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20 years of experience in running offices, in coordinating experts and multicultural teams and in managing international emergency and development projects in various fields (food security, WASH, mine action, DRR, prevention, education & protection - with a gender approach) in challenging contexts (Asia, Europe, Africa, Caribbean). |
 Contact Laurence Desvignes
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Area of Expertise: |
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Administration, Management, Finance/Accounting, Procurement
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Disaster, Aid, Emergencies, Relief
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Professional Experience: |
With two Master degrees in International Relations & European Politics and in Agriculture and 20 years of professional experience in the humanitarian and development sectors, including more than 10 years as senior manager for international organizations in various regions (Asia, Balkans, Middle East, Caucasus, Africa, Caribbean), I have run several offices, and managed projects and multicultural teams in various fields (food security, water and sanitation, mine action, disaster and risk reduction, prevention, education and protection - with a gender-specific approach).
Strategic management and leadership: I worked with ICRC in war affected contexts successively as the mine action coordinator, head of sector and head of sub-delegation. I was then the MSF emergency coordinator and the Oxfam Program Manager in Haiti. As such, I participated in the global analysis of the humanitarian, political and security situation as a basis for the development and implementation of operational plans, the implementation of strategies and the definition of program priorities. I was responsible for the strategic and financial management of the offices, the implementation and supervision of administrative, logistical and financial procedures and systems, as well as the key organizational and structural changes within complex structures (closure of an MSF emergency operation and two ICRC and Oxfam operational bases). My responsibility was to ensure the optimization of the operations of the relevant offices, including the reduction of risks and fraud, as well as the management of security (personnel, movements, directives, etc.).
Humanitarian and development project management expertise: Bilingual French-English, I worked in Cambodia as an agronomist, as a Khmer-French translator for ICRC detention activities and as a representative for MJF. After one-year consultation work for various international agencies, I coordinated multidisciplinary development projects as well as emergency interventions (management of more than 20 ICRC mine action programs, of a cholera large-scale emergency response for MSF, responses to several natural disasters for Oxfam). I was also responsible for ensuring the quality of the projects as well as the programmatic and financial reporting.
From my multi-year experiences with humanitarian organizations (MAG, ICRC, MSF, Oxfam), I have gained expertise in the implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction projects aimed at improving the resilience of target populations by reinforcing their preparedness and response capacities to risks and hazards.
People management: I recruited, trained, coordinated, coached and managed teams of technical experts and support departments (up to 1200 employees).
Representation, communication & fundraising : I have acquired competencies in networking, advocacy and representation. I also lead several proposal development processes for various donors (EU, WB, UN, etc.).
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Education: |
I have a Master Degree in International Relations and European Politics (University of Edinburgh), a Master Degree in Agricultural Science (specialisation in agricultural development) (France) and a
Bachelor Degree in agronomy (with a specialisation in management) (France).
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Affiliations and Achievements: |
- Founder of a Haitian Art & Handicraft shop (Kay Lolo Art, Haiti)
- Founder and president of MANUSODANY, association for Haiti (www.manusodany.com), a non-lucrative organisation supporting educational and social projects improving life conditions of children in Northern Haiti.
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Available for: |
- Job opportunities
- Being headhunted – make me an offer
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