Professional Summary
Professional Overview
Paul McKnight is an experienced humanitarian and development professional with a strong track record of leading impactful programs and initiatives in Asia. As the Senior Manager Asia at the Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST), he leverages his expertise in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) to drive sustainable solutions in the region. Concurrently, he operates as a self-employed Humanitarian and Development Consultant, applying his deep understanding of the sector to support a range of projects and clients.
Experience Summary
Current Roles
Senior Manager Asia, CAWST (2023-04-01 to Present)
- Responsible for overseeing and directing CAWST's various initiatives and programs across Asia, ensuring strategic alignment and effective delivery
- Collaborates with key stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and local communities, to identify and address critical WASH challenges
- Provides technical guidance and capacity-building support to partner organizations, empowering them to implement sustainable WASH solutions
Humanitarian and Development Consultant, Self-employed (2022-08-01 to Present)
- Serves as an independent consultant, leveraging extensive experience to support a range of humanitarian and development projects
- Specializes in WASH, program management, and capacity-building, contributing expertise to diverse client engagements
Career Progression
Prior to his current roles, Paul held various leadership positions within Samaritan's Purse, a prominent international relief and development organization. His career trajectory includes:
- Country Director, Samaritan's Purse Myanmar (2015-08-01 to 2022-07-01): Provided strategic direction and operational oversight for the organization's diverse portfolio of humanitarian and development programs in Myanmar, driving sustainable impact.
- Senior Program Manager, Samaritan's Purse Vietnam (2013-05-01 to 2015-11-01): Managed the implementation of complex, multi-faceted development initiatives, ensuring effective program delivery and stakeholder engagement.
- Base Manager, Samaritan's Purse Cambodia (2012-05-01 to 2013-05-01): Oversaw the day-to-day operations of the organization's field office, ensuring the seamless execution of various projects and initiatives.
Academic Background
Paul holds a Master's degree in International Development from a leading university, where he specialized in Sustainable Water and Sanitation Management. His academic achievements reflect his commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Areas of Expertise
- Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program design and implementation
- Humanitarian and development project management
- Stakeholder engagement and capacity-building
- Monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment
- Strategic planning and program management
Professional Impact
Throughout his career, Paul has made significant contributions to the humanitarian and development sectors. Some of his notable achievements include:
- Spearheading the implementation of a comprehensive WASH program in Myanmar that improved access to safe water and sanitation for over 20,000 beneficiaries
- Leading the successful response and recovery efforts following natural disasters in Vietnam and Cambodia, ensuring the provision of essential services and the restoration of livelihoods
- Developing and delivering tailored training programs that enhanced the technical and managerial capacities of local partner organizations in the Asia-Pacific region
Conclusion
With his extensive experience, proven leadership, and deep technical expertise, Paul McKnight is a valuable asset in the humanitarian and development sector. As he continues to drive positive change through his roles at CAWST and as an independent consultant, he remains committed to empowering communities and improving lives across Asia.
