Holly Alexandra Ritchie

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(Academic) Full time Post-doctorate Research Fellow April-July 2014, Current Affilation Building on PhD research, compilation of academic journal articles and new research development. Conferences/seminars include (paper presentations): (1)Facilitating uncertain women s enterprise development (Women s entrepreneurship seminar (MSM)) (2) Understanding business and the environment (ICCO network/ Inspirational lunchtime lecture) (3) Rethinking Entrepreneurship in Fragile Environments (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague) (4) Gender + Economic Development in Fragile States (EAEPE Lecture/PhD Summer School, Rome) (5) Unwrapping Institutional Change in Fragile Settings (SASE Conference, University of Chicago)

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Self-designed third year undergraduate course under Liberal Arts Department: Gender in Fragile Environments. Using lens of human security and social institutions, focus on food security, economic development, aid interventions and role of religion in fragile settings (where state is weak/absent).

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Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium (SLRC) - short term research with Yemeni women entrepreneurs, human security and fragile environments: 'Looking beyond Entrepreneurship : Women's Enterprise, Human Security And Inclusion In Fragile Environments. This comparative research aims to contribute to the SLRC s goal of generating stronger evidence into (poor) women s livelihoods and dynamics of inclusion, and unusually looks at this through the lens of evolving (informal) social institutions in enterprise. This builds on doctoral/post-doctoral research with Afghan and Somali women in enterprise.

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Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium (SLRC) - short term research with Yemeni women entrepreneurs, human security and fragile environments: 'Looking beyond Entrepreneurship : Women's Enterprise, Human Security And Inclusion In Fragile Environments. This comparative research aims to contribute to the SLRC s goal of generating stronger evidence into (poor) women s livelihoods and dynamics of inclusion, and unusually looks at this through the lens of evolving (informal) social institutions in enterprise. This builds on doctoral/post-doctoral research with Afghan and Somali women in enterprise.

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Professional training course instructor in Women in Entrepreneurship Promotion Course Module: The institutional context and value chain development (Total=1.5 days)

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Research into Somali refugee women s enterprise and human security under IS Academy for Human Security in Fragile States. Building on PhD research, academic comparative study on Somali women refugee entrepreneurs in Nairobi, Kenya, examining entrepreneurship, inclusion and human security. Final presentation to donors, NGOs and research community in Nairobi, and to Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Netherlands.

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Collaboration between the IS Academy for Human Security in Fragile States, coordinated by Disaster Studies, Wageningen University and myself, a PhD Candidate at the International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University, The Hague. Agreement to contribute 2 research briefs, provide presentations to Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and engage in periodic dialogue between aid institutions.

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Short term research into Ethiopian women pastoralist livelihoods, and sustainable socio-economic development. Outputs = 88 page report/presentation.

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Study on women s social norms and barriers in Afar and Borana regions of ETHIOPIA (in process)

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Short term mission: Facilitated internal workshops, and training and initiation of association of local craftsmen in Kabul with economic and social objectives. Developed future strategy on association growth and development, and advocacy and networking between associations/broader institutions.

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Facilitated internal workshops and broad regional focus groups for innovative solar housing scheme project, and developed country strategy for engaging with private sector actors.

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Conducted an external socio-economic evaluation of Tearfund s US State department s project in Jawzjan and Kandahar in AFGHANISTAN: Integrated and Sustainable Services for refugees and host communities (12 months, $1,628,088).

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External Evaluation Consultant (AFGHANISTAN) 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).

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Regional Women s Economic Development Consultant: Conducted workshop in Lessons Learnt in Women s Food Processing Enterprise with cross-organizational NGO teams, and drafted country-level strategy for regional enterprise/Self-Help Group programme.

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Country Food Security Research Consultant Conducted extensive research into food security and markets in Afghanistan across all stakeholders: government, donors, NGOs and community groups to assess major factors influencing national and household food security. Compiled (100 page) research publication: Food Security in Afghanistan: Navigating Fragility?

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Women in Business in Afghanistan Research Consultant (UK DFID Funded) Research Project: Understanding Business and Gender in Afghanistan. Developed a series of briefing papers: 1) Case Studies: a) Women In Business In Herat and b) Women In Business In Kabul 2) Understanding Gender in Local Enterprise Development: Barriers and Solutions 3) Practical Framework for Facilitating Women in Inclusive Local Business Development Final stakeholder presentation in Kabul to Ministries of Women s Affairs, Commerce; and AISA

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District Market Research Consultant Facilitated local staff training in Rapid Market Research in four districts in Kabul / Uruzgan using consultant-own developed toolkit under FAO (see below). Compiled district briefs with practical recommendations for livelihoods market oriented programme design. Provided technical support to broad based livelihoods household survey conducted by local staff.

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Country External Evaluation 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 country-wide discussions / interviews / focus groups with beneficiaries, governors, NGOs, donors and staff with final Kabul workshop. Report submitted to ZOA HQ in Holland.

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National Technical Workshop Consultant: Food Security and Nutrition (AFGHANISTAN) Compilation of Joint MDG in Child Food Security and Nutrition Inception Workshop.

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Food Processing, Producer Groups and Marketing Consultant (AFGHANISTAN) (1) Ministry of Agriculture (MAIL) / Home Economics (HED): Institutional Capacity Development Facilitated workshops with MAIL HED to discuss future ideas and institutional development. Developed strategy paper / concept note for FAO to support HED for presentation to donors. Developed sample proposal for HED food processing micro project. (2) FAO Programme: M/E / new technologies / communications Revised FAO monitoring forms; designed strategy for M/E structures/responsibilities. Developed strategy and guideline for introduction of new solar drier technology with NGOs. Developed case studies on home gardening / food processing initiatives, and lessons learnt brief.

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Country-wide Wild and Medicinal Plant Value Chain Consultant (AFGHANISTAN) National Market Value Chain 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 made recommendations on improved practices relevant to the capacity of these communities (in consultation with the Biodiversity Expert). Compiled a comprehensive value chain report including strategic recommendations (100 page) for the economic development of the subsectors towards a country-level strategy.

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Advancing Associations/Cooperatives Consultant: Food processing, Producer Groups and Women s Cooperatives (AFGHANISTAN) (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 associations/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 associations/cooperatives, and developed strategy / operational plan for MAIL HE to support cooperatives going forward.

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Market Linkage Consultant (AFGHANISTAN) (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 producer groups. (2) Rapid Market Assessment: Designed a comprehensive toolkit: Rapid Market Assessment Toolkit for Fruit, Vegetables and Food Processing Products, provided training for NGO staff.

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Regional Marketing and Association/Business Development Consultant (Dried Fruit Associations) (AFGHANISTAN) (1) Office market training Conducted Producer Organisation / Marketing 2 day Workshop / Planning (2) Apricot Farmer 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.

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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 (100 pages): The White Gold of Bamyan: A comprehensive examination of the Bamyan potato value chain from production to consumption (Holly Ritchie and Anthony Fitzherbert).

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External Evaluation Consultant (AFGHANISTAN) Conducted a mid term external evaluation of IAM s livelihoods programme in Herat: Community Development Programme, Herat-Kushk (2008-2012, $773,303 FLM/FINIDA).

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Regional Market Research Consultant (AFGHANISTAN) 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.

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(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.

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Social 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.

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Programme and Evaluation 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 .

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

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Country Team Leader / Value Chain Consultant (AFGHANISTAN) 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 .

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External Relations and Research Director Dec 2005 - July 2007 Funding Strategist June 2004 - Dec 2005 Diverse responsibilities included: (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 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 reports / evaluations / internal learning / information: Managed all project reporting, internal evaluations with monitoring / evaluation team and conducted extensive field missions, and staff training. Drafted Annual Report for UK. (4) Research initiatives and links (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).

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(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. Co-designed and implemented - with Database Consultant - a new company trading database to successfully manage over $0.4bn of investment (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, analysed reports to present to Fund Manager.

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Teacher in City Shelter in Brasilia (BRAZIL) Taught English, Arts / Crafts and Physical Education to over 150 children. Organised a successful city petition of over 2000 signatures to prevent closure!