Jan 2025 – Present · 1 yr 4 mos · Hybrid · Hybrid

• We founded GlocalShift after witnessing the limits of traditional approaches and knowing there had to be a better way. In a world defined by disruption, crisis, and rapid change, new thinking is essential—not just more of the same. That is why we came together as a team of doers, connectors, and problem-solvers to build something different.
• GlocalShift exists to create space for innovation, faster action, and practical solutions that truly work.
• Our mission is to build a world where recovery begins within communities themselves by connecting local expertise with global partnerships to create opportunities, empower resilience, and restore dignity through sustainable and inclusive growth.
• This position is part of my voluntary contribution. Pro deo.

Jan 2025 – Present · 1 yr 4 mos · Remote · Remote

• The Arab Foundations Forum (AFF) is a non-profit membership-based association of philanthropic organizations, donors, funders, and other actors in the philanthropy sector-based or working in the Arab region. Our vision is for an effective and strategic philanthropic sector in the Arab region that engages with all aspects of society towards growing social responsibility and investment while advancing the public good.

Jul 2024 – Present · 1 yr 10 mos · Istanbul, Türkiye · Hybrid

• Stichting (Foundation) United Work; is an NGO which is established and initially funded by the Dutch Government aiming to support Syrian refugees being employed in Turkiye, as well as refugees in the Netherlands. Website: https://unitedwork.org/

Mar 2024 – Present · 2 yrs 2 mos · The Hague · Hybrid

• The Dutch Foundation Open Door Ukraine (ODU) was founded in 2019 to help support the development of Ukraine into a democratic and prosperous country and its integration into Europe. Since the Russian invasion of February 2022, ODU has increased its humanitarian and early reconstruction activities to help the affected Ukrainian population and repair the damage of the war and start with early recovery.

Feb 2024 – Present · 2 yrs 3 mos · The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands · Hybrid

• The Advisory Council on International Affairs (AIV) is an independent State body which advises the Dutch government and parliament on foreign policy. The AIV produces advisory reports about international affairs both on its own initiative and on request. Its main areas of expertise are European cooperation, human rights, development cooperation and security policy. The Development Cooperation Committee prepares advisory reports dealing with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the role of government, businesses, financial institutions, knowledge institutions and NGOs, the promotion of economic development and the position of multilateral institutions.

Feb 2024 – Present · 2 yrs 3 mos · Amsterdam, the Netherlands · Hybrid

• Brokering Development Solutions is providing services to international clients of high reputation. Services include organisational strategy development, designing and closing Strategic Partnerships and large scale programme design & development in volatile contexts. All gravitating around the field of Economic Development in fragile and development countries.

Feb 2024 – Present · 2 yrs 3 mos · Dubai · Hybrid

• Expert in Theory of Change for Gadha.
• GADHA, headquartered in Dubai, UAE, was inspired in 2005 to enhance different skills and to invest in youth and secure promising opportunities for them. The brand has then developed from focusing on youth to focusing and empowering individuals in general. GADHA focuses on different talents, hidden gems, and inspired souls. From the heart of the United Arab Emirates to the world, there are no limits, only achievements. We believe in empowering individuals in all aspects of life to create capable and empowered individuals who can lead and help future generations as well.

Apr 2021 – Present · 5 yrs 1 mo · Dubai, United Arab Emirates

• Happening annually in Dubai, DIHAD Conference & Exhibition serves the International Humanitarian Aid and Development Community in the Middle East, Africa and the world. DIHAD brings together key decision-makers from leading NGOs, UN Agencies, Charity Organisations and governmental bodies, together with aid, education and construction providers from the private sector to address the needs of the people and countries affected by crises, disasters and natural calamities.
• The DISAB Advisory Committee (AC) comprises of senior practitioners from within the local,
• regional and international humanitarian and development assistance communities.

Jan 2015 – Present · 11 yrs 4 mos · New York City Metropolitan Area

• The Center for Theory of Change is a non-profit organization established to promote quality standards and best practice for the development and implementation of Theory of Change, with a particular focus on its use and application in the areas of international development, sustainability, education, human rights and social change.
• The Center has been established by ActKnowledge, a leader in the development of Theory of Change, based in New York City. ActKnowledge is supporting the Center through the provision of a range of resources including the provision of guides and free access to Theory of Change on-line (TOCO), a tailor-made software tool designed to facilitate a conceptual understanding of Theory of Change and support the implementation of the approach in planning and evaluation work.
• The imperative for the establishment of the Center arises from ActKnowledge’s own experience. In particular, it arises from a concern that although the term is somewhat ubiquitous (especially in international development), understanding of what a Theory of Change approach involves conceptually and what is needed to support it’s successful implementation varies widely. Such misunderstandings have the potential to undermine the reputation of the Theory of Change approach.
• The Center is overseen by a Board of Advisers. The Board helps guides the mission, program and standards of the Center.

Dec 2014 – Sep 2024 · 9 yrs 9 mos · The Randstad, Netherlands

• The Foundation Max van der Stoel (FMS) was formed in 2013 by merging the Alfred Mozer Foundation and the Evert Vermeer Foundation. FMS strives for the social democratic value of international solidarity within three areas: democracy, development and dialogue.
• By taking the name of Max van der Stoel (3 August 1924 – 23 April 2011) the foundation links itself to one of the most influential representatives that the Labour Party has known in the area of foreign policy. The Foundation Max van der Stoel is nationally and internationally allied with the social democratic movement.
• “He could never compromise when it came to injustice, nor in his belief in the law, in fairness and in the future of humanity if it could free itself from the chains of injustice and oppression” Minister of Foreign Affairs Frans Timmermans about Max van der Stoel

Sep 2013 – Jan 2015 · 1 yr 4 mos · The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands

• The Platform brings together a network of relevant communities of practice comprising experts, policymakers, practitioners, researchers and the business sector on the topic of security and rule of law in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. It provides for a meeting space - offline as well as online - and intellectual stimulus grounded in practice, for its network to share experiences, exchange lessons learned and discuss novel insights. This way, it strives to contribute to the evidence base of current policies, the effectiveness of collaboration and programming while simultaneously facilitating the generation of new knowledge.

Jun 2007 – Present · 18 yrs 11 mos · Amsterdam | Belgrade | Cairo | Istanbul

• SPARK develops education and entrepreneurship so that young and ambitious people are empowered to lead their post-conflict society into prosperity. We build the capacity of local economic and educational institutions so they can empower their own populations. Main duties: programme development with national and local government officials and local NGO representatives. Designing mission security plans. Liaising with donor organisations and national government officials. Political and programme reporting to donor states and international organisations. Designed and monitored programmes in the Western Balkans and beyond in Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Burundi, Liberia, Libya, Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Yemen, Zimbabwe. More at: www.spark.ngo

Sep 2004 – Sep 2005 · 1 yr

• Dutch Development Think-Tank Evert Vermeer Foundation (EVF). Coordinated a European Policy programme in Amsterdam and Brussels for a leading Netherlands International Development think-tank (Evert Vermeer Foundation, EVF). Mapping of and publishing on European policies that negatively affect developing countries. The programme brought such policies to the attention of relevant policy makers at the European Commission, the European Parliament as well as relevant Netherlands line ministries and members of parliament. Duties: Coordinating research on European policies effecting developing countries, preparing briefing papers, conducting lobby meeting in Brussels and The Hague on the identified policies. Design and implementation al a large freedom of information act campaign on the harmful effects of EU agricultural subsidies for developing countries.

Jan 2002 – Aug 2002 · 7 mos

• Produced study requested and financed by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the Netherlands Chairmanship of the OSCE. Study commissioned by the Clingendael Security and Conflict Programme (CSCP). Responsible for chapter on the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Purpose of the study is to assess the effectiveness of OSCE long-term missions including the mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina. On this basis general conclusions were drawn as to how long-term mission can function and be applied more effectively as instruments of conflict prevention, crisis management or post-conflict rehabilitation.

Mar 2001 – Apr 2001 · 1 mo

• Expert Author of the Chapter on Bosnia and Herzegovina in a book titled: “Searching for Peace in Europe and Eurasia: an overview of conflict prevention and peace building activities”. The conflict surveys provide a brief, concise analysis of the background and the dynamics of a conflict and a future outlook of the conflicts, as well as a regional analysis. Their primary focus is a political analysis of the background and dynamics of conflicts and surveying the activities of key local and international institutions in conflict prevention and peace building activities in these states.

Jan 2001 – Jul 2001 · 6 mos

• Teaching a doctoral course on Balkan Mythology & Nationalism (Comparative Albanian and Serbian Nationalism). Employed by the East-European Institute of the University of Amsterdam.

Dec 2000 – Mar 2001 · 3 mos

• Programme targeting local NGO development, good governance, and conflict resolution in the divided city of Mitrovica, Kosovo. Designing and starting the implementation of a 850.000 euro community building program, financed by HIVOS and NOVIB targeting local NGO development, good governance, support and reform of the educational sector and Conflict Resolution.

Oct 2000 – May 2007 · 6 yrs 7 mos

• Project Development and Supervision, Lobbying, Media Spokesman. Offices in Amsterdam and Pristina. Main ongoing project: Pristina Summer University. For the fourth time on row, during the Summer of 2004, 35 international professors will lecture to a total of 750 participants from Kosovo & the wider SEE region

Jan 1999 – Jan 1999 · 0 mo

Aug 1997 – Apr 1998 · 8 mos

• member of 3 person coordination team of “Move Your World”; independent project group at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Project initiated by, and in direct regular contact with, the Netherlands minister for Development Co-operation, Mr. J.P. Pronk. Responsible for granting financial support to (inter)national projects managed by young professionals, lobbying and writing of policy recommendations. Involved in organisation of public events and discussions in the Netherlands on the future of Dutch international co-operation policy.

Jan 1994 – Jan 2001 · 7 yrs