Nico is an evaluation expert with 13+ years’ of experience in designing, managing, conducting or leading evaluations in international development. He is passionate about generating evidence and giving useful recommendations to a diverse audience to inform decision-making that supports inclusive sustainable development. Nico’s work is grounded in applied research, partnership, engagement and a high-level of quality. Nico has experience collaborating with public policymakers, project implementers, non-governmental organizations, consulting firms, evaluators and researchers.
His thematic expertise and professional interest primarily include agriculture and the intersection with value chain analysis, technology adoption, food security/nutrition, women’s empowerment and climate adaptation. Nico has also gathered evaluation experience in other sectors or themes, such as private sector engagements with development cooperation or cash for work projects in the context of the Syrian crisis. Nico’s methodological expertise spans quasi-experimental designs, mixed-methods and theory-based designs.
Nico currently serves as an evaluation consultant, supporting clients in designing and conducting project, program or strategic evaluations, in data collection and analysis and in writing of different evaluation products. His previous clients include the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Madiba Consult/GIZ, International Potato Center (CIP) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). Prior to this, Nico was employed with the German Institute for Development Evaluation (DEval), where he was involved in complex program, thematic or meta-evaluations as a team leader or as an evaluation analyst.
His country work experience spans Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Jordan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda and Vietnam. Nico holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics from the University of Goettingen (Germany) and an M.Sc. in International Development Studies from the University of Utrecht (The Netherlands).