About Us
Training In Aid was first established as a consultancy group in 2012. Our people have been operating at the leading edge of humanitarian response, learning and development for over a decade - often embedded within organisational training units.
Rich Parker, Founder and Director
Over 17 years, Rich's humanitarian career has encompassed wide exposure to the UN community, international NGOs, Emergency Medical Teams, regional response and national government organisations.
Before founding Training In Aid, he worked as lead training officer for UN OCHA and RedR Australia, managing units that prepared hundreds of rostered experts for emergency field deployments and coordination roles worldwide. He also deployed on operational assignments as field security officer, providing safety advice and crisis management skills to ensure the wellbeing of staff and programmes in hostile environments.
Before joining the humanitarian profession, Rich started his career as a front-line infantry officer with the British Army. He served in operational command appointments, training and civil-military coordination roles, completing multiple field missions to Afghanistan and Northern Ireland. Upon leaving the military, Rich worked for several years as an expedition leader and qualified guide in the adventure travel sector, leading and preparing teams for challenging projects in mountains, jungles, deserts and oceans.
Rich holds chartered status in training and development, a degree with honours in psychology, a diploma in security risk management and various leadership qualifications in extreme and austere environments. His written articles in the field of training design are published in professional journals. His home-base is in Geneva, Switzerland.
Over 17 years, Rich's humanitarian career has encompassed wide exposure to the UN community, international NGOs, Emergency Medical Teams, regional response and national government organisations.
Before founding Training In Aid, he worked as lead training officer for UN OCHA and RedR Australia, managing units that prepared hundreds of rostered experts for emergency field deployments and coordination roles worldwide. He also deployed on operational assignments as field security officer, providing safety advice and crisis management skills to ensure the wellbeing of staff and programmes in hostile environments.
Before joining the humanitarian profession, Rich started his career as a front-line infantry officer with the British Army. He served in operational command appointments, training and civil-military coordination roles, completing multiple field missions to Afghanistan and Northern Ireland. Upon leaving the military, Rich worked for several years as an expedition leader and qualified guide in the adventure travel sector, leading and preparing teams for challenging projects in mountains, jungles, deserts and oceans.
Rich holds chartered status in training and development, a degree with honours in psychology, a diploma in security risk management and various leadership qualifications in extreme and austere environments. His written articles in the field of training design are published in professional journals. His home-base is in Geneva, Switzerland.
Specialist Experts
Training In Aid benefits from a talented pool of expert associates enabling us to scale-up our team for large or specialised projects in your region. We also regularly partner with other select training consultancy groups in different areas of the globe.
Training In Aid benefits from a talented pool of expert associates enabling us to scale-up our team for large or specialised projects in your region. We also regularly partner with other select training consultancy groups in different areas of the globe.
Kris Ronsin
Kris has over 15 years of experience in global health and emergency preparedness and response, with a strong background in project coordination, management and strategic planning. She spent 10 years with the World Health Organization (WHO) at the country and regional levels coordinating multi-stakeholder partnerships, supporting critical regional and interregional health initiatives, including the Emergency Medical Teams Initiative, and collaboratively designing and implementing governance reforms.
Her expertise includes facilitating high-level meetings and trainings, project management, communicating with diverse partners, and information management. Kris holds her Masters in Public Health with an emphasis on leadership and administration and is committed to improving health systems and population health through effective collaboration, leadership, skills development, and operational excellence.
Kris manages partnerships for Training In Aid as well as leading several of our key projects.
Kris has over 15 years of experience in global health and emergency preparedness and response, with a strong background in project coordination, management and strategic planning. She spent 10 years with the World Health Organization (WHO) at the country and regional levels coordinating multi-stakeholder partnerships, supporting critical regional and interregional health initiatives, including the Emergency Medical Teams Initiative, and collaboratively designing and implementing governance reforms.
Her expertise includes facilitating high-level meetings and trainings, project management, communicating with diverse partners, and information management. Kris holds her Masters in Public Health with an emphasis on leadership and administration and is committed to improving health systems and population health through effective collaboration, leadership, skills development, and operational excellence.
Kris manages partnerships for Training In Aid as well as leading several of our key projects.
Gordon Klussmann
Gordon has more than ten years of experience in election observation, peace-keeping and humanitarian affairs. He is an adult training and programme coordination specialist who learned early on that so-called ‘soft skills’ and trouble-shooting capabilities are the most important assets in his work, whether at headquarters or on the ground.
He started his career with Germany’s seconding agency and went on to design and implement rule of law training programmes with the EU and the UN in several African countries, including Egypt, Ghana and Kenya. He was subsequently deployed to Afghanistan, where he delivered rule of law training sessions to prosecutors and judges and Georgia, where he built the capacity of hundreds of staff members.
Throughout his career, he has developed and delivered numerous pre-deployment and induction training programmes, as well as training of trainers and security training programmes and other tailor-made sessions aimed at building the capacity of frontline practitioners on a global scale. His most recent position was as Training Coordinator for the UN Standby Partnership Programme, where he managed an inter-agency portfolio centred on capacity building and advisory services for UN and INGO training departments.
Gordon has more than ten years of experience in election observation, peace-keeping and humanitarian affairs. He is an adult training and programme coordination specialist who learned early on that so-called ‘soft skills’ and trouble-shooting capabilities are the most important assets in his work, whether at headquarters or on the ground.
He started his career with Germany’s seconding agency and went on to design and implement rule of law training programmes with the EU and the UN in several African countries, including Egypt, Ghana and Kenya. He was subsequently deployed to Afghanistan, where he delivered rule of law training sessions to prosecutors and judges and Georgia, where he built the capacity of hundreds of staff members.
Throughout his career, he has developed and delivered numerous pre-deployment and induction training programmes, as well as training of trainers and security training programmes and other tailor-made sessions aimed at building the capacity of frontline practitioners on a global scale. His most recent position was as Training Coordinator for the UN Standby Partnership Programme, where he managed an inter-agency portfolio centred on capacity building and advisory services for UN and INGO training departments.
Nuran Higgins
Nuran Higgins has over 20 years professional experience in the humanitarian sector with International Red/Cross Red Crescent Movement. She is an active member of emergency response rosters with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Disaster Assessment Coordination (UNDAC) and RedR Australia.
Throughout her career, adult learning and development has remained a constant thread. As an academic-practitioner she was involved in the design, development and teaching of the first Masters in Humanitarian studies offered in the Asia/Pacific region by Deakin University. Other engagements with Deakin University have included Graduate Certificate of Humanitarian Leadership and Master of International and Community Development and with Charles Darwin University's Bachelor of Humanitarian & Community Studies, Master of Humanitarian & Emergency Management Studies.
Within the humanitarian sector Nuran has been involved in the design, development and delivery of emergency response surge team leader and operational trainings programs for IFRC nationally, regionally and internationally, as well as an associate trainer with RedR Australia. Since 2020 Nuran has worked with Training In Aid, leading many virtual and onsite training exercises for our partners.
Nuran Higgins has over 20 years professional experience in the humanitarian sector with International Red/Cross Red Crescent Movement. She is an active member of emergency response rosters with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Disaster Assessment Coordination (UNDAC) and RedR Australia.
Throughout her career, adult learning and development has remained a constant thread. As an academic-practitioner she was involved in the design, development and teaching of the first Masters in Humanitarian studies offered in the Asia/Pacific region by Deakin University. Other engagements with Deakin University have included Graduate Certificate of Humanitarian Leadership and Master of International and Community Development and with Charles Darwin University's Bachelor of Humanitarian & Community Studies, Master of Humanitarian & Emergency Management Studies.
Within the humanitarian sector Nuran has been involved in the design, development and delivery of emergency response surge team leader and operational trainings programs for IFRC nationally, regionally and internationally, as well as an associate trainer with RedR Australia. Since 2020 Nuran has worked with Training In Aid, leading many virtual and onsite training exercises for our partners.
Jeanette Dyson
Jeanette is a communications specialist with more than 25 years of industry experience. Having started out in public relations, working both in-house and for agencies, she has a wealth of media experience covering online, offline and broadcast media.
For the past 20 years, Jeanette has worked freelance, providing copywriting and communications services for a range of NGOs, government and multinational organisations, including the NHS, YMCA and Arla Foods plc. She has also written and delivered various copywriting and communications training courses aimed at senior managers, business owners and apprentices.
Since 2020, Jeanette has worked closely with TIA, providing communications and media expertise. In her capacity as media and communications professional, she has supported training exercises on behalf of WHO, UK Emergency Medical Team (EMT), UNHCR and JICA. Her work includes writing and designing support materials such as customised press articles, websites and video products.
Jeanette is a communications specialist with more than 25 years of industry experience. Having started out in public relations, working both in-house and for agencies, she has a wealth of media experience covering online, offline and broadcast media.
For the past 20 years, Jeanette has worked freelance, providing copywriting and communications services for a range of NGOs, government and multinational organisations, including the NHS, YMCA and Arla Foods plc. She has also written and delivered various copywriting and communications training courses aimed at senior managers, business owners and apprentices.
Since 2020, Jeanette has worked closely with TIA, providing communications and media expertise. In her capacity as media and communications professional, she has supported training exercises on behalf of WHO, UK Emergency Medical Team (EMT), UNHCR and JICA. Her work includes writing and designing support materials such as customised press articles, websites and video products.
Louise Robinson
Lou has over 20 years of professional experience in international humanitarian operations with the United Nations, government and non-government organisations. Her skill set transfers into training facilitation on emergency preparedness and disaster response with a special focus on humanitarian start-up operations, security risk management and training of trainers. Prior to this she served in the Australian Army (Signals and Medical Corps) before joining the UN’s World Food Program (WFP) as a professional emergencies officer from 1995- 2005.
Active learning events include delivering multiple HA/DR workshops and Train the Trainer’s in China, North Korea, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, East Timor, Ethiopia, Egypt, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, DR. Con-go, Senegal, Cameroon, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Italy, UK, USA and Japan.
Lou has designed and delivered the field safety training “Travel Smart” series for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, project managed WFP’s e-Learning project “Getting Ready for Emergencies,” is a mentor to Japanese associates of the Hiroshima Peacebuilders Centre Peace for Asia Program and lead facilitator for the Australian Government’s Rapid Response Team Training, SEA-PAC Regional Emergency Preparedness workshops, and Australian and New Zealand Medical & Surgical Teams response to international disasters. Lou has recently returned from Liberia as the WHO Training Coordinator for West Africa for the 2014 Ebola response.
Lou is founder and director of Australian-based organisation, INSITU-TRAINING.
Lou has over 20 years of professional experience in international humanitarian operations with the United Nations, government and non-government organisations. Her skill set transfers into training facilitation on emergency preparedness and disaster response with a special focus on humanitarian start-up operations, security risk management and training of trainers. Prior to this she served in the Australian Army (Signals and Medical Corps) before joining the UN’s World Food Program (WFP) as a professional emergencies officer from 1995- 2005.
Active learning events include delivering multiple HA/DR workshops and Train the Trainer’s in China, North Korea, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, East Timor, Ethiopia, Egypt, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, DR. Con-go, Senegal, Cameroon, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Italy, UK, USA and Japan.
Lou has designed and delivered the field safety training “Travel Smart” series for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, project managed WFP’s e-Learning project “Getting Ready for Emergencies,” is a mentor to Japanese associates of the Hiroshima Peacebuilders Centre Peace for Asia Program and lead facilitator for the Australian Government’s Rapid Response Team Training, SEA-PAC Regional Emergency Preparedness workshops, and Australian and New Zealand Medical & Surgical Teams response to international disasters. Lou has recently returned from Liberia as the WHO Training Coordinator for West Africa for the 2014 Ebola response.
Lou is founder and director of Australian-based organisation, INSITU-TRAINING.
Leonie Barnes
After serving twenty-five years in the United Nations in various peace-keeping operations and with several UN development and response agencies, national and international NGOS and programs, Leonie’s expertise in international development and relief services fills a gap in critical areas of operational, training and information management.
She has academic qualifications in training and development and this, combined with her presentation and public speaking skills, makes her a highly sought after and skilled facilitator in risk assessment & management of humanitarian operations in a field environment. Leonie has worked on many simulation design and delivery projects, especially in collaboration with WHO, Emergency Medical Teams and other health partners.
Leonie was employed as Senior Advisor to the Swiss Government’s ODA programs in support of transitions from international to national standards for program management including budget forecasting and financial asset management. As such, capacity building and development of national staff through writing and delivering specific training programmes to support transitioning from international standards, norms and treaties to nationally developed and implemented standards are areas of particular interest for her. She is regarded as a highly skilled design and development consultant specialising in train the trainer activities across the world; and in the design and development of simulation (SIMEX) and tabletop exercises (TTX).
Prior to this, Leonie spent 12 years in the Australian Army, serving in the Army Bomb squad; a skill she translates into her current technical knowledge and skills set in United Nations Mine Action.
After serving twenty-five years in the United Nations in various peace-keeping operations and with several UN development and response agencies, national and international NGOS and programs, Leonie’s expertise in international development and relief services fills a gap in critical areas of operational, training and information management.
She has academic qualifications in training and development and this, combined with her presentation and public speaking skills, makes her a highly sought after and skilled facilitator in risk assessment & management of humanitarian operations in a field environment. Leonie has worked on many simulation design and delivery projects, especially in collaboration with WHO, Emergency Medical Teams and other health partners.
Leonie was employed as Senior Advisor to the Swiss Government’s ODA programs in support of transitions from international to national standards for program management including budget forecasting and financial asset management. As such, capacity building and development of national staff through writing and delivering specific training programmes to support transitioning from international standards, norms and treaties to nationally developed and implemented standards are areas of particular interest for her. She is regarded as a highly skilled design and development consultant specialising in train the trainer activities across the world; and in the design and development of simulation (SIMEX) and tabletop exercises (TTX).
Prior to this, Leonie spent 12 years in the Australian Army, serving in the Army Bomb squad; a skill she translates into her current technical knowledge and skills set in United Nations Mine Action.
Martin Fisher
A British national based in Budapest, Martin has spent over 17 years working in the humanitarian sector in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. Beginning with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies he gained expertise and field experience in strategic and operational planning, monitoring and evaluation, before working for UN OCHA as regional disaster preparedness advisor, training on coordinated needs assessments and as course designer and lead facilitator for UNDAC.
Most recently he set up the RedR UK office in Amman, Jordan, serving the Middle East humanitarian community with capacity building initiatives in Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon and Yemen.
Throughout his career, Martin has been involved in adult learning in a range of subjects at universities and with humanitarian organisations. He applies a systems thinking approach that encourages staff, volunteers, affected communities and all stakeholders to exchange perspectives, practical experiences and promote a culture of quality.
A British national based in Budapest, Martin has spent over 17 years working in the humanitarian sector in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. Beginning with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies he gained expertise and field experience in strategic and operational planning, monitoring and evaluation, before working for UN OCHA as regional disaster preparedness advisor, training on coordinated needs assessments and as course designer and lead facilitator for UNDAC.
Most recently he set up the RedR UK office in Amman, Jordan, serving the Middle East humanitarian community with capacity building initiatives in Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon and Yemen.
Throughout his career, Martin has been involved in adult learning in a range of subjects at universities and with humanitarian organisations. He applies a systems thinking approach that encourages staff, volunteers, affected communities and all stakeholders to exchange perspectives, practical experiences and promote a culture of quality.
Daniela Martini
As an instructional designer and capacity building specialist, Daniela has highly-developed skills in knowledge management, honed throughout years of experience within international organizations.
Daniela has worked with the WHO Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) initiative, where she was responsible for the coordination of activities supporting the development of regional emergency response mechanisms. Before WHO, Daniela was an e-learning and development specialist in OCHA Geneva and has also previously worked for IT UNICEF, where she advised on learning and knowledge sharing methods, focusing on information and communication technology for e-learning, blended learning and workplace learning.
Her specialties include adult learning and the instructional design of learning and training activities, technology enhanced learning (networked e-learning), new technologies (learning content management systems, authoring software and social software) and knowledge management.
Daniela holds chartered status in eLearning and capacity building, a master degree with honours in International Communication, a bachelor degree in communication and education and numerous other qualifications in knowledge and information management. She is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Russian.
As an instructional designer and capacity building specialist, Daniela has highly-developed skills in knowledge management, honed throughout years of experience within international organizations.
Daniela has worked with the WHO Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) initiative, where she was responsible for the coordination of activities supporting the development of regional emergency response mechanisms. Before WHO, Daniela was an e-learning and development specialist in OCHA Geneva and has also previously worked for IT UNICEF, where she advised on learning and knowledge sharing methods, focusing on information and communication technology for e-learning, blended learning and workplace learning.
Her specialties include adult learning and the instructional design of learning and training activities, technology enhanced learning (networked e-learning), new technologies (learning content management systems, authoring software and social software) and knowledge management.
Daniela holds chartered status in eLearning and capacity building, a master degree with honours in International Communication, a bachelor degree in communication and education and numerous other qualifications in knowledge and information management. She is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Russian.
Magda Gerantia
After completing her medical education as a physician, Magda became a specialist instructor in hospital trauma life support (PHTLS) training. She is a regular mentor and coach for medical undergraduate programmes as well as leading various learning programmes at the Georgian National Emergency Coordination and Urgent Assistance Center.
Magda is a clinical lead and active trainer for the Georgian Emergency Medical Team (EMT), working with the WHO, Training In Aid and other regional partners in many capacity building areas related to disaster.
After completing her medical education as a physician, Magda became a specialist instructor in hospital trauma life support (PHTLS) training. She is a regular mentor and coach for medical undergraduate programmes as well as leading various learning programmes at the Georgian National Emergency Coordination and Urgent Assistance Center.
Magda is a clinical lead and active trainer for the Georgian Emergency Medical Team (EMT), working with the WHO, Training In Aid and other regional partners in many capacity building areas related to disaster.
Adam Lark
Growing up as a “third culture kid” in various countries, Adam developed a passion towards global affairs from an early age and has continued this throughout his academic career. After qualifying in international development and sports management, he is currently working towards a Public Health Master’s in addition to pursuing humanitarian work through Training In Aid.
Adam has experience working and volunteering in multicultural environments across the Philippines, Turkey, Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium and Great Britain. His current role at Training in Aid is as Project Support Officer with responsibilities in exercise and scenario development, training communications and administration.
Growing up as a “third culture kid” in various countries, Adam developed a passion towards global affairs from an early age and has continued this throughout his academic career. After qualifying in international development and sports management, he is currently working towards a Public Health Master’s in addition to pursuing humanitarian work through Training In Aid.
Adam has experience working and volunteering in multicultural environments across the Philippines, Turkey, Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium and Great Britain. His current role at Training in Aid is as Project Support Officer with responsibilities in exercise and scenario development, training communications and administration.
