Key skills and expertise

With 24 years of experience in governance and human rights, the expert is adept at managing large teams and budgets, strategic coordination, and program delivery. Career highlights include leading governance and peacebuilding initiatives, collaborating on gender justice projects, and providing policy advice on business integrity. Accomplishments encompass legal reforms in Vietnam and the establishment of the Kosovo Property Agency. Responsibilities have included leading regional projects, resource mobilization, and serving as a senior policy advisor. Previously held roles such as Hub Manager at the Bangkok Regional Hub and Officer-in-Charge at UNDP Indonesia.

Project experience and donor exposure

Bringing extensive experience in international development cooperation, the expert has collaborated with donors such as the World Bank and Oxfam, engaging in project implementation and policy advocacy. Their work has focused on governance and human rights, with initiatives like the Cambodia Disability Rights Initiative and the Maldives Integrated Governance Programme. These projects have been regional in scope, covering countries across Asia-Pacific, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, and the Maldives. Efforts have included capacity building, resource mobilization, and policy reform advocacy.

Sectors and geographic focus

With a background in sectors including gender and human rights, law, and public sector governance, the expert has held leadership roles such as Hub Manager and Governance and Peacebuilding Team Leader, managing large teams and budgets. Their cross-cutting expertise includes integrating governance with gender, youth, innovation, and climate initiatives. They have provided policy advice and led regional projects across Asia-Pacific, focusing on rule of law, access to justice, and human rights. Their interdisciplinary knowledge supports initiatives like business integrity and anti-corruption, enhancing governance frameworks in diverse cultural contexts. The expert has extensive geographic experience across Asia-Pacific, with professional activities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Kosovo, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. They possess deep familiarity with local governance and cultural dynamics, particularly in Vietnam, where they led significant legal reforms. Long-term assignments in the region have contributed to a profound understanding of regional development issues, enhancing their ability to lead and advise on governance and human rights initiatives.

Languages and education

Background includes proficiency in multiple languages, with native fluency in English and fluency in French, with UN Level 3 certification, and German. They have good proficiency in Vietnamese and Bosnian/Croatian/Montenegrin/Serbian, and working knowledge of Thai. These language skills have been utilized in multilingual teams and in-country work across various regions, enhancing communication and collaboration in international development and governance projects. The expert holds a BCL (Second Class) postgraduate law degree from Brasenose College, Oxford, specializing in international human rights law, legal philosophy, legal history, and civil law. Additionally, they obtained an M.A. (Hons.) First Class undergraduate law degree from Queens’ College, Cambridge. Both institutions are located in the United Kingdom.