ASTRID CAÑAS-CORTÉS
Bogotá,Spanish (Colombia)
Summary
Experienced MEI and Grants Specialist with a strong track record in participatory monitoring, evaluation, and capacity development across social justice, human rights, and gender-focused programs in Latin America. Skilled in managing multi-country subgrant portfolios, designing evidence-based PME frameworks, and supporting organizations and movements to strengthen impact, learning, and accountability. Brings a collaborative, feminist, and inclusive approach to translating complex data and insights into actionable strategies for communities and partners.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Consultant for Strengthening Reporting Mechanisms on Women, Peace, and Security, Vice-Ministry of Women
UN Women / Ministry of Equality and Equity
03.2025 - Current
- Strengthened reporting systems linking PMI gender measures, the UNSCR 1325 National Action Plan, and the Protection Plan for Women Human Rights Defenders.
- Developed methodological tools for the Gender Indicators Report of the Peace Accord Implementation Framework (PMI), applying a change-oriented monitoring approach.
Consultant
Coalition Against the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (COALICO)
11.2023 - 12.2023
- Produced participatory research reports on forced disappearance and unlawful recruitment of children and adolescents in Guaviare and Meta.
- Applied qualitative research methods to document local perspectives, generating evidence for child protection and human rights advocacy.
Project Coordinator, Project Design & Monitoring
Colombia Diversa
04.2022 - 12.2022
- Advised on organizational processes for project planning, monitoring, and evaluation to strengthen protection of LGBTI rights.
- Prepared funding proposals for human rights projects focused on legal defense, research, and advocacy, managing technical relationships with donors.
Advisor to the Presidency / Full Commission
Truth, Coexistence and Non-Repetition Commission (CEV)
05.2020 - 11.2021
- Advised on research methodology, including selection of coordinators and co-investigators, standardization of processes, and technical inputs for the Final Report’s Testimonies Volume.
- Coordinated technical workplans between the Testimonies team, internal CEV units, and external entities (JEP, Asfadehes).
Regional Safeguarding Lead, Latin America
Regional Changing the Story Project, Leeds University (DFID-funded)
11.2019 - 02.2020
- Collected and analyzed legislation and internal policies of Latin American partner organizations.
- Contributed to the design and delivery of capacity-building workshops for junior professionals, civil society staff, and local partners, promoting child-friendly research methods, focus groups, and ethical engagement.
Institutional Strengthening Advisor
Fundación Justapaz
02.2019 - 12.2019
- Strengthened project planning, monitoring, and evaluation systems for initiatives funded by four European donors.
- Built institutional capacity for managing cooperation and donor resources.
- Supported organizational development and team capacity building.
Subgranting Officer & Capacity Development Coordinator, Latin America & Caribbean
Forum Syd
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Managed evaluation, administration, monitoring, and reporting of Sida/CIVSAM subgrants for Swedish civil society organizations across Latin America and the Caribbean (totaling SEK 143 million), covering Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, and CLOC/Via Campesina territories; programs focused on environmental sustainable development, gender empowerment and indigenous rights.
- Provided technical support to Latin American partners for programmatic adjustments, including logical frameworks, results frameworks, intervention logic, and budgets aligned with results-based approaches.
- Coordinated the design and implementation of the Capacity Development and Training strategy for the Latin America & Caribbean office, contributing to the global strategy.
Program Officer, Gender & Conflict, Colombia
Forum Syd
05.2015 - 12.2016
- Provided thematic expertise on gender and armed conflict for the Sustainable Development Program (SDP), Sida-CIVSAM funded, coordinating with teams in Kenya and Cambodia to develop community-based methodologies with a focus on sustainable development and gender in urban and rural areas.
- Applied community-based methodologies in Nairobi, Kenya, working with civil society organizations along the Somalia border.
Consultant, Colombia
UN Women
04.2015 - 04.2015
- Developed a qualitative database and analytical report synthesizing 18 submissions from women’s and LGBTI organizations to the Havana Peace Negotiation Table.
Consultant, Gender & Conflict
UNIFEM
10.2008 - 04.2011
- Developed monitoring and early warning indicators to identify risks and vulnerabilities for women, children, and adolescents in conflict settings.
- Provided technical guidance to national and regional analysts and designed inter-institutional strategies for humanitarian prevention with a gender perspective.
Project Development Advisor, Advocacy & Communications
War Child Netherlands
05.2009 - 02.2011
- Advised on advocacy strategies through capacity building, indicators and results framework advisory for six NGO partners and 20 youth initiatives.
Education
BA - Political Science
Universidad Nacional de Colombia
MA - Anthropology
Universidad de Los Andes
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Skills
- Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving
- Leadership & Mentorship
- Collaboration & Partnership Building
- Adaptability & Change Management
- Communication & Storytelling
- Cultural Sensitivity & Inclusion
Lenguages
English (fluent), Spanish (native).
Timeline
Consultant for Strengthening Reporting Mechanisms on Women, Peace, and Security, Vice-Ministry of Women
UN Women / Ministry of Equality and Equity
03.2025 - Current
Consultant
Coalition Against the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (COALICO)
11.2023 - 12.2023
Project Coordinator, Project Design & Monitoring
Colombia Diversa
04.2022 - 12.2022
Advisor to the Presidency / Full Commission
Truth, Coexistence and Non-Repetition Commission (CEV)
05.2020 - 11.2021
Regional Safeguarding Lead, Latin America
Regional Changing the Story Project, Leeds University (DFID-funded)
11.2019 - 02.2020
Institutional Strengthening Advisor
Fundación Justapaz
02.2019 - 12.2019
Subgranting Officer & Capacity Development Coordinator, Latin America & Caribbean
Forum Syd
01.2017 - 01.2019
Program Officer, Gender & Conflict, Colombia
Forum Syd
05.2015 - 12.2016
Consultant, Colombia
UN Women
04.2015 - 04.2015
Project Development Advisor, Advocacy & Communications
War Child Netherlands
05.2009 - 02.2011
Consultant, Gender & Conflict
UNIFEM
10.2008 - 04.2011
MA - Anthropology
Universidad de Los Andes
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BA - Political Science
Universidad Nacional de Colombia
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