Diego Garcia Devis Email & Phone Number

Bogotá, Capital District, Colombia

Greater New York City Area

I am managing the Global Drug Policy Program grant making, advocacy, and research portfolios in Latin America. I document human rights violations derived from illegal drug phenomena and counter narcotics policies. I also provide technical assistance to Civil Society Organization and Governments that advocate for drug policy reform. I provide technical expertise to the Global Drug Policy program on issues related to human development, citizen security and peacebuilding. I also, develop, plan and organize program-related workshops, trainings, events, publications and audiovisual documents related to drug policy reform. In addition, as a grant maker I write and edit project materials and guidelines. I take extensive travel throughout the Latin American region to advocate and document drug policy reform. I also write Op-Eds and blog entries that discuss drug policy reform with an especial focus on issues related to citizen security and development.

I am managing the Global Drug Policy Program grant making, advocacy, and research portfolio in Latin America. I document rights violations against people affected by the illegal drug phenomena. I provide technical assistance to Civil Society Organization and Governments that advocate for drug policy reform. I provide technical expertise to the Global Drug Policy program on issues related to human development, citizen security and peacebuilding. I also, develop, plan and organize program-related workshops, trainings, events, publications and audiovisual documents related to drug policy reform. In addition, as a grant maker I write and edit project materials and guidelines. I take extensive travel throughout the Latin American region to advocate and document drug policy reform. I also write Op-Eds and blog entries that discuss drug policy reform with an especial focus on issues related to citizen security and development.

Bogota, Colombia

I developed, managed and implemented USAID Human Rights Program, which had three major components: culture, prevention, and response to Human Rights violations. I evaluated implementation progress and prepared reports for submission to USAID/Washington. I also conducted field visits to activity sites for the purpose of monitoring the implementation and progress of Human Rights situation in the country. Base on identified problems I offered solutionsand recommendations to improve Human Rights situation in Colombia. As an armed conflict and human rights specialist, I developed and maintained contacts with key government officials and NGOs. I also develop output indicators to evaluate armed conflict and criminality impact on the Human Rights situation in Colombia. I have to identifed lessons learned and areas of problems and how these problems can be overcome.

Bogota, Colombia

I served as Program Manager and Technical Officer for three grants under the Office of Vulnerable Populations. I provided professional level technical support for the advancement of private sector alliances to strengthen the Demobilization and Reintegration (DR) processes and achieve USAID’s DR goals. Post’s main objective is to improved environment for DR and also prevent children and youth recruitment. I carried out advisory, technical and administrative oversight, reporting and strategic planning tasks. Additionally, I reviewed grant proposals, travelled to activity sites toobserved and monitored implementation progress, discussed issues and assisted in resolving problems, prepared a variety of activity analysis documents and technical reports.

I co-man the eight regional offices. Eight. Their duties were the verification, monitoring and analysis of the peace process. I also supported the regional offices in their relations with institutions locally, regionally and nationally. I manage the mapping of key organizations, institutions and actors for the development of activities in the Mission’s various locations (e.g. verification of peace agreements, civilian protection and community-based projects).Monitored and evaluated the appliance of methodologies, internal procedures and standards of security determined for each regional office. Managed and coordinated alongside the Colombian government the destruction of light and small weapons surrendered by the demobilised group AUC. Supported the elaboration of periodical reports to governmental organisations funding the MAPP/OEA. Advised the Chief of Mission in Press and communications issues, strategic planning and political affairs, when requested. Developed four short documentaries showing the achievements of the peace process in Colombia.

Responsibilities and duties:Developed the Mission's mandate (verification of the peace agreements) initially in the Colombian Caribbean coast region and later in areas where there was no permanent representation of MAPP/OEA regional offices. Acted as Mission representative in the demilitarised zone determined by the Colombian government for the peace talks with AUC groups in Córdoba, Colombia. Acted as technical secretary of the Verification Committee, which undertook tripartite analysis (Colombian Government, MAPP/OEA, and AUC) of the ceasefire violations committed by the paramilitaries (AUC). Received and verified possible violations to the ceasefire declared by the AUC and presented its results at the Verification Committee. Raised awareness of the peace process among local communities and local and regional authorities. Performed civilian protection actions and verification of the ceasefire agreement and reintegration policies offered by the government. Verified the Concentration, Disarming and Demobilisation (CDD) of combatants in fifteen these processes. Kept a photographic record of these events during the demobilization of these armed groups. Implemented communitarian projects related to communitarian justice, within communities affected by the armed conflict in Colombia. Developed humanitarian actions such as civilian protection, hostage reception and attention to vulnerable communities.

Master Of Arts (M.A.), War Studies

Education record

Bachelor'S Degree, Political Science