Paul Roelofsen
Yangon,Yangon Region
Summary
Experienced humanitarian leader with over a decade of strategic leadership in complex emergency and development contexts across Myanmar and internationally. As Country Director for ZOA and Cordaid Myanmar, I led national strategy development, managed multi-sectoral programs, and oversaw sizeable budgets with rigorous financial oversight. My recent tenure in Myanmar has deepened contextual expertise and operational resilience. I have successfully raised funds from diverse donors—including governments, foundations, and private sector partners—through high-impact, evidence-based proposals. I established new country offices, built high-performing teams, and implemented robust systems for accountability and learning. My leadership during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and military coup ensured program continuity and safety. I am HEAT certified and well-versed in security protocols, prioritizing staff safety and risk mitigation. My experience spans development, emergency response, and peacebuilding, with a strong commitment to child well-being and strategic partnerships that amplify impact.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Country Director
ZOA Myanmar
09.2022 - Current
- As Country Director of ZOA Myanmar, I have led the organization through a strategic reorientation in response to significant contextual shifts, ensuring our mission remains relevant and impactful.
- I provide visionary and strategic leadership to the country management team, driving the development and execution of our national strategy in alignment with ZOA’s global objectives and the evolving humanitarian and development landscape in Myanmar.
- With over a decade of experience managing humanitarian assistance and development programs in complex emergency and recovery settings, I have overseen multi-sectoral interventions and guided teams through volatile environments.
- I lead donor acquisition and proposal development, securing funding from a diverse portfolio including institutional donors, foundations, and private sector partners.
- My approach integrates strategic foresight with evidence-based programming, resulting in high-impact proposals that align with donor priorities and community needs.
- I spearhead the formulation of measurable objectives and ensure their effective implementation across all departments, fostering a culture of accountability, learning, and continuous improvement.
- I work closely with program, finance, and quality assurance teams to enhance operational capacity and ensure compliance with international standards.
- Building and maintaining strategic partnerships is central to my role. I actively engage with local and international stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and amplify our impact.
- My fundraising efforts focus on securing sustainable resources to support ZOA’s humanitarian and development goals, while expanding our network of supporters and advocates.
- I am well-versed in safety and security protocols and committed to ensuring staff safety in high-risk environments.
- Under my leadership, ZOA expanded its operations in Myanmar to three new regions, increasing the country budget by approximately 197%.
- I transformed the organization from primarily direct implementation to a model focused on implementation through local partners.
Country Director
Cordaid Myanmar
07.2014 - 08.2022
- As Country Director for Cordaid Myanmar, I successfully established a new country office from the ground up, leading all aspects of organizational setup, strategic development, and operational management.
- I oversaw the establishment of project offices in three diverse regions across Myanmar, tailoring recruitment and capacity-building processes to local contexts.
- To enhance staff performance and program quality, I introduced comprehensive development plans focused on strengthening both technical and managerial competencies.
- To ensure fair and transparent compensation, I developed a salary scale grounded in local labor market analysis, aligning remuneration with organizational roles and responsibilities while maintaining equity and motivation across teams.
- Strategically, I led the formulation of Cordaid’s country strategy by analyzing internal capacities, donor trends, global priorities, and the evolving Myanmar context.
- I designed and implemented a resilient organizational structure that integrated technical, administrative, financial, security, and managerial functions, ensuring operational continuity and agility.
- Under my leadership, Cordaid successfully navigated complex crises—including the COVID-19 pandemic and the military coup—by rapidly adapting strategies and maintaining program delivery.
- I successfully started a country program for Cordaid in Myanmar, developing a strategic vision and raising funds for strategically chosen programs.
- I supervised the formulation and implementation of a LIFT-funded program in Taundaunggyi, Kayin State.
Country Program Coordinator
ZOA Myanmar
12.2012 - 06.2014
- As Country Program Coordinator at ZOA Myanmar, I led the successful implementation of multiple humanitarian and development projects, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outcomes.
- I provided strategic oversight and capacity building to all project managers, fostering strong leadership and effective team performance.
- My role included spearheading program development, enhancing technical quality, and improving operational efficiency across sectors.
- I conducted training in project planning and regularly monitored progress to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
- Additionally, I played a key role in fundraising and proposal development, securing resources for program expansion.
- One of my most impactful achievements was successfully restarting the program in Rakhine State following ethnic violence in 2012.
- I managed a significant expansion to address urgent community needs, building robust programs around water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and food security in four townships.
Head of Program Development
ZOA Myanmar
12.2012 - 06.2014
- As Head of Program Development at ZOA Myanmar, I led the design and launch of an innovative value chain and food security program in Southern Shan, grounded in comprehensive needs assessments and stakeholder analysis.
- My efforts culminated in a successful funding proposal to the European Union, securing vital resources for implementation.
- In response to the 2012 displacements in Rakhine State, I developed targeted humanitarian interventions to address urgent community needs.
- One of my major achievements was the significant improvement in program implementation through strategic research.
- I trained a dedicated group of monitors, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to accurately assess and report on project impact.
Country Representative
ZOA Netherlands
08.2010 - 06.2011
- As Country Representative for ZOA in Pakistan during and after the devastating July 2010 floods, I led the organization’s strategic response in one of the most complex and rapidly evolving humanitarian emergencies in the region.
- I conducted a comprehensive country context and needs analysis, identifying critical gaps in the national and international response.
- Based on this assessment, I prioritized intervention areas and designed a multi-sectoral flood response program focused on agricultural rehabilitation and shelter support—ensuring alignment with community needs and donor priorities.
- As the Country Representative, I successfully established a disaster response and rehabilitation program following the severe flooding in Pakistan in June/July 2010.
- The program was implemented using a localization strategy, which significantly enhanced its effectiveness.
Country Director
ZOA Ethiopia
09.2007 - 07.2010
- As Country Director for ZOA in Ethiopia, I led the development of a comprehensive country strategy by analyzing organizational competencies, donor trends, global strategic priorities, and the national context.
- This strategic framework guided the design of responsive and impactful programs, and I mobilized and coached country teams to translate the strategy into effective projects.
- I also strengthened staff capacity in interpreting contextual trends and aligning them with strategic planning, ensuring adaptability in a dynamic operating environment.
- Under my leadership, the project was successfully implemented within the original timeframe, restoring donor confidence and delivering meaningful outcomes for communities affected by conflict.
Country Director
ZOA Cambodia
02.2006 - 09.2007
- As Country Director for ZOA in Cambodia, I led the development of a strategic country framework by analyzing organizational strengths, donor trends, global priorities, and the national context.
- This strategy guided the design of impactful programs and informed the development of an efficient organizational structure aligned with ZOA’s mandate, which focused on addressing fragility.
- As the Country Director in Cambodia, I successfully guided the organization through a strategically chosen phasing out process as the country stabilized.
Education
Master of Science - Aquaculture and fisheries, with a specialization in fish food and nutrition
Wageningen University and Research
01.1996
Skills
- Adaptability
- Agricultural Development
- Aquaculture and Fisheries
- Capacity Building
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Conflict Resolution
- Decision-making
- Disaster Risk Reduction
- Emergency Response
- Financial Monitoring
- Food Security
- Fundraising
- Human Resource Development
- Livelihoods
- Market Analysis
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Networking
- Peace-building
- Problem-solving
- Program Management
- Project Management
- Risk Management
- Security Management
- Staff Development
- Strategic Analysis
- Strategic Planning
- Team Leadership
- Value Chain Analysis
- Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
Personal Information
Nationality: Dutch
Timeline
Country Director
ZOA Myanmar
09.2022 - Current
Country Director
Cordaid Myanmar
07.2014 - 08.2022
Country Program Coordinator
ZOA Myanmar
12.2012 - 06.2014
Head of Program Development
ZOA Myanmar
12.2012 - 06.2014
Country Representative
ZOA Netherlands
08.2010 - 06.2011
Country Director
ZOA Ethiopia
09.2007 - 07.2010
Country Director
ZOA Cambodia
02.2006 - 09.2007
Master of Science - Aquaculture and fisheries, with a specialization in fish food and nutrition
Wageningen University and Research
Similar Profiles
Jenna BurnettJenna Burnett
House Cleaner at Marnie ZoaHouse Cleaner at Marnie Zoa
Khin Thin NweKhin Thin Nwe
Senior Manager – Head of Access Transport Network at ATOM Myanmar (formerly Telenor Myanmar)Senior Manager – Head of Access Transport Network at ATOM Myanmar (formerly Telenor Myanmar)
Tania Nieto TrapiellaTania Nieto Trapiella
Veterinary Assistant at Hospital Veterinario ZoaVeterinary Assistant at Hospital Veterinario Zoa
MAY THU HTETMAY THU HTET
HR Consultant at FreelanceHR Consultant at Freelance
ei cho zinei cho zin
Administrative Assistant at Full TimeAdministrative Assistant at Full Time