Benjamin Phillips Email & Phone Number

Richmond, Va, Us

As Emergency Management Unit Director my main role was to support ChildFund's Country and Regional Offices in preparing for and responding to emergencies, while also strategically leading the emergency response function across the organization. In that capacity I engaged with fundraising department, business development team and ChildFund Alliance partners to mobilize financial resources for emergency responses. I also led the development of revised emergency response policies and procedures, emergency finance & procurement manual, guidance for use of cash assistance in emergency responses, Accountability to Affected Populations framework and guidance, Emergency Staff Deployment Roster SOPs, and guidelines for country office Emergency Preparedness Planning. I represent ChildFund to humanitarian donors and partners, and within external bodies such as the North America Cash Working Group, GADRRRES, ICVA, IASC Results Group 4, and different InterAction working groups. I developed strategic partnerships to enable the expansion of ChildFund's humanitarian programming to new countries and regions affected by complex crises. I also led the creation of a certified program model for school-based disaster risk reduction. Finally, I trained country office staff and partner organizations in emergency response, preparedness, and child protection topics.

Los Angeles, Ca, Us

As Deputy Director I led or coordinated critical agency initiatives including the agency-wide humanitarian accountability initiative, country strategic planning process, and the roll-out of new project and budget management tools. I also managed a CDC-funded global epidemiology support project, and serve on inter-departmental working groups for Disaster Risk Reduction & Resilience Programming, Mobile Health Technologies, and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. Temporarily managed program activities and staff in three different regions, for periods ranging from two weeks to several months, when regional coordinators were absent or position vacant; the value of the portfolio managed during those periods ranged from $12-21 million, and I also served as field representation/communications liaison for Sierra Leone Ebola response. Last but not least, I directly supervised IMC's outstanding global logistics team.

Durham, Nc, Us

I was responsible for overall management, leadership, and representation of a complex country program with $30+ million annual budget, seven major grants, and 200 staff. In that capacity I led in-country transformation process as we integrated programs from two legacy organizations.

Oslo, No

I led and managed country operations while consolidating the country office unification process. Key focuses of that work included fundraising/donor representation, strengthening the country Senior Management Team, and strengthening relationships with Save the Children member organizations. I am most proud of having driven improvements staff morale by an average of 18% within a 12-month period, along with substantial improvements to country-level financial, security, and human resources management practices. I also led successful responses to small and medium-scale natural disasters.

Fairfield, Connecticut, Us

As Country Director I oversaw program operations in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan while leading the transition to a unified presence structure combining formerly independent Save the Children-US and UK operations. I secured $15 million in new grant funding in a resource-challenged environment, led successful emergency responses to natural and human-caused disasters, and coordinated a substantial revision of the country strategic plan. During that time I led a staff team of 169 colleagues in the three countries; and managed relationships with host governments, donors, UN and NGO partner agencies, and other Save the Children Alliance members. I served as co-chair of the country education cluster within UN-led humanitarian system

Baltimore, Md, Us

As Country Representative I had overall management and leadership responsibility for a complex relief and development program focused on HIV/AIDS, agriculture, peacebuilding, micro-finance, water-sanitation, and emergency response/preparedness. In that capacity I oversaw management of financial and material resources from U.S. government and other donors, valued at $22 million annually; managed project sub-grants to more than twenty local partner organizations; supervised and mentored 8 expatriate and 84 national employees, ensuring coaching and development opportunities; represented agency to government and institutional donors, host government officials, local civil society partners, and other key stakeholders; led development of our country strategic plan and advocacy strategy; and managed a program development and growth process involving a four-fold increase in total funding within a four-year period.

Baltimore, Md, Us

My main responsibility was overseeing finances, budget management, security, logistics, information technology, and human resources for an $11 million reconstruction and development program with a staff of more than 200. I also managed donor communications, ensuring compliance with grant terms. Later my responsibilities broadened, to include development and oversight of food-supported education, emergency feeding, micro-finance, and integrated municipal development projects. I also developed visibility materials, security plan, and administrative policies.

Baltimore, Md, Us

I oversaw finances, grant compliance, human resources, procurement, fleet management, information technology, staff security, communications, and legal issues for a $10 million USAID-funded emergency relief program with a staff of 160. In that role I ensured timely and accurate financial reporting, revised national staff personnel manual and salary scales, and closed 71 audit findings. I also managed our staff development program, helped negotiate NGO regulatory framework with host government officials, and developed and implemented an inter-NGO security information network.

Woking, Surrey, Gb

I coordinated grants and public relations initiatives for 6 country programs, developing funding proposals and concept papers for bilateral, multilateral, and foundation donors. I trained country and field office staff, tracked project expenses versus grant funding, designed promotional materials, and edited two program newsletters for worldwide distribution.

I carried out an environmental impact study for a proposed rural road project, to be funded by the German government. That included proposing and budgeting mitigation measures.

Us

I trained 14 incoming Peace Corps Volunteers in agroforestry, soil conservation, and non-formal education topics.

Baltimore, Md, Us

As an intern I managed 5 ongoing projects in health and agriculture sectors. I also developed and initiated 3 new health and agricultural projects. For both new and existing projects I prepared narrative and financial reports. I also performed the final evaluation of an agricultural credit project.

Washington, District Of Columbia, Us

As a Peace Corps Volunteer I organized men’s, women’s and youth groups for agroforestry work. During my third (extension) year I planned and facilitated weekly training courses on environmental topics. In total I managed 28 nurseries for seedling production. I also edited national program newsletter, and served on Peace Corps’ Women in Development Committee.

M.S. International Agricultural Development

B.A. Development Studies

Education record

Education record