Walter L. Doetsch
Reston
Summary
Knowledgeable Executive Manager with proven history of leading high-performing teams and developing and executing strategic initiatives in high-risk environments. Successfully directed large-scale operations involving cross-functional projects that delivered impactful results. Demonstrated leadership and communication skills in driving success through strategic planning and execution utilizing collaborative environments that promote innovative solutions and operational effectiveness.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Office of Strategic Planning and Operations (SPO)
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
08.2022 - 04.2025
- Lead and office of four teams comprised of forty staff in the guidance and oversight of foreign assistance budget, strategy, planning, operational issues, Congressional relations, program oversight, and partner vetting for the over $2 billion portfolio of the Bureau for the Middle East (ME)
- Serve as a key point of contact for the Bureau Front Office on the foreign assistance budget, strategic planning, policy analysis, monitoring and evaluation, counter-terrorist vetting, compliance, and communications, and relevant legislative matters
- Build, justify, and implement integrated foreign assistance budgets, based on regional and country expertise and analysis that execute policy and programming guidance for regional and country programs in furtherance of U.S Government and Agency policy and strategies for sustainable development
- Serve as an expert advisor to Bureau leadership on formulating long-range development approaches and goals, and provides planning direction and conceptual leadership in shaping the development of Agency-wide reforms and interagency strategic planning and programming processes
Director, Office of Democratic Resilience and Governance (DRG)
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
07.2019 - 07.2022
- Led and guided a team of 14 staff in the design and implementation of activities carrying out the USG Indo-Pacific Strategy by countering violent extremism and intolerance, improving subnational governance, enhancing accountability and anti-corruption systems, addressing dis- and mis-information, and strengthening civil society
- Developed DRG portion of the Indonesia's new Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) 2020-2025, including co-design with the Government of Indonesia (GOI) and civil society of the CDCS' DRG Development Objective
- Designed, procured, and implemented a new DRG portfolio that secures maximum host country buy-in and ownership through the inclusion of GOI and civil society representatives in activity design teams
- Expanded DRG's formalized partner base to include new GOI agencies to facilitate realization of USG development and policy goals: Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Planning (Bappenas), and National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT)
- Represented USAID to the GOI, international donor community, Indonesian civil society, and media
- Improved the visibility of DRG managed activities and develop products that utilize outreach to both increase awareness of USAID's work as well as amplify impact
- Advised the Mission Front Office on all aspects related to democratic resilience and governance in Indonesia, and serve as Acting Deputy Mission Director and Acting Mission Director, as required
Director, Program Office
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
08.2017 - 07.2019
- Oversaw and provided strategic advice to USAID/Lebanon's $115 million annual development portfolio promoting economic growth, municipal development, and education
- Ensured program design and implementation compliance with established country development strategies, best practices, and USAID requirements
- Oversaw and strengthened Mission communication and outreach efforts
- Facilitated the conduct of monitoring and evaluation initiatives, including the collection and use of findings and lessons learned to improve program effectiveness
- Led and completed the first two phases of the development of USAID/Lebanon's new Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS)
- Secured a Material Support Waiver and OFAC License to facilitate achievement of USG policy goals through the provision of assistance to southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley
Director, Office of Democracy and Governance (ODG)
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
09.2014 - 07.2017
- Led USAID's largest democracy and governance (DG) program in the world, managed by 36 staff overseeing 16 mechanisms with a total portfolio value of over $500 million, in support of U.S Government strategic goals to strengthen accountable and effective governance, anti-corruption, rule of law, elections, and human rights in Afghanistan
- Represented USAID/Afghanistan and its DG portfolio and interests to the Interagency, Congressional staff, donor community, and Government of Afghanistan
- Created a developmentally and politically sound technical direction and guidance for ODG's programmatic interventions addressing anti-corruption, electoral reform, rule of law provision, and government strengthening
- Advised the USAID, Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs (OAPA), and U.S Embassy-Kabul Front Offices on developmentally relevant political and governance-related events in Afghanistan
Director, General Development (GD) Office
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
09.2012 - 07.2014
- Led USAID's $19 million annual strategic and programmatic engagement supporting alternative development for at-risk youth, juvenile justice reform, improved accountable governance, and climate change adaptation in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago and with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)
- Developed and implemented USAID/BEC's 2014-2018 Regional Development Cooperation Strategy supporting opportunities for at-risk and vulnerable youth, accountable governance, and adaptation to climate change
- Identified opportunities for successful leveraging of U.S Government (USG) assistance with other funding sources and secure additional resources through formal and informal cooperation agreements
- Designed and led the expansion of assistance programs to Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago
- Represented and coordinated USAID's non-health portfolio and initiatives to USG embassy staff, United Nations agencies, partner governments, international donors and implementing agencies in Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago
Senior Development Advisor and USAID Regional Representative - Erbil
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
07.2011 - 08.2012
- Served as USAID focal point and liaison to the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), U.S Consulate General-Erbil staff, USAID implementing partners in northern Iraq, international donor agencies, and Iraqi civil society
- Initiated and regularized project development cooperation between technical offices in Baghdad and the KRG
- Served as USAID/Iraq's technical expert on humanitarian and development opportunities and challenges in northern Iraq
- Secured $9 million in KRG cost share for USAID health development programs
Director, Democracy and Governance Office
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
08.2009 - 07.2011
- Company Overview: Serbia
- Provided strategic direction and management of USAID's $21 million annual efforts to strengthen democratic governance
- Led 2011-2015 strategy development and initiative implementation of the revised/amended DG strategy
- Technically supported and guided USAID's democracy and governance (DG) portfolio involving political party development, parliamentary strengthening, civil society engagement, media support, and rule of law promotion
- Advised USAID and US Embassy Belgrade staff on political and legislative developments of significance
- Co-chaired the joint USAID-US Embassy Belgrade coordination group on democratic governance
- Strengthened the technical and managerial capacities of two FSN COTRs and one Junior Officer under USAID's Development Leadership Initiative (DLI)
- Coordinated DG procurement initiatives with the Regional Contracting Office and Regional Legal Advisor
- Served as USAID/Serbia's liaison with the Department of Defense at Post and Mission Disaster Relief Officer
- Supported donor coordination efforts in DG fields, with particular focus on rule of law, election support, and civil society
- Serbia
Deputy Director, Local Economic Growth Office (LEGO)
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
08.2007 - 08.2009
- Company Overview: Serbia
- Led USAID's municipal-level economic and governance initiatives across Serbia totaling $45 million over 5 years
- Redesigned, strategized, and expanded the economic growth component of the Serbia Preparedness, Planning, and Economic Security (PPES) program
- Technically led both the Serbia Preparedness, Planning, and Economic Security (PPES) and Municipal Economic Growth Activity (MEGA)
- Advised USAID and US Embassy/Belgrade staff on political and economic events of significance in municipalities outside of Belgrade
- Served as the Mission Disaster Relief Officer (MDRO) to lead and develop USG humanitarian assistance efforts in cooperation with the Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA)
- Developed regular reporting and monitoring systems to maintain and enhance awareness of Economic Growth Office programs in Washington and Belgrade
- Managed and supported the performance and professional development of three Serbian staff
- Serbia
Senior Program Officer, Darfur
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
06.2006 - 06.2007
- Company Overview: Sudan
- Guided the DCHA Sudan Team and DCHA's Washington-based offices on humanitarian needs and program activities in Darfur totaling $110 million annually
- Coordinated and directed the work of the Darfur Field Officers in the various regions as well as local staff in Khartoum
- Served as one of the principle contact points for DCHA in the Darfur region for humanitarian issues and as lead liaison between the field offices and the DCHA Team in Khartoum
- Headed up efforts to identify and assess humanitarian assistance requirements, target groups and locations, existing relief programs, and the types of interventions necessary
- Coordinated and collected relevant information from field offices and reported and made recommendations to the Darfur Team Leader
- Coordinated closely with the DCHA Darfur Team, other Darfur field offices, UN and NGO agencies working in the field office's area of responsibility (AOR)
- Visited DCHA-funded projects on a regular basis, as security permits, and reported on a timely basis to the DCHA Darfur Team on the quality of grantee's work, noting deficiencies, attributes, and evolving operational conditions and recommended corrective actions to the grantee
- Represented USG humanitarian interests at national and international meetings and conferences and facilitated, as requested, travel and briefings for official USG visitors interested in humanitarian issues
- Sudan
Crisis, Stabilization, and Governance Officer
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
05.2005 - 06.2006
- Company Overview: Washington, DC, USA
- Technically advised USAID-supported programs in crisis and post-crisis settings
- Supported visiting delegation to USAID from Kosovo for the Europe and Eurasia Bureau
- Backstopped Europe and Eurasia Bureau initiatives to prevent and control avian influenza (H5N1)
- Mapped program components and office activities for the Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI)
- Drafted training module on economics in post-crisis settings for OTI staff
- Backstopped emergency and development food programs in West Africa (Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea)
- Provided technical support to USAID/Sudan for activities in the Three Areas
- Washington, DC, USA
Head of Programming
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
03.2004 - 04.2005
- Company Overview: Pakistan
- Oversaw CRS programming interventions and assisted in the growth of the country program
- Developed and implemented a growth strategy for the country program, focusing on resource diversification
- Ensured programming was of high quality and consistent with Agency, regional, and country strategies
- Managed ongoing programs on education, HIV/AIDS, income generation, and peace building
- Developed sectoral strategies for ongoing and planned programs and identified appropriate monitoring instruments
- Coordinated with the Country Representative to represent CRS to local authorities, the Church, local partners, UN agencies, other NGOs, and donors
- Secured appropriate resources (financial and personnel) and skills for programming, including proposal writing and M&E system development and coordinating headquarters and regional support
- Served as Acting Country Representative for three months and in absence of same
- Pakistan
Emergency Coordinator
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
12.2002 - 03.2004
- Company Overview: Lesotho
- Established and represented the CRS office in Lesotho and oversaw and develop programming in cooperation with the Lesotho Catholic Bishops' Conference
- Established the CRS emergency office in Lesotho, including agency registration and hiring of staff
- Designed and managed programs in institutional capacity building, humanitarian assistance, peacebuilding, HIV/AIDS, and agricultural recovery
- Secured USD 325,000 funding from non-traditional donors to facilitate a continued CRS presence
- Managed 32 staff, including two expatriates
- Liaised with Lesotho Catholic Bishops' Conference, UN Agencies, diplomatic missions, local and international NGOs
- Lesotho
Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) Program Manager
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
04.2002 - 12.2002
- Company Overview: Macedonia
- Implemented a countrywide umbrella grant funded by UNHCR
- Coordinated with three UNHCR field offices to oversee 111 projects valued at USD 1.8 million involving post-conflict community development, infrastructure, and confidence building
- Reviewed proposals for funding and provided technical assistance to potential grantees
- Liaised with UNHCR, donors, international agencies, local NGOs, and Macedonian Government representatives
- Chaired Community Projects Working Group, arranged proposal review committee meetings, and represented the group at weekly Inter-Agency Coordination meetings during the absence of UNHCR QIPs Program Officer
- Functioned as Director of Programming during this individual's five-month absence
- Managed nine national staff and oversaw their professional development
- Macedonia
Director of Banja Luka/Development
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
02.2001 - 04.2002
- Company Overview: Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Provided leadership, representation, and management of CRS activities in the Banja Luka area
- Oversaw implementation of multi-sectoral (reconstruction, agriculture, humanitarian assistance, and civil society) relief and development programs
- Coordinated country-wide program development activities and provided technical support in program design and proposal writing
- Managed and developed a staff of six nationals to nationalize the Head of Office position
- Arranged for administrative and programmatic support from other offices, as needed
- Supported the localization of CRS's microfinance program in the Republika Srpska
- Liaised with the Government of the Republika Srpska, donors, international agencies, and local NGOs
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
Food Program Manager
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
02.2000 - 02.2001
- Company Overview: Yugoslavia/Montenegro
- Oversaw implementation of a humanitarian assistance program to internally displaced persons and vulnerable individuals in Montenegro
- Provided bulk food commodities to over 50,000 needy individuals in Montenegro and supported CRS' relief activities in Kosovo
- Liaised with Government of Montenegro, donors, international agencies, and local NGOs, and coordinated assistance provision and monitoring
- Oversaw staff in two field offices and program finance
- Yugoslavia/Montenegro
Humanitarian Assistance Coordinator
Project HOPE
06.1999 - 02.2000
- Implemented humanitarian assistance programs in Macedonia and Kosovo
- Provided humanitarian assistance to health institutions in Macedonia and Kosovo
- Coordinated activities and liaised with international agencies, local and international NGOs, and relevant government officials
- Chaired the UNMIK Working Group on Medical Equipment and developed guidelines for equipment donations
- Oversaw staff in two field offices (Skopje and Priština)
Advanced Polling Supervisor
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
09.1998 - 09.1998
- Monitored polling activities under Field Office Orasje for national elections
- Oversaw voting to ensure the free and fair conduct of elections, including home-bound voting in three municipalities (Domaljevac, Odžak, Šamac)
- Functioned as Team Leader for 39 supervisors, translators, and drivers
- Assisted Training Officer with the development of voter supervisor training
Voter Registration Supervisor
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
06.1998 - 06.1998
- Monitored voter registration activities under Regional Center Sokolac for national elections
- Supervised mobile voter registration center (Vlasenica municipality)
- Clarified registration procedures to employees and voters
Education
Master of Science - Foreign Service, Conflict Resolution, Business-Government Relations
Georgetown University
Washington, DC05.1999
Bachelor of Arts - Russian Area Studies, International Affairs
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA05.1995
One year study abroad -
Russian State University of the Humanities
06.1994
Skills
- Resource Management
- Strategic planning
- Program management
- Project management
- Relationship building
- Crisis management
- Team management
- Government relations
- Decision-making
- Verbal and written communication
- Operations management
- Change management
Additional Skills Trainings
- Foreign Affairs Counter Threat, Department of State, Shepherdstown, WV, 07/01/17
- Federal Executive Institute (FEI) Advanced Leader Program, FEI, Warrenton, VA, 12/01/16
- Federal Executive Institute (FEI) Leading Teams Program, FEI, Charlottesville, VA, 01/01/14
- Federal Executive Institute (FEI) Emerging Leaders Program, FEI, Charlottesville, VA, 03/01/09
- Programming in Conflict Environments, USAID, Washington, DC, 06/01/10
- Civilian Response Corps - Surge Roster (member), Online training, 09/01/09
- Cognizant Technical Officer Certification (Acquisition and Assistance), USAID, Washington, DC, 02/01/06 and 04/01/06
- Program and Project Design, USAID, Washington, DC, 04/01/06
- Overseas Security Training (required for all OFDA positions, a 4 week set of trainings), USAID, Multiple locations in USA, 07/01/05
- Peacebuilding and Development Summer Institute, American University, Washington, DC, 07/01/01
- Strengthening Policy and Practice - Practical Strategies for Agencies Working in Areas of Tension and Conflict, Responding to Conflict, Birmingham, UK, 07/01/00
- U.S. Government Resource Management and Financial Application Training, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Ohrid, Macedonia, 09/01/00
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Russian
Limited Working
Serbian
Limited Working
German
Elementary
French
Elementary
Indonesian
Limited Working
Timeline
Director, Office of Strategic Planning and Operations (SPO)
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
08.2022 - 04.2025
Director, Office of Democratic Resilience and Governance (DRG)
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
07.2019 - 07.2022
Director, Program Office
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
08.2017 - 07.2019
Director, Office of Democracy and Governance (ODG)
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
09.2014 - 07.2017
Director, General Development (GD) Office
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
09.2012 - 07.2014
Senior Development Advisor and USAID Regional Representative - Erbil
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
07.2011 - 08.2012
Director, Democracy and Governance Office
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
08.2009 - 07.2011
Deputy Director, Local Economic Growth Office (LEGO)
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
08.2007 - 08.2009
Senior Program Officer, Darfur
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
06.2006 - 06.2007
Crisis, Stabilization, and Governance Officer
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
05.2005 - 06.2006
Head of Programming
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
03.2004 - 04.2005
Emergency Coordinator
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
12.2002 - 03.2004
Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) Program Manager
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
04.2002 - 12.2002
Director of Banja Luka/Development
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
02.2001 - 04.2002
Food Program Manager
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
02.2000 - 02.2001
Humanitarian Assistance Coordinator
Project HOPE
06.1999 - 02.2000
Advanced Polling Supervisor
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
09.1998 - 09.1998
Voter Registration Supervisor
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
06.1998 - 06.1998
Bachelor of Arts - Russian Area Studies, International Affairs
University of Virginia
One year study abroad -
Russian State University of the Humanities
Master of Science - Foreign Service, Conflict Resolution, Business-Government Relations
Georgetown University
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