Simon Milligan

Simon Milligan is a seasoned professional with over twenty years of experience in international development assistance, specializing in areas such as rural development, basic education, human resource development, and labor rights.

Known for his commitment to enhancing the relevance and impact of investments, Simon often acts as a trusted and critical advisor to OECD DAC members and program implementation teams.

He has worked directly with various organizations including the Governments of Australia, UK, and Switzerland, as well as multilateral agencies like UN IFAD and ILO, focusing on improvement-focused formative reviews and continuous support.

Simon's interests lie in evaluative thinking, partnership-based approaches, mentorship, results culture in official development assistance, and the role of a 'critical friend' in facilitating change.

His educational background includes a DPhil in Geography with a sustainable livelihoods focus, an MA in Rural Development, and a BA in Geography with Development Studies, all from the University of Sussex.

Simon has held roles such as Freelance Consultant, Strategic Advisor at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Senior Lecturer at Lund University, and Associate at PARTNERSHIP BROKERS ASSOCIATION, among others.

His extensive professional experience includes positions as a Design Specialist, Program Review Lead, Performance Advisor, VFM Advisor, Lead Researcher, Quality Assurance Specialist, Visiting Fellow, Peer Reviewer, M&E Advisor, Team Leader, Evaluator, and many more, with organizations like Palladium, Adam Smith International, SOLIDARITAS, UNHCR/NORCAP, University of Bath, Norwegian Refugee Council, and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, to name a few.

Simon Milligan has also contributed to the academic community by co-authoring book chapters and papers in peer-reviewed journals, focusing on topics such as the impact of development assistance and the dynamics of change within the sector.