Charles Downs

Charles Downs is an Adjunct Professor of International Public Management at New York University and management consultant specializing in design, implementation and evaluation of international development cooperation programs.  Recent research and consulting assignments have focused on:  design of operational processes and monitoring and evaluation system for Syria Recovery Trust Fund; strengthening strategic and operational management of Angola landmine program; development of UN audit capacity to include program performance management; review of the UNDP Multi-Donor Trust Fund mechanism; lessons learned from UNDP management of funding for humanitarian NGOs in Sudan; support to national efforts to strengthen management and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of landmine action; review of UNDP capacity development efforts under projects funded by the Global Fund against AIDS, TB and Malaria; risk assessments of the UN Democracy Fund, the Cambodian Khmer Rouge Tribunal and the UN trust fund system; review of UN management training efforts for national managers of mine action programs; and senior technical advisor for the Angola Landmine Impact Survey.

Professor Downs was a staff member of the United Nations Office of Project Services, where he worked for 15 years in a variety of project and team management positions, in the areas of public sector reform, public procurement, landmine action and emergency response.  He taught previously at Columbia University in the Urban Planning and International Affairs programs.

Charles Downs earned his Masters and PhD degrees in City and Regional Planning at the University of California at Berkeley.

Areas of Expertise

Economic Development

Evaluation

Evidence-Based Management

Finance

Governance

International Development

Management

Poverty

Urban Planning