Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 53 years of experience in rural and urban development and transport, the expert demonstrates exceptional skills in project management, contract administration, and infrastructure planning and design. Career highlights include leading major international projects, such as road and bridge constructions in Azerbaijan, Ghana, and Tanzania, with funding from organizations like the World Bank and KfW. Responsibilities have included roles such as Team Leader, Resident Engineer, and Country Representative, where the expert has successfully managed large teams and delivered complex projects. Accomplishments also encompass the design and supervision of infrastructure projects, training local professionals, and managing international procurement and financial operations.

Project experience and donor exposure

With extensive experience working with international donors, the expert has collaborated with entities such as the World Bank, AFD (Agence Française de Développement), and KfW (German Development Bank) on infrastructure projects. This involvement has included project implementation, technical assistance, and capacity building, primarily focusing on infrastructure development like roads, bridges, and urban projects. The projects have been both national and sector-specific, with geographic locations spanning Azerbaijan, Ghana, Angola, Tanzania, Afghanistan, and Namibia.

Sectors and geographic focus

The expert has worked across diverse projects involving the sectors of rural and urban development and transport. Previously held roles have included positions such as Project Manager, Resident Engineer, and Country Representative, overseeing infrastructure projects including roads, railroads, and water systems. The expert's interdisciplinary expertise includes integrating infrastructure development within rural and urban settings. The geographic scope of work has been international, with significant projects in countries like Tanzania, Azerbaijan, and Ghana, demonstrating adaptability and the ability to apply skills across diverse environments and sectors. Extensive geographic experience includes working in Azerbaijan, Ghana, Angola, Tanzania, Afghanistan, and Namibia, with a deep familiarity with regional development issues, particularly in Tanzania, where multiple long-term assignments were undertaken from 1995 to 2006. This work involved engaging with local governance and cultural dynamics, contributing to infrastructure projects that address local and regional needs.

Languages and education

With a background in multilingual environments, the expert is a native German speaker with fluent proficiency in English, demonstrated by the ability to read, speak, and write at an excellent level. These language skills have been used extensively in international project management and collaboration with multilingual teams across various countries, including Azerbaijan, Ghana, and Tanzania. The expert also possesses basic proficiency in French. The educational background includes a B.Sc. (Hons) in Civil Engineering from the State Institute of Technology in Basel, Switzerland, and a course in business administration at the Business School in Bern, Switzerland, from 1984 to 1986. Additional training includes various internal courses in marketing, leadership, and superintendence, as well as specialized training in water and wastewater design, road construction, and concrete structure rehabilitation.