Christopher Burns Email and Phone Number
Chief Digital Development Officer and Director for Technology in the Innovation, Technology and Research Hub at USAID at
@
USAID
Christopher Burns's Location
Rockville, Maryland, United States, United States
Christopher Burns's Contact Details
Christopher Burns work email
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About Christopher Burns
Christopher Burns is the Chief Digital Development Officer (CDDO) for USAID and the Director for the Technology Division within the Innovation, Technology, and Research (ITR) Hub.In the CDDO role, he coordinates and tracks programmatic Digital Development investments across the Agency; represents USAID's programmatic digital technology work across the interagency and with external stakeholders and partners; and guides the adaptation of the Agency's programs as the digital landscape evolves. He also chairs the Digital Sector Council that meets monthly with representatives from across USAID’s bureaus and independent offices to discuss and coordinate on Digital Development programming.In the role of Director for Technology, Christopher leads technical teams focused on Digital Finance, Development Informatics, Digital Inclusion, Emerging Technology such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and advanced data and geospatial analysis, and the role they play in driving an inclusive digital economy. In his more than fourteen years with USAID, he has spearheaded and served as technical lead for a number of public-private partnerships, including the Digital Impact Alliance, the GSMA Connected Women Program and the Alliance for Affordable Internet. He also spearheaded USAID’s first-ever Digital Strategy released in April 2020 and its first-ever AI Action Plan released in May 2022.Prior to USAID, Christopher spent nearly ten years with the Peace Corps, as Program and Training Officer for Peace Corps/Niger, Country Desk Officer for Central Asia, and Agroforestry Advisor in Ghana. He has supervisory and management experience and technical background in digital technology, natural resources management, agroforestry, food security, gender equality, and solar power design/installation. All told, he has 25 years of international development experience, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, including 6.5 years living on the continent.Christopher holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Development and Environmental Management from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York and a Master of Science in Development Management from American University in Washington, DC.
Christopher Burns's Current Company Details
Usaid
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Chief Digital Development Officer and Director for Technology in the Innovation, Technology and Research Hub at USAID
Christopher Burns Work Experience Details
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Chief Digital Development Officer And Director For TechnologyUsaid Nov 2021 - PresentWashington, District Of Columbia, UsAs USAID's first-ever Chief Digital Development Officer, coordinating and tracking programmatic Digital Development investments across the Agency; representing USAID's programmatic digital technology work across the U.S. Government interagency and with external stakeholders and partners; and guiding the adaptation of the Agency's programs as the digital landscape evolves. As Director for Technology, directing a team of 60+ technical experts in digital finance, digital inclusion, emerging technologies, geospatial visualization and analysis, cybersecurity, and responsible use of data, with an annual budget of $15-20 million, to advance open, inclusive and secure digital ecosystems and promote socio-economic development through digital technologies in countries where USAID works. Driving the Agency’s understanding of, and response to, risks associated with digital authoritarianism, dis/misinformation and cyber insecurity in developing countries. Fostering responsible and ethical use of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, machine learning and digital identity in achieving development objectives. Spearheading implementation of USAID's first-ever Digital Strategy.
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Director For TechnologyUsaid Nov 2020 - Dec 2021Washington, District Of Columbia, UsDirect a team of 60+ technical experts in digital finance, digital inclusion, emerging technologies, geospatial visualization and analysis, and responsible use of data, with an annual budget of $15-20 million, to advance open, inclusive and secure digital ecosystems and promote socio-economic development through digital technologies in countries where USAID works. Drive the Agency’s understanding of, and response to, risks associated with digital authoritarianism, dis/misinformation, cyber insecurity and Chinese technology investments in developing countries. Foster responsible and ethical use of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, machine learning and digital identity in achieving development objectives.
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Director, Center For Digital DevelopmentUsaid Sep 2017 - Nov 2020Washington, District Of Columbia, UsLed a number of technical teams focused on Digital Financial Services, Development Informatics, Digital Inclusion and Geospatial Visualization, and the role they play in driving an inclusive digital economy. The Center for Digital Development, within the U.S. Global Development Lab, offers technical assistance, thought leadership, global alliance development and a vision for effectively integrating digital technologies into International Development for USAID staff, implementing partners and key stakeholders. Spearheaded the design, development and launch of USAID’s first ever Digital Strategy, charting a course for delivering more effective development and humanitarian assistance in the digital age.
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Senior Coordinator, Digital Development For Feed The FutureUsaid Oct 2015 - Sep 2017Washington, District Of Columbia, UsLeading a nimble team within USAID's Global Development Lab, and in collaboration with the Bureau for Food Security, to integrate a suite of coordinated digital technologies into the U.S. Feed the Future Initiative. Focus is on the application of digital financial services, affordable connectivity, tenets of digital inclusion, the Principles of Digital Development, the use of real time data and geospatial analysis, and the feasibility of more blue-sky technologies such as low-cost remote sensing and drones for increasing agricultural productivity, farming community incomes, gender equality and nutritional intake. Our work is predicated on the vision of Digital Development by which the digital economy is not yet inclusive enough to allow the most underserved to maximize it for their livelihood wants and needs; and in order to make this happen, public and private actors must work collaboratively to ensure the broader digital ecosystem - policies, infrastructure, enabling services and applications - is designed with the needs of the most underserved in mind.
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Acting Director, Digital Development (U.S. Global Development Lab)Usaid Oct 2014 - Oct 2015Washington, District Of Columbia, Us• Directed and grew team from 20 to over 40 while sourcing and onboarding new skills and deep technical experience to round-out growing mandate of digital technology across USAID • Oversaw strategy formation and workplanning for technical workstreams, including Digital Financial Services, Real Time Data, Digital Inclusion and Knowledge and Insights/Communications • Liaised with senior staff of U.S. Global Development Lab (Lab) to shape, integrate and implement strategic direction across programs, including building and aligning annual budgets, instituting performance workplans, developing success indicators, building team buy-in and fostering Agency acceptance • Supervised technical and budgetary work during the early part of the Lab’s Ebola response, including working with USAID Missions in Liberia, Bureau for Resource and Management and technical experts in digital and data harmonization • Oversaw and reshaped vision and marketing collateral of Digital Development team, including new training materials, public presentations and visuals that tie together all of the technical workstreams into a cohesive narrative • Served as technical lead for USAID’s role in the the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL) -- formerly the Mobile Hub -- a 5-year partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, SIDA and the United Nations Foundation, to develop digital tools for underserved communities under the tenets of Digital Development• Continued partnership duties and representation for the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) and GSMA Connected Women
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Senior Advisor And Team Lead For Mobile AccessUsaid Jan 2013 - Sep 2014Washington, District Of Columbia, UsHeading up the mobile access work stream in the Mobile Solutions division, Office of Innovation and Development Alliances at USAID. Looking at issues of affordability, adoption, relevance, gender equality and connectivity as they relate to the use of mobile technologies to meet development objectives.
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Economic Growth & Agricultural Development AdvisorUsaid Oct 2009 - Jan 2013Washington, District Of Columbia, Us• Guided operating units within the Economic Growth, Education and Environment Bureau in conforming/adhering to Agency policy guidance on gender integration in solicitations, program activities and strategic plans, particularly Feed the Future • Served as the technical lead on the GSMA mWomen Program with the goal of halving the mobile gender gap of 300 million by 2014; co-designed and launched a 3-year $10 million Global Development Alliance with GSMA, AusAID and Visa to meet this goal• Liaised with key members of the mobile operator community, including telecommunications firms, technology firms, foundations and NGOs to amplify objectives of the GSMA mWomen Program• Facilitated introductory gender training to incoming Foreign Service Officers and USAID/Rwanda staff, with coursework centered on gender integration in programming and procurement and Agency policy and guidance, as part of the Office of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment• Served on a 6-month reassignment to the Mobile Solutions team within the Office of Innovation and Development Alliances (IDEA) as a Partnership Development Officer, initiating new public-private partnerships around use of mobile technologies to expand access to mobile services and uptake of mobile money; facilitated strategy design, technical research and outreach messaging for mobile money, mobile access and mobile data collection• Spearheaded internal review and formation of 18-month Global Development Alliance with Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and Tigo to train and install 4,150 women as mobile money agents in Tanzania, Rwanda and Ghana• Served as team member in Mali for an Agency gender assessment of the Initiative to End Hunger in Africa, evaluating the engendered capacity of agricultural value chains, staff and stakeholder training and organizational development• Trained and certified as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR)/Assistance Officer Representative (AOR)
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Program & Training OfficerPeace Corps/Niger Nov 2007 - Dec 2009Washington, District Of Columbia, Us• Promoted from Associate Peace Corps Director/Natural Resources Management, January 2006-November 2007• Served as Acting Country Director, as delegated, responsible for leadership and management of all country operations, including more than 40 staff and 120 Volunteers, with annual budget of $2.5 million• Supervised and managed full-time staff of 11, overseeing five project sectors (Agriculture, Youth Education, Public Health, Municipal and Community Development, and Natural Resources Management), related training curriculum, and more than $1 million programming and training budget• Participated in and led extensive multi-year federal and project budgeting exercises, including design, monitoring and analysis• Co-coordinated financial monitoring, analysis, oversight and authority; retooling of mid-year financial reviews; design and execution of annual planning and strategic frame working• Developed and maintained working relationships with the government of Niger, NGOs, U.S. Embassy, and other local or bilateral organizations to further post-wide programming activities in line with agency’s mission• Oversaw project design, monitoring and evaluation, including collection, dissemination and reporting of data; trained Volunteers and staff to effectively evaluate and track achievement of project goals/objectives• Revamped and spearheaded complete redesign and overhaul of training program to better align curriculum with evaluation methods and indicators of success• Served as part of senior staff management team charged with overall leadership, visioning, communication, policy dissemination and enforcement, trouble shooting, and team building -
Associate Peace Corps DirectorPeace Corps/Niger Feb 2006 - Nov 2007Washington, District Of Columbia, Us
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Country Desk Officer, Central AsiaPeace Corps/Niger 2002 - 2006Washington, District Of Columbia, Us• Promoted from Country Desk Assistant, March 2002 to August 2004• Served as primary liaison between headquarters and offices in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan; provided overall management of desk and guidance to assistant• Represented four field offices to the Department of State, USAID, embassies, headquarters, and the general public• Reviewed, analyzed and provided feedback for country project plans for business and NGO development, health, and environmental and English education• Interpreted and offered feedback for agency policies, regional management decisions, programming, budgets, and staff or Volunteer issues• Provided information and ongoing support about countries and Peace Corps to outside agencies and individuals; prepared country briefs, papers, memos, and training materials• Participated in crisis management of country specific events, including country suspensions and evacuations, and as agency Duty Officer during off-hours and emergencies• Worked in collaboration with posts to ensure compliance with agency safety and security requirements, including maintaining current emergency action plans• Managed and spearheaded multi-office, agency-wide project to convert over 70 country information packets from hard copy to online delivery to applicants• Trained and prepared for service over 500 Volunteers in 2.5-day ‘staging’ seminars• Initiated and streamlined restructuring of electronic filing and organization for office of over 20 people• Developed, designed and authored multimedia CD-ROM used for recruiting Volunteers to Central Asia• Co-facilitated three-day Youth Development Conference for Volunteers and host country counterparts in the Kyrgyz Republic
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Community Forestry AdvisorPeace Corps/Ghana Sep 1999 - Nov 2001Washington, District Of Columbia, Us• Managed community-based tree nursery as part of USAID-funded & multi-NGO supported program• Supervised and trained staff of six village workers and six-person community committee and transferred financial, managerial, budgetary and technical skills to them• Composed and negotiated land agreements between the nursery, land owners and traditional landlords to ensure mutual community ownership of all properties after project phase-over• Coordinated local meetings and events with governmental ministries, NGOs, farmers and businesses • Co-founded and facilitated the Upper East Regional Nursery Association comprised of nine independent nurseries striving to maintain local autonomy as rural enterprises• Aided women’s groups in establishing fuelwood plantations as a supplement to bush wood harvesting • Designed and installed solar-powered water pump to facilitate irrigation of nursery• Worked with local farmers to adopt Holistic Management skills and decision-making tools to improve farming practices and agricultural land conservation• Served as a Technical Resource Facilitator and Trainer for eighteen new Peace Corps Volunteers over a three-month period• Co-designed and authored set of core technical competencies used to train incoming forestry and environment Volunteers• Designed a solar electrification program for twelve local villages, drafted the project proposal, and obtained $14,000 from the Dutch Embassy to implement the project
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Program Director, New Forests ProjectThe International Center Oct 1996 - Aug 1999• Trained Ghanaians and Salvadorans in solar power design/installation for household electrification• Designed and installed photovoltaic systems in El Salvador and Ghana• Organized and launched new rural Solar Electrification Project in El Salvador, working with local and international vendors, suppliers, technicians and micro-credit institutions• Evaluated and advised over 100 Center-supported tree and agro-forestry nurseries in Ghana• Networked over 2,000 international NGOs by country and region for the World Seed Program• Provided technical expertise, training support, tree seeds and materials to the network• Drafted and edited foundation grant proposals/budgets and direct mail fundraising letters• Edited and designed New Forests News Newsletter• Incorporated and formed new 501(c)(3) Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust in Southern Maryland• Assisted in identifying and building Board of Directors for land trust; wrote mission statement and introductory brochure and researched issues related to land preservation and conservation easements
Christopher Burns Skills
International Development
Community Development
Ngos
Capacity Building
Program Evaluation
Policy Analysis
Agriculture
Rural Development
Grants
Program Management
Public Policy
Community Outreach
Proposal Writing
Africa
Gender Equality
Natural Resource Management
Forestry
Non Governmental Organizations
International Relations
Government
Policy
Program Development
Nonprofits
Mobile Technology
M&e
Social Impact
Public Health
Value Chain Analysis
M4d
Solar Power
Christopher Burns Education Details
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American UniversityDevelopment Management -
St. Lawrence UniversityInternational Development/Environmental Management
Frequently Asked Questions about Christopher Burns
What company does Christopher Burns work for?
Christopher Burns works for Usaid
What is Christopher Burns's role at the current company?
Christopher Burns's current role is Chief Digital Development Officer and Director for Technology in the Innovation, Technology and Research Hub at USAID.
What is Christopher Burns's email address?
Christopher Burns's email address is bu****@****ail.com
What schools did Christopher Burns attend?
Christopher Burns attended American University, St. Lawrence University.
What are some of Christopher Burns's interests?
Christopher Burns has interest in African Music, Forests, Photography, Parenting, Golf, Travel, African Art, International Development, Mobile Technologies.
What skills is Christopher Burns known for?
Christopher Burns has skills like International Development, Community Development, Ngos, Capacity Building, Program Evaluation, Policy Analysis, Agriculture, Rural Development, Grants, Program Management, Public Policy, Community Outreach.
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