Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 27 years of experience, the expert is a skilled development policy and program specialist. They have led the design, implementation, and evaluation of international projects, managing investments up to USD 350 million. Career highlights include contributions to poverty reduction and economic development across 40 countries. Previously held roles such as senior economist at the World Bank and consultant in skills development, the expert excels in establishing productive collaborations with multi-disciplinary teams and stakeholders, achieving sustainable development outcomes.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with international donors such as the World Bank, UK, and EU. Responsibilities have included project design, implementation, and evaluation, focusing on education and training systems to foster poverty reduction and economic development. Notable projects include the Cambodia Skills for Better Jobs Project and the Gambia Resilience, Inclusion, Skills and Equity Project. The expert has also contributed to evaluations like the Dutch Good Growth Fund and provided technical assistance across regions including Africa, South Asia, and Europe, covering both national and sector-specific initiatives.

Sectors and geographic focus

With a background in sectors such as education, labor market and employment, social development, youth training, and SME/private sector development, the expert has held roles focusing on skills development and employment strategies. Their interdisciplinary expertise includes integrating education and training systems with economic development goals. The geographic scope of work spans multiple regions, addressing sector-specific challenges in low- and middle-income countries, contributing to sustainable development initiatives. Geographic experience includes working in over 40 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, with notable involvement in Armenia, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Morocco, Mozambique, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, and Vietnam.

Languages and education

The expert is fluent in Dutch and English, with strong proficiency in both reading and writing. They also possess advanced skills in French and German, utilized in international projects and collaborations across multilingual teams in various countries. Background includes a Master of Science in Econometrics from the University of Groningen, Netherlands, and studies in Development Economics at the University of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and Economics at the University of Århus, Denmark.