Recommended expert

Martijn Pakker

Senior-level Consultant in Strategy development, Management and Communication/Stakeholder Engagement

Martijn Pakker
Brussels, Belgium

Experience

Jan 2023 - Dec 2024
2 years
Brussels, Belgium

Head of Strategic Relations & Activities

Institute for European Environmental Policy

  • Led a team responsible for governance, networks, events, and partnerships.

  • Oversaw the European Green Deal Barometer (3rd edition): design, analysis, dissemination, and stakeholder engagement.

  • Drafted IEEP’s Resource Mobilisation and Research Uptake Strategy (2023–2027).

  • Managed Think2030 and Think Sustainable Europe, including annual conferences, partner coordination, and strategic planning.

  • Strengthened engagement with EU institutions, member states, foundations, and civil society.

  • Supported alignment of research programmes with policy priorities and funding opportunities.

Nov 2022 - Present
3 years 4 months

Founder & Principal Consultant

MNPQ Consulting

  • Provides high-level advisory support to organisations working across climate, environment, agriculture, public health, children’s rights, and sustainable development. Work centres on strategic engagement, evidence-based advocacy, institutional effectiveness, and policy influence.

  • Designed and codified an evidence-based operational consulting workflow blueprint for the Lead Operator role, translating strategic intent into repeatable delivery systems.

  • Embedded structured cognitive bias countermeasures, including anchoring prevention, cognitive-forcing checklists, and systematic “consider the opposite” validation.

  • Co-designed mixed-methods data divergence resolution processes, including specification of joint-display visualization, methodological appraisal, and auditable resolution memos.

  • Operationalized AI-human insight validation gates through blind review protocols and socio-technical ethics audit integration.

  • Led Matrix Integration Protocol facilitation between functional and project mandates to turn structural friction into integrated, jointly validated workflow improvements.

  • Oversaw multi-stage informed consent design and data ethics compliance for diagnostic stakeholder engagement.

  • Established psychological safety baseline measurement and empowerment pulse monitoring, aligned to operator responsibilities in complex knowledge work delivery.

Jan 2019 - Dec 2022
4 years
Manila, Philippines

Senior Manager / Head of Global Advocacy

International Rice Research Institute / CGIAR

  • Designed IRRI’s Global Advocacy Strategy (2020–2025) linking research portfolios to SDGs, food security, climate adaptation, and resilient livelihoods.

  • Led IRRI engagement at UNFCCC COPs, UNGA, SDG Summits, WHA, and high-level global fora.

  • Coordinated all Golden Rice regulatory communications and multi-country stakeholder engagement.

  • Built strategic relationships with governments, multilateral institutions, and regional organisations.

  • Produced strategic narratives translating technical research into policy-relevant messages.

  • Helped position IRRI at the centre of climate and food systems debates.

Jan 2018 - Dec 2019
2 years
Cali, Colombia

Regional Partnerships & Advocacy Manager

International Center for Tropical Agriculture / CGIAR

  • Developed regional strategy for CIAT’s global policy engagement (UNFCCC, ECOSOC, SDG platforms).

  • Coordinated research uptake in regional and national policy discussions.

  • Identified new partnerships with donors and policy actors across Latin America.

  • Supported regional communications, events, and policy outreach.

Jan 2015 - Dec 2018
4 years
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Advocacy, Donor Relations & Research Uptake Manager

icddr,b

  • Designed advocacy and communications efforts for global health research at WHA, UN events, and donor forums.

  • Led development of multi-million USD institutional funding applications.

  • Acted as focal point for international development policy and Global South-led innovation.

  • Strengthened research uptake pathways and policy alignment across scientific divisions.

Jan 2011 - Dec 2015
5 years

Independent Consultant – Advocacy & Programmes

  • Developed advocacy strategies and campaigns for health and development issues for clients including Porter Novelli, IAVI, International Diabetes Federation, IVCO, and UNDP MENA.

  • Built relationships with EU institutions and Member State representatives.

  • Produced political analyses, messaging, and technical communications products.

Jan 2011 - Dec 2012
2 years

Interim Executive Director

European Volunteer Centre

Jan 2010 - Dec 2010
1 year

Senior Account Manager

Edelman Brussels

Jan 2008 - Dec 2010
3 years

Guest Lecturer

Université de Liège

Jan 2008 - Dec 2009
2 years

Board Delegation Member

Global Fund

Jan 2007 - Dec 2010
4 years

EU Policy Advisor

Stop AIDS Alliance

Jan 2005 - Dec 2007
3 years

Project Coordinator

IPPF European Network

Industries Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time. Longer bars indicate deeper hands-on experience, while shorter ones reflect targeted or project-based work.

Experienced in Healthcare (14 years), Professional Services (8 years), Government and Administration (7 years), Agriculture (5 years), Education (3 years), and Advertising (1 year).

Healthcare
Professional Services
Government and Administration
Agriculture
Education
Advertising

Business Areas Experience

The graph below provides a cumulative view of the freelancer's experience across multiple business areas, calculated from completed and active engagements. It highlights the areas where the freelancer has most frequently contributed to planning, execution, and delivery of business outcomes.

Experienced in Strategy (17 years), Research and Development (14 years), Marketing (9 years), Project Management (5 years), Operations (5 years), and Sustainability Management (4 years).

Strategy
Research and Development
Marketing
Project Management
Operations
Sustainability Management

Summary

Senior-level expert with over 20 years of experience in international advocacy, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability policy. Has supported research institutes, think tanks, UN agencies, donors, NGOs, and multi-stakeholder platforms across Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Global South.

Experienced in connecting research, policy, and practice through political economy analysis, evidence-informed advocacy, and coordinated stakeholder engagement. Extensive background engaging EU institutions, UN bodies, national governments, philanthropic foundations, and research networks.

Brings proven strengths in strategy development, research uptake, MEL for policy influence, coalition-building, network governance, donor stewardship, and facilitation of high-level and technical dialogues. Founder of MNPQ Consulting, providing advisory services across climate, environment, agriculture, food systems, public health, digital rights, and sustainable development.

Skills

Climate Change: Mitigation, Adaptation, Climate Finance, Transparency

  • Agriculture And Food Systems Research (Cgiar)
  • Environment, Biodiversity, Marine And Coastal Ecosystems
  • Global Health, Vaccine Policy, Health Systems, Equity
  • Digital And Children’s Rights Online (Eu Context)
  • Eu Green Deal, Fit For 55, Refueleu Aviation, Fueleu Maritime
  • Research-for-development | Science-policy Interfaces
  • Sustainable Transport | Hydrogen And E-fuels Policy
  • International Development Cooperation And Sdgs
  • Horizon Europe, Mff/eu Budget, Eu External Action
  • Mel For Advocacy And Policy Influence

Policy & Advocacy

  • Strategy Design; Policy Analysis; Political Economy Assessments
  • Legislative Targeting; Positioning Documents; Influence Mapping
  • Messaging Development For Senior Leadership And Researchers

Stakeholder Engagement

  • Multi-stakeholder Dialogue Facilitation
  • Run-of-show Design, Agenda Planning, And High-level Moderation
  • Engagement With Eu Institutions, Un Processes, Member States, Donors, Ngos, Research Networks, And Private Sector Actors

Strategic Communications

  • Policy Briefs, Talking Points, Speeches, Narratives, Thought Leadership
  • Communication Workflow Design And Alignment With Institutional Goals

Partnership Development & Resource Mobilisation

  • Donor Mapping; Funding Analyses; Concept Notes; Partnerships
  • Aligning Portfolios With Donor Landscapes (Climate, Development, Environment)

Research Uptake & Mel

  • Theory Of Change Design; Influence Pathways; Logframe Development
  • Evaluating Effectiveness Of Evidence-to-policy Work
  • Aligning Research Outputs With Policy Windows And Priorities

Team Leadership & Governance

  • Leading Teams, Networks, And Partnerships
  • Supporting Organisational Reforms, Accountability, And Operational Efficiency

Languages

English
Native
Dutch
Native
Spanish
Advanced
French
Advanced
German
Intermediate
...and 2 more

Education

University of Liverpool

MSc · Organisational & Business Psychology · Liverpool, United Kingdom

KU Leuven

BA · East European Studies · Leuven, Belgium

Certifications & licenses

Masterclass Certificate, Development Economics

MITx

Profile

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Martijn based?

Martijn is based in Brussels, Belgium and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

What languages does Martijn speak?

Martijn speaks the following languages: English (Native), Dutch (Native), Spanish (Advanced), French (Advanced), German (Intermediate), Bengali (Elementary), Russian (Elementary).

How many years of experience does Martijn have?

Martijn has at least 21 years of experience. During this time, Martijn has worked in at least 12 different roles and for 11 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 9 months. Note that Martijn may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Martijn be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Martijn would be well-suited for roles such as: Head of Strategic Relations & Activities, Founder & Principal Consultant, Senior Manager / Head of Global Advocacy.

What is Martijn's latest experience?

Martijn's most recent position is Head of Strategic Relations & Activities at Institute for European Environmental Policy.

What companies has Martijn worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Martijn has worked for Institute for European Environmental Policy, MNPQ Consulting, and International Rice Research Institute / CGIAR.

Which industries is Martijn most experienced in?

Martijn is most experienced in industries like Healthcare, Professional Services, and Government and Public Administration. Martijn also has some experience in Agriculture, Education, and Advertising.

Which business areas is Martijn most experienced in?

Martijn is most experienced in business areas like Strategy and Planning, Research and Development (R&D), and Marketing. Martijn also has some experience in Operations, Project Management, and Sustainability Management.

Which industries has Martijn worked in recently?

Martijn has recently worked in industries like Agriculture and Professional Services.

Which business areas has Martijn worked in recently?

Martijn has recently worked in business areas like Strategy and Planning, Research and Development (R&D), and Sustainability Management.

What is Martijn's education?

Martijn holds a Master in Organisational & Business Psychology from University of Liverpool and a Bachelor in East European Studies from KU Leuven.

Does Martijn have any certificates?

Martijn has 1 certificate: Masterclass Certificate, Development Economics.

What is the availability of Martijn?

Martijn is immediately available part-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Martijn?

Martijn's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.

How to hire Martijn?

To hire Martijn, click the Meet button on the profile to request a meeting and discuss your project needs.

Average rates for similar positions

Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.

1000
750
500
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Market avg: 750-910 €
The rates shown represent the typical market range for freelancers in this position based on recent contracts on our platform.
Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.