LESLIE CAROLINA MENDEZ GRUEZO
Lima
Summary
Economist with a Master’s Degree in Globalization and Development, and over eight years of experience in the design, implementation, and monitoring of economic inclusion and poverty alleviation projects targeting vulnerable populations. I began my professional career at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and later deepened my expertise within the United Nations system, working with both the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP). My work has focused on socioeconomic integration, livelihoods, and human rights, with a particular specialization in migration and refugee-related issues.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Lima
05.2022 - Current
- Lead the livelihoods unit at UNHCR in Peru, developing and implementing the national economic inclusion strategy for refugees and migrants.
- Provide technical and strategic oversight to implementing partners, ensuring efficient execution aligned with program objectives.
- Monitor key indicators, and oversee the proper implementation of initiatives and programs, promoting continuous improvements based on evidence.
- Develop technical proposals for donors such as Canada, Japan and AECID on economic inclusion and follow up on commitments, reporting, and expected results.
- Engage in advocacy and coordination with government institutions, municipalities, and both public and private sector actors to build strategic alliances that promote the socio-economic inclusion of refugees in Peru.
- Lead the financial inclusion component that includes advocacy, training and research that allow refugees and migrants to have access to financial services in Peru
Senior Technician of Socioeconomic Integration Project
United Nations Development Programme
Quito
10.2021 - 05.2022
- Support the socio-economic inclusion of refugees, migrants, and vulnerable local populations with a gender perspective through the strengthening of the Decentralized Governments of the Ecuadorian provinces.
- Developed and systematized entrepreneurship methodologies to be replicated and implemented by local governments.
- Monitored program implementation and prepared reports for submission to the European Union.
Senior Livelihoods Assistant
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Quito
09.2018 - 11.2020
- Support the implementation of the Livelihoods Strategy at the national level for the economic inclusion of refugees
- Provide technical support to UNHCR´s Livelihoods focal points in the field
- Facilitate workshops on Livelihoods, Financial Inclusion, and market-based interventions
- Mapping of strategic alliance opportunities with various actors
- Assistance in the creation and consolidation of alliances with public and private actors, academia, and civil society
- Promote the economic and financial inclusion of refugees in Ecuador
Livelihood Assistant
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Quito
08.2016 - 09.2018
- Support the implementation of poverty alleviation projects in the field.
- Provide technical advice to partners on the implementation of the Graduation Model, a methodology to help people to leave poverty behind.
- Monitor the implementation of a methodology designed to include young people in the labour market.
- Map opportunities for the economic inclusion of refugees with public and private actors
Intern Assistant
Inter-American Development Bank
Quito
08.2015 - 01.2016
- Conduct an analysis of Ecuador's economic sectors in which the IDB could invest
- Support a study on the consequences of the elimination of subsidies in Ecuador
- Support in any activity required by the Country Economist
Education
Master - Globalization and Development
University of Antwerp
Antwerp, Belgium09.2021
Economist -
San Francisco of Quito University
Quito, Ecuador06.2016
Skills
- Economic Development
- Poverty Reduction
- Human Rights
- Migration and Refugees
- Livelihoods
- Partnership development
- Advocacy strategies
- Project management
Websites
References
- Purvi Patel, patel.purvi.p@gmail.com, +1(440)315-5531, Former Supervisor
- Daniel Iza, iza@unhcr.org, +502 59888752, Colleague
- Roberto Jaramillo, roberto.jaramillo@undp.org, +593995670729, Former Supervisor
Languages
- Spanish, native
- English, fluent – C1
- French, basic - A1
Timeline
Associate Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
05.2022 - Current
Senior Technician of Socioeconomic Integration Project
United Nations Development Programme
10.2021 - 05.2022
Senior Livelihoods Assistant
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
09.2018 - 11.2020
Livelihood Assistant
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
08.2016 - 09.2018
Intern Assistant
Inter-American Development Bank
08.2015 - 01.2016
Master - Globalization and Development
University of Antwerp
Economist -
San Francisco of Quito University
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