Maria Elena Zuniga

Project manager , UNDP

Santiago, Chile

Senior Program Manager 25 years progressive technical and management experience in sustainable development, environment, biodiversity conservation, poverty reduction in Latin America, 4 years Kosovo.
I listen, lead and facilitate implementation for change and innovation. Promote innovative programs and ideas, organize and motivate in relation to goals in complex context.

Contact Maria Elena Zuniga
Area of Expertise:
  • Agriculture, Livelihoods, Microfinance, Rural
  • Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy
  • Director, CEO, COP, President
  • Disaster, Aid, Emergencies, Relief
  • Environment, Climate, Energy, Water, Sanitation
Professional Experience:

UNDP Kosovo Oct. 2010 to date
Project manager to Conservation of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use Management project in Dragash. Successfully fundraises for project implementation in Kosovo, successfully develops project to date:
- Lead the design and implementation of a large complex sustainable development programme for a rural region in Kosovo.
- Provide management guidance to project implementation
- Build team, select and guide personnel, define terms of reference
- Technical guidance of the subjects under implementation (rural spatial planning, urban planning, services – waste water and waste water, biodiversity conservation, national park development, forestry analysis, local economic development, energy, capacity development environmental protection, Ecoprofit, participatory planning, good governance, gender equality ) including identification of appropriate methodologies.
- Ensure effective management of delivery of results based on updated results, resources based framework

Dec 2009 – Oct 2010 Project manager Preparatory assistance to sustainable development
Oct 2010 – April 2011 Lead environment program advisor to UNDP Kosovo

Consultant to ECLAC UN: July to Sept. 2009
Research and writing document on Valuation of regional conservation strategies mitigating climate change scenarios, regional biodiversity corridors For the Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Economic Study on Climate Change.

Consultant to UNP- LAC Regional Center: June to August 2009.
Supports the Sustainable Finance Strategy for protected areas implemented in LAC between UNDP and TNC (The Nature Conservancy) leading to promotion of increased funding and capacity of governments to consolidate their protected area systems.

The Nature Conservancy South America Conservation Region (TNC SACR) November 2006 to May 2009
Coordinates TNC´s protected area (PA) strategy across South America, working specifically with staff in science, external affairs, conservation programs and Country Representatives in national capitals.

Consultant to AgriConsulting Europe – GmbH – 2006 and 2009 (Jan to may 2006 & May to November 2009Regional Evaluation Expert: Evaluating project proposals submitted for funding by the European Commission under the EUROPEAID Calls for Proposals.

Consultant for CARE International (USA) – June to September 2006
Regional expert: Providing recommendations for the development of Care’s regional water strategy for implementation in Latin America and the Caribbean.

ECLAC United Nations 2002 – 2005
Program Manager - United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) (Santiago, Chile), Natural Resources & Infrastructure Division

International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI- Canada) 1998 – 2002
Program Manager –Santiago, Chile. Developed, managed, and promoted sustainable development campaigns across South America and the Caribbean region.
IFANOS Chil

Education:

University of Chile (Santiago, Chile) advanced Architecture and Urban Planning (6 year degree) 1978 to 1984
University of Chile Urban & Regional Planning Studies (Master’s equivalent) 1986 to 1987 (Candidate)
Other relevant courses:
-Indicators development for implementation of sustainable development and UN Habitat Agenda (UN)
-Methodologies for project cycle management and logical framework approach (GTZ- CDG e.V.-Chile)
-Infrastructure and development in LAC – (ECLAC UN)
-Water and environmental legal and regulatory frameworks (GWP – ECLAC UN)
-Trade agreements and impacts in public services (ECLAC UN)
-Conflict management (UN)
-Business planning for Protected Areas (Washington State University-USA)

Available for:

  • Job opportunities
  • Being headhunted – make me an offer

Years of Experience:

More than 20 years

Highest Qualification:

Masters

Languages:

English, Spanish, Portuguese, basic French, basic Albanian

Nationality:

Chile

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