Development contours

Robert Kelly

Twenty-five years of work experience, spanning academia, private sector consultancy, government and the United Nations system.
Worked in over 35 countries and lived in 10.
Author or contributor to 15 flagship publications.
Driven by the desire to link climate theory and climate practice.

Skills

  • Extensive networks across the climate change sector.
  • Strong writing and analytical skills, including formal training in statistics and econometrics.
  • Well-honed presentation skills.
  • A unique combination of field (80+ projects), management and Board experience.
  • Above all, an ability to join dots – across disciplines, sectors, instruments and stakeholders.

Experience

Development Contours (2017 – Present)

When good climate intentions, policies, strategies and new technology meet the real world, the real world often prevails. Development Contours was founded with the explicit aim of combining intellectual rigour with a healthy pragmatism about what is possible in real-world situations – a surprisingly rare combination.

United Nations Development Programme (2006 – 2017)

Eleven years focused exclusively on climate change issues, working with a range of instruments and funding sources (GCF, GEF, LDCF, SCCF, AF, CDM, NAMAs, REDD+) and assuming progressively increasing responsibility, serving as the Environment Regional Team Leader for the MENA region, the Energy Team Leader for the Africa region and the Global Coordinator of UNDP’s climate change mitigation programming under the Green Climate Fund.

Education

  • University of Oxford: BA (Honours)
  • University of Cambridge: M.Phil
  • University of London: MSc