ENERGIA’s International Secretariat is based at Hivos, People Unlimited:
Postbus 85565
2508 CG The Hague
The Netherlands
Visitor’s address:
Raamweg 16
2596 HL The Hague
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)70 376 55 00
Fax: +31 (0)70362 46 00
International Coordinator and Programme Manager
Sheila Oparaocha | Contact by e-mail
Sheila Oparaocha has twenty years of working experience in the gender and energy sector. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Veterinary Medicine and a Master’s Degree in Gender and Development Planning. Sheila is the International Coordinator and Programme Manager of the ENERGIA International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy. She has the overall and primary responsibility for managing ENERGIA’s international programmes, planning, monitoring, reporting and liaising with ENERGIA’s donors. Sheila also provides technical support to ENERGIA’s activities on women entrepreneurship development, gender mainstreaming in energy programmes, international policy advocacy, research and evidence development, network building and knowledge management. Sheila co-chairs the Sustainable Development Goal 7 Technical Advisory Group that has been convened by UNDESA to review progress on SDG 7 and it interlinkages with other SDGs for the 2018 High level Political Forum.
Sheila Oparaocha has twenty years of working experience in the gender and energy sector. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Veterinary Medicine and a Master’s Degree in Gender and Development Planning. Sheila is the International Coordinator and Programme Manager of the ENERGIA International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy. She has the overall and primary responsibility for managing ENERGIA’s international programmes, planning, monitoring, reporting and liaising with ENERGIA’s donors. Sheila also provides technical support to ENERGIA’s activities on women entrepreneurship development, gender mainstreaming in energy programmes, international policy advocacy, research and evidence development, network building and knowledge management. Sheila co-chairs the Sustainable Development Goal 7 Technical Advisory Group that has been convened by UNDESA to review progress on SDG 7 and it interlinkages with other SDGs for the 2018 High level Political Forum.
Programme Managers
Annemarije Kooijman | Contact by e-mail
Coordinator Gender and Energy Research Programme
After having worked for over ten years at the University of Twente holding several positions, the last of which was as senior researcher, coordinator of research project development and strategic advisor, Annemarije joined ENERGIA in August 2014. Annemarije holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Energy, diffusion of technology and small enterprises. Her areas of research include the sustainability of biomass, biofuels, renewable energy and energy access and the diffusion of innovations.
Coordinator Gender and Energy Research Programme
After having worked for over ten years at the University of Twente holding several positions, the last of which was as senior researcher, coordinator of research project development and strategic advisor, Annemarije joined ENERGIA in August 2014. Annemarije holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Energy, diffusion of technology and small enterprises. Her areas of research include the sustainability of biomass, biofuels, renewable energy and energy access and the diffusion of innovations.
Silvia Sartori | Contact by e-mail
Coordinator Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme
For the past 15 years Silvia has been working in different capacities on multiple international development and cooperation projects at the nexus of energy and environment, women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship, private sector development (esp. SMEs), innovation and sustainability. Her academic background is in SME Management and Development, and Asian Studies. Silvia has been working across 20 least developed, emerging and developed Asian countries and in support to Asian, European, Latin American, Middle Eastern and Sub-saharan African women entrepreneurs. Silvia joined ENERGIA in January 2021 as Women’s Economic Empowerment Senior Project Manager.
Coordinator Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme
For the past 15 years Silvia has been working in different capacities on multiple international development and cooperation projects at the nexus of energy and environment, women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship, private sector development (esp. SMEs), innovation and sustainability. Her academic background is in SME Management and Development, and Asian Studies. Silvia has been working across 20 least developed, emerging and developed Asian countries and in support to Asian, European, Latin American, Middle Eastern and Sub-saharan African women entrepreneurs. Silvia joined ENERGIA in January 2021 as Women’s Economic Empowerment Senior Project Manager.
Programme Officers
Caroline Brants | Contact by e-mail
Project Officer Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme
Caroline is a human geographer by education and has many years of international experience in the field of gender and development. She joined ENERGIA in February 2017. Prior to that, she was Hivos’ project officer for India and has worked as a gender specialist in various projects in Africa and Asia. She has also supported research work in Ghana on access to and control over land and has actively contributed to the development of a toolkit which supports the production and use of sex-disaggregated agricultural data.
Project Officer Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme
Caroline is a human geographer by education and has many years of international experience in the field of gender and development. She joined ENERGIA in February 2017. Prior to that, she was Hivos’ project officer for India and has worked as a gender specialist in various projects in Africa and Asia. She has also supported research work in Ghana on access to and control over land and has actively contributed to the development of a toolkit which supports the production and use of sex-disaggregated agricultural data.
Francisco Bascope | Contact by e-mail
Project Officer
Francisco joined ENERGIA in June 2017. Prior to this, he worked as a Programme Officer – Green Entrepreneurship at the Hivos Regional Office South America in La Paz, Bolivia. His career path of over 13 years in Latin American countries encompasses certified forest management, renewable energy and policy-making in sustainable development organizations, as well as in the public and private forest sector. Francisco is a forest-engineer and holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Socioeconomics.
Project Officer
Francisco joined ENERGIA in June 2017. Prior to this, he worked as a Programme Officer – Green Entrepreneurship at the Hivos Regional Office South America in La Paz, Bolivia. His career path of over 13 years in Latin American countries encompasses certified forest management, renewable energy and policy-making in sustainable development organizations, as well as in the public and private forest sector. Francisco is a forest-engineer and holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Socioeconomics.
Communications
Tjarda Muller | Contact by e-mail
Communications Coordinator
Tjarda joined ENERGIA in November 2013, and is responsible for developing, implementing and coordinating communications strategies and plans in ENERGIA’s international programmes. She has over 15 years working experience in development cooperation and communication for development, and has worked in the Netherlands and Central America as programme coordinator and communications specialist. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish Language and Culture and a Master’s degree in International Organisations.
Communications Coordinator
Tjarda joined ENERGIA in November 2013, and is responsible for developing, implementing and coordinating communications strategies and plans in ENERGIA’s international programmes. She has over 15 years working experience in development cooperation and communication for development, and has worked in the Netherlands and Central America as programme coordinator and communications specialist. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish Language and Culture and a Master’s degree in International Organisations.
Lucia Lenci | Contact by e-mail
Communications Officer
Lucia joined ENERGIA in 2018 as Communications Officer. She is responsible for designing and implementing communications strategies aligned with ENERGIA’s goals to engage target audiences. She writes and distributes a wide range of communication products, which should inspire action towards ensuring energy access for all by supporting women’s entrepreneurship. She also leads on developing ENERGIA’s online profile through its presence on social media platforms. She holds a Master in Environmental Communications and prior to ENERGIA she worked as journalist and communications expert in the nonprofit sector.
Communications Officer
Lucia joined ENERGIA in 2018 as Communications Officer. She is responsible for designing and implementing communications strategies aligned with ENERGIA’s goals to engage target audiences. She writes and distributes a wide range of communication products, which should inspire action towards ensuring energy access for all by supporting women’s entrepreneurship. She also leads on developing ENERGIA’s online profile through its presence on social media platforms. She holds a Master in Environmental Communications and prior to ENERGIA she worked as journalist and communications expert in the nonprofit sector.
Finance
Busi Maphosa | Contact by e-mail
Financial Officer
Busi has been working with Hivos since June 2016 under the Finance Tender Support and Control department. She joined the ENERGIA team as Financial Officer in December 2016. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a Master’s degree in Management, Economics & Consumer Studies. Busi has worked in the retail, tourism and humanitarian sectors in finance, administration and accountancy roles. Her experience encompasses financial reporting, administration, budgeting and control.
Financial Officer
Busi has been working with Hivos since June 2016 under the Finance Tender Support and Control department. She joined the ENERGIA team as Financial Officer in December 2016. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a Master’s degree in Management, Economics & Consumer Studies. Busi has worked in the retail, tourism and humanitarian sectors in finance, administration and accountancy roles. Her experience encompasses financial reporting, administration, budgeting and control.
Support
Zaki Qaraghuli | Contact by e-mail
Project Assistant
Project Assistant
Zaki has started working at Hivos in February 2019 supporting different projects and programmes . He has a background in business management, banking, communications, translation, and marketing. He holds two Bachelor’s degrees in management and administration. He has worked in banks and human rights organizations as project assistant, project coordinator, communications coordinator, and marketer. At ENERGIA, Zaki assists with different projects administratively and logistically. He supports the team in reporting, events, meetings, logistics and general administrative coordination.