Who We Are at Intersec Development

Christiane Roth is a Programme Manager, Research Associate, and PhD student at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy. Holding an MSc in Human Rights from the London School of Economics and Political Science, she specialises in the domestic application of international disability rights frameworks. A certified Project Manager (PMP) and Change Manager (Prosci), Christiane has led development programmes for German political foundations and German Development Cooperation in West Africa and Zambia, focusing on legal empowerment and justice delivery. At Calgary, her research involves child and disability policy collaboration, while her PhD examines links between early neurodevelopmental disability supports and later socioeconomic outcomes. Proficient in quantitative, qualitative, and policy analysis methods—with deep monitoring and evaluation experience—she is dedicated to improving societal participation for underserved groups globally.

Niklas Schiffers is an emerging leader in international trade relations, holding a Bachelor's in Economics and a Master's in Sustainable Development Cooperation with multinational studies. His career began at the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Ghana and Sri Lanka, later transitioning to freelance collaboration with development organisations. Specialising in facilitating trade between developing countries and the European market, his expertise includes project management, coordinating delegations, trade fair participation, and preparing companies for EU market entry. Schiffers' international background and hands-on experience make him a valuable asset in advancing sustainable global trade.

Darren Watson is a development professional with extensive experience in programme management, grant writing, and strategic leadership across international organisations. He is completing a PhD in International Politics at Manchester Metropolitan University, researching donor dependency and civil society fragmentation in Zambia. He has held senior roles at GIZ Zambia, where he secured significant EU funding, and at Development Pathways, managing multi-million-pound social protection projects across the world and leading projects for various UN agencies. Earlier positions include Accounting for Sustainability (A4S), supporting sustainable finance initiatives, and Comic Relief. Darren is proficient in qualitative and quantitative analysis and causal inference techniques, and has led large-scale surveys in Eastern Africa. In 2023, he delivered a sustainability-focused quantitative impact analysis of major global companies for HM King Charles III, supporting work on resilient business models.