RUTGER-JAN SCHOEN

Nationality Netherlands

The founder and Managing Director of SPAN Consultants, Rutger-Jan is an expert in training, information, and communication. Rutger-Jan has over 15 years international expertise: 

• ·         in design and management of Governmental public information, communication and participation programmes
• ·         in formulating and providing assistance and training in Government Communication strategies 
• ·         in strengthening the management capacity of communication & public relations staff of Utilities and other governmental Institutions at national and municipal level
• ·         in divergent sectors such as nature and environment, public administration, good governance and conflict resolution.

Rutger-Jan  has worked in Central and Eastern European Countries, Asia, Middle East, Africa and the Newly Independent States on projects funded by The World Bank, European Commission, The Netherlands and Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, DANCED, UNDP, WWF/World Wide Fund for Nature, IUCN/World Conservation Union, UNCHS/Habitat, WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF as well as OECD. His most recent assignments included:

• ·          Public Facilitator for the Mine Closure Programme of the World Bank in Romania (2008-2011)
• ·          Information Centre for Authorities and Public Awareness & acceptance of Nuclear and Radiation Safety Issues
  in Murmansk,  Russia (2007-2010)
• ·          Communication adviser to the Government Information Service in the Netherlands to assist in design and implementation of international cooperation programmes in European Neighbourhood countries (2006-2011)
• ·         Communication advisor, Communication support to Village Elections in China (2002-2004)
• ·         Project Director/senior communication adviser, Multi-Beneficiary Information and Communication Programme for the EU Delegation in Bulgaria (2003-2004)
• ·         Participation & Communication expert, Semi-annual Supervision of the Worldbank
  Poverty Reduction Project in China (2001-2004)
• ·         Communication adviser to the Ministry of Interior in Bulgaria to prepare and implement
  a communication strategy to support the reform as part of the EU-Accession preparation (2002-2004)
• ·         Senior Communication Strategy Adviser, EU-Association Process of Serbia and Montenegro (2002-2003)