Katrina Aitken-Laird

Katrina Aitken-Laird has a diverse range of work experience. Katrina has worked as the Director of Security and Justice for UNOPS in Somalia since January 2020. Prior to that, they were the Nigeria Security and Justice Adviser for the British High Commission Abuja from February 2017 to March 2019. Katrina also served as the Afghanistan Country Coordinator for the Fund Manager of the Girls Education Challenge (GEC) program from June 2014 to January 2016. Additionally, they worked as a Conflict Sensitivity Trainer for Atos Consulting and a Conflict Expert/Team Leader for Development Transformations in 2014. Earlier in their career, they held positions such as National Appraisal Consultant for the Danish Technical Advisory Services Department in Afghanistan in 2014, Governance Adviser for CARE Afghanistan in 2013, Interim Somalia/land Country Programme Manager for Saferworld in 2012, and Conflict & Security Adviser for Saferworld from 2010 to 2012.

Katrina Aitken-Laird earned a Bachelor of Arts (Cum Laude) degree in Sociology and Africana Studies from The George Washington University in the years 1999-2004. Katrina later pursued a Master of Science (Merit) degree in Political Economy of Violence, Conflict, and Development from SOAS University of London during the years 2008-2009.