Home
/
Experts
/
Virginia Santoro

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.

Experience

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.

Education

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.

Awards & Certificates

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.

Languages
English
Speak
Excellent
Read
Excellent
Write
Excellent
Spanish
Speak
Excellent
Read
Excellent
Write
Excellent
Italian
Speak
Native
Read
Native
Write
Native
Skills

Strategic leadership and planning

Multi‑site field management

Senior team management and mentoring

Risk management in complex environments

Inter‑agency coordination

Protection cluster coordination

Humanitarian–development nexus

Capacity building and training

Diplomatic engagement with governments and donors

Multi‑stakeholder partnership building

Community‑based protection and accountability to affected populations

Advocacy and representation in high‑level forums

Negotiation and conflict resolution

Gender mainstreaming and inclusion