Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Websites
Accomplishments
Languages
Additional Information
Timeline
Generic

Abdoul Razak Ahmadou Youssoufou

Cotonou-

Summary

Humanitarian and peacebuilding professional with over 4 years of experience in project management and community-based conflict prevention. Expertise in donor coordination, proposal development, and facilitating dialogue in crisis-affected areas. Strong background in local governance and empowerment initiatives for youth and women, with a focus on intersectional and rights-based approaches. Committed to fostering inclusive and sustainable outcomes through collaboration with grassroots communities.

Overview

6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Project Specialist – Governance & Peacebuilding

UNDP Benin
01.2023 - Current
  • Lead three integrated projects totaling $3.5M to empower women and youth in border areas through vocational training, entrepreneurship, and value chain integration, with a strong focus on grassroots community engagement and ownership.
  • Designed and coordinated local conflict prevention initiatives in areas impacted by violent extremism, in partnership with local authorities, religious and traditional leaders.
  • Contributed to project resource mobilization and donor liaison, including preparation of reports, concept notes and donor briefings.
  • Provided backstopping for community-based resilience and protection interventions in cross-border areas affected by insecurity and displacement.

Project Officer – Education for Peace

UNESCO Niger
01.2021 - 01.2023
  • Managed two peace education projects ($350K), focusing on preventing violent extremism through civic values, tolerance, and alternative learning pathways developed in close collaboration with community actors.
  • Developed content for peace education curricula and supported reintegration of 146 conflict-affected students (60 female).
  • Contributed to UNESCO’s peace education strategy and drafted a regional guide for youth peace facilitators in the Sahel.
  • Designed storytelling campaigns and facilitated school-level dialogues promoting social cohesion and global citizenship.

Junior Consultant – Reintegration & Migration Governance

IOM Côte d’Ivoire
01.2020 - 01.2021
  • Developed sustainable livelihoods strategies for 150 returnees (70 women), integrating vocational training, microenterprise support, and financial inclusion mechanisms, through participatory planning with community-based stakeholders.
  • Provided technical inputs to reintegration project proposals and donor reports for EU-funded migration programs.
  • Facilitated coordination with local CSOs, municipalities and partners to support dignified reintegration and local trust-building.
  • Supported monitoring tools, vulnerability assessments, and cash-for-work planning.

Education

Master of Arts - Social & Economic Sciences (International Solidarity)

Catholic University of Paris
Paris, France

Bachelor of Arts - Public Law

University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah
Morocco

Skills

  • Project & Grant Management (up to $35M budget)
  • Humanitarian Response & Resilience Programming
  • Peacebuilding & Conflict Prevention in Fragile Contexts
  • Women & Youth Empowerment in Rural Areas
  • Community-Based Programming & Local Engagement
  • Education for Peace & Social Cohesion
  • Proposal Writing & Donor Reporting (EU, UN, bilateral donors)
  • Cash-based Assistance & Livelihoods Reintegration (IOM)
  • Resource Mobilization & Donor Coordination
  • Cross-Cultural Communication & Dialogue Facilitation
  • Storytelling & Strategic Communications for Development
  • Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)
  • Languages: French (native), English (professional proficiency)

Certification

  • Community Engagement Exchange Program (CEEP) – U.S. Department of State / IREX | 2023
  • Peacebuilding & Prevention of Violent Extremism through Education – UNESCO | 2021
  • Civic Dialogue & Conflict Transformation – IREX, Washington, D.C. | 2023

Accomplishments

  • Participated in the drafting of a youth training guide on peacebuilding in the Sahel (UNESCO, 2023).
  • Led a community project collecting educational kits for 40 children in vulnerable communities post-fellowship.
  • Trained 10 youth peace ambassadors (50% female) in non-violent communication and conflict resolution in Niger.
  • Developed 7 concept notes and project proposals that successfully mobilized over $3M from donors such as the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), Denmark and other bilateral partners, with actions grounded in community-based needs and priorities.
  • Engaged with diverse donors and stakeholders in joint program design and local strategy formulation.

Languages

French
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2

Additional Information

  • Willingness to relocate to South Sudan and engage in field-based humanitarian work.
  • Committed to continuous learning, especially on Mine Action, cash-based interventions, circular economy, and climate justice.
  • Available for interview and references upon request.

Timeline

Project Specialist – Governance & Peacebuilding

UNDP Benin
01.2023 - Current

Project Officer – Education for Peace

UNESCO Niger
01.2021 - 01.2023

Junior Consultant – Reintegration & Migration Governance

IOM Côte d’Ivoire
01.2020 - 01.2021

Master of Arts - Social & Economic Sciences (International Solidarity)

Catholic University of Paris

Bachelor of Arts - Public Law

University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah
Abdoul Razak Ahmadou Youssoufou