Development Project

Holly Alexandra Ritchie

Parrots Perch, Orchard Lane, Itchenor, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 7AD, U.K.

Tel: Kabul: +93-799-***-***, UK: +44-790-*******,

E-mail: *************@*****.**.**

Date of Birth: 5 September 1976 Nationality: British Citizen

Highly motivated and committed development practioner with a passion for innovative pro

poor market

development. Background in International Development (MA) and Finance (investment

banking). Experience

in Afghanistan (5.5 years), as well as South America and the Middle East. Strong skills

in project design /

management, proposal formulation, research, evaluations, and market development (value

chain analysis).

Working as a development consultant (2.5 years) in Afghanistan / broader region focusing

on livelihoods, and

pro-poor market development, alongside enterprise-oriented PHD research ( 09- 12)

(Afghanistan / Hague).

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

UN FAO (Kabul, Herat and Badakhshan, AFGHANISTAN) Oct Nov 2009

Market / Value Chain Consultant

Market Assessment of 6 Priority Medicinal / Wild Plants (liquorice, asafoetida, rhubarb,

cherry, blackcurrant,

mushroom)

Carried out an assessment of community-level trade relationships to understand current

marketing

practices for each of the priority species, and make recommendations on improved

practices that are

relevant to the capacity of these communities (in consultation with the Herbal Processing

Specialist and

the Biodiversity Expert)

Visited main trade centres in Afghanistan (Herat, Faizabad, Kabul) to assess the

marketing

characteristics of each of the priority species / consulted with traders, wholesalers,

retailers, exporters

Met key institutional stakeholders including representatives of: the Chambers of

Commerce/Afghan

Export Promotion Agency, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Ministry of Finance, Afghan

Customs

and Excise Department, and assessed constraints and opportunities (SWOT analysis) for the

marketing

of the priority species and development of the subsectors to meet the needs of

national/regional/international markets, and the documentation, labelling, packaging &

legal

requirements for the export of each species

SOLIDARITE AFG. (Bamyan, Kabul, AFGHANISTAN) Aug - Oct 2009

Marketing and Business Development Consultant (for Apricot Farmer Associations)

(1) Office market training

Conducted Producer Organisation / Marketing 2 day Workshop / Planning

(2) Association development (Khamard + Saighan districts)

Developed and facilitated Rapid Association Review worksheet / guidelines

Developed and facilitated Preliminary Association 2 day Market Training

(Key marketing considerations, standards, protocols and branding)

Conducted Collaborative Preliminary Market Planning with farmers / 1 day workshop

Drew up recommendations, compiled strategic marketing / business plan and future

training plan

(3) Market assessment business development

Reviewed dried fruits market (Kabul, Herat and Bamiyan) for business development

Held core business prospecting meetings

Designed market strategy

ZOA Afghanistan (Kabul, Jawzjan and Saripul, AFGHANISTAN) July - Aug 2009Evaluation Consultant

(1) ECHO Evaluation: Conducted an external evaluation for ZOA s ECHO livelihood / relief

project: Integrated

Rehabilitation Assistance for Returnees and Their Rural Host Communities in Jawzjan

Province (Mardyan, district) July

2008 July 2009 (12 months, 555,452 Euros).

(2) ZOA Strategy review: Conducted a country-level review of ZOA s portfolio of

humanitarian / livelihoods

programmes in Afghanistan (2009 / 3.6 mill Euros) for their global review of their Signs

of Hope strategy.

Comprehensive review comprising 34 discussions / interviews / focus groups with

beneficiaries, governors,

NGOs, donors and staff with final Kabul workshop. Report submitted to ZOA HQ in Holland.

Holly A Ritchie CV 2009

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UN FAO (Kabul, Herat and Badakhshan, AFGHANISTAN) April June 2009

Advancing Cooperatives Consultant: Food processing, Producer Groups and Women s

Cooperatives

(1) Food Processing Producer Groups: Facilitated Reviewing Lessons Learnt Workshop in

FAO Food Processing

Projects in Afghanistan with FAO partners (with focus on market linkages), assessed

field activities / scope of

processing groups of FAO partners, and developed strategy / operational plan for FAO to

support food

processing projects going forward.

(2) Monitoring and evaluation: Revised FAO monitoring and evaluation systems for food

processing projects.

(3) Women s cooperatives: Assessed field-level status of cooperatives of Ministry of

Agriculture and Home

Economics dept in 3 provinces, facilitated workshop with nation-wide MAIL HE staff in

understanding and

strategising working with cooperatives, and developed strategy / operational plan for

MAIL HE to support

cooperatives going forward.

TEARFUND (Jawzjan, AFGHANISTAN) Feb 2009Evaluation Consultant

Conducted an external evaluation of two of Tearfund s ECHO livelihood/ food security

programmes in

Jawzjan: Urgent humanitarian support to vulnerable population groups in most food

insecure regions of Afghanistan (5

months, 363, 000 Euros); and Livelihood/Food Security Recovery Programme (14 months,

287,000 Euros).

SOLIDARITE AFG. (Bamyan, AFGHANISTAN, PAKISTAN) Oct 2008-Jan 2009Value Chain Consultant

Conducted comprehensive value chain research in the potato subsector spanning producers

through to final

markets in Afghanistan and Pakistan, alongside an agricultural expert for a joint

Ministry of Agriculture

publication: The White Gold of Bamyan: A comprehensive examination of the Bamyan potato

value chain from

production to consumption (Holly Ritchie and Anthony Fitzherbert).

PEOPLE IN NEED (PIN) (Balkh, AFGHANISTAN) Sept-Oct 2008Market Research Consultant

Facilitated Rapid Market Research in three districts in Balkh using consultant-own

developed toolkit under

FAO (see below) and expanded to include a Non-Agri-Products Supplement. Trained staff

to collect data and

facilitated joint analysis. Compiled a comprehensive final report Rapid Market Research

Balkh: Zare, Shortepa

and Kaldar districts with practical recommendations for livelihoods market oriented

programme design.

PEACE DIVIDEND TRUST (PDT) (Kabul, AFGHANISTAN) Aug 2008; Jan-Feb 2009, April 2009Evaluation Consultant

Consultancy I Audit of PDT Tender Distribution Point (TDP) service provided by PDT, a

Canadian meso-level

business focused NGO. The TDP aims to strengthen local participation in private sector

development through

access to tenders / advice.

Consultancy II (1) Review of Audit of Tender Distribution Point (TDP), and revised

strategy / tools

(2) Audit of PDT Capacity Development Service, and strategy / tool development for

training and outreach to

Afghan businesses for strengthening capacity in procurement and business.

UN FAO (Kabul and Badakhshan, AFGHANISTAN) May 2008June 08Market Linkage Consultant

(1) Producer Organisations (POs): Conducted workshops and seminars with Afghan Ministry

of Agriculture

staff, and NGOs on producer organisations and strategies for support / development.

Provided

recommendations on national-level strategies for working with cooperatives and producer

groups.

(2) Rapid Market Assessment: Designed a comprehensive toolkit: Rapid Market Assessment

Toolkit for Fruit,

Vegetables and Food Processing Products for NGO partners, and provided intensive training

for NGO staff.

HAND in HAND (HIHAO) (Kabul and Balkh, AFGHANISTAN) April 2008 (ongoing)

Consultant

Ongoing ad-hoc monthly support to rural enterprise development focused NGO (micro and SME

level) and

micro finance activities (Savings and Credit Groups): proposals, work-plans, monitoring

and evaluation

systems, and workshops. Conducted a comprehensive external programme evaluation in March

2009: Mass

Mobilisation into Entrepreneurship - HIHAO Mid Term External Progress Review And Lessons

Learnt Report .

Holly A Ritchie CV 2009

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AFGHANAID, HIH & KAWEYAN BDS (Kabul / Balkh, AFGHANISTAN) Aug 2007March 08

Team Leader / Consultant (lead in market development / value chains)

A short-term project for the Afghanistan Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

(MRRD)

focusing on the North / North East of Afghanistan: Sub sector Analysis and Business Plan

Development / North

Region, Afghanistan (MRRD). The project researched 3 priority subsectors in the

designated region (carpets /

wool, almonds and melons), conducted extensive market research / value chain analysis in

six districts for a

comprehensive subsector report, and formulated appropriate SME business plans for the

subsectors in Balkh

including establishment of factories for post harvest activities and upgrading of carpet

cutting / finishing

units.

AFGHANAID (Kabul, Samangan, Ghor, Badakhshan, AFGHANISTAN) July 2007Aug 2007Team Leader / Value Chain Consultant

Value Chain Analysis: Conducted value chain training for staff, and carried out /

supervised research into

almond, apricot and apple value chains across Ghor, Badakhshan and Samangan provinces in

Afghanistan.

Compiled comprehensive final report and proposed key recommendations for (consultant-

designed) EC project:

Accelerating Horticultural Markets in the North and West of Afghanistan through Working

with Smallholder Farmers .

1

AFGHANAID (Kabul-based with travel, AFGHANISTAN) June 2004July 2007

External Relations and Research DirectorDec 2005 - July 2007

Funding StrategistJune 2004 - Dec 2005

Diverse responsibilities included (with capacity building of staff cross-cutting

throughout):

(1) Funding, programme design and contract management: Developed organisational funding

strategy with

Managing Director. Designed and developed proposals / concept notes to major bi-lateral

donors for rural

development initiatives - including agriculture, microfinance, health education,

children s rights, vocational

training, rural enterprise development (value chain research and development) and local

governance /

planning (NSP). Formulated approach, methodology and budgets. Annual budget ~$6,000,000.

Major contracts

/ bids won include $1,994,981 (SDC), 1,125,518 (EC), 686,113 (EC), $ 800,000

(PADCO/USAID). Compiled

all project reports / submitted to donors.

(2) Partnerships development: Supported development of NGO networks (e.g. Badakhshan

Development Forum)

and linkages, and developed Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) with international

agencies,

government departments and other stakeholders.

(3) Programme evaluations / internal learning / information: Managed internal evaluations

with monitoring /

evaluation team and conducted extensive field missions, and staff training. Oversaw

internal organisational

Strategic Planning Team assessing the broad livelihoods programme. Facilitated external

evaluations with

consultants. Supported project implementation and development of workplans. Conducted

workshops and

individual training with staff to develop internal skills and organisational capacity

towards market

development (including introduction to value chains), report writing, programme

assessments and articulating

programme design recommendations. Drafted Annual Report for UK and project brochures.

(4) Research initiatives and links: Coordinated internal research initiatives of

agricultural projects, vocational

training. Established links with other research institutions and formulated design of

action research projects.

(5) Thematic advocacy and representation: Active participation in multi-thematic groups

in Kabul and the UK:

including Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief (ACBAR), Consultative Group for

Counter Narcotics,

Alternative Livelihoods (AL) WG, FAO Food Security and Nutrition Group. Supported

launch of

Afghanistan NGO Code of Conduct. Initiated new working group in Kabul in 2006, Making

Markets Work for

the Poor . Invited to present at key events (incl. AL panels 2005), interviewed for BBC

documentary 2005, and

took the lead in aid effectiveness / AL papers (2006/7).

2

FOLKES ASSET MANAGEMENT (London, UK) Oct 1999 - April 2002

Senior Funds AdministratorOct 2000 - April 2002

(1) Oversight / operations department: Oversaw extensive analysis of daily trading /

transactions, and

identifying quantitative problems within trading activity ($0.5 billion). High pressured

work environment

required keeping to tight deadlines and managing large workloads. Supervised

Reconciliations Team and

managed department Profit and Loss (P&L) calculations. Coordinated the Team production of

management

reports including analysis of funds globally / fund performance / fund allocations within

portfolios. Liaised

with brokers in US over trade analysis, and co-ordinated cash accounts with

Administrators in Ireland

1

Afghanaid is a British NGO that has been involved with Afghanistan for 25 years.

2

Folkes is now known as Headstart Advisors UK.

Holly A Ritchie CV 2009

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(2) New investments research / analysis: Administered 'Fund of Funds' portfolio.

Conducted quantitative /

qualitative research of prospective new offshore hedge funds for Fund of Funds

portfolio. Compiled

detailed reviews of performance / strategy and critically analysed reports to present to

Fund Manager.

Funds AdministratorOct 1999 - Oct 2000

(1) Trading / reconciliations: Compiled detailed daily and weekly quantitative reports of

trading activity of

mutual funds invested. Co-designed and implemented - with assistance of a senior Database

Consultant - a

new company trading database to successfully manage over $0.4bn of investment.

VOLUNTARY / OTHER POSITIONS (

BRAZIL & BAHRAIN) Sept 1998- Sept 1999

3

AFS INT.: CITY SHELTER ACAO SOCIAL P. FRASSINETTI (Brasilia, BRAZIL) Jan -Sept 1999Full-timeTeacher (taught in Portuguese)

Taught English, Arts / Crafts and Physical Education to over 150 children. Co-responsible

for assisting in the

daily running of the institution. Initiated project in kind funding scheme through

local private schools (and

conducting regular presentations), and through self initiated links to British / American

Embassies

(established weekly collections). Organised a successful petition of over 2000 signatures

at the University of

Brasilia to prevent the unexpected announced project closure by the government!

PRIVATE TUTOR (BAHRAIN) Sept 1998 - Dec 1998Part-timeTeacher

Taught A-level (16-18 yrs) chemistry (evening classes) to private students / Bahrain

International School.

GRADUATE INTERNSHIPS (BAHRAIN) Aug 1998 - Jan 1999

4

ROBERT FLEMINGS INVESTMENT BANK (BAHRAIN) Dec 1998 - Jan 1999Intern: Compiled an extensive series of corporate profiles for Middle Eastern ventures

using an analysis of

Reuters / internet / reports to log company structure, financial data, and current

business strategies.

ERNST & YOUNG Middle East Technical Dept (BAHRAIN) Oct 1998 - Nov 1998Intern: Independently drafted key department reports / articles including: Understanding

Financial

Statements - compiled booklet for shareholders; Business Brief Magazine - submitted

articles on fraud, global

security; and editor of firm s Policies & Procedures manuals. Participated in training on

Presentation Skills .

STANDARD CHARTERED BANK Personal Banking Dept (BAHRAIN) Aug 1998 - Sept 1998Intern: Conducted two company surveys: Personnel Satisfaction Survey - initiative was

required for developing

research strategy / methodology, results were presented at the company s quarterly

national presentation;

and Regional customer survey for prize-winning draws - developed interpersonal

proficiency.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

? Bottom of Pyramid Conference 2007 Business with Four Billion: Creating Mutual Value

at the Base of the

Pyramid Ann Arbor, Michigan, University of Michigan, 9- 11 Sept 2007 (sponsored by

USAID).

? Hand in Hand Training Centre, Tamilnadu: Training Programme on Mass Mobilisation into

th th

Entrepreneurship, Chennai 7 -11 May 2007 (sponsored by Afghanaid).

? ILO Training Centre Seminar Implementing Sustainable Private Sector Development:

Striving for Tangible

nd

Results for the Poor: Developing Service Markets and Value Chains, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Sept 18-22

2006 (self funded participant)

? Pro Poor Market Development, Microenterprise and Development Institute, University of

Southern

th th

New Hampshire, US, June 12 -30 2006 (self funded participant)

Included modules on (1) Making Markets Work for the Poor, (2) Integrating Producers into

Sustainable

Value Chains (3) Innovation in Market Development, (4) Towards Expertise in Action

Oriented

Market Research, (5) The Nuts and Bolts of Winning Program Design

? Media training, UK Mosquito Media, London, UK, July 14th 2006

th

? Organisational Capacity Building, Oxford, UK, INTRAC, July 4-8 2005

? Organisational Security Management, Kabul, REDR, Kabul, Afghanistan, 2005 Sept

3

This is a self-sufficient social community project providing daily care to over 200 needy

children, 2-15 years. I fundraised over 3000 GBP to participate.

4

Flemings is now part of Chase Manhattan Bank.

Holly A Ritchie CV 2009

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PAPERS AUTHORED

AFGHANISTAN: AID EFFECTIVENESS, LIVELIHOODS & VALUE CHAINS

? The White Gold of Bamyan: A Comprehensive Examination of the Bamyan Potato Value Chain

from

Production to Consumption, Holly Ritchie and Anthony Fitzherbert, December 2008:

(commissioned by Solidarites).

? Lessons learnt from implementing the Integrated Rural Rehabilitation Programme to

improve Livelihoods and

Curb Poppy Production in North Eastern Afghanistan (DFID) 2004-07: Working in the Poppy

Context of

Badakhshan, July 2008. Submitted to DFID, ACBAR.

? Aid Effectiveness in Afghanistan: At a Crossroads on behalf of the Agency

Coordinating Body for

Afghan Relief (ACBAR), Nov 2006. Submitted to UK Secretary of State / DFID, bilateral

donors and

international agencies.

EDUCATION

INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL STUDIES [ISS] (Hague, NETHERLANDS) 2009-2012Development Studies PHD Candidate (ongoing)

PHD Thesis:

Study focusing on grassroots pro-poor market development in Afghanistan:

enterprise / value chain

development and institutional construction (formal and informal).

UNIVERSITY OF AMSTERDAM (NETHERLANDS) 2002-2004

International Development Studies MA With Distinction (CUM LAUDE)

Masters thesis (~50,000 words): Access to Water and Sanitation in Brazilian Cities, and

the Health / Psychosocial

Impacts on Street Children. 5 months independent fieldwork conducted in NE Brazil (in

Portuguese).

Courses included: (1) Foundations in International Development, (2) Poverty and

Development in a

Globalising World; (3) Labour and Globalisation; (4) Environment and Development; (5)

Livelihoods,

Alliances and Governance; (6) Child Labour; (7) Geopolitics, Nationalism and Ethnic

Conflicts in Central

Asia; (8) NGOs and Participation; (9) Research Methods and Skills - (GPA = 8.1/10).

UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK (UK) 1995-1998

Chemistry with Psychology BSc (Hons) - Class 2 I

Medicinal chemistry with modules in complementary topics in psychology.

President of the University Women's Group (1996-7): organised campaigns on campus -

health / safety

awareness; ran weekly support groups for international students. Initiated and set-up

'Information Centre for

Women' at Warwick University for disseminating information on health issues.

British Army Officer Cadet (1995-6) - Officer Training Corp (University Territorial Army

(Birmingham),

section of British Army): developed strong motivational, organisational, team and

leadership skills in

demanding military tasks. Achieved Military Training Qualification I - passed a series of

written /

practical examinations.

ST ANTONY S LEWESTON SCHOOL (UK) 1988-1995

3 A-Levels: A in Maths / Statistics; Chemistry, French; 9 GCSEs (7 Grade As).

Second Deputy Head of School: organised school events and assisted in administration of

400 students.

Young Enterprise Finance Director, National Schools Business Scheme: managed company

accounts.

Awarded an Academic Bursary for senior stage at school. Achieved Gold Medal 'Speech &

Drama'.

VOLUNTARY MEMBERSHIPS

AFGHANAID FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE (2009)

(Invited by Afghanaid) The Fundraising Committee assists with the development and

implementation of a

strategy for raising funds (with an emphasis on unrestricted funds) for the Afghanaid

London Office (LO).

SEEP NETWORK (2009)

The aim of SEEP is to advance the international practice of microfinance and micro and

small enterprise

development among their members, their international partners, and other practitioners.

Holly A Ritchie CV 2009

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND INTERESTS

LANGUAGES

Portuguese: Advanced (taught in Portuguese in 1999, and research conducted in the

language in 2003)

French: Intermediate ( Au-Pair in France 1994 / A-Level)

Persian: Conversational (private tuition 2004-2007).

INTERESTS

Extensive independent travel expeditions through Asia (e.g. Thailand, India, Malaysia,

Indonesia,

Singapore), Africa (e.g. South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya,

Morocco, Egypt) and

Central / South America (e.g. Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru). Lived / worked

in the Middle East/

Bahrain ( 95- 99), and Brazil ( 99, 03). Immediate family live in Kenya.

Sports and Theatre

Sports include: sailing, trekking, tennis, skiing, Brazilian martial art Capoeira and

yoga.

Passion for amateur dramatics / theatre: achieved Grade 8 Drama, acted in over 12 plays

and enjoy attending

regular drama productions.

History, International Development (particularly market development) and International

Relations

Keen reader of biographies, international development issues and global news events

(Economist, BBC World

Service). Keen participant in conferences, talks and seminars on development related

issues. Facilitated

evening aid effectiveness debating sessions in Kabul and set up Making markets work

for the poor working group

in 2006.

References Available On RequestHolly A Ritchie

CV 2009

6/6

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