Sascha Graumann Email & Phone Number

Amman, Jordan

Leading technical guidance for policy definition and field operationalisation of UNRWA’s USD 215 million relief programme in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza and the West Bank. Technical oversight of UNRWA’s food and cash humanitarian response to the war in Gaza. Fostering alliances and partnerships with external stakeholders for alignment, resource mobilization, programme policy development and implementation.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Civil-military coordination and deconfliction with the Saudi-led Coalition to negotiate humanitarian access in Yemen, strengthen the protection of civilians and advising the Evacuation and Humanitarian Operations Cell of the Saudi Joint Forces Command. Chair of the Steering Committee of the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen (UNVIM) to facilitate commercial imports into the non-government-controlled territory in compliance with UN Security Council resolution 2216.

Uzbekistan

Negotiated expansion of the agency’s operating space and sharpened advocacy on sensitive human rights issues within a complex political environment leading to the Government’s acceptance of previously rejected UN treaty body recommendations, the reintegration of repatriated families of foreign terrorist fighters in compliance with IHL and IHRL, the release of incarcerated juveniles and exclusive access to prison and detention facilities to prevent torture, ill-treatment and youth radicalization. Achieved highest increase in staff survey ratings across the organization and doubled annual programme delivery by overcoming limiting beliefs among staff about working and managing risks in politically constrained operating environments.

Georgia

Repositioned the organization as high-level policy advisor leading to a 50 per cent reduction in extreme child poverty, justice sector reforms, the ratification of the UNCRC Third Optional Protocol and a 23-percentage point increase in the agency’s brand recognition. Negotiated programme interventions with separatist de-facto authorities to promote conflict resolution and the protection of human rights in the non-government-controlled territory.

Gaza

Managed complex stakeholder relations with Hamas-led authorities in Gaza, Palestinian Authority and Israeli Defence Forces to advance triple nexus programming and support the implementation of the Fatah-Hamas Reconciliation Agreement. Negotiated import of dual-usage construction materials for previously suspended reconstruction projects with Israeli Defence Forces thereby increasing the programme portfolio to USD 150 million and doubling annual programme delivery.

Russian Federation

Led strategy for UNDP’s engagement with the Russian Federation following the country’s graduation from UNDP’s assistance thereby winning Russia as a future donor to UNDP, consolidating the programme into a USD 50 million portfolio, eliminating a USD 1 million budget deficit and increasing the extra-budgetary reserve. Directed UNDP’s post-conflict programme in the North Caucasus and prepared UNDP’s disaster response in Yemen (as Recovery Advisor of UNDP’s corporate crisis response facility).

Crimea

Repositioned the multi-donor, area-based development programme to the policy level as to address structural root causes of inter-ethnic conflict and mobilized resources to double annual programme delivery. Negotiated establishment of the high-level Crimea Human Security Council between different ethnic and political groups and mediated the discussions to facilitate the reintegration of formerly deported ethnic minorities and conflict-sensitive Government policy choices.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Policy advice on crisis prevention and recovery, including area-based development, peace and conflict impact assessments, early warning and policy analysis systems of risk factors for structural instabilities, violent conflict and societal dysfunction. Facilitated CCA/UNDAF strategic planning workshops for UN Country Teams and Governments and piloted regional Inter-agency Quality Support and Assurance System.

Tajikistan

Backstopped the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Development Programme, the Social Sector Rehabilitation Project and the Peace and Confidence Building Project.

New York