Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 29 years of experience in rural development, environment, and natural resource management, the expert possesses key qualifications in agroforestry systems, sustainable resource management, and socio-economic surveys. Career highlights include leading international projects with organizations such as FAO, EU, and MFA Finland, achieving significant outcomes like the development of a nationwide forest monitoring system in Peru. Responsibilities have included founding Café Femenino Chile and facilitating community management of forest resources in Tanzania. The expert has effectively managed multinational teams, enhancing governance and policy frameworks across Latin America and Africa.

Project experience and donor exposure

The expert has collaborated extensively with international donors, including the FAO, EU, and MFA Finland. Worked across diverse projects involving the development of a nationwide socioeconomic forest monitoring system in Peru and preparing the country for the national REDD+ project under FAO. Additionally, they coordinated the Rural Integrated Projects Support Program in Tanzania with MFA Finland, focusing on governance and community-based forest management. These projects have varied in scope from national to regional levels, primarily within Latin America and Africa.

Sectors and geographic focus

With a background in rural development, environment, natural resource management, and agroforestry, the expert has held roles such as Rural Development Specialist, Forestry Specialist, and Managing Partner. Responsibilities have included developing forest governance systems, facilitating community forest management, and empowering female entrepreneurs. The expert has interdisciplinary knowledge in integrating agroforestry with socio-economic development and biodiversity conservation. Geographic experience spans Latin America, Africa, and Europe, with specific involvement in Peru, Tanzania, and Chile, focusing on sustainable development and policy enhancement.

Languages and education

The expert is a native Finnish speaker and is fluent in English, Spanish, and French. They have good proficiency in Swedish and possess working knowledge of Swahili, with good reading knowledge of German. These language skills have been utilized in international project settings, working with multilingual teams across Latin America, Africa, and Europe. The expert holds a Ph.D. in Tropical Silviculture, focusing on agroforestry in the tropics and rural development, from the University of Helsinki, Finland. Additionally, they earned an M.Sc. in Forest Economics and Forest Production from the University of Eastern Finland. Their educational background also includes studies at AgroParisTech ENGREF in Nancy, France.