Haley Sands
Washington,DC
Summary
As a senior technical and policy advisor within the U.S. Department of State's humanitarian bureau, the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, covering Child Protection, Gender Based Violence, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, and Human Trafficking, I am the lead subject matter expert providing policy analysis of gender and development issues for the Department. I lead the Department's programmatic and policy initiatives in these areas with an expertise on implementation challenges in developing countries. Donor lead on UNHCR and UNICEF programming related to my portfolio (PRM is the largest donor to UNHCR globally) and provide strategic guidance internally and externally to a variety of audiences.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Foreign Service Officer, Political Officer
U.S. Department of State
Embassy Niamey, Niger
12.2020 - Current
- As Acting Political Chief of U.S
- Embassy Niamey, advise, inform, and deliver analysis to the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, and relevant section heads for DOD, USAID, and other agencies on key political events
- Provide recommendations for U.S
- Engagement in Niger and the greater Sahel region, including coordination with Embassies Ouagadougou and Bamako, particularly on GPC-related issues
- Serve as embassy's key subject matter expert and analyst on human rights issues, including migration, human trafficking, Gender Based Violence, equitable access to justice, and civil liberties, among others
- Draft policy briefs, reports, and engagement points for high-level meetings, including with the head of state, members of cabinet, in multilateral fora, and with diplomatic corps partners
- Initiate and lead bilateral engagement with cabinet-level interlocutors on the Ambassador’s behalf, when requested
- Serve as key interlocutor between Embassy Niamey and U.S
- Embassy Paris and as an expert on U.S.-French relations in the Sahel, advising colleagues in Paris on engagement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding French and American interests in the region.
Foreign Affairs Officer
Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
Washington, D.C.
09.2014 - 11.2020
- Technical subject matter expert on human trafficking for the U.S
- Department of State
- Managed a portfolio of 10 countries in southern Africa
- Previous portfolios included Central, East and West Africa (31 countries on the continent) and Europe
- Collaborated with senior Bureau and Department officials to develop U.S
- Policy and strategies concerning human trafficking issues
- Draft policy memoranda and position papers for senior Department officials to use in meetings, which included all levels of the USG, the private sector, and representatives of other countries
- Performed in-depth research on complex human trafficking issues
- Analyze and evaluate data to validate existing policies or to recommend implementing changes or new policies or guidance with respect to Southern Africa
- Represented the Office, Bureau, and Department in working groups and domestic and international meetings, conferences, bilateral and multilateral meetings and negotiation
- Conducted overseas site visits to collect information on human trafficking and the efforts of foreign governments to address the issues
- Prepared reports/briefings based on data gathered; collaborated with overseas posts, foreign embassies in Washington, regional bureaus and NGOs to encourage and guide reporting in the interests of improving the U.S
- Government’s knowledge of human trafficking
- Provided regular oral briefings and presentations, of varying formats and for widely varying audiences on human trafficking issues in a specific geographic region.
Knowledge Management & Communications Specialist
South Sudan Health Pooled Fund (HPF)
Juba, South Sudan
04.2013 - 09.2014
- Designed and implemented the KMC strategy and work plan for HPF, a £130m health project funded by the UK’s DFID
- Facilitated engagement with a diverse group of stakeholders, including 5 international donors, 5 international and national consortium partner, 19 implementing partners and the government
- Synthesized and disseminated targeted technical information to engage stakeholders on project activities, including best practices and success stories at the county, state, and national levels
- Actively engaged with senior HPF management and technical leads in 5 departments by editing and packaging technical writing, teaching analytical writing strategies and collaborating to create communication projects
- Organized and wrote monthly, quarterly and annual reports for donors and managed all reporting for the HPF Steering Committee
- Successfully managed HPF’s Administrative Officer, building his capacity to enable him to move into the Logistics Coordinator position.
Lead Researcher, Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Study
French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Juba, South Sudan
01.2013 - 04.2013
- Developed research methodology for a multi-country study on children without appropriate care, trafficking, and children in conflict with the law
- Recruited and line-managed a team of 8 researchers and led field research
- Conducted interviews with NGOs, UN, and the government as well as over 320 child respondents and parents
- Executed data analysis, wrote and presented final report at the European Commission to an audience of international donors and senior UN stakeholders in South Sudan
- Provided technical guidance to international donors and the government related to human trafficking and child protection, making recommendations to amend current policies.
Counter-Trafficking Program Manager
Confident Children Out of Conflict
Juba, South Sudan
12.2011 - 04.2012
- Managed provision of protective services for 40 girls at a shelter in Juba
- Represented CCC in meetings, technical working groups and events with stakeholders, including senior government officials, UN and NGO representatives.
Lead Researcher, Girls Education and Empowerment Study
Joint Donor Team
Juba, South Sudan
09.2011 - 12.2011
- Designed, led and conducted qualitative and quantitative gender research in two states in South Sudan regarding the challenges girls face in access to and retention in education
- Wrote report encompassing findings, which was incorporated into the Education Sector Strategy Plan for the Ministry of Education in South Sudan
- This was used to shape national police regarding gender issues in education.
Communications Officer
Confident Children out of Conflict (CCC)
Juba, South Sudan
05.2010 - 12.2010
- Represented CCC in the United Nations Child Protection Cluster
- Wrote technical reports and contributed to research on commercial sexual exploitation of children
- Developed and implemented CCC’s communications strategy.
Foreign Affairs Officer
Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
Washington, D.C.
- As a senior technical and policy advisor within the U.S
- Department of State's humanitarian bureau, the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, covering Child Protection, Gender Based Violence, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, and Human Trafficking, I am the lead subject matter expert providing policy analysis of gender and development issues for the Department
- I lead the Department's programmatic and policy initiatives in these areas with an expertise on implementation challenges in developing countries
- Donor lead on UNHCR and UNICEF programming related to my portfolio (PRM is the largest donor to UNHCR globally) and provide strategic guidance internally and externally to a variety of audiences.
Education
MSc Human Rights -
The London School of Economics and Political Science
01.2011
BA (Honors) Journalism -
The University of Westminster
01.2009
Skills
- Analytical
- Public Speaking
- Excellent Communication
- Team building
- Supervision and leadership
Righttowork
France
Languages
- English, Native tongue
- French, 3/3+ Foreign Service Institute / DELF C1 in French System
Affiliations
I am most proud of my role as mother to my young son, Arthur.
Language
English
Native/ Bilingual
French
Full Professional
Accomplishments
Co-authored reports in seven years of the U.S. Department of State's annual Trafficking in Persons Report.
Have received meritorious and leadership awards every year I have served with the Department of State.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Foreign Service Officer, Political Officer
U.S. Department of State
12.2020 - Current
Foreign Affairs Officer
Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
09.2014 - 11.2020
Knowledge Management & Communications Specialist
South Sudan Health Pooled Fund (HPF)
04.2013 - 09.2014
Lead Researcher, Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Study
French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
01.2013 - 04.2013
Counter-Trafficking Program Manager
Confident Children Out of Conflict
12.2011 - 04.2012
Lead Researcher, Girls Education and Empowerment Study
Joint Donor Team
09.2011 - 12.2011
Communications Officer
Confident Children out of Conflict (CCC)
05.2010 - 12.2010
Foreign Affairs Officer
Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
MSc Human Rights -
The London School of Economics and Political Science
BA (Honors) Journalism -
The University of Westminster
Similar Profiles
Ken A. SeifertKen A. Seifert
Supervisory Regional Executive HR Director / Chief Management Officer at U.S. Embassy, U.S. Department of StateSupervisory Regional Executive HR Director / Chief Management Officer at U.S. Embassy, U.S. Department of State
RAISSA SILVARAISSA SILVA
Security Investigator at U.S. Department Of State, U.S. Embassy BrasiliaSecurity Investigator at U.S. Department Of State, U.S. Embassy Brasilia
Rasul HamidliRasul Hamidli
Information Management Assistant (Full Performance Level) at U.S. Department of State (U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan)Information Management Assistant (Full Performance Level) at U.S. Department of State (U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan)
TeAndra McClatcheyTeAndra McClatchey
Senior Contracts & Logistics Manager at U.S. Department of StateSenior Contracts & Logistics Manager at U.S. Department of State
Cheryl BuddCheryl Budd
Relationship Banker at Bank of AmericaRelationship Banker at Bank of America