Sofia Zhukova Email & Phone Number

San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain

I am responsible for project management and research tasks on different projects in the wellbeing lab of Orkestra. More concretely, I am focused on projects related with employment, education, skills and human talent and how these themes align with public policy for territorial development. On the research side I am specially interested in topics such as gender equality, migration & diversity, urban development and socio-demographic transitions.

España

Conducted specialized consultancy on projects related to Urban Development and Disaster Risk Reduction across Central Asian countries. One example was my contribution to the recently awarded (VPU Award, The World Bank) assessment of the impacts of the Afghanistan Refugee Crisis in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan by leading the urban impact sections of the report and studying the urban impacts of the refugee crisis in certain regions of both countries.

Delhi, India And Donostia - San Sebastián

Designed, coordinated and monitored cooperation projects on gender equality and women empowerment in different states of India (Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and Maddya Pradesh). Raised funding from Basque International Cooperation Agency and other public bodies, conducted project monitoring and evaluation, trained local NGO coordinators and counterparts on M&E indicators and project frameworks focusing on social inclusion and gender equality.

Dili, Timor-Leste

- Conducted studies for a project to identify community based tourism development opportunities in a selected rural region of the country, Maubisse.- Developed a draft tourism roadmap through a participative approach and qualitative methods in consultation with local government, business, community and other stakeholders.- Development of GESI-methodology based indicators (gender equality and social cohesion) for the project.

Área Metropolitana De Washington D.C., Estados Unidos

- Project identification and management for WB investment projects in Eastern Europe and Central Asia(Ukraine, Turkey, Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Cyprus among others).- Liaison with Government institutions and multiple diverse stakeholders (NGOs, international agencies, European Agencies, academia, consultancies...).- Coordinated and managed small grants (i.e. GFDRR, KGGTF- on urban energy efficiency).- Participated in diverse international events (i.e. WB-UNWTO Resilient Silk Road Conferences, Fitur Know-How Export)-Led sections of Research and WB-analytical works (i.e EU-funded projects with DG Regio to understand and improve absorption capacity of EU funds in different subregions of Europe, ECA-wide regional research project using Night-time lights as a proxy of urban and economic dynamics, Ukraine Urbanization Review)- Coordinated cross-country knowledge exchange activities and study tours, missions

Washington Dc

- Liaised between International Financial Institutions (IFIS) headquartered in the US and Spanish public and private sector in selected strategic areas of investment (infrastructure, tourism, energy), through facilitating access to business opportunities and organising multisector events such as the WBG Private Sector Liaison Officer mission to Ghana and Senegal with 30 companies, World Bank, African Development Bank and Millennium Challenge Corporation (organised in September 2014).- Led the elaboration of training modules on how to partner and work with the IFIS i.e. Business Opportunities with the IFIS in the countries of Central America, Business Opportunities with the IFIS in tourism development.- Supported and advised Spanish firms during their engagement process with the IFIS (i.e. elaboration of EOIs, procurement support etc.).

Paseo Mikeletegi 56, Parque Tecnológico De Miramón, San Sebastian, España

- Managed TAMAGs multi-year business incubation process in a tech incubator, Bic-Berrilan.- Led the organization of international fairs and events, such as the DICNMA Conference with 300 participants managing a team of 10 people and volunteers.- Managed and monitored EU grant programs such as the FP7 project EM-Safety (US$ 370 k) looking at increasing public safety of electric vehicles, and ERA-NET (US$ 1 mil) to design innovative micro-technologies.- Represented the company in main sales and communication events internationally (IMAGINENANO 2013).

Exeter, Reino Unido

- Supported NGO management and administration for a program focused on providing housing opportunities and skill development to vulnerable homeless collectives in England.- Worked in communications and fundraising for several campaigns and programs from the NGO.

Master On International Relations, International Relations

Licentiate Degree, International Business Management

Financial management, business development studies, international relations

Masters Degree On Ict And Sustainable Tourism, Ict And Tourism, Thesis: Tourism For Regional Cohesion & Gender Equality In Timor Leste

Undergraduate Degree, Business Administration And Management, General