Daniel Alpizar Rojas

Sustainable Development Specialist / Agrifood Innovation and Agrifood System Transformation

Rome, Latium, Italy

About

With over a decade of international experience in Latin America, Africa, and Europe, I design and coordinate innovative development programs that promote inclusive rural livelihoods, food systems transformation, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. I hold a PhD in Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, an Erasmus Mundus MSc in Rural Development, and a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics. My professional journey includes impactful work with organizations such as FAO, UNOPS/USAID, and academic institutions across Europe. I've led project implementation, resource mobilization, stakeholder engagement, and research in complex, multi-stakeholder environments — from Indigenous territories in Costa Rica to innovation ecosystems in Ghana and Kenya. I’m passionate about bridging science, policy, and community-led action to create meaningful impact.

Experience

  • Sustainable Development and Agrifood Systems Transformation Specialist at FAO
    Jan 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 6 mos

    Managing the implementation of the HASTEN project—an FAO initiative to empower the next generation of agrifood leaders in Africa through systems thinking, entrepreneurship, and SDG-based transformation. Coordinating multi-country efforts and contributing to SDG prototyping and acceleration within FAO's agrifood systems workstream.

  • Food Systems Researcher at Università di Pisa
    Nov 2019 - Dec 2023 · 4 yrs 2 mos

    Co-leading the implementation of the Work Package 6 : Innovative food products, processes and agri-business models at the HealthyFoodAfrica project, which the overall goal is to make food systems in 10 African cities in six countries across three African macro-regions more sustainable, equitable and resilient by reconnecting food production and food consumption in effective ways.

  • Visiting PhD Candidate at CIHEAM-IAMM
    Apr 2021 - Oct 2021 · 7 mos

  • Costa Rica Community Impact Manager/Local RP Foundation Coordinator at Rustic Pathways
    Jan 2018 - Dec 2019 · 2 yrs

    Responsible for managing Rustic Pathways’ community partnerships, including the identification, implementation, and evaluation of development projects supported through student community service programs. Oversees the creation of support materials for program leaders and students, manages community development initiatives funded by the Rustic Pathways Foundation, and leads the implementation of sustainable and responsible travel initiatives at the country level.

  • Consultant in Methodologies for Development at USAID
    Jun 2013 - Sep 2015 · 2 yrs 4 mos

    Support on the implementation of the activities of Component 2 'Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture Technologies' of the Sustainable Agri-Food Program from (RUTA) Regional Unit for Sustainable Development. In particular, assist in the coordination, implementation, and evaluation of 9 projects in the adoption of good practices and technologies in cocoa and coffee. Also, collaborate in the organization of training activities in Costa Rica and Central America and give guidance on technical aspects and administrative processes in the implementation of good practice adoption projects to different organizations in Central America.