Robert Pétron MESSE
Yaounde
Summary
Detail-oriented individual with exceptional communication and project management skills. Proven ability to handle multiple tasks effectively and efficiently in fast-paced environments. Recognized for taking proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues, with focus on optimizing processes and supporting team objectives.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
6
6
Certification
Work History
Head Of Field Office
UNHCR
01.2022 - Current
- I provide office management; lead the durable solutions and infrastructures projects for some 220,610 IDPs and 21,519 refugees
- As Field Officer, I designed and coordinated the emergency response for 182,000 Sudanese refugees in 5 camps and opened one camp and one office
- As Head of Field Office in Hadjer Hadid, I coordinated the relocation of about 145,000 refugees, the opening of three camp and one office
- As Associate Field Officer, I coordinated the CCCM and Shelter & Infrastructure Clusters and monitoring activities for 381,000 IDPs in 250 camps and 21,000 refugees
RRM Consortium Coordinator
COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale
11.2019 - 12.2021
- Company Overview: A non-profit humanitarian organization based in Milan, Italy
- Managed an emergency health and protection projects for crisis-affected populations in a high-risk area bordering Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso
- Coordinated a consortium of 3 INGOs funded by USAID, overseeing 62 staff including 6 expatriates
- Designed projects and negotiated partnerships that raised funding totalling approximately $18 million per year over 3 years
- Developed a project management and monitoring mechanism, achieving 100% of indicators
- A non-profit humanitarian organization based in Milan, Italy
Head of Sub-Office
ICHAD
02.2019 - 10.2019
- Company Overview: A humanitarian and international solidarity NGO based in Montreal, Canada
- Oversaw the opening and management of the office with a $3.5 million budget and 13 staff, including 3 expatriates
- Coordinated emergency preparedness for 40,000 Nigerian refugees, leading multi-functional teams
- Represented the organization in discussions with authorities, refugees, and donors at the regional level
- Conducted socio-political and economic analyses, contributing to decision-making on the emergency response
- A humanitarian and international solidarity NGO based in Montreal, Canada
Area Manager and Planning And M&E Coordinator
LWF- Lutheran World Federation
09.2018 - 02.2019
- Company Overview: A faith-based organization based in Geneva
- Managed a team of 63 staff in coordinating humanitarian response in the East with a $4.5m budget
- Implemented conflict resolution strategies, fostering collaboration between units
- Achieved a 98% project completion rate in December through revitalizing monitoring-evaluation systems
- Negotiated partnership agreements with several donors, increased the budget and avoided laying off about 35% of the staff
- A faith-based organization based in Geneva
Registry Assistant
UNHCR
08.2014 - 08.2018
- Monitored field protection activities in sites and host villages to promote peaceful co-existence between refugees and local communities
- Organized surveys on resilience projects to empower refugees and review strategies for better resource management
- Strengthened community participation by involving community leaders, leading to empowerment of refugees
- Developed digital verification in the distribution of food and NFIs, leading to better data control and an 80% reduction in disputes
Head Of Project and Youth Participation
Cameroon National Youth Council
12.2009 - 12.2013
- Company Overview: An umbrella of 11,500 organizations
- Negotiated project partnerships between Southern and Swiss youth organizations, fostering collaboration and cultural exchange
- Led advocacy efforts to revise national youth policy, addressing emerging challenges and empowering young people
- Implemented socio-economic projects benefiting 2,200 youth in high-unemployment areas, promoting economic empowerment
- Lobbied at AU high-level meetings, contributing to the adoption of a new African youth policy in 2011
- An umbrella of 11,500 organizations
Project Collaborator (intern)
Swiss National Youth Council
04.2011 - 06.2011
- Company Overview: An umbrella of some 60 organizations
- Supported the International Cooperation Department in establishing North-South institutional links and developing joint projects for youth empowerment
- Created a database of youth organizations in the South, facilitating links with civil society organizations and international NGOs
- Strengthened partnerships between youth organizations in the South and Swiss NGOs through workshops, capacity building and expertise exchange
- Attended several high-level meetings at the UN HQ in Geneva, which led to various collaborations and partnerships
- An umbrella of some 60 organizations
Education
Ph.D. - Auditor in International Politics and Diplomacy
CEDS - Centre d'Etude Diplomatiques et Strategiques
03.2025
Badge Certificate - Leadership Essentials
McKinsey & Company
03.2025
Certification - Organizational Behavior: How to Manage People
IESE Business School, University of Navarra
12.2024
Certification - The Manager's Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Managing People at Work
University of London
11.2024
Master of Law - Economics and Management in International Relations - International Relations and Diplomacy
University Jean Moulin, Lyon 3
10.2022
Executive Master - Development Policies and Practices
Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
05.2022
Master Degree - Project Management
Pan-African Institute for Development in Central Africa
03.2021
Bachelor of Technology - Mechanical and Production Engineering
University Institute of Technology
07.2011
University Diploma of Technology - Mechanical and Production Engineering
University Institute of Technology
07.2007
Skills
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer service
- Problem-solving
- Multitasking Abilities
- Excellent communication
- Critical thinking
- Organization and time management
- Decision-making
- Multi-stakeholder coordination
Certification
- Certified People Manager Badge, UNHCR - March 2025]
- Certified Business and Team Leadership, McKensy & Company - March 2025
- Core Humanitarian Certification, Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation - May 2024
- Certified Innovation Ambassador, UNHCR Innovation Fellowship - April 2024.
- CP-PM: Certification in Programme Management, UNHCR-GLCOPS - Sep 2019.
- Certificate Project DPro: Project Management for Development Professionals, Humanitarian Leadership Academy - Sep 2019.
- Certificate Monitoring-Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MOOC), Humanitarian Leadership Academy - June 2019.
- Certificate Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), UNHCR CLDC - March 2022.
Accomplishments
- Since 08/25, I lead the durable solutions initiative for some 220,610 IDPs and 21,519 refugees in cooperation with UNDP other UN Agencies and the government authorities.
- From 04/24 to 07/24, I coordinated the emergency response for 182,000 Sudanese refugees in 5 camps in eastern Chad, including relocation, and opened three camps and two offices.
- I coordinated the health and protection project for IDPs, and crisis-affected populations in Niger from 2019 to 2021, with 62 staff, 6 under direct supervision, a budget of $3.5 m a year, funded by USAID/BHA, about 425,000 people reached.
- Organized three major studies on the new frontiers between humanitarian and development assistance, in relation to the 'Triple Nexus' in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin from 2021 to 2022.
- Designed and implemented response projects for public health emergencies such as Covid 19 (2020) and cholera (2021), and institutional support for the State of Niger, funded by ECHO, USAID/BHA and AICS for $2.5 m a year.
Publications
- The synergy between humanitarian development peace and security, the challenges of the 'triple nexus' in southern countries: the case of the Sahel and Lake Chad basin regions, 03/25/24, Alumni blog of the Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
- Impact du Mécanisme de Réponse Rapide (RRM) sur la Réussite des projets humanitaires dans le Bassin du Lac Tchad et au Sahel: L'expérience du Niger, 09/21, Revue Africaine Inter Disciplinaire n20
- Nexus, development cooperation and humanitarian aid, the new borders, 10/22, Journal 'Réflexions et Débats' n7 of the Geneva Federation Cooperation (FGC)
Additional Information
LANGUAGES
- French | Native
- English | Advanced
- Portuguese | Elementary
COMPUTER LETERACY
- Systems: Windows XP, Windows 10, Linux.
- Software: MS Project, SPSS, Sphinx, Statgraphic, proGress V4; BIMS, Cloud ERP, Workday, Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
Timeline
Head Of Field Office
UNHCR
01.2022 - Current
RRM Consortium Coordinator
COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale
11.2019 - 12.2021
Head of Sub-Office
ICHAD
02.2019 - 10.2019
Area Manager and Planning And M&E Coordinator
LWF- Lutheran World Federation
09.2018 - 02.2019
Registry Assistant
UNHCR
08.2014 - 08.2018
Project Collaborator (intern)
Swiss National Youth Council
04.2011 - 06.2011
Head Of Project and Youth Participation
Cameroon National Youth Council
12.2009 - 12.2013
Badge Certificate - Leadership Essentials
McKinsey & Company
Certification - Organizational Behavior: How to Manage People
IESE Business School, University of Navarra
Certification - The Manager's Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Managing People at Work
University of London
Master of Law - Economics and Management in International Relations - International Relations and Diplomacy
University Jean Moulin, Lyon 3
Executive Master - Development Policies and Practices
Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
Master Degree - Project Management
Pan-African Institute for Development in Central Africa
Bachelor of Technology - Mechanical and Production Engineering
University Institute of Technology
University Diploma of Technology - Mechanical and Production Engineering
University Institute of Technology
Ph.D. - Auditor in International Politics and Diplomacy
CEDS - Centre d'Etude Diplomatiques et Strategiques
Similar Profiles
Brenda MedinaBrenda Medina
Finance Associate at UNHCRFinance Associate at UNHCR
Daniel Mendoza AlvarezDaniel Mendoza Alvarez
Communications Associate at UNHCRCommunications Associate at UNHCR
JOHN KANG'ETHEJOHN KANG'ETHE
Shelter Officer at UNHCRShelter Officer at UNHCR