Key skills and expertise

With 30 years of program and policy experience, the expert excels in consulting, program monitoring, evaluation, and design across Africa, Latin America, Europe, Canada, and Asia. Responsibilities have included directing regional projects for major international NGOs, managing projects in nutrition, health promotion, and food security, and leading a country office. Skilled in qualitative and quantitative evaluation, social analysis, and project management, the expert has facilitated workshops and strengthened partnerships. Career highlights include expanding a project portfolio from $200,000 to $2.5 million and leading a $14 million regional project in Central America and Mexico.

Project experience and donor exposure

The expert has collaborated with international donors such as USAID, the World Bank, and the Gates Foundation. Experience includes project implementation, evaluations, and capacity building in thematic areas like governance, health, education, and infrastructure. Worked across diverse projects, leading regional and national initiatives in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Notable projects include evaluations for USAID Title II programs, the World Bank's nutrition programs, and capacity-building initiatives funded by the Gates Foundation, focusing on food security, livelihoods, and women's empowerment.

Sectors and geographic focus

The expert has worked across sectors such as environment and natural resource management, food security, urban development, anti-corruption, water and sanitation, and agriculture. Previously held roles include directing regional projects and managing country offices. Interdisciplinary expertise includes integrating social protection with disaster preparedness and promoting gender equality within development projects. The geographic scope of work spans regional and country-specific initiatives across Africa, Latin America, Europe, Canada, and Asia, reflecting a comprehensive understanding of sectoral and cross-cutting development challenges. Extensive geographic experience includes long-term assignments in Latin America (10 years), Africa (8 years), and Eastern Europe (2 years), with particular familiarity in countries such as Zambia, Panama, Cuba, and Russia.

Languages and education

Bringing a strong linguistic capability, the expert is a native English speaker and fluent in Spanish, with proficiency in French and a working knowledge of Russian. These language skills have been extensively used in international development contexts, working in multilingual teams across Latin America, Africa, and Eastern Europe. Additionally, the expert possesses some knowledge of Portuguese and Sinhala, enhancing engagement in diverse cultural and linguistic environments. Educational background includes a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Bristol, UK, focusing on inter-organizational partnerships in water service provision. An M.Sc. in International Policy Studies from the University of Bristol, with a cross-cutting focus on gender and power, and a B.Sc. Honours in International Development Studies from the University of Toronto, Canada, emphasizing physical and ecological resource management, further underpin this expertise.