Simon James, a portfolio leader within the International Development Division, has more than 20 years of experience in international development, including managing multimillion dollar activities to implement projects related to basic education, technical vocational education and training (TVET), and higher education as well as democracy and governance initiatives. James has extensive experience collaborating with government officials and the private sector to achieve sustainable results in challenging conflict and post-conflict environments and low- and lower-middle income countries.
Currently, James is the project director for the YSEALI-Mekong Program, which provides leadership and climate change/environmental training to youth leaders across Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. He also provides home office support to projects across Asia and Africa. Previously, James was chief of party of the USAID Global Book Alliance in Action project, which supported governments and USAID Missions in improving children’s and youth’s access to quality reading materials to enhance literacy outcomes.
James holds an EdD from the University of Bristol, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education, an MSc in International Development, and a BSc in Geography.