Key skills and expertise

With 40 years in public sector governance and infrastructure policy, the expert has extensive experience in roads, water, and waste management. Bringing 27 years of work in developing countries, including 21 years in Sub-Saharan Africa, career highlights include developing the first strategic plan for Infrastructure Cook Islands and leading the Cook Islands Roads and Road Drainage Policy. The expert excels in strategic planning, capacity building, and project management, with proven skills in monitoring, evaluation, and fundraising. Responsibilities have included managing multi-sectoral projects and implementing local and international development initiatives.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving international donors such as the European Union and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the expert has engaged in strategic planning, capacity building, and evaluations. The focus has been on infrastructure development, governance, and energy sectors. Projects have been implemented on both regional and national scales, particularly in the Pacific, including the Cook Islands, Fiji, and Zimbabwe. The expert has also been involved in developing funding strategies and conducting independent program reviews for the Pacific Community's Geo-resources and Energy Programme.

Sectors and geographic focus

The expert has worked across sectors including rural development, roads and bridges, democratization, and disaster reduction. Previously held roles such as Financial Strategy and Policy Expert, Policy and Institutional Frameworks Expert, and Senior Building Controls Specialist. Their interdisciplinary expertise includes infrastructure in rural development and governance in local development. The geographic scope of work spans regional and country-specific projects in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific, with a focus on strategic planning, capacity building, and institutional development. Background includes significant work in Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Fiji, and the Cook Islands, with involvement in projects in Vanuatu, Kiribati, Nauru, and Timor-Leste.

Languages and education

With a background in languages, the expert is fluent in English and Afrikaans, with proficiency in Portuguese and French. Intermediate skills in Spanish and basic competence in Shona and Tetum have been utilized in various professional contexts, including in-country work across Sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific, as well as collaboration with multilingual teams in international development projects. Formal qualifications in languages include a Graduate Diploma in Arts (French) and a Diploma in Arts (Portuguese). Educational background includes an MSc in International Policy from the University of Bristol, UK, and a BA Hons in History from Rhodes University, South Africa. Additional qualifications include a BA in Legal Theory and History from Rhodes University and a New Zealand National Diploma in Business from UNITEC, New Zealand. The expert has also pursued a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Spanish) from Massey University, New Zealand, and a Graduate Diploma in Arts (French) from the University of Auckland, New Zealand.