Project Experience

Urban Specialist (Retailer), Cities Alliance / United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). Remote/Home-Based Position

Expert consulting services on a retainer basis for Cities Alliance, a global partnership hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) that works to support cities in achieving sustainable development. Support multiple areas of the organization’s work, including programme design, project management, business development, technical programme implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. My specific areas of expertise include strategic urban planning, housing and slum upgrading, sustainable urbanization, local economic development, and participatory governance.

Technical Specialist, Urban Planning, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). Urban Practices Branch, Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme.

Individual contractor contributing to research and writing for UN-Habitat’s flagship publication, “Solutions to Slums: Global Report on Human Settlements 2020.” The report will highlight current efforts and best practices for upgrading and improving slums and informal settlements in urban areas worldwide. It is intended to provide direction to municipal and national governments as well as other key development stakeholders to fulfill their commitment to reducing urban poverty, inequality, and substandard housing conditions.

Senior Analyst, Urban Planning, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) - Greater Banjul Area Sustainable Urban Development Programme 2020-40. Banjul, The Gambia.

Individual contractor to UNOPS supporting the development of a comprehensive urban plan for the Greater Banjul Area (GBA), capital city region of The Gambia. Working with a team of UNOPS staff, Gambian government officials, and international consultants to analyze and synthesize background research, data, stakeholder input, and other expertise. The end result of this effort will be a simple yet thorough and interdisciplinary strategy to guide land use, urban development, and investment in the GBA over the next 20 years, with the goal of improving the region’s resilience, economic vitality, social well-being, and environmental sustainability. The project is part of the larger GBA Sustainable Urban Development Programme 2020-40, funded by the African Development Bank and implemented by UNOPS and the Government of The Gambia.

Urban Policy Consultant - Community Plan Implementation. Medellín, Colombia.

Independent consultant to U.S.-based NGO Ecocity Builders. Advised the organization on how to implement its grassroots neighborhood plan for Moravia, an informal community in central Medellín, in a manner consistent with the City’s adopted area plan for Moravia and other municipal guidelines and regulations.  Reviewed and analyzed the Plan Parcial de Moravia and other City policy documents; consulted with the City of Medellín’s Planning Department, community leaders and other local experts; and developed an implementation framework for Ecocity Builders’ Moravia neighborhood plan with a focus on sustainability principles.

Ecocity Builders - Urbinsight: Geospatial Mapping and Education for Sustainability in Latin American Cities

Developed and launched implementation of a community-based planning and mapping initiative aimed at improving governance and sustainability at the neighborhood level in Lima and Cuzco, Peru and Medellín, Colombia.  Developed partnerships with government agencies, academic institutions, and community organizations in partner cities. Created educational curriculum to train neighborhood residents in research and data collection methods.

Fundación Biósfera - Local Climate Action Plan. La Plata, Argentina

Developed and managed program to promote actions and strategies for greenhouse gas emissions reduction at the municipal level. Carried out inventory of local greenhouse gas emissions in collaboration with public and private institutions. Wrote curriculum for community education aimed at raising local awareness about climate change, Planned, organized, and facilitated a participatory community workshop on climate change, its local implications, and potential local solutions.

See also the “Grant Writing & Grant Management” Projects page for information about my grant writing initiatives to support sustainable urban development in communities in the global south.