Secretariat

Abdullah Javed

Operations Officer (Europe & Asia)

abdullah.javed[at]gndr.org

Abdullah Javed has a Master’s degree in Business Administration and has managed office administration, project implementation & coordination, financial management & logistics arrangements for development sector organizations, SMEs, and corporations for over 14 years. Abdullah has previously worked on international donor-funded projects for DFID, USAID, and WHO in the areas of Health, Energy, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Sexual & Reproductive Health Rights. Abdullah currently works at GNDR as the Operations Officer in Asia and Europe.

Adessou Kossivi

Regional Lead (Africa)

adessou.kossivi[at]gndr.org

Kossivi is the current Regional Lead of Africa at Global Network of Civil Society Organisation for Disaster Reduction (GNDR).

He holds a Master Degree in International Environmental Law (IEL) and a bachelor in Literature and critics. He has worked and developed expertise in Climate Change (CC), and Disaster Risk Management (DRM). He has gained expertise in leading and coordinating civil society organisations and networks in Africa.

Kossivi is a strong advocate of shifting power from the international system to community-led capacities, preparedness, and response facilitated by the local organisations.

He has worked in Togo, Mozambique, and Senegal covering climate change Adaptation, Disaster Risk Management, and development topics.

He is the current Co-chair of the Director Board of Climate Action Network-International (CAN-I). He speaks French and English with basic knowledge of Portuguese.

Ajay Singh

Project Officer

ajay.singh[at]gndr.org

Ajay has a Master’s degree in Management from Uttarakhand Technical University. He has an experience of 12 years in the development sector working in different projects which includes Disaster, Skill Development and Livelihood projects. Prior to joining GNDR, Ajay worked with Uttarakhand Government in one of their skill development projects where he enriched his skills on Planning, monitoring, implementation and advocacy. He also worked with the Ministry of Women and Child development, Govt. of India, as a consultant for 2 years. At present, Ajay is working with GNDR as a Project Officer.

Aminata Some

Membership Engagement Coordinator

aminata.some[at]gndr.org

Aminata is our Membership Engagement Coordinator with 9 years of experience working in operational management in cross-cutting sectors around development and related issues. She holds a Master of Science in Management from SupDeco business school in Senegal. She has good experience in private sector organisations and CSO networks. Over the years she has gained knowledge in member engagement, programme and project monitoring in international contexts. Aminata is passionate about working in an innovative space where efforts are brought together to make a positive impact on people’s lives.

Beata Hudakova

Financial Accountant

beata.hudakova[at]gndr.org

Danny Everett

External Communications Coordinator

danny.everett[at]gndr.org

Danny is GNDR’s External Communications Coordinator and is responsible for amplifying the work, impact and voices of the network and our members. After completing his degree in Politics, which focussed on issues of global justice and ethics, he began his career as a fundraiser, working with high net worth individuals, corporate partners and individual donors. He has worked for both large and small humanitarian, development and environmental organisations, as well as academic networks and institutions dedicated to more equitable, sustainable and just societies. 

Ellis Tsang

Trusts and Foundations Coordinator

ellis.tsang[at]gndr.org

Ellis brings over a decade of fundraising experience to the table. After completing his Masters in Global Journalism at the University of Sheffield in 2012, he worked in various fundraising and communications roles, including supporting the work of unpaid carers in the UK at Carers Trust. Since 2020, he has worked on large-scale humanitarian relief and development projects, focusing on fundraising for livelihood, food security and community resilience-building projects across Africa, Asia and Latin America. He brings particular experience working with trusts and foundations, managing grants and pitching new projects. He joined GNDR in 2024.

Outside of work, Ellis enjoys music, photography, hiking, and spending time with his daughter.

Dansam Ouma

Project Coordinator (LEWSAA)

dansam.ouma[at]gndr.org

Dansam holds a Master Degree in Development Studies from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. Dansam is a Project Officer under the Localising Early Warning Systems and Anticipatory Action Through CSOs (LEWSAA) project where he supports project implementation and coordination, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning, donor coordination and advocacy. Prior to joining GNDR, Dansam worked as a Project Assistant at the Institute for Development Studies. Dansam has experience in working with projects related to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, Social Protection, Conflict, Governance and Disaster Risk Reduction.

Felix Martin

Senior Fundraiser

felix.martin[at]gndr.org

Coming from a creative background, Felix decided to join the non-profit sector with the goal of strengthening and supporting communities at risk. His work has covered refugee and asylum seekers in Greece and London, as well as sustainable women’s literacy and micro-financing groups across Sub-Saharan Africa. With experience in individual giving channels such as digital/postal appeals, as well as challenge events with UK and European audiences, he now works to build donor relations, identify new income opportunities, and support the coordination of fundraising applications. He is currently pursuing an MSc in International Development & Social Anthropology alongside his work at GNDR at Birkbeck University in London.

Hepi Rahmawati

Regional Coordinator (South East Asia, Pacific and Europe)

hepi.rahmawati[at]gndr.org

Hepi is the Regional Coordinator for South-East Asia, Pacific and Europe. She has more than 15 years of field and managerial experience in inclusive and accountable humanitarian response; community resilience building through disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation; and localising global agenda with YAKKUM. Hepi also has competencies (SCQF Level 11) in Community Based Psychosocial Support. Before joining GNDR, she was member of GNDR Regional Advisory Group and member of Advocacy and Policy Working Group of ACT Alliance – a global faith-based coalition organised in national and regional forums operating in more than 120 countries.

Ipsita Sircar

Regional Lead (Asia, Pacific & Europe)

ipsita.sircar[at]gndr.org

Jabran Ali

Finance Business Partner

jabran.ali[at]gndr.org

I am responsible for all operational finance duties including management accounts, statutory accounts, grants audit, grants compliances, budgeting, payroll, cash management, banking, reconciliations and dealing with field enquiries and disbursements. I also prepare the monthly preparation of quarterly and annual financial statements, donor reports ensuring compliance with laws, regulations and insurance requirements.

I love working in the international not-for-profit sector and believe that I am making a small yet tangible difference. Furthermore, I enjoy supporting senior Secretariat management including the Executive Director.

Jabran has seven years of international not-for-profit experience including insecure environments such as AFPAK. He also has three years of practice experience specialising in UK income tax. Jabran holds an undergraduate degree in business administration, and an MBA in finance. He speaks fluent Pashto, Urdu and has a working knowledge of Farsi.

Jekulin Lipi

Policy and Research Officer

jekulin.lipi[at]gndr.org

Jekulin Lipi Saikia is GNDR’s Policy and Research Officer.. She has expertise in resilience, stakeholder engagements and policy research. Her interests include risk governance, ecosystem services of wetlands, gender inequity to climate change, community engagement and risk insurance. Jekulin holds a master’s degree in Disaster Management from Tata Institute of Social Sciences and has 5+ years of experience working in disaster risk reduction, and climate actions. She supported drafting policies for climate change and disaster resilience for the Indian government. A few of these policies are the Assam DRR Roadmap 2030, Child-friendly Spaces for Response & Relief and the Climate Change Policy and Investment in the Hindu Kush Himalaya. She has been an advocate for gender equality for rural women and supports climate-resilient agricultural practices. Jekulin is trained in Indian Classical Dance and during her free time she volunteers to work in capacity building of Children and Youth in Disaster Risk Reduction.

João Figueiredo

Regional Lead for the Americas and the Caribbean

joao.figueiredo[at]gndr.org

João Figueiredo is GNDR’s Regional Lead for the Americas and the Caribbean. He brings a unique blend of humanitarian architectural expertise and advanced knowledge in urban development, disaster risk management, and climate change adaptation.

With a degree in Architecture and Urbanism in Brazil and a Master’s in International Cooperation in Urban Development from TU-Darmstadt and UIC, João has effectively led diverse, high-impact projects across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa.

His work focuses on developing resilient infrastructures and communities through innovative, context-specific strategies that engage local stakeholders and promote sustainable development. His leadership is marked by a commitment to empowering communities and fostering collaborative relationships across sectors.

Kathryn McDonagh

Head of Fundraising, Impact and Communications

kathryn.mcdonagh[at]gndr.org

Kathryn is Head of Fundraising, Impact and Communications at GNDR. After completing a masters in Human Rights at LSE, she worked in a variety of fundraising and communications roles in the humanitarian, development and social justice sectors for both national and international organisations. Throughout her career, Kathryn has worked in partnership with philanthropy and institutional donors to deliver transformational projects across the globe. At GNDR, she works collaboratively to drive fundraising, maximise impact and amplify the work of our members. She is also a Trustee for the Coalition of Aid and Development Agencies in Northern Ireland (CADA), with a specific focus on fundraising.

Please get in touch with Kathryn if you would like to explore partnership opportunities or learn more about the work of GNDR and our members!

Koffi Apedjagbo

Project Officer

koffi.apedjagbo[at]gndr.org

Séverin Koffi APEDJAGBO is GNDR’s Project Officer for Africa and West Asia. With 15+ years of experience, he’s passionate about climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and community resilience. Koffi holds two Master’s degrees and previously worked with GIZ in Togo overseeing projects for sustainable resource management and energy use.

Liliam Cuevas Berrio

Project Officer, Latin America and the Caribbean (LLHS)

liliam.cuevas[at]gndr.org

Liliam is from Bogotá, Colombia. She is a professional in International Relations and Political Studies and is pursuing a Masters in International Cooperation for Development: Management and Direction of Projects. She has ten years of experience in development and AID projects. Liliam knows project management, MEAL, and fundraising. She has worked in governmental and non-governmental organizations in different countries in LATAM, especially in projects that claim and promote human rights and human dignity in organizations such as Caritas, the partnership between Equitas and TECHO Colombia, Make-A-Wish Argentina, the Colombian Ministry of Health, and United for Colombia.

Marcos Concepcion Raba

Executive Director

marcos.concepcionraba[at]gndr.org

Marcos is an experienced senior executive with more than 20 years in strategic & tactical planning, organisational building/development, and creating imaginative sustainability initiatives to drive growth and impact in several countries worldwide.

His first job in the non-profit sector was with grassroots organizations in Brazil. There, he witnessed the impact of the exploitation of natural resources and the damage to the environment and its consequences, as well as the violation of human rights in local communities and violence against indigenous people. Throughout his career, he has worked to promote the importance of sustainability in the task of transforming social reality. He has worked in different organizations and projects, focusing on supporting to build local leadership capacity and resilience.

Nick Roberts

Head of Operations

nick.roberts[at]gndr.org

Nick’s is GNDR’s Head of Operations, where he oversees the finance, human resources, administrative support and board liaison functions.

Nick holds a degree in Modern Languages from the University of Exeter and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). Having worked initially in the commercial sector he has worked in the international relief and development sector since 1998, initially as head of finance for disaster management operations at Tearfund, then subsequently as an independent consultant, both in the UK and overseas. He joined the GNDR secretariat in March 2018.

Pauline Madiro

Regional Coordinator of East and Southern Africa

pauline.madiro[at]gndr.org

Pauline Madiro, Regional Coordinator of East and Southern Africa, is a program management specialist with extensive experience in coordinating Civil Society Networks. She has worked with multiple international and national non-governmental organizations, including Kenya Red Cross, World Vision, Amref, Children’s Mission Africa, and UNOPs, in various contexts, including fragile and conflict-prone areas, and urban, rural, and refugee settings. Pauline is a certified First Responder and has responded to multiple disasters in Africa. Currently, she serves as the Conflict Risk Driver Lead at GNDR and is passionate about Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction. Pauline holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Foods Nutrition and Dietetics from Kenyatta University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management from Moi University, and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Public Health from Kenyatta University.

Rebecca Murphy

Policy Lead

rebecca.murphy[at]gndr.org

Becky’s is GNDR’s Policy Lead, here she heads up Policy and Advocacy, Membership Engagement and External Communications for GNDR. Becky has spent over 12 years working as a resilience and disaster risk reduction technical adviser for humanitarian teams including at ActionAid, Christian Aid and CAFOD. Here, Becky has spent significant time working in humanitarian contexts across Africa, Asia, Central America, and the Middle East with a specific focus on community resilience building in protracted crises contexts, the human rights based approach and women’s empowerment for resilience.

Becky has also spent time working for Kings College London’s Centre for Research on Integrate Risk and Resilience, specialising in research on resilience and local leadership in the humanitarian– development – peace nexus. Becky has authored a number of academic journal articles exploring the importance of local leadership for resilience building within this nexus.

Becky is currently co-chair and focal point of the UN DRR Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism (SEM) and within this, the NGO constituency.

Becky holds a master’s degree in International Development, Disasters and Adaptation from King’s College London University. Plus, a First Class BSc degree in Geography for the University of Reading.

Shivangi Chavdaa

Head of Programmes

shivangi.chavda[at]gndr.org

Shivangi Chavdaa, is a driving force in the realm of disaster reduction and climate change adaptation. With over two decades of dedicated experience in the field, Shivangi serves as the Head of Programmes at the Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR). Her journey has been marked by significant contributions to humanitarian efforts worldwide.

At GNDR, Shivangi spearheads programmes, leveraging her expertise to champion evidence-based advocacy, forge strategic partnerships, and mobilise crucial resources both regionally and globally. She is deeply committed to empowering local civil society organisations (CSOs) by enhancing their technical capacities, believing strongly in the power of localisation and risk-informed development.

As a global risk driver lead on Food & Water Insecurity at GNDR, Shivangi brings unparalleled insights and leadership to the forefront of critical issues. Her academic background is equally impressive, holding a Masters Degree in Project Management from the Conservatoire National Des Arts et Métiers in Paris, coupled with studies in Banking, Industry, and Finance from prestigious Chambers of Commerce in India.

Shivangi Chavdaa embodies a passionate dedication to creating positive change, driving forward the mission of GNDR, and leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of disaster reduction and climate change adaptation.

Valeria Polazzi

HR Adviser

valeria.polazzi[at]gndr.org 

Valeria is the Human Resources Advisor at GNDR. She is a dedicated HR generalist with over five years’ experience in the field.  She is a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) associate member with a qualification gained in Human Resources Management. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in political sciences with a focus on international development issues.  She has worked in a variety of roles across different countries, particularly in education and non-profit. She developed a true HR generalist background in the UK, working predominantly for non-profit organisations whose values closely align to her own, including Greenpeace UK. She is an advocate of the importance of progressive and employee-centric HR in shaping forward-thinking, resilient, inclusive and thriving working environments.