Randall Olson Email & Phone Number

Islāmābād, Pakistan

St Cloud, Minnesota, United States

I have completed my assignment in Bangladesh and am currently on a two month home leave until January 10, 2022, when I begin my next assignment as Supervisory Democracy Officer, USAID/Afghanistan (Office Director for the the Office of Democracy and Govenance Office).

Doha, Qatar

Gender rights, media, civil society subject matter expert.Team lead, Government and Donor Corrdination

Islāmābād, Pakistan

Dhaka, Bangladesh

As Office Director, I provide technical oversight of a $103 million portfolio of seventeen highly innovative activities that includes human and labor rights, rule of law, governance, political processing, civil society, countering trafficking-in-persons and countering violent extremism. I provide vision and leadership to five program teams comprised of fourteen highly qualified staff to confront a shrinking democratic space and promote long-term democratic stability. In coordination with U.S… Show more As Office Director, I provide technical oversight of a $103 million portfolio of seventeen highly innovative activities that includes human and labor rights, rule of law, governance, political processing, civil society, countering trafficking-in-persons and countering violent extremism. I provide vision and leadership to five program teams comprised of fourteen highly qualified staff to confront a shrinking democratic space and promote long-term democratic stability. In coordination with U.S. agencies and implementing partners I advance U.S. policy objectives to Bangladeshi government officials. Show less

Baku, Azerbaijan

Directs a complex portfolio of $39 Million in democracy, governance and economic growth programs, including diverse activities that strengthen civil society, protect the rights of women and children, support the development of economic diversification in Azerbaijan, with a focus on the agricultural sector.Severs as the senior technical development expert at the US Embassy, and routinely advises the USG on the design, implementation and monitoring of development assistance. Manages a… Show more Directs a complex portfolio of $39 Million in democracy, governance and economic growth programs, including diverse activities that strengthen civil society, protect the rights of women and children, support the development of economic diversification in Azerbaijan, with a focus on the agricultural sector.Severs as the senior technical development expert at the US Embassy, and routinely advises the USG on the design, implementation and monitoring of development assistance. Manages a staff of six Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs). Show less

Kosovo

Managed the implementation of USAID/Kosovo's democracy and governance (DG) programs.Contributed to the development of the DG program strategy and country strategy..Served as the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for the Missions two largest rule of law programs. Was lead for integration specialist and oversaw program activities in the Serbian majorities municipalities in Northern Kosovo.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

As a new Foreign Service Officer I served on several rotations in Washington, including the Democracy, Civil Society and Media Team and the Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives Desk Officer.

Afghanistan

I worked as a Democracy and Governance Advsior with the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Kalot, Uruzgan.

Kabul, Afghanistan

Oversaw civilian-run stabilization projects in targeted areas during the shape, clear and hold phases of counterinsurgency (COIN) operations. Facilitates the engagement of community and government leaders so as to mitigate conflict and create space for longer term development projects and support the legitimacy and capacity of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA).• Serves as the OTI primary representative and liaison with USAID Mission personnel, U.S. Embassy… Show more Oversaw civilian-run stabilization projects in targeted areas during the shape, clear and hold phases of counterinsurgency (COIN) operations. Facilitates the engagement of community and government leaders so as to mitigate conflict and create space for longer term development projects and support the legitimacy and capacity of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA).• Serves as the OTI primary representative and liaison with USAID Mission personnel, U.S. Embassy staff, UN agencies, military personnel, host-country government officials, international organizations, indigenous and international NGOS, international donors, and others interested in DCHA/OTI activities. Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with them in order to ensure close coordination at the field level, identify the widest range of potential partners and opportunities, and achieve maximum synergy with other programs;• Based on political analysis and U.S. Government policy, conceptualizes, designs and drives program strategies and objectives in close coordination with OTI staff, USAID, military personnel, the U.S. embassy, and other U.S. agencies and departments, as well as national and local government officials, and local civil society representatives;• Oversees more than 20 USPSCs, several national staff, and a significant number of implementing partner staff, in at least 10 different locations across the country, including Kabul. Continuously reviews and designs staffing plans to meet overall program objectives and recruits, trains, supervises, and evaluates the performance of in-country OTI staff. Show less

Provides leadership to a multimillion dollar international community development organization that works in conflict and post-disaster countries enabling people to rebuild their communities and their lives.Launched new project activity in complex emergency and disaster situations Develops executive level relationships with donors and partners

Launched an international development competency for the organization.Oversaw the funding component of the relief and development work.Worked to develop and obtain funding and coordinate educational training for a network of international training schools in Africa, Asia and South America

Acted as USAID Country Representative in the absence of CR (50%)Monitored 40 USAID programs in Tajikistan ($56 million), Programs: Democracy and Media; Enterprise, Finance and Trade; Health & Population; Basic Education, Community Development and Infrastructure, Conflict Mitigation and Food Security Programs.Represented the mission of USAID to senior government officials, diplomatic missions, international financial institutes, and international organizations.

Supported the growth of sustainable and democratic local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that provide services to vulnerable groups.Oversaw USAID and UNHCR funded project, the Program of Civil Society and NGO Development for Tajikistan, a program that works through Community Mobilization, Advocacy, Social Partnership and Volunteerism.Managed a Community Reconciliation and Development Project that addressed

Developed programs: building over 700 emergency earthquake shelters and houses in Northern Afghanistan and Tajikistan, and rebuilding over 3,250 homes that were destroyed during the Afghan and Tajik civil wars, and building six primary schools in Northern Afghanistan for girls.Initiated and developed a USAID funded pilot micro-credit and community development/health project that helped to diversify program activities in the field. Both pilot projects were later fully funded and… Show more Developed programs: building over 700 emergency earthquake shelters and houses in Northern Afghanistan and Tajikistan, and rebuilding over 3,250 homes that were destroyed during the Afghan and Tajik civil wars, and building six primary schools in Northern Afghanistan for girls.Initiated and developed a USAID funded pilot micro-credit and community development/health project that helped to diversify program activities in the field. Both pilot projects were later fully funded and expanded in two regions of the country. Established an administrative structure and introduced a professional financial management program for a rapidly developing program for over 100 employees Show less

Mba, Business Administration And Management, General

Nternational Conflict Resolution, Southwest Asian Studies, And Political Systems And Theories

Activities and Societies: Southwest Asia Student Association, member, Tufts University, 1996- 1998Sasakawa Young Leadership Fellowship.

Ma, Near Eastern Languages And Civilizations

Activities and Societies: Graduate Student Council Member, 1992 Student Association for Inner Asian Studies, member, University.

Ba, Linguistics & South And Southwest Asian Studies

Dean's List 1985

Cross-Cultural Communication