Key skills and expertise.

With over 30 years of experience in international development, the expert is adept at managing complex programs across various sectors, including livelihoods, agriculture, climate change, and humanitarian aid. Career highlights include leading projects with international NGOs, such as managing a €4.4 million project in Myanmar and spearheading humanitarian responses. Responsibilities have included operations management, stakeholder coordination, and risk management. The expert possesses strong leadership abilities, coordinating diverse teams and providing capacity-building and training. Expertise encompasses strategic planning, program design, and result-based management.

Project experience and donor exposure.

The expert has worked across diverse projects involving international donors such as Europe Aid (EU), DFID, DANIDA, UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, UNOPS, ADB, DGIS, Irish Aid, USAID, and German donors (AA and BMZ). Involvement has included project implementation, technical assistance, and capacity building in sectors like agriculture, livelihoods, climate change, and humanitarian aid. These projects have ranged from national to regional scopes, with geographic locations including Myanmar, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Sectors and geographic focus.

Bringing extensive experience, the expert has worked within key sectors such as rural development, civil society and NGOs, humanitarian aid, agriculture, and advocacy. Previously held roles have included leadership and management positions, overseeing complex projects and initiatives. Cross-cutting expertise includes integrating climate-smart agriculture and infrastructure development in rural settings. The expert has managed projects with regional and country-specific scopes, particularly in Asia and Africa, demonstrating interdisciplinary knowledge in program design and stakeholder coordination. Geographic experience spans Asia and Africa, with long-term assignments in Myanmar, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Uganda, Namibia, and El Salvador. Background includes deep familiarity with regional development issues, cultural dynamics, and local governance, particularly in ASEAN and South Asia, as well as East and Southern Africa.

Languages and education.

With a background in multilingual settings, the expert is a native Dutch speaker and fluent in English. Working proficiency extends to Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese, with basic understanding of Bangla, Thai, and Bahasa Indonesia. These language skills have been utilized in diverse international settings, including in-country work and coordinating multilingual teams across various projects in Asia and Africa. The expert holds an MA in Development Studies from the Institute of Social Studies of the Erasmus University in the Netherlands and a BA in Human Geography/Economics from Victoria University in New Zealand.