Vero Llanes, MPP, MRes

Challenging conventional narratives | Post-development | Decolonial Feminist Political Ecology | Policy Design, Program Development, Project Management, Research & Advocacy

Ecuador

About

Views are my own. I co-create socio-ecological initiatives across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. With over 14 years of experience in policy design, program development, project management, and advocacy, I focus on addressing root causes and transforming entrenched power structures. My work is rooted in community-led approaches, recognizing collective knowledge and cultivating practices that sustain life in all its forms. By bridging strategic vision with hands-on collaboration, I drive systemic change, co-creating futures rooted in dignity, reciprocity, and justice for all beings. Passionate about working toward a world in harmony with oneself, with others, and with the Earth. ⸻ Las opiniones expresadas son personales. Co-creo iniciativas socioecológicas en regiones como América Latina, África y Asia. Con más de 14 años de experiencia en diseño de políticas públicas, desarrollo de programas, gestión de proyectos y advocacy, me enfoco en abordar causas estructurales y transformar las dinámicas de poder establecidas. Mi trabajo se basa en enfoques guiados por las comunidades, reconociendo los saberes colectivos y cultivando prácticas que reproducen la vida en todas sus formas. Al combinar visión estratégica con colaboración práctica, impulso cambios sistémicos, co-creando futuros basados en dignidad, reciprocidad y justicia para todxs lxs seres. Comprometida con trabajar hacia un mundo más en armonía con unx mismx, con lxs demás y con la Tierra.

Experience

  • Customer Success Specialist at Occuspace
    Apr 2025 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

    • Managed end-to-end troubleshooting and operational support for occupancy sensor deployments across client sites, minimizing occupancy data loss and ensuring timely issue resolution. • Supported occupancy sensor implementation projects (~USD 13.8K) from onboarding through client go-live, helping ensure successful deployments aligned with customer requirements and project timelines. • Developed and standardized internal operational documentation, including troubleshooting SOPs, decision trees, and onboarding resources to improve consistency, scalability, and knowledge sharing across teams. • Coordinated cross-functionally with Sales, Engineering, Customer Success, and field technicians to align project activities, resolve operational issues, and support client success.

  • Independent Consultant, GESI, Education, & Climate at Freelance
    Dec 2018 - Present · 7 yrs 8 mos

    • Designed and advised on national and international multi-sectoral policy and programs across gender equality, climate adaptation, education, and social inclusion. • Led the design of Ecuador’s National Plan for Gender Equality in Technical and Vocational Education (TVET), integrating intersectional approaches to improve access for women, LGBTQI+ individuals, Afrodescendants, and Indigenous Peoples. • Developed a governance model for Ecuador’s National Climate Adaptation Plan (2023–2027), defining institutional arrangements, coordination mechanisms, and accountability systems to strengthen climate resilience. • Delivered policy analysis and recommendations for international institutions (e.g., BRAC University, Development Innovation Foundation), focusing on youth engagement, education access, and digital awareness. • Conducted research, stakeholder engagement, and program design across diverse contexts, ensuring alignment with local realities and international frameworks. • Facilitated multi-stakeholder coordination with government entities, academia, NGOs, and communities to co-create context-responsive solutions.

  • Head of Social Department, MHPSS, GBV, GESI, Environmental Justice, Migration at Antroproyectos
    Jul 2023 - Dec 2023 · 6 mos

    • Directed the Social Department, overseeing a portfolio of eight consultancy projects (USD 10K–25K each) implemented simultaneously for international NGOs (Oxfam, Plan International, World Vision, HIAS), in compliance with donor and contractual requirements. • Supervised and mentored Program Managers, technical experts, and field teams across Ecuador and Peru, strengthening capacity and coordination across projects, and ensuring high-quality delivery of evaluations, research outputs, and technical reports. • Managed program implementation processes, including planning, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting, ensuring quality control and alignment with technical standards. • Led program evaluations and strategic assessments across sectors, including youth economic empowerment, gender equality, GBV prevention, migration response, and environmental justice. • Managed client relationships and partner coordination, ensuring alignment with donor expectations, timelines, and technical standards. • Contributed to proposal development and resource mobilization, ensuring alignment with technical expectations, timelines, and contractual obligations. • Strengthened internal systems by streamlining processes, improving team performance, and enhancing quality assurance mechanisms, resulting in repeat contracts and sustained partnerships.

  • Senior Policy Specialist, Public Health Governance at Ministerio de Salud - Ecuador
    Feb 2023 - Jul 2023 · 6 mos

    • Provided high-level technical assistance to strengthen policy design and governance processes across multiple directorates within the Ministry of Health. • Led the development and refinement of priority public health policies, including oral health and access to essential medicines, applying structured, evidence-based, and prevention-oriented approaches. • Supported the implementation and intersectoral coordination of the 2022–2032 National Health Plan, working across ministries (Education, Environment, Defense, Housing, Women’s Affairs), local governments, and external partners to ensure aligned policy execution and integrated service delivery. • Strengthened Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) frameworks, improving performance tracking, accountability, and evidence-informed decision-making. • Delivered capacity-building processes for public officials, strengthening institutional capabilities in policy design, M&E, and results-based management. • Promoted the use of standardized methodologies and strategic planning tools, enhancing policy coherence, implementation quality, and institutional effectiveness.

  • Adjunct Professor, Public Administration at Universidad Central del Ecuador
    Nov 2022 - Feb 2023 · 4 mos

    • Delivered undergraduate courses in Public Policy Design, Theories of the State, and Introductory Economics, linking theory to real-world governance challenges. • Facilitated interactive and applied learning environments, strengthening student engagement, critical thinking, and policy analysis skills. • Provided academic tutoring and mentorship, guiding students through the full development of undergraduate thesis projects, including research design, analytical frameworks, and applied policy analysis. • Contributed to curriculum development, integrating practical policy tools and contemporary governance approaches.