Rik Thijssen

Experience

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  Wageningen University

  Jan 1984 - Jan 1985

  Researcher in the Dominican Republic

  Agro-sociological research with smallholder rice and cocoa farmers; providing research insights and information from farmers to the agricultural extension services (Department of Agriculture) in order to improve credit facilities to farming families.

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  World Agroforestry Centre - ICRAF

  May 1988 - Nov 1993

  Researcher, trainer and assistant to project management

  Assistant manager to research programme in the highlands of East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda);Frequent travel abroad: training of national staff on computer programmes and on participatory approaches;Applied research on agroforestry with farmers (CBNRM);Starting new research station in the coffee zone of Embu District, Kenya;Editing national reports in English and French.

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  Stichting ETC

  Jun 1995 - Sept 1998

  Counterpart to project team leader; programme management;Community based natural resource Management (CBNRM);Training of programme staff in 8 districts in Western Kenya on NRM, participatory techniques, planning and monitoring/evaluation;Networking with many relevant organizations;Contacts with Ministry of Energy and Royal Netherlands Embassy in Kenya;Writing of funding proposals and financial reporting;Publication of final document with overview of 10 years Kenya Woodfuel and Agroforestry Programme;Research and publication on The Poultry Feed Tree (FAO publication);Final closure of the programme in 1998 (HRM, assets, reporting etc) Show less

  • Technical Advisor and counterpart to Programme Management

    Jan 1994 - Sept 1998

  • Consultant ETC East Africa

    Jun 1995 - Jun 1998
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  Stichting Bos en Hout (SBH)

  Sept 1998 - Feb 1999

  Researcher

  Research on stands of different tree species for bio-energy.

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  SNV

  Feb 1999 - May 2000

  Advisor to Local Government

  Support to Local Government of 4 districts in West Nile on planning of CBNRM and development of agricultural policiesOrganizational strengthening of Agricultural Departments in 4 districts of West NileAdvisory work to private initiatives by groups and individuals on land use issuesMarket research & developmentPublication of agroforestry manual for West Nile

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  Hotel Oasis Inn

  Jul 1999 - Jun 2000

  Business Owner

  Renovation of a deserted villa with borehole and transforming into the main 4-star hotel for NGO and Ugandan government staff in West Nile Province; 5 bedrooms, hot water facilities, power backup, satellite tv-connection, special meals menu, fully licensed bar, meeting facilities (meeting with Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs).When we left Uganda for Indonesia the hotel was bought by the local manager of Uganda Breweries. Friens visiting Arua in 2013 reported that the hotel is still existing! Show less

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  Vredeseilanden

  May 2000 - Jun 2005

  Advisor Rural Development - LEISA and PTD

  Supporting organizational development of 50 different NGOs in 7 Provinces of Indonesia;Training of local CBO/NGO staff;Market research & development;Support to farmer organizations and farmer networks;Ethnobotanical studies on 4 major islands in Indonesia (CBNRM);Developing working relations between NGOs and local government;Contact with donor agencies and developing new funding channels;Annual Reports and financial management/reporting;Starting an informative magazine on sustainable rural development SALAM for Indonesia (founder and editor);Support to annual campaigns of Vredeseilanden. Show less

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  Hotel Puri Santrian

  Apr 2002 - Sept 2002

  PR Consultant

  Production of PR materials for new Spa at Hotel Puri Santrian.

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  World Education

  Jun 2005 - Jul 2005

  Consultant

  Evaluation of the Berau Development Programme in Kalimantan, Indonesia

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  Ileia

  Aug 2005 - Jul 2007

  Senior Editor and Researcher

  Developing themes on critical issues pertaining to sustainable development, ecological farming and food sovereignty;Intensive contact with (potential) authors of articles;Editing of articles and writing of Editorials;Member management team;Networking with partner organization in 7 countries: China, Indonesia, India, Kenya, Senegal, Brazil, Peru;Travel abroad: research, training, developing articles;Development of systematic documentation for CBOs/NGOs and facilitator to international workshops on documentation of project experiences;Successful soliciting 4-year grant from the Dutch Government and from SIDA. Show less

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  DARE2GO

  Jan 2008 - Apr 2012

  Training and inspiring volunteers (18-30 years) and long-distance support while on their social project abroadTour leader for groups of young people to Africa.Contacts with partner organizations in Europe and in tropical countries.Successful soliciting major funding from 5 different donor agencies including Dutch Government. Modernization of the organization; change management in preparation of the next decade...HRM and financial managementContact with donor agencies and developing new funding channelsTravel abroad: contact with and evaluation of projectsPR and representation during major eventsTraining of young volunteers

  • Programme management & Youth Coach

    Jan 2010 - Apr 2012

  • Director

    Jan 2008 - Dec 2009
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  Doe je Verhaal

  Jun 2012 - now

  Independent consultant & trainer

  Project/programme evaluation & consultanciesWriting (annual) reports, press releases, etcTranslation Indonesian/English and Indonesian/DutchTraining and coaching on documentation of experiencesFunding/project proposal writing