Currently working at VNG as Regional Manager for East and Southern Africa, with over a decade of experience in the field of development cooperation. VNG International is the International Cooperation Agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities. We support decentralisation processes and facilitate decentralised cooperation. We strengthen local governments, their associations, training institutes and decentralisation task forces both in developing countries and in countries in transition.We have project offices in various countries and work with a large group of local government experts with broad international experience. As Regional Manager, I'm responsible for VNG's portfolio of projects in the East and Southern Africa region. This includes projects in Namibia, Mozambique, Kenya, Ethiopia and more. Specialized in designing and managing large and complex projects for donors such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the World Bank, the European Commission and other bilateral donors. With extensive experience in project management, both on content and financial aspects, including acquisition (proposal writing, budgeting), implementation (activities), and closing out (evaluation, audit). Specifically focused on topics related to the field of local governance, such as decentralization and public sector reform, solid waste management, water management, climate adaptation, digitalisation, and more. Currently focusing on the East and Southern African region, but also bringing in experience from the Middle East region. My educational background includes MA Degrees in International Relations and Languages and Cultures of the Middle East (cum laude), with a specialization in North African and Middle Eastern politics and economics, as well as an Advanced Master's Degree in International Development.