Key skills and expertise

With over 20 years of experience in education, humanitarian aid, and migration, the expert is a multilingual professional specializing in education in emergencies, protection, and trafficking in persons. Career highlights include managing multi-stakeholder portfolios for UN agencies and leading regional initiatives like the R4V PSEA Toolkit rollout. Accomplishments include developing sustainable education models for refugees, managing teams of up to 100 staff, and designing national online learning systems. Their leadership in project management and capacity building has been pivotal in enhancing program effectiveness across the Caribbean and Latin America.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with international donors such as UNICEF, USAID, and UNHCR, focusing on education in emergencies and child protection strategies. Responsibilities have included project management, capacity building, and the creation of sustainable education models for refugees and migrants. These projects were implemented at a regional level across the Caribbean, including Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname, and involved developing policies and frameworks to support long-term educational viability for displaced populations.

Sectors and geographic focus

Background includes positions at various sectors such as education, humanitarian aid, migration, and protection. Previously held roles such as Education Manager, Resettlement and Pathway Officer, and Senior Project Assistant. Responsibilities have included project management, capacity building, and policy development. The expert's interdisciplinary knowledge encompasses education in emergencies and protection strategies. They have operated on a regional scale across the Caribbean and Latin America, managing initiatives for UN agencies, governments, and NGOs, contributing to both local and international development efforts. Geographic experience spans Latin America, the Caribbean, North America, and Europe, with work in countries including Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Panama, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic. This extensive regional involvement has equipped them with a nuanced understanding of local governance and cultural dynamics, enhancing their effectiveness in implementing international development projects.

Languages and education

The expert is fluent in English and Spanish, with additional proficiency in Portuguese and Dutch. These language skills have been utilized in diverse contexts, including lecturing in English and Spanish, managing multilingual teams, and providing translation services for various international organizations. Their language competence has facilitated communication and collaboration across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe, enhancing their effectiveness in international development and humanitarian aid projects. The educational background includes a PhD in Philosophy of Education from the University of Trinidad and Tobago, an MEd with a specialization in Globalization and Inclusion, and a PGCE in Research, Leadership, and Management from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom. Additionally, they have an Associate degree in Childcare from Penn Foster College, USA, and a Diploma in Forensic Psychology from the University of Sheffield. Executive training in Leadership, Management, Projects, and Change Management was completed at Harvard Business School, USA.