Birgit Pickel has more than 20 years of experience in development policy and cooperation, including 11 years in management positions. Her regional focus is on West‐ and Southern Africa, thematic focus on global health, governance and sustainable economic development including skills development as well as civil society, civic engagement and international volunteering. Mrs. Pickel has lived and worked in USA, South Africa, Zambia, Yemen, short‐term missions to Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Cameroon and Bangladesh. She has an MA in Political Science and a postgraduate certificate in Development Studies.