Virginia Santoro
Senior Inter‑Agency Coordination Officer
Highest degree :
Masters
Field of study :
Anthropology
Location :
Italy
Citizenships :
Italian
Experience :
20 Year(s)
Countries :
Albania, Kosovo, Indonesia, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Trinidad and Tobago, Palestine, Venezuela
Gender :
Male
Sectors :
International Cooperation
Coordinator
Protection and Human Rights
Project Management
Field coordination
Strategic Management
Leadership
Stakeholders engagement,Project planning and MAngement
gender mainstreaming
Community engagement
Conflict
Risk Management
Capacity Building Training
Senior humanitarian professional with over 20 years of international leadership in complex emergency and post‑conflict environments across the UN, EU, IFRC and NGO sectors. Proven expertise in multi‑site field management, inter‑agency coordination, and operational support functions including supply chain, administration and IT. Skilled in building trust and partnerships with governments, donors and civil society, I have led large multidisciplinary teams and driven strategic planning and program delivery in high‑risk settings. Fluent in English, Italian and Spanish, with a strong record in donor compliance (EU, US, UN) and a results‑oriented, people‑focused leadership style.
Senior Inter‑Agency Coordination Officer
Amman, Jordan
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
August 2023
-Present
Lead strategic coordination of the regional refugee response in Jordan under the 3RP framework. Drive multi‑sector planning with government, UN agencies, NGOs and donors. Chair inter‑sector working groups to ensure operational efficiency, avoid duplication and improve protection outcomes for over 650,000 refugees. Strengthen linkages between field offices and HQ, building partnerships and enhancing data‑driven decision making.
Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer
Caracas, Venezuela
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
August 2020
-August 2023
Led the national Protection Cluster, coordinating 145 partner organizations. Designed and implemented protection strategies guiding the Humanitarian Response Plan and ensuring access to services for 2.5M beneficiaries. Developed joint protection planning with authorities in a sensitive context, built monitoring systems, and trained 350+ partners on protection standards and accountability.
Inter‑Agency Coordination Officer
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
September 2019
-July 2020
Coordinated multi‑country response for Venezuelan refugees and migrants across five Caribbean countries. Established effective coordination mechanisms between national platforms, governments, and humanitarian partners to harmonize the Refugees and Migrants Response Plan. Facilitated participatory assessments and capacity‑building workshops for over 90 partners.
Area Manager
Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
February 2019
-June 2019
Managed a 43‑person team delivering multi‑sector humanitarian programming (mine risk education, livelihoods, protection) for Syrian refugees. Represented DRC in strategic coordination meetings, strengthened referral mechanisms with authorities and partners, and enhanced service delivery standards through systematic monitoring.
Programme Manager
Ramallah, Palestine
European Union Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EU External Action Service)
October 2017
-February 2019
Developed and implemented protection, human rights and gender initiatives in a sensitive political environment. Provided strategic advice to mission leadership, built partnerships with local authorities and UN agencies, and integrated gender mainstreaming into mission activities. Coordinated inter‑agency monitoring missions and joint planning processes.
Neutrality Coordinator
Amman, Jordan
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
October 2016
-October 2017
Led agency‑wide neutrality and protection initiatives across five field offices. Managed donor‑funded projects, delivered large‑scale staff trainings on neutrality standards (3,000+ staff), and provided strategic analysis to senior management. Strengthened protection frameworks through coordination meetings and technical guidance.
Senior Project Officer / Field Activities Coordinator
Pristina, Kosovo
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
May 2015
-October 2016
Coordinated 34 field teams implementing projects on community development, protection, gender mainstreaming and returnee reintegration. Chaired protection working groups, developed training materials, and ensured project quality while prioritizing safety and security of staff and beneficiaries.
Portfolio Manager – Latin America and Caribbean
Bonn, Germany
United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
August 2014
-December 2014
Oversaw regional portfolio (25 staff) and aligned projects with UNV Strategic Framework. Advocated for volunteerism in development, disaster risk reduction and gender equality. Built partnerships with donors, UN agencies and civil society, and ensured results‑based management across multiple countries.
Programme Officer
Pristina, Kosovo
United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)
September 2013
-January 2015
Coordinated and managed international volunteers, designed and implemented vocational training for IDPs and returnees, and developed early warning and disaster preparedness mechanisms. Strengthened inter‑agency cooperation with UN, IFRC and local partners.
Task Manager
Rome, Italy
Studiare Sviluppo (Italian Customs Agency – International Cooperation)
March 2019
-August 2013
Managed EU regional programmes in the Balkans and Mediterranean, enhancing customs cooperation and counter‑trafficking initiatives. Coordinated technical workshops, monitored implementation across 16 countries, and built strong ties with government counterparts and EU institutions.
Head of Office
Pidie, Aceh, Indonesia
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
November 2005
-December 2006
Established and managed a new field office post‑tsunami, coordinating emergency operations, reconstruction and capacity‑building initiatives. Supervised 15 staff, coordinated seven National Red Cross Societies, and delivered relief and transitional shelter to over 2,000 families.
Project Officer (acting Head of Office)
Gjilan and Mitrovica, Kosovo
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
March 2003
-December 2004
Managed a 29‑person team implementing USAID‑funded community development and micro‑grant programmes. Delivered 33 public infrastructure projects, supported returnee reintegration, and coordinated closely with donors, local authorities and international partners.
International Trainer
Mitrovica, Kosovo
United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)
May 2001
-December 2002
Trained international and local staff on civil registration and election procedures. Supervised operations across polling centers, facilitated inter‑ethnic dialogue, and ensured compliance with international election standards.
Master’s Degree equivalent in Literature and Philosophy (Anthropology major)
Perugia, Italy
University of Perugia
August 2000
-June 2005
Completed a comprehensive curriculum in Anthropology with a focus on economic and cultural studies. Developed strong analytical and research skills through fieldwork and academic projects.
People Management Programme (Level 2)
Online / Internal UNHCR
UNHCR
2024
Advanced certification in leadership and people management for senior staff, focusing on team development, performance management, and operational oversight.
Certification Programme for Senior Leadership and Management (CP‑SLM)
UNHCR Global Learning
UNHCR
2021
High‑level training on strategic leadership, management of large teams, and organizational governance in humanitarian contexts.
Inter‑Agency Coordination Course (IACC)
Online / UNHCR
UNHCR
2023
Specialized training on coordination of multi‑stakeholder humanitarian responses, sector leadership, and cluster management.
Protection Learning Curriculum (PLC)
UNHCR Global Learning
UNHCR
2022
Comprehensive training on protection principles, accountability, and field implementation standards.
Certification Programme on International Protection (CP‑IP)
UNHCR Global Learning
UNHCR
2022
Technical certification covering international protection frameworks, refugee law, and operationalization in field contexts.
BSAFE Security Training
Online / UN Mandatory Training
United Nations System
2018
Certification on personal safety, security risk management, and duty of care in high‑risk environments.
Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)
Online / UN Mandatory Training
United Nations System
2023
Mandatory certification on safeguarding standards, reporting mechanisms, and accountability measures.
Information Security Awareness Training
Online / UN Mandatory Training
United Nations System
2021
Training on data protection, secure information management, and compliance with UN IT security policies.
INSEAD Women in Management Programme
Online
INSEAD
2022
Leadership programme focused on diversity, inclusion, and effective management practices in global organizations.
Introduction to Sustainable Finance
Online
UN CC:Learn / UNITAR
2024
Certification on integrating sustainability and climate considerations into financial decision‑making.
Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA)
Online
IFRC
2024
Certification on engaging communities as active partners in emergency response and ensuring accountability to affected populations.
Gender Equality and Human Rights in Climate Action and Renewable Energy (Pathway 1 & 2)
Online
UN CC:Learn / UNITAR
2024
Dual certification on integrating gender and human rights into climate action and renewable energy programming.