GEOGRAPHER
Fluent in German, Spanish, and English Interested in Positions Globally
Over twenty years of research and practical skills in natural resource management, forestry, land use and agriculture, climate change, sustainable development, and international policy development. Accomplished in capacity training, planning, coordination, project management, implementation, and collaboration. |
 Contact Andrea Birgit Chavez
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Area of Expertise: |
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Administration, Management, Finance/Accounting, Procurement
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Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy
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Communications, Media, Knowledge Management, Editor
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Monitoring, Evaluation, Policy, Research, Analysis
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Social, Education, Gender, Youth, Child
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Professional Experience: |
• Twenty years of research and practical skills in natural resource management, forestry, land use and agriculture, climate change, sustainable development, and policy development.
• Trained in Regional Climate Issues in Developing Countries / Climate Change and Hazards in the Americas, Climate, Environment and Energy /Global Change Impacts on Land Use in Latin America
• Accomplished in capacity training, coordination, mentorship, and project management with expertise in collaborating, strategic planning, mediating, problem-solving, and implementing.
• Experienced in science-based analysis of changing environments. Provided inputs for local groups to sustainably and equitably prepare to improve their economic prospects as change occurs.
• Accomplished in grant writing. Successful grant financing in the amount of USD 750,000 for the project “Building Conservation Capacity for a Changing Amazonia” as part of the Initiative for Conservation in the Andean Amazon II (ICAA II) Higher Education Partnership Program. Co-directed the project.
• Successfully implemented an analysis on the “Vulnerability assessment of burning patterns within changing climates in Madre de Dios” for the Regional Government of Madre de Dios.
• Experience working in partnership with local and national counterparts on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) policy.
• Accomplished in building partnerships and communicate with a range of stakeholders including policymakers, local communities, and the urban Amazonian public. Engaged in constant collaboration, cooperation, knowledge exchange, and leadership. This is a constant challenge and requires talent, patience, and committed responsibilities.
• Trained technical experts to contribute to the development of sustainable rural projects and to reflect critically on natural resource management and respond to the emerging challenges of changing Amazonia.
• In charge of the design and direction of the “Certificate Training in Environmental Management and Environmental Services with Specialization in Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification”.
• Participated, organized, and conducted major presentations, seminars, publications, briefings, and documents. Served as the organizer of conferences and Editor of Journals. Published in major scientific journals.
• Experienced in technical mapping skills. Conducted research on the role of policies and the biophysical and socio-economic context of farmers that lead to forest cover change using satellite imagery and forest fragmentation distribution analysis.
• Active roles within USAID-funded projects in the management and coordination of international projects, loan and grant administration responsibilities, monitoring and evaluation activities, proposal development, partnership, and capacity-building activities.
• Exposure to multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environments providing a constructive learning experience. Focused on teamwork, good communication,
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Education: |
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I am a PhD in Geography from the University of Florida, Gainesville, USA with a specialization in Latin American Studies and Tropical Conservation and Development. I graduated in 1994 from the University of Miami, FL with a M.A. in Geography, and graduated in 1995 from the Karl-Ruprechts-Universtität of Heidelberg, Germany with a Magister Artium (M.A.) in Political Science, Geography, and Environmental International Law. My graduate level studies covered a wide range of topics with concentrations in environmental impact of natural and human induced disturbances viewed through the lenses of politicians, environmentalists, and lawyers. Between 1998 and 2000, I was a Visiting Scholar at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, NY focusing my research on indigenous livelihood systems. During my doctorate studies, I analyzed the role of policies and the biophysical and socio-economic context of farmers that lead to forest cover change using satellite imagery and forest fragmentation distribution analysis. The spatial analysis showed that policies constituted a significant part of land-use decision and influenced livelihood strategies of farmers at different times and exposure to policies. Considering the role of policies, I have given special attention to the science policy interface strongly emphasizing the integration of scientific data, knowledge and decision making within sustainable local livelihood characteristics and realities. I have trained technical experts to contribute to the development of sustainable rural projects. For example, future leaders were trained to reflect critically on natural resource management and analyze linked socio-ecological systems from an interdisciplinary perspective and communicate to a range of stakeholders including policy makers and local communities. I have actively participated in project design and policy development strategies. I have been responsible for the planning and implementation of the annual operative plans and their respective budgets, reporting and disseminating results. Further, I have been collaborating at distinctive public and private levels, as well as convening local and international universities to talk and debate and realize the importance of collaboration, cooperation, knowledge exchange and leadership. This is a constant challenge and requires talent, patience and committed responsibilities.
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Affiliations and Achievements: |
Throughout my professional career, I have been working towards stimulating behavioral change and awareness at various sectors and management levels for a more sustainable livelihood. Behavioral change and change in perspective will only be successful with more widespread public support and committed responsibilities, both to facilitate implementation and mitigation efforts that affect livelihood improvement. My vision is designed to meet the needs of less developed countries in sustainable development issues and climate change awareness. Well planned efforts, should be made to integrate governmental strategies with sustainable projects which alleviate poverty. I believe in the efforts to empower local people to build capacity and improve livelihoods, through the integration of a regional network and field knowledge necessary to determine sustainable regional development in a time of unprecedented ecological and social change. These thoughts are the foundation of my professional responsibility toward long-term environmental sustainability at both the policy and implementation levels.
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Available for: |
- Job opportunities
- Being headhunted – make me an offer
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Years of Experience:
More than 20 years |
Highest Qualification:
Doctorate |
Languages:
English, French, Spanish, German |
Nationality:
Germany
, United States
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