborated with international donors including the European Union, USAID, and GIZ in international development cooperation projects. Responsibilities have included project implementation, technical assistance, and capacity building in sectors such as food security, livelihoods, and peacebuilding. The projects have been regional and national in scope, covering geographic locations like The Gambia, Senegal, and Cameroon. Notable projects include the EU-funded URRLIFE and GoEco projects, USAID-funded Casamance peacebuilding initiatives, and GIZ-funded groundnuts oil milling projects, impacting hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries.

Sectors and geographic focus

Worked across multiple sectors including community development, agriculture, food systems, security and peacebuilding, and public sector governance. Background includes positions at leadership levels such as Programme Coordinator and Programme Director, with responsibilities in project design, management, and strategic development. The expert's interdisciplinary expertise includes integrating environmental protection and social entrepreneurship in rural development. The geographic scope of work spans The Gambia, Senegal, Cameroon, and Guinea Bissau, where significant contributions have been made to regional development initiatives and cross-sectoral projects.

Languages and education

With a background in English fluency, which is one of the UN official languages, the expert has utilized this language competence extensively in professional roles, working in multilingual teams and engaging in international development projects across countries such as The Gambia, Senegal, and Cameroon. The expert holds an MA in Development Studies from the University of East Anglia, United Kingdom. Additionally, they possess a Diploma in Management from the Management Development Institute in The Gambia and a High Diploma in Agriculture from Gambia College. Furthermore, they have a GCE O’ Level certificate from St. Augustine High School in The Gambia.