Key skills and expertise

With 38 years of experience, the expert specializes in rural development, energy, and environmental sectors. Key skills include strategic planning, project cycle management, financial management, and team leadership. Bringing extensive experience, the expert has led international projects with the European Commission, notably serving as Head of Sector and Head of Cooperation. Responsibilities have included managing initiatives in Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, and Mozambique, with accomplishments in effective program implementation and capacity building in agriculture and energy sectors, demonstrating strong negotiation and institutional coordination abilities.

Project experience and donor exposure

The expert has collaborated extensively with the European Commission in international development cooperation projects. Previously held roles such as Head of Sector for OPSYS, Head of Cooperation in Guinea-Bissau, and Head of Sector for Environment & Human Development. The collaboration involved project implementation and technical assistance across thematic areas such as energy, environment, and rural development. Work spanned regional and national levels in countries including Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mozambique, and Morocco.

Sectors and geographic focus

Worked across key sectors including rural development, energy, environment, natural resource management, and agriculture. Responsibilities have included leadership positions such as Head of Sector and Head of Cooperation, involving project implementation and strategic planning. The expert has demonstrated cross-cutting expertise in integrating energy policies with rural development and environmental management. The geographic scope of work is primarily regional, with significant projects in African countries like Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, and Mozambique. The expert has extensive geographic experience across Africa, with assignments in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau, Morocco, Mozambique, and Senegal. This experience includes deep familiarity with local governance and cultural dynamics, as well as regional development issues. Long-term assignments, particularly in Guinea-Bissau, highlight significant contributions to development cooperation initiatives.

Languages and education

With a background in multilingual environments, the expert is a native speaker of Spanish and French, with proficiency in English and Portuguese at level C1, and Italian at level B1. These language skills have been utilized in diverse international contexts, including work in multilingual teams and in-country projects across several African nations, enhancing communication and collaboration in development initiatives. The expert holds a degree in Agriculture Engineering and a post-graduate qualification in Biometry from the Centre de recherches agronomiques de Gembloux, Belgium, completed in 1987 and 1990, respectively.