Senior Management
Lars Peter Nissen, Geneva
Director
Lars Peter Nissen has been Director of ACAPS since 2009. Experienced in response to both sudden-onset disasters and more protracted crises, he has for the past 20 years worked in numerous crisis across the world, including Myanmar, Pakistan, El Salvador, Turkey, Uganda, Angola, Mozambique, DPRK, Afghanistan, and Zimbabwe. He has conducted a range of reviews and analyses of humanitarian programmes for NGOs, the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Nathalie Herlemont-Zoritchak, Geneva
Head of Programme
Nathalie joined ACAPS in February 2019 as Head of Programme. Previously she has been working with Handicap International for 17 years, heading HI entity dedicated to analysis of ethical and political issues, and support to field programmes and HI decision-making processes. Experienced in analysis and ethical dilemmas related to humanitarian operations, she made regular field visits to Albania, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Kenya, Mozambique, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Ivory Coast, DRC, Lebanon/Jordan, Iraq, Syria amongst others. Holder of a PhD in Political Science, she is also a senior lecturer at Geneva University/CERAH (Center for Education and Research in Humanitarian Action) and teaches on dynamics of actors in humanitarian settings.
Caroline Draveny, Geneva
Head of Support
Caroline’s experience in the humanitarian sector includes both United Nations and NGO positions. She has worked as Communications Officer for the World Food Programme in Geneva and for Human Rights Watch in Brussels. She also gained experience as a Public Information Officer for UNOCHA in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Geneva. Caroline joined the ACAPS team in mid-March 2010 as Head of Communications.
Ana Escaso Moreno, Geneva
Communications Manager
Ana joined ACAPS team in January 2017. She holds a MA in Journalism and Media within Globalisation through the EU’s Erasmus Mundus scheme, with a specialism in Financial Journalism from the City University London. She worked for several broadcasting and news outlets in Spain, Denmark, and London. She also conducted a traineeship in Communications at the European Parliament, and at the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) in Geneva.
Angeliki Nika, Geneva
Head of Data Analytics
Angeliki is currently the Head of Data Analytics and leads the Global Analysis Hub. She previously worked at ACAPS as an Information Analyst from October 2015 to October 2016 focusing on Nigeria and Somalia. She was involved in the ACAPS Caribbean response to 'Hurricane Irma and Maria project', and was deployed to Dominica in December 2017. Before then, she worked with local human rights organisations and IOM on the mixed migration response in Greece and Malta. Between October 2016 and October 2017, she also worked as a policy and advocacy officer with Oxfam in Greece. She holds a Bachelor's in International and European Studies and a Master's Degree in Public International Law and Human Rights.
Analysis
Amal Ali, Global Analysis Hub
Information Analyst
Amal joined ACAPS as Information Analyst in April 2021 in Amman. She holds an M.A degree in English Literature and Criticism from Yarmouk University. Prior to joining ACAPS, she worked for the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in providing legal information for Syrian refugees.
Covering North Africa and Europe.
Covering North Africa and Europe.
Uliana Alnawajah, Ukraine Analysis Hub
Information Analyst
Uliana joined ACAPS as an Information Analyst in April 2021. She holds an MA in International Relations, Conflict and Security from Northumbria University at Newcastle, UK. Prior to joining ACAPS she had several roles with local and international organisations focusing mainly on the Syrian Crisis.
Marwa Alsubeih, Data Service Unit
Data Collection Coordinator
Marwa joined ACAPS as Information Analyst in December 2020. She holds a M.Sc. in Food Security from the University of Warwick, as well as M.Sc. in Public Health and B.Sc. in Nutrition, both from the University of Jordan. Prior to joining ACAPS, she worked with local and international NGOs in the programme department. Her work focus was on implementing different health, nutrition, and food security projects.
Damiano Bacci, Data Service Unit
Data journalist
Damiano joined ACAPS in October 2022. Before joining ACAPS he worked as a data journalist for a variety of brands, companies and media publications, producing data-driven articles, long-form content and motion graphics videos. He holds a BA in Literature and Music and a MA in Media, Communication and Journalism.
Reynell Badillo, Rapid Analysis Team
Information Analyst
Reynell joined ACAPS in April 2020. He holds a BA in International Relations from the Universidad del Norte (Barranquilla, Colombia) and a MSc in International Studies from the Universidad de los Andes (Bogotá, Colombia). Prior to joining ACAPS, he worked at the UN Caribe Think Tank at the Universidad del Norte and as a graduate assistant at the Universidad de los Andes. His academic research is focused on transnational organised crime in Latin America, Colombian armed conflict and drug trafficking. He is also a member of the network of experts of La Silla Vacía, a Colombian news website.
Vanessa Cardamone
Climate Change Expert
Vanessa joined ACAPS in December 2022. She holds a BA in Political Sciences, and a Master’s degree in Development and Environmental Economics, with a specialization in urban vulnerability. Prior to joining ACAPS, she worked with WFP on climate change analysis, policy, and disaster risk management in Ethiopia, in Lao PDR at the HQ level. She also worked with several local and international NGOs, for which she has led emergency response interventions, disaster risk reduction and climate change - adaptation programs, and emergency preparedness strategies in Lebanon, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Kenya.
Rolf Martin Bakken, Ukraine Analysis Hub
Senior Analyst
Rolf has more than 15 years of experience with disaster management and humanitarian assistance, in particular with emergency response, needs analysis, and coordination of disaster operations. He works extensively with evaluations, methodology development, and training-design focusing on participatory learning methods and action-based learning. He has worked for OCHA/UNDAC in both complex emergencies and emergency responses to sudden onset disasters. Rolf worked for ACAPS as an assessment expert on the Syria Needs Analysis Project in 2013-14, and in subsequent years as a senior analyst on the response to Cyclone Idai in Mozambique 2019 and the Beirut Port Explosion in 2020. He has held the position of the ACAPS Training Coordinator for several years and has been involved in the development of the HAP curriculum since the inception of the programme.
Laurène Deglaire
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Laurène joined ACAPS in June 2020 as a Content Editor and Quality Advisor. She holds a Master degree in International Humanitarian Law from Aix-Marseille University. Prior to joining ACAPS, she spent several years working for international originations in DRC, South Sudan, Haiti, and Guinea. She worked as a Program Manager at the Emergency Response Division of Handicap International (HI), and as a Program Analyst at the HI Institute on Humanitarian Action. She provided advise on policy, principled action, and ethical issues. She regularly visited HI programs in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Afghanistan, and the Central African Republic to help dealing with positioning and humanitarian dilemmas.
Mamadou Abasse Diop, Global Analysis Hub
Information Analyst
Abasse joined ACAPS in April 2021. He holds a PhD in Sociology from Gaston Berger University in Senegal. He is a specialist in social protection and precarious employment. Prior to joining ACAPS, he worked as head of the research department of Futur Au Present International, an NGO based in Ziguinchor, in the south of Senegal.
Covering West and Central Africa.
Covering West and Central Africa.
Mohannad Farasin, Global Analysis HUb
Information Analyst
Mohannad joined ACAPS as an Information Analyst in October 2022. Before joining ACAPS, he worked for the NRC in the Livelihoods and Cash Transfer sectors. Previously, Mohannad worked as a Research Consultant for the UNDP in Jordan and as an Engineering Analyst in the private sector in the United States. Mohannad has a BA in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University and a MA in International Affairs from Columbia University with a concentration in Economic and Political Development.
Covering Middle East and Europe.
Covering Middle East and Europe.
Francesca Giovinazzo, Global Analysis Hub
Team Leader
Francesca joined ACAPS in September 2017. Since then, she has worked as information analyst in Geneva and with the Yemen Analysis Hub in Amman, and was deployed to South Sudan and Afghanistan. She is currently responsible for the implementation of the CrisisInSight portfolio. Before joining ACAPS she worked for electoral support projects in the MENA region and as a trainee for the Democracy and Electoral Observation Division of the European External Action Service. She holds a BA in North Africa and Middle Eastern Studies and a MA in Political Science.
Sumaia Islam, Rapid Analysis Team
Information Analyst
Sumaia Islam joined the ACAPS Global Analysis in January 2023. Prior to that, she was part of the ACAPS Cox's Bazar Analysis Hub. Before joining ACAPS, she worked as an Information Management Officer with ActionAid Bangladesh. She has pursued her master's in Urban Management and Development from the Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), Netherlands. Previously, she did Bachelor’s and Master’s in Geography and Environmental Studies. She also worked for the Refugee and Migratory Movement Research Unit (RMMRU) as Field Research Assistant. In 2021, she joined the humanitarian sector.
Danielle Johnson, Ukraine Analysis Hub
Senior Analyst
Danielle joined ACAPS Ukraine Analysis Hub as a Senior Analyst in October 2022. She holds an M.Phil and D.Phil in Politics from the University of Oxford, where she was a Clarendon Scholar. Prior to joining ACAPS, she worked for several human rights organisations and gained extensive field experience in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
Helene Lafferty Smith, Rapid Analysis Team
Rapid Response Project Manager
Helene worked with ACAPS between 2011 and 2017, and re-joined the organization in 2020. She has a Master of Business and Economics from BI Norwegian School of Management with a specialization in logistics and supply chain management, and a Master of Science in Sustainable Development from the University of Utrecht. Helene was based in East Africa for 7 years where she worked with UNISDR, UNOCHA and on a renewable energy initiative for USAID. Most recently, before re-joining ACAPS, Helene was the Head Administrator of the Waldorf School of Garden City.
Paola Latorre, Global Analysis Hub
Information Analyst
Paola joined ACAPS in September 2021. She holds a BA in Law and Philosophy and an MSc in International Law from the Universidad de los Andes (Bogotá, Colombia) and Education from the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional (Bogotá, Colombia). Prior to joining ACAPS, she worked as a trial lawyer, as researcher at the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional and as a graduate assistant at the Universidad de los Andes. Her academic research focuses on food security and sovereignty in Latin America, the Colombian armed conflict and peace education.
Covering Latin America and the Caribbean.
Covering Latin America and the Caribbean.
Pauline Machogu, Global Analysis Hub
Information Analyst
Pauline joined ACAPS as an Information Analyst in May 2021. She holds a BSc in Mathematics from the University of Southampton and an MSc in Finance and Investments from Aston University. Prior to joining ACAPS, she worked in both the private and public sector in Kenya.
Covering Central and Eastern Africa.
Covering Central and Eastern Africa.
Fred Maduma, Global Analysis Hub
Information Analyst
Fred joined ACAPS in March 2022 as a Data Collector to monitor the humanitarian situation in East Africa. He then moved to the position of Information Analyst in August 2022. He holds a BSc in Economics and Statistics from the University of Nairobi and a certificate in Data Analysis from Dalworth Statistical and Research Training Centre. Prior to joining ACAPS, he worked for both government institutions, such as the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, and the private sector.
Covering Eastern and Southern Africa.
Covering Eastern and Southern Africa.
Lamiya Mahpara Ahmed, Rapid Analysis Team
Senior Analyst
Lamiya joined ACAPS as Information Analyst in June 2020. Prior to joining ACAPS, she worked on rapid analysis as Information Analyst for Start Fund Bangladesh in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She has also gained experience as a research assistant for the University of Bath Department of Social and Policy Sciences, focussing on extreme poverty in Bangladesh and policy analysis. She holds a M.Sc in International Development from University of Bath.
Claudia Manili, Data Service Unit
Team Leader
Claudia joined ACAPS in October 2017 in Geneva, and was deployed in Papua New Guinea, Mozambique and Bangladesh. She holds a Master’s of International Relations (Milan), a Master’s in International Humanitarian Action (Groningen / Aix-Marseille), and recently she specialised in Data Science (Milan). In the past she worked in project management and research and she gained field experience in several countries, such as Tanzania, Greece, Iraq and Ethiopia.
Mahir Musleh, Global Analysis Hub
Information Analyst
Mahir joined ACAPS in March 2022 as an Information Analyst. He holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Economics from the University of Dhaka and McGill University, respectively. Prior to joining ACAPS, he worked at two Bangladesh-based think tanks.
Covering South East Asia.
Covering South East Asia.
Claudia Ortega Muga, Ukraine Analysis Hub
Information Analyst
Claudia joined the ACAPS analysis team in November 2019. She holds an MBA in International Business Administration and Multilateral Financial Institutions from the Foreign Trade Institute of Spain (ICEX), and a B.A. in International Relations from Complutense University of Madrid. Prior to joining ACAPS, she worked at the Emergency Response Section of UN OCHA in Geneva and the Embassy of Spain in New Delhi. She has also acquired experience in the private sector working for different companies as an economic and political analyst.
Orest Polishchuk, Ukraine Analysis Hub
Data Analyst
Orest joined ACAPS in November 2022. He holds a Master's Degree in Applied mathematics from Kiyv Nationial University. Prior to joining, he worked as a Data Analyst in one of the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) services providers in Ukraine.
Chiara Rizzi, Data Service Team
Data Scientist
Chiara joined ACAPS in February 2022. She has a background in physics and data analytics. After an MSc in physics at the University of Milan, she started working at CERN and obtained a PhD from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. She was a member of the ATLAS and FASER collaborations, where she focused on the analysis of the experimental data to search for new particles, using advanced statistical techniques.
Laura Lucia Rodriguez Peña, Rapid Analysis Team
Information Analyst
Laura Lucía holds an MA in Migration Studies from University of Sussex in the United Kingdom and a BA in International Relations from Pontifical Xaverian University (Pontificia Universidad Javeriana) in Colombia. She has worked with the Jesuit Refugee Service, the Museum for the United Nations and on peacebuilding projects with the research centre CINEP in Colombia. Her experience and academic focus is on migration and internal displacement flows due to conflict, and peacebuilding in Colombia.
Abim Sharpe, Ukraine Analysis Hub
Information Analyst
Abim joined ACAPS in May 2020. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Drexel University and a M.A. in Political Science with a focus on globalization from the University of Lausanne. He previously worked as an intern at the Bureau de l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes (BEFH), a government office in charge of promoting gender equality in Canton Vaud, Switzerland.
Diogo Simão Lemos
Anticipatory Analyst
Diogo joined ACAPS in November 2022 as Anticipatory Analyst. He is a medical doctor and holds a Master's in Global Health. He has international experience in emergency preparedness and response, specifically in climate resilience and drought with Action Aid in Kenya, and in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the WHO Regional Office for Europe's Surveillance and Epidemiology Pillar. He was also a Research Fellow at the University of Ottawa and an intern with WHO Europe's Sustainable Development and Health Team. His interests include humanitarianism, governance and policymaking, climate change, peacebuilding, global affairs, complex systems thinking, future thinking, and innovation.
Laura Spray
Analysis Coordinator
Laura joined the ACAPS analysis team in August 2019. She holds an MSc in Environmental Risks and Human Security, a joint degree from the United Nations University and the University of Bonn. She has work experience in emergency response and preparedness at both the international level–through UN OCHA in Geneva–and at a local level, working for a West London Borough’s emergency management department. She was also a research assistant for the German Development Institute, focused on topics such as global climate action and policy. Prior to her relevant work experience, she gained a Bachelor of Environmental Studies degree from the University of Waterloo in Canada.
Sajnin Tasnim, Global Analysis Hub
Information Analyst
Sajnin joined the ACAPS Global Analysis Hub as an Information Analyst in January 2023. Prior to that, she was part of the ACAPS Cox’s Bazar Analysis Hub. Before joining ACAPS, Sajnin worked with REACH Initiatives’ Bangladesh mission as a Senior GIS Officer. She holds a Bachelor’s in Urban and Regional Planning (URP).
Thulani Tshabalala, Data Service Unit
GIS Expert
Thulani joined ACAPS in September 2022 as a GIS Expert. Thulani has vast private and public sector experience in Southern and Western Africa. Prior to joining ACAPS, he worked as a GIS Officer for a global humanitarian NGO with particular focus on Senegal and Nigeria. His primary background is in nature conservation, and data analytics. He participated in several initiatives in South Africa which focused on the protection of leopards, antelopes, buffalo and several plant species. He is a formally certified professional natural scientist, with a PhD degree in Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing. Furthermore, Thulani is a review editor for the Frontiers in Remote Sensing Journal.
Sandie Walton-Ellery
Senior Analysis Advisor
Sandie has been working consistently on needs assessments since 2007 and she has been a remote part of the ACAPS team since its inception. She spent 12 years living in South Asia and she he has been deployed for ACAPS to: lead real time assessments and analysis, work on training and capacity building, and facilitate assessment preparedness in places including Eastern Ukraine, Nepal, Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh (a country she retains a strong interest in). Sandie is particularly keen on how to give voice to affected people themselves and how to better value local knowledge on disaster events.
Ewa Wieliczko, Ukraine Analysis Hub
Team Leader
Ewa joined ACAPS as an Information Analyst in September 2017. She currently holds a Senior Analyst position in the CrisisInSight team in Amman. Before joining ACAPS, she worked for NGOs and grassroot movements in Poland focusing on women rights and gender issues. She holds a Master’s degree in Law with a specialisation in Fundamental Rights and Liberties.
Communications
Danielle Ayo, Vienna
Communications Officer
Danielle joined the ACAPS Communications team in August 2020. She holds a BA in International Relations and Film & TV from the Nottingham Trent University. Previously, she worked in the Public Information section of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, and supported annual conferences of the Essl Foundation. Through her passion of combining design, communication and international relations, Danielle has worked closely with the Philippine Embassy, PACES, and led multiple campaigns focused on the youth sections of MFC across Europe.
Alice Fogliata Cresswell, London
Language Editor
Alice joined ACAPS in April 2021 as a Language Editor. She holds a BA in Languages and Communication from Italy, a MSc in Development Studies from the UK, an MBA from Spain, and a Certificate in Nonprofit Marketing and Fundraising from the USA. With over 10 years of experience, Alice is specialised in communications for the international development sector. She has worked with several international organisations, INGOs, NGOs and project teams to help them devise and refine their communications strategies, improve their online presence, establish editorial calendars, and produce high-quality reports and publications.
Rocio Madero Cadarso, Geneva
Communications Officer
Rocio joined ACAPS in March 2020. She holds a BA in Journalism and a MA in Communication of Armed Conflicts, Peace and Social Movements. She has participated in the Inter-University Programme on the Mediterranean and Arab World by the European Institute of the Mediterranean in Barcelona. Prior to joining ACAPS, she worked as a journalist for the Spanish news media, where she developed a professional career on the International/Latin American desk. She also collaborated in the Communication Department of several INGOs, including Defence for Children International in Geneva.
Antoine Marinot, London
Graphic Designer
Antoine joined ACAPS in October 2020 as Graphic Designer. He holds a BA in Graphic Design and Visual Communication, and a Masters degree in Digital Creation and Publishing from Paris 8 University. He has worked for several agencies in Paris before going freelance, with clients ranging from big brands to small independent businesses. He is particularly interested in branding, webdesign and all printed material.
Sharize Odongo, Nairobi
Communications Assistant
Sharize joined ACAPS in October 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations (Hons) from the United States International University-Africa and is currently doing her Master’s in Environmental Policy at the University of Nairobi. Previously she has worked at the African Wildlife Foundation, United Nations Environment Program, African Union-Office of the Youth Envoy, Royal Media Services-Citizen Tv and AIESEC Morocco as a Communications and Programs Professional. She also has several certifications including Commonwealth Open-Source Leader, Certified Mobile App Developer and a British Council Future Leaders Connect 2019 Finalist.
Humanitarian Analysis Programme
Ali Arbia, Geneva
Training Unit Coordinator
Ali joined ACAPS in March 2020 as Senior Analyst for the Rapid Analysis Team. Previously he worked for over ten years as researcher and trainer, covering issues ranging from armed violence to arms trafficking and international trade. He did field research in several African countries including Tunisia, Madagascar, Mali, and Mauritania. He holds a PhD in International Relations (Political Science) from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, and was a Post Doctoral researcher at the Otto Suhr Institute of Political Science at the Freie Universität Berlin.
Eirini Karanisa, Geneva
Training Project Officer
Eirini Karanisa joined ACAPS in early November 2019. She has an education background both for children and adults. She holds a Master from the University of Geneva in Teaching and Learning Technologies. She has worked for various organizations as a pedagogical engineer where she applied her skills related to adult education. Most recently, she has worked at ICRC as assistant for the revision of the Health Emergencies in Large Populations (HELP) course.
Support
Mercy Akatujuna, Geneva
Finance and accounting officer
Mercy joined ACAPS in June 2020. She is a UK chartered accountant and holds a BSc in Land Surveying from Makerere University Kampala. Her professional journey started at Ernst & Young in Kampala where she trained as an auditor and performed engagements at state parastatals and not for profit organisations. Mercy was responsible for Treasury at Lafarge’s Ugandan subsidiary, Hima Cement. Prior to ACAPS, she was part of the consulting team at Rocque Advisory Sàrl, a Geneva-based public finance consulting firm.
Fatiha Fares, Geneva
HR Technical Officer
Fatiha joined ACAPS in 2015. Fatiha had worked as Project Development staff for USAID and assumed roles in Trade Finance for international organisations in Switzerland. Fatiha developed into the Human resources area over the past years and is currently assuming the Human Resources Officer role.
Tiu Giltsoff, Geneva
Administration Assistant
Tiu joined ACAPS as an Administration Assistant in July 2022 at 50%. She holds a Maturité Professionnelle Bilingual English diploma. She combines her work at ACAPS with the Haute Ecole de Gestion (HEG) in the International Business Management sector as a part-time student.
Alice Grobler, Oslo
Fundraising & Grants Coordinator
Alice joined ACAPS in April 2021. She has an transdisciplinary academic background in international development, global health, and climate change, holding master’s degrees from both University College London and the University of Cape Town. Prior to joining ACAPS, Alice spent eight years working with international development and humanitarian organisations in project management, grants coordination, research, and technical capacity support roles. She has gained field experience in several countries across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Anna Kubat, Geneva
Procurement & Admin Officer
Anna teamed up ACAPS Support unit in November 2019. Her educational background is related to the Applied Linguistics and French Studies. Her professional path led her to the humanitaria sector in early 2019 when she joined the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) office in Geneva as an administrative assistant.
Erik Laaken, Geneva
Human Resources Advisor
Erik joined ACAPS in October 2022, after seven years as a Human Resources Manager in the private sector. Prior to that Erik worked in environmental policy and advocacy. He holds a MA in Human Resources Management and a MAS in Environmental Policy. He is also a Senior Certified Professional with the Society for Human Resource Management.
Shaikha Mansour, Amman
Finance Coordinator
Shaikha joined ACAPS in 2022. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from the University of Jordan and is a certified CMA. She has more than five years of experience in INGOs, including IRC and NRC. Prior to ACAPS, she worked at the NRC Syria Response Office.
Maria Marques Nogueira, Oslo
Finance Advisor (maternity leave)
Maria joined ACAPS in June 2019. She has over eight years of experience in finance and economics. Prior to joining ACAPS, she worked for several private companies in Brazil. She has also been part of the Budget Team of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee.
Nour Shamseldin, Geneva
Executive Officer
Nour joined ACAPS as an Executive Officer in June 2022. She holds a master’s degree in International Relations from Leiden University, and B.Sc. in Political Science from Cairo University. Previously, she worked as a humanitarian analyst with ACAPS, Data Friendly Space and iMMAP. Nour also gained experience in Lebanon where she worked as a research assistant in Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, Foreign Policy Magazine and the Financial Times.