Simon James

Simon James has extensive work experience in the field of international development and project management. Simon began their career in 1997 with roles at OSCE, where they worked until 2002. Simon then worked as a Deputy Expedition Leader at Raleigh International in 2001. From 2003 to 2004, they worked as a consultant at The Asia Foundation in Afghanistan.

In 2004, Simon joined IOM - UN Migration as a Registration Materials Manager in Jordan and UAE. Simon later worked at UNOPS as the Deputy Head of the Count Section in Afghanistan from July to October 2005. Simon then transitioned to a role at The American University of Afghanistan, where they served as the Chief of Staff and Director of the Professional Development Institute from November 2005 to June 2007.

Simon's work with Creative Associates International, Inc. began in 2007, where they first served as the Deputy Chief of Party for the BESST project in Afghanistan until January 2009. Simon then became the Chief of Party for the ALP PLUS project in Liberia from February to September 2009.

In 2009, Simon joined Creative Associates International as the Deputy Chief of Party for the PTI project in Pakistan, where they worked until June 2010. Simon briefly worked as a Consultant for EGRA Plus at RTI International from September to December 2010.

From December 2010 to March 2013, Simon worked as the Chief of Party for the Advancing Youth Project & CESLY in Liberia. Simon then transitioned to the role of Senior International Technical Advisor at EDC (Education Development Center) from March 2013 to June 2017.

Simon's next role at EDC was as the Portfolio Leader from June 2017 until their most recent role as the Chief of Party for the Global Book Alliance in Action, where they worked from July 2019 to September 2022. Simon'smost recent position at EDC is as the Project Director for the YSEALI Mekong project, starting in September 2022.

Throughout their career, Simon has gained extensive experience in leadership, project management, and implementing development projects in various countries.

Simon James has a BSc in Geography from Lancaster University, an MSc in Development Management from The Open University, and is currently pursuing an EdD in Education from the University of Bristol.