Nvard V. Manasyan
GESI Consultant
Yerevan
Summary
Experienced GESI professional with 25 years of multidisciplinary expertise, delivering strategic insights and practical solutions to international clients. Proven track record leading gender equality and social inclusion projects for the World Bank, UNICEF, UN Women, and . Skilled in stakeholder engagement, problem-solving, and designing tailored capacity development and training initiatives. Recognized for translating complex challenges into actionable, context-specific strategies.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
2000
2000
years of post-secondary education
5
5
Languages
Work History
Gender Equality Consultant
Asian Development Bank
07.2024 - Current
- Development of the Country Gender Assessment Document
- Development of Capacity Building modules and delivery of training sessions related to gender mainstreaming in infrastructure projects
- Preparation of the capacity assessment for the Resilient and Inclusive Economic Corridor Improvement Project in Syunik Region for further gender mainstreaming in the project
- Preparation of the capacity assessment for the Resilient and Inclusive Economic Corridor Improvement Project in Lori Region for further gender mainstreaming in the project
- Institutional assessment for gender mainstreaming at the Road Department Fund
- Gender specific gap analysis related to housing access, financing mechanisms, institutional support and capacity-building needs, for Transformative Housing Reforms for Improved Vitality and Empowerment for further gender mainstreaming in the project.
PROJECT MANAGER/COORDINATOR
Coalition to Stop Violence against Women
08.2023 - 03.2025
- Coordination, internal communication among Coalition member NGOs
- Planning and execution of Board Meetings of Coalition.
- Partnership development, fundraising and proposal development.
- Strategic Planning Cycle management.
- Organization of Advocacy campaigns, including October 1 Commemoration of DV victims and 16-days campaign.
- Overall oversight of implementation of 3 projects related to transforming the gender-based violence agenda and conducting a gender-based violence specific country wide audit, as well as supporting refugee women and girls to prevent and respond to gender-based violence
- Development of annual reporting.
- Financial planning and ongoing monitoring of expenditures; support to auditing.
PROJECT MANAGER
Transparency International Armenia
11.2022 - 09.2023
- Managed, coordinated, and monitored the organization's program on Monitoring the Transparency and Accountability of Yerevan Municipality Project.
- Managed the actions of employees involved in the program, guided their professional activities, and promoted professional development.
- Approved expenditures within the scope of the project.
- Prepared project content reports for donors.
- Monitored the accuracy of financial statements prepared for project grantees.
- Prepared publications or other information materials to ensure compliance of project implementation with budgeted costs and work plan.
- Analyzed the progress of the project, ensured the expected results were obtained.
- Recruited program staff as needed.
- Ensured communication with donors as required.
- Followed sector-related developments, developed proposals for reforms.
- Acted as an expert in the field related to the program in various meetings, events, in relations with the press and related structures.
- Coordinated the work of experts and partners involved in the program, finalized the publications.
- Collaborated with relevant project stakeholders, including the public, private, and public sectors, and provided expert support and information as needed.
- Carried out advocacy of public policy recommendations based on project results.
Gender equality officer
UNICEF Armenia
05.2019 - 11.2022
- Provided professional technical assistance in program development and management, i.e. Missing Girls Project I and II, gender-based violence information management system’s rollout (pilot), and adaptation of Gender-based Violence Pocket guide including the mobile application, History #5 resource pack, and SRHR and Gender-based Violence content HCD-based prototyping for SafeYOU mobile app.
- Analyzed program-related issues and policies from children's and women's rights perspective and promoted the organization's goals, i.e. contributed to CEDAW and CRC reporting cycle and stats analytics.
- Facilitated partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts and provided them with technical assistance and capacity building to ensure program sustainability, i.e. trained ISSC social workers on first tier Gender-based Violence response via Gender-based Violence pocket guide.
- Monitored program implementation progress and compliance including allocation and disbursement of program funds.
- Monitored and assessed program implementation through field visits and decided on required corrective action.
- Participated in coordination meetings with government counterparts and other stakeholders and provided program status reports in a timely manner, as required.
Consultancy on Gender Equality
UNICEF Armenia
05.2018 - 03.2019
- Initiated the study on gender stereotypes among adolescent girls and boys.
- Supported preparations of UNICEF's engagement in UN and GTG organized activities and coordinated UNICEF lead activities for 16-days activism against gender-based violence.
- Worked with partners on finalizing the cleaning, recovery, and analysis of data collected during experimental research.
- Organized presentation of results of research to target audiences, and initiated planning of the new project-based results of completed set of research.
- Supported Deputy Representative in finalization of gender programmatic review report and reflection of recommendations during mid-term review.
- Supported Deputy Representative, CRM/M&E Specialist and other sections of UNICEF Armenia office in documenting and reporting on gender results achieved, as well as mainstreaming of gender in planning.
Gender Equality Officer
UNICEF Armenia
10.2016 - 09.2018
- Collaborated with partners to carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation to improve efficiency and quality of program delivery.
- Participated in coordination meetings with government counterparts and other stakeholders.
- Collaborated and prepared program status reports.
- Provided professional technical assistance in program development and management by collecting and analyzing data and monitoring implementation progress.
- Contributed to the identification of critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system.
- Drafted or prepared program work plans as required.
- Proposed adjustments/changes in work plans.
- Proposed program recommendations for inclusion in formal program documentation.
- Analyzed program related issues and policies from children's and women's rights perspective and advocacy at the community and family levels for elevating credibility in national policy debates.
- Promoted the organization goals of UNICEF through active advocacy and communication.
- Facilitated partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on program/project status and implementation and movement/distribution of supplies.
- Provided involved stakeholders and partners with technical assistance and support for the purpose of capacity building and program sustainability.
- Monitored program implementation progress and compliance.
- Monitored the allocation and disbursement of program funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated.
- Took appropriate recommendations or actions to optimize use of program funds.
- Undertook field visits to monitor and assess program implementation and decide on required corrective action.
CommunicationS ASSISTANT STC
The World Bank
11.2012 - 09.2016
- Analyzed the local and global media daily, providing briefs to the country team.
- Performed assessment and analysis of political context in the country.
- Evaluated and followed up on news leads and news tips to develop story ideas.
- Organized material and wrote stories according to prescribed editorial style and format standards.
- Pursued and developed stories under the guidance of Senior Communications Officer, covering a range of development topics.
- Wrote pieces and news stories for online publication, coordinating images and layout to ensure proper presentation.
- Produced and edited reports and documents for country team members on a regular basis.
Visiting Lecturer
Yerevan State University
09.2015 - 01.2016
- Taught an introductory course on Gender Discourse to first grade master students at the Department of Sociology, Chair of Women Studies and Leadership.
- Utilized innovative methods of instruction, including video, interactive class activities and discussions to present course material on Introduction to Gender Discourse.
- Created syllabus and instructional plans for each class session in accord with the stated course objectives.
- Developed exams to properly gauge information retention and student performance.
- Guided students in researching, structuring and presenting a debate case.
- Designed course materials, writing assignments and exams.
Leading Expert
Armenian State University of Economics
02.2014 - 01.2015
- Prepared concept papers, proposals, assessments of certain segments of university programs, measurement of past performance, and development of research proposals related to quality assurance.
- Worked on the strengthening of the research and development side by developing and managing a Swiss grant geared towards the implementation of university based applied research useful for policy makers.
Visiting Lecturer
Armenian State University of Economics
02.2014 - 01.2015
- Taught an introductory course on Theories of IR and IGOs to first grade master students at the UNESCO Chair of Education Management and Planning.
- Utilized innovative methods of instruction, including video, interactive class activities and discussions to present course material.
- Created syllabus and instructional plans for each class session in accord with the stated course objectives.
- Developed exams to properly gauge information retention and student performance.
- Guided students in researching, structuring and presenting a debate case.
- Designed course materials, including syllabi, writing assignments and exams.
Visiting Lecturer
Yerevan Brusov State University of Languages and Social Sciences
02.2009 - 07.2012
- Taught an introductory course on Theories of IR and IGOs to first grade master students at the UNESCO Chair of Education Management and Planning and UNESCO Chair of Human Rights, Democracy and European Studies, as well as an advanced laboratory type course on 'Gender issues in Education Policy' to second year master students.
- Utilized innovative methods of instruction, including video, interactive class activities and discussions to present course material.
- Created syllabus and instructional plans for each class session in accord with the stated course objectives.
- Developed exams to properly gauge information retention and student performance.
- Guided students in researching, structuring and presenting a debate case.
- Designed course materials, including syllabi, writing assignments and exams.
Director
Yerevan Brusov State University of Languages and Social Sciences
08.2009 - 05.2012
- Established the Quality Assurance Center at the University by developing all the founding documents and the legal framework for its operations.
- Developed the concept, policies and procedures in concordance with requirements and recommendations of European Higher Education Area's QA systems related to Internal Quality Assurance.
- Prepared concept papers, proposals, assessments of certain segments, measurement of past performance, and development of research proposals related to quality assurance.
- Managed and supervised the preparation works for the first cycle of full self-assessment report and capacities of various divisions to transition to the first ever implemented full institutional accreditation.
Adviser to the Minister
Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia
03.2007 - 05.2009
- Provided policy advice on issues related to post-secondary education with in-depth support on issues related to Unified entrance examinations to Higher Education Institutions, as well as reform agenda of vocational education.
- Prepared policy briefs, meetings with donor agencies and stakeholders.
- Served on the Ministerial committee on the Financing and Management Reforms of Higher Education and have been a member of the Board of the Financing and Banking College.
- Engaged in the management of development of the organizational works and content advice for Vision Document 'Education 2015', as a co-manager with the USAID team the task on the Assessment of the Organizational Capacities and Institutional Development of the Ministry.
- Built and strengthened productive and valuable sector partnerships to drive collaboration, engagement and development towards the new vision within the framework of 'Education 2015'.
- Drove strategic planning and implementation in a core team of lead experts working on the conceptualization of the new vision of Education Sector.
Education Specialist
The World Bank
01.2004 - 03.2007
- Served as the country office contact for the education task teams (interfacing with clients, team leaders and members, and broader country team).
- Conducted research in education both on Armenia and on international experience, especially administrative data collection & analysis, household survey analysis, literature reviews, program design and implementation reviews, etc.
- Provided technical and analytical support to teams and clients on education, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of Armenia's social programs.
- Participated in dialogue with government clients and eventually led some technical meetings as client relationships developed.
- Participated in preparation of lending operations.
- Participated and eventually led project supervision activities.
- Conducted field work as needed.
- Helped to organize missions and occasional workshops and seminars.
- Supported Country Sector Leader and Washington-based economists with quick research needs, briefings.
Assistant to the Deputy Speaker
National Assembly (Parliament) Of the Republic of Armenia
01.2003 - 01.2004
- Carried out research into local, regional, national and international issues as required, and ensure the Deputy Speaker was made aware of any relevant matters.
- Wrote press releases, newsletters and mailshots to promote the Deputy Speaker's work assisting with campaigns before and during elections.
- Attended public and private functions to assist the politician and occasionally stand in when the Deputy Speaker was unable to attend.
- Liaised with members of government and local government, party headquarters, other politicians and their staff, embassies, commissioners, relevant interest groups, the media, relevant voluntary sector organizations and constituents.
- Helped draft amendments for reports and prepared briefing material.
Assistant to the Minister
Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia
01.2002 - 11.2002
- Worked closely with coworkers to strategically plan for restructuring exercise of the Ministry supported by DFID and conducted by the Government of Armenia.
- Worked closely with the Minister to provide effective assistance for all aspects of education sector supervision and oversight, among other duties also drafted all the meeting materials, minutes, agendas, etc.
- Researched relevant information, studies, articles on state standards development to support education reform supported by the World Bank.
- Participated in strategic planning of the first framework curriculum for the secondary general education and development of the state standards for education.
- Served on Ad Hoc Committee on the Development of National Standards and Curriculum in the capacity of expert.
- Served on Committee on Higher and Post Graduate Education, Committee on Coordination of European Educational Scientific Integration in the capacity of secretary.
Lead Expert
Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia
03.2001 - 01.2002
- Served as the Deputy Chief of the Secretariat of the Republican Committee for Unified Entrance Examinations to the Higher Education Institutions.
- Coordinated all the relevant activities for institutional evaluation of the Ministry.
- Supported the Lead local consultant in conducting the assessment of the functions and overlaps based on the full assessment of levels of effort per each Job Description and mandate of each department and unit of the Ministry.
- Worked in the Structural Adjustment Task force preparing the package for the Government's approval of public service reform.
Community Development Expert
German Technical Cooperation, GTZ
08.2000 - 01.2001
- Worked with both national and local level officials and specialists towards expansion of knowledge on local self-governance.
- Participated in training and learning events for communities linked to self-governance and management of community resources.
- Cooperated with local and regional administration transfer knowledge from other GIZ programs.
- Cooperated with other development programs and initiatives active in Armenia.
Missions Coordinator
The World Bank/Armenia Resident Mission
01.1997 - 01.1998
- Maintained the visiting mission schedules.
- Coordinated with the rest of the office when high loads of visiting missions and worked closely with the administrative support team to effectively manage the workload.
- Provided administrative and logistical support to Visiting Missions and the Country Office.
- Ensured that travel plans and contact details for visiting missions were available and up to date at the country office, including being responsible for providing country security clearance for mission travel.
- Drafted and distributed mission announcement letters to Government.
- Arranged meetings as required for mission team members, provided updated schedules and consistently follow up to ensure meetings take place.
- Arranged Workshops/Conferences/Functions, coordinated workshops, conferences and functions as required.
- Communicated and coordinated with IT support to ensure visiting missions have computer access and/or access to other communication needs as required i.e. VC, audio conferencing, local phones, etc.
- Provided support to visiting mission members with photocopying, collating documentation, locating files, forms, etc.
- Assisted with special projects as required, provided back-up to other team members as necessary and performed other ad-hoc duties to support the office.
Education
Master of Community Planning Degree - Planning, Economic Development
College of Design, Architecture, Art, And Planning
Cincinnati, OHMaster of Arts - Political Science and International Affairs
American University of Armenia
Yerevan, YerevanDiploma (equivalent to master’s degree) - Technical Cybernetics
National Polytechnic University of Armenia
Skills
Problem-solving
Analytical thinking
Quality assurance
Strategic planning
Project management
Assessments
Analysis & evaluation
Stakeholder engagement
Training and development
Proposal development
Reporting writing
Accomplishments
EaP Civil Society Fellow, 2024, Zartir Fellowship, January 2022, Recognition for Serving as an Arbiter for YFA, Jinishian Memorial Foundation, May 2011, OSIAF Policy Research Fellowship, February 2011, World Bank, Recognition for contributing to achieving outstanding results in Improving the Lives of People in ECA, 2009, Manookyan Public Service Fellowship, Eurasia Foundation, October 2008, Public Service Fellowship, IREX, March 2007, American Planning Association Award for the Best Student Project, April 2000, Ohio State Award for the Best Student Project, September 1999, Freedom Support Act Fellowship, July 1998, Board Member of Women’s Fund Armenia, starting from 2021, Member of Board of Trustees, Center for Culture and Civilization Studies, starting from 2021, Advisory Council member, EdCamp Armenia, starting from 2019 to 2021, Board Member of Transparency International, Anti-Corruption Center – Armenia starting from 2016, Chair from 2021-up until January of 2022, Board Member of Scholarships, Armenia Education Foundation starting from 2007 to 2021, TEMPUS HERE Higher Education Reform Expert, 2009 - 2015
Publications
- Creating impactful content through research, Manasyan, N., Khachatryan, E., Ohanyan, H., Talalyan, L., Jijyan, T., Ghazaryan, G., 2024, Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women
- Transparency and Accountability of Yerevan Municipality, Manasyan, N., Mughnetsyan, T., Vermishyan, H., Mitchikyan, S., Petrosyan, S., 2023, Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center, Yerevan, Armenia, https://transparency.am/hy/publication/pdf/345/10875
- The Possible Structures of Diversions of Exchange Based on Non-Syntactic Communications in Networks, 2018, Analytical Bulletin No. 12, YSU: Center for Civilization and Cultural Studies
- History Teaching in the Schools of Armenia and Turkey, Avetisyan, S., Akpınar, A., Manasyan, N., Güllü, F., Turan, Ö., Palandjian, G., 2017, Istanbul, Turkey, Tarih Vakfi
- Gender Gap: A Diagnostic Study of Discrimination Against Women, 2016, Yerevan: UNFPA
- Not Yet: How divergent concepts and economic interests created a disabling environment for the emancipation of Armenian Women, 2015, Women's Movement in Armenia: Starting from 19th to 21st Centuries, Gohar Shahnazaryan, Yerevan, 19-45
- Policy Paper on Stereotyping as an Inhibiting Factor for Inclusive Growth, 2014, Yerevan: Armenian State University of Economics
- Gender Stereotyping in Math and Armenian Language Textbooks, Manasyan, N., Shahinyan, A., 2012, Bamber, Yerevan: YSLU, Interlingva
Training
- GenderPro Credentialing Program, UNICEF, 11/2019
- E-Toolkit on Gender Equality in Education, Center for Universal Education at Brookings, UNICEF and University of California, Berkeley, 11/2019
- Course on Increasing Effectiveness of Humanitarian Action for Women, Girls, Boys and Men, Inter-Agency Standing Committee, 11/2019
- Gender-Responsive Monitoring & Evaluation, UNICEF, 12/2019
- Basic Tools Training, Gender-based Violence Information Management Systems, GBVIMS Global Technical Team, UNICEF, 09/2021
- Building Strategic Capacity in Foresight, Higher School of Economics, Russia, 09/2019
Consulting
- Assessment of Organizational and Team Resilience of Feminist Funds, Armenia, Georgia, Germany, Ukraine, 12/2022 - 04/2023
- Human-Centered Design based SRHR and Gender-based violence content editing and analytics, UNICEF, 12/2022 - 01/2023
- Monitoring of the implementation of the 2022 Action Plan of the Armenia Gender Strategy 2019-2023, UN Women, 04/2023
- National Domestic Violence (Gender-based Violence) helpline development assessment report, World Bank, 05/2023 - 03/2024
- Case Study on the Strategic Planning Cycle based on the Examination of the planning and implementation cycle of the Action Plan of the Armenia Gender Strategy 2019-2023, 07/2023
- Rapid Gender Analysis of Refugee Needs in Armenia, Care Caucasus, 10/2023 - 03/2024
- Human-Centered Design based Orange campaign content editing and analytics, GDSI Limited, 05/2024 - 09/2024
- Research on international best practices in Gender Equality and Empowerment National Mechanisms, Democracy International, 12/2024 - 02/2025
Timeline
Gender Equality Consultant
Asian Development Bank
07.2024 - Current
PROJECT MANAGER/COORDINATOR
Coalition to Stop Violence against Women
08.2023 - 03.2025
PROJECT MANAGER
Transparency International Armenia
11.2022 - 09.2023
Gender equality officer
UNICEF Armenia
05.2019 - 11.2022
Consultancy on Gender Equality
UNICEF Armenia
05.2018 - 03.2019
Gender Equality Officer
UNICEF Armenia
10.2016 - 09.2018
Visiting Lecturer
Yerevan State University
09.2015 - 01.2016
Leading Expert
Armenian State University of Economics
02.2014 - 01.2015
Visiting Lecturer
Armenian State University of Economics
02.2014 - 01.2015
CommunicationS ASSISTANT STC
The World Bank
11.2012 - 09.2016
Director
Yerevan Brusov State University of Languages and Social Sciences
08.2009 - 05.2012
Visiting Lecturer
Yerevan Brusov State University of Languages and Social Sciences
02.2009 - 07.2012
Adviser to the Minister
Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia
03.2007 - 05.2009
Education Specialist
The World Bank
01.2004 - 03.2007
Assistant to the Deputy Speaker
National Assembly (Parliament) Of the Republic of Armenia
01.2003 - 01.2004
Assistant to the Minister
Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia
01.2002 - 11.2002
Lead Expert
Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia
03.2001 - 01.2002
Community Development Expert
German Technical Cooperation, GTZ
08.2000 - 01.2001
Missions Coordinator
The World Bank/Armenia Resident Mission
01.1997 - 01.1998
Master of Arts - Political Science and International Affairs
American University of Armenia
Diploma (equivalent to master’s degree) - Technical Cybernetics
National Polytechnic University of Armenia
Master of Community Planning Degree - Planning, Economic Development
College of Design, Architecture, Art, And Planning