Charles Strickland is an accomplished and visionary international development professional with more than 20 years professional experience managing and implementing technical cooperation programs in development and transition environments with a particular technical focus on improving public health, education, livelihood and social protection efforts for children and women. Additionally, Charles has provided technical advice and support to various corporate entities in the MENA region related to business continuity, emergency planning and operational logistics.

Charles was introduced to the development sector on an internship in Sri Lanka in 1987/88 and attached to the National Youth Services Council based in Galle District, Sri Lanka.  Since then Charles has worked across Asia, the Middle East and Africa working for various UN agencies and NGOs.

Some of the countries in which Charles has worked include: Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Guyana, Ivory Coast, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, occupied Palestinian Territories, Kenya, Somalia, Ghana, South Sudan, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Georgia, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Qatar and Canada.

Additionally, Charles has managed complex funding program portfolios and built strong multi-year portfolios with donors including Global Fund, European Commission (EuropeAid & ECHO), USAID (OFDA & IFAD) BPRM, DfID, DANIDA, Norad, CIDA/DFAIT, SIDA, WB, UN, ADB, AusAid, NMFA, DEC as well as private foundations such as Merck, David & Lucille Packard, Gates, and ST Buffet to name but a few.

Charles, when not working internationally, divides his time with his wife between their home in suburban Sri Lanka and with extended family in Atlantic Canada where, in both locations, he continues to provide consulting services and pro bono support to NGOs, n and others interested in change.