Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 27 years of experience in international development, the expert specializes in health, humanitarian aid, and social development. Key skills include strategic advisory, policy development, and program management. The expert has led large-scale health initiatives across 30 countries, achieving significant policy reforms and successful implementation of multi-country programs. Previously held roles such as Regional Health & Development Advisor at UNDP and Acting Country Director for Concern Worldwide. Career highlights include establishing UNDP as a leading health agency in the Pacific and managing complex operations in volatile environments.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with international donors such as UNDP, WHO, and the Fiji Ministry of Health, focusing on health and development projects. Responsibilities have included technical assistance, policy development, and capacity building across regional and national projects. Key thematic areas include noncommunicable diseases, tobacco control, and HIV/AIDS. Geographic locations of these donor-related activities span the Pacific Islands, Fiji, Laos, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Samoa, among others.

Sectors and geographic focus

The expert has worked across key sectors including rural development, food security, health, humanitarian aid, and social development. Roles have included strategic advisor, program manager, and regional health advisor, with responsibilities ranging from policy development to large-scale program implementation. With cross-cutting expertise in integrating health initiatives with governance and social determinants of health, projects have spanned regional and country-specific scopes in Africa, Oceania, and Asia, focusing on both immediate humanitarian response and long-term development strategies.

With a background in regional development and local governance, the expert has extensive geographic experience in Africa, Oceania, and Southeast Asia, working in 30 countries including Burundi, Ethiopia, Fiji, Myanmar, and Thailand. Involved in long-term assignments in the Pacific Islands, contributing significantly to health and development initiatives. Work in culturally diverse settings has enhanced understanding of regional dynamics, particularly in addressing noncommunicable diseases, humanitarian aid, and social development.

Languages and education

The expert is a native French speaker and has used English as a working language since 1999. Additionally, the expert is fluent in Spanish, although fluency has diminished due to lack of use. The expert also speaks Creole (French Caribbean) and Bislama (Vanuatu) fluently. These languages have been utilized in various professional contexts, including international development projects across multiple countries, often involving multilingual teams and cross-cultural communication.

The expert holds a Master of Science in Advanced Studies in International Development Agro-Development from the Institut Supérieur D’Agro-économie du Développement International (ISTOM) in Cergy, France. This educational background is complemented by various short courses and trainings in legal frameworks, noncommunicable diseases, and public health from institutions such as the University of New South Wales, Johns Hopkins University, and the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer in Australia.