Hi, I’m
Marco Cannata
Rome,
Summary
- Senior Humanitarian Professional with over 12 years of experience leading emergency response and development programs in complex environments (Haiti, DRC, CAR, Nepal, Sudan, etc.). Strong experience in front-line deployment during acute emergencies enriched by successful experiences in LRRD and Development.
- Expert in Program Management and Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL), with a proven track record of strengthening the capacity of local partners and national authorities (Localization). Specialized in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), rapid emergency deployment and Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) Life-Cycle Management: from initial alert/trigger to rapid assessment and intervention. Bringing specific experience in the Caribbean context (Haiti) and earthquake/hurricane response. Skilled in harmonizing operations with HQ strategies while providing hands-on operational support to local partners to ensure high-quality, donor-compliant programming (USAID, ECHO, UN agencies, Private Donors). Extensive experience liaising with UN clusters, OCHA, and DG ECHO.
- Detail-oriented individual with exceptional communication and project management skills. Proven ability of Operational Agility to handle multiple tasks effectively and efficiently in fast-paced environments. Expert in NFI distribution, WASH-in-Emergency, and emergency protection. Recognized for taking proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues, with focus on optimizing processes and supporting team objectives.
- A pioneer of the RRM model since its inception, having led several field missions across high-intensity contexts (e.g., CAR, DRC, Sudan). Expert in executing multi-sectoral assessments and life-saving interventions within the critical 72-hour window."
Overview
17
years of professional experience
1
Certification
Work History
European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA)
Deployment Management Expert
08.2024 - 02.2025
Job overview
- Manage the rapid deployment of personnel and experts to field operations, ensuring operational continuity and logistical efficiency.
- Support performance management and financial workflows for deployed teams, mirroring the operational support required for seconded staff.
Independent
Consultant: DRR, M&E, and Food Security
01.2022 - 01.2024
Job overview
- Remote Management & QA: Provided technical support and remote management for country programs (e.g., Ai.Bi. in Ghana), focusing on proposal writing and project cycle management.
- Proposal Development: Conducted technical analysis and drafted proposals for major institutional donors, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and localization commitments.
INTERSOSGoma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Chef de Mission
02.2017 - 01.2018
Job overview
- Strategic Leadership: Led a country mission managing complex protection and emergency programs. Increased program efficiency by 30% through strategic restructuring.
- Partner Coordination: Acted as the primary liaison with government ministries, UN agencies, and the humanitarian country team.
- Project Management: Supervised three long-term UNHCR-funded protection projects, managing HR, finance, and logistics across three provinces.
WeWorld OnlusKathmandu, Nepal
Country Representative
07.2015 - 03.2016
Job overview
- Post-Disaster Response: Led the transition from emergency relief (post-2015 earthquake) to rehabilitation (LRRD).
- Partnership Management: Coordinated a portfolio of 3 projects implemented with 5 local partners, focusing on strengthening partner capacities in reporting, compliance, and project implementation.
- Donor Engagement: Collaborated with the EU Delegation to finalize and win a major project proposal.
Danish Refugee Council (DRC)Bangui, CAR
CCCM & WASH Emergency Officer
01.2014 - 05.2014
Job overview
- Camp Management: Managed Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) activities in three IDP camps during the height of the crisis.
- Successfully navigated complex "red-zone" security environments to deliver aid to hard-to-reach populations.
- Infrastructure: Oversaw the construction of WASH facilities (latrines, showers) and coordinated service delivery with partners.
Arbeiter Samariter Bund (ASB)Haiti
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Officer
04.2013 - 10.2013
Job overview
- Caribbean Context: Coordinated DRR activities in Haiti, working directly with local authorities and school directors to improve disaster preparedness.
- Contingency Planning: Developed contingency plans for staff and beneficiaries, highly relevant to hurricane response contexts.
- Localization: Reviewed and strengthened previous DRR projects to ensure sustainability and local ownership.
CESVIBunia, DRC
Program Coordinator & M&E Officer
01.2009 - 01.2010
Job overview
- MEAL Leadership: Designed and implemented the M&E system for the entire program portfolio. Ensured harmonization of tools and timely reporting to donors (UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, ECHO).
- Assessment & Design: Led needs assessments and drafted concept notes and full proposals for new emergency interventions.
World Health Organization (WHO)Geneva, Switzerland
Technical Officer – M&E
09.2007 - 04.2008
Job overview
- System Design: Designed a global M&E system implemented across 27 countries for the GGM programme.
- Capacity Building: Trained national assessors and regional officers on M&E protocols and data collection.
Education
CIHCGeneva, Switzerland
International Diploma from Humanitarian Assistance
01.2007
University of BolognaItaly
Advanced University Degree from International & Diplomatic Sciences
01.2004
Skills
- Emergency Response Management
- Localization & Capacity Building
- MEAL & Quality Assurance
- Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
- Donor Relations
- Team Management
- Ability to adapt to different RRM governance structures
- Multi-sectoral Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA)
- Hard-to-reach (HTR) areas
- Life-saving NFIs & WASH kits
- Trigger-based interventions
- Acute displacement monitoring
Accomplishments
- Supervised directly a team of 7 Expats and other 9 int. staff members based on sub-offices.
- Interacted daily, from remote, with 27 WHO GGM national program's representatives.
- Wrote, submitted and get approved projects from ECHO, WFP, UNHCR, UNICEF, FAO, UNDP, USAID, Private Companies, National Authorities / Cooperation Agencies, and others.
Certification
- Evaluation & M&E, Quality Evaluation of Humanitarian Projects (URD), Monitoring and Evaluation of Projects (IADB), The Logical Framework for Project Design (IADB)
- Disaster Risk Reduction, DRR in Emergencies (RedR/Austrian Red Cross), Climate Change and DRR (WBI Global), Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Framework (EMI/World Bank), Damage and Reconstruction Needs Assessment (EMI)
- Humanitarian Standards, Sphere Standards and the Humanitarian Charter
- Methodologies, Agile at Work: Agile Methodologies & Retrospectives (LinkedIn Learning, 2020)
Languages
Italian
English
French
Spanish
Timeline
Deployment Management Expert
European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA)
08.2024 - 02.2025
Consultant: DRR, M&E, and Food Security
Independent
01.2022 - 01.2024
Chef de Mission
INTERSOS
02.2017 - 01.2018
Country Representative
WeWorld Onlus
07.2015 - 03.2016
CCCM & WASH Emergency Officer
Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
01.2014 - 05.2014
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Officer
Arbeiter Samariter Bund (ASB)
04.2013 - 10.2013
Program Coordinator & M&E Officer
CESVI
01.2009 - 01.2010
Technical Officer – M&E
World Health Organization (WHO)
09.2007 - 04.2008
University of Bologna
Advanced University Degree from International & Diplomatic Sciences
CIHC
International Diploma from Humanitarian Assistance
Personal Information
Nationality: Italian
Previous Experience
- Head of Sub-Office for CISP in DRC
- Project Manager for COOPI in Uganda
- Project Manager for GUS in Sri Lanka (post-Tsunami)
- Logistic Officer for Intersos in West Darfur, Sudan