Hi, I’m
Chhuonvuoch Koem
Phnom Penh
Summary
Strategic and metric-driven Development Professional with over 5 years of experience in program coordination, natural resource governance, and multi-stakeholder advocacy. I specialize in managing complex projects funded by USAID, the EU, HBS, and Global Forest Watch, with a proven track record of bridging high-level technical research with community-level implementation.
As a Master of Disaster Management, I bring an understanding of climate resilience and environmental safeguards to the clean energy sector. I am an "ecosystem builder" dedicated to the Just Transition, with extensive experience mentoring research fellows, managing international donor compliance, and facilitating dialogues between government ministries and monastic communities. I am highly organized, strategically flexible, and committed to driving Cambodia’s 2030 renewable energy vision through inclusive and impactful leadership.
Overview
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Open Development Cambodia (ODC)
Natural Resource Management (NRM) Program Coordinator
03.2024 - Current
Job overview
- Lead the execution of a multi-sectoral NRM projects funded by USAID (FHI-360), EU (ActionAid), HBS, Global Forest Watch, and Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), ensuring all programmatic milestones align with national environmental policies and donor compliance standards.
- Serve as the primary institutional liaison between government ministries, international development partners, and civil society networks to facilitate data-driven policy advocacy and regional knowledge exchange.
- Directly supervise a cross-functional team of GIS specialists, researchers, and officers, providing the same level of editorial and technical guidance
- Managed budget projections and sub-grantee performance monitoring, ensuring fiscal accountability and outcome harvesting for multi-year international grants.
- Design and facilitate advanced technical training programs for community-based actors, focusing on digital resilience and environmental monitoring
- Oversaw publication of thematic research and spatial data (GIS) on the ODC platform, translating complex climate and energy-related data into accessible narratives for non-technical stakeholders and policymakers.
- Co-design the project proposals.
Open Development Cambodia (ODC)
Natural Resources and Land (NRL) Editor-Researcher/Project Coordinator
01.2022 - 02.2024
Job overview
- Managed partner performance and technical reporting for large-scale environmental projects, ensuring compliance with USAID logical frameworks.
- Organized national and international workshops to enhance strategic environmental assessment and EIA transparency.
- Produced evidence-based research on 'transparency as the key' and 'indigenous land titling' through a 'just transition' lens.
- Facilitated communication channels among teams involved in executing complex projects.
Open Development Cambodia (ODC)
Natural Resource and Land Editor-Researcher
06.2021 - 05.2022
Job overview
- Curated and published daily bilingual Khmer-English news summaries and thematic content for ODC platform.
- Conducted research on development trends in natural resources and land, contributing to reports and donor publications.
- Managed data and knowledge products by compiling legal documents and editing thematic content for CKAN data hub to enhance resource accessibility.
- Led stakeholder engagement with CSOs, data providers, and donors, representing ODC at national and international events to strengthen partnerships.
- Coordinated project implementation with cluster members to ensure alignment with objectives.
- Facilitated coordination meetings and prepared minutes and reports while mentoring fellows and interns to develop skills and improve project outcomes.
- Enhanced website processes and produced engaging blog and social media content.
RTM Green Consultancy Co., LTD
Associate Project Team Leader
03.2021 - 05.2021
Job overview
- Technical Impact Assessment: Led field teams in conducting Social and Environmental Impact Assessments (SEIA) for private sector developments, ensuring alignment with national safeguard requirements.
- Assessed environmental and social risks associated with developments, informing risk management strategies.
- Ensured alignment of project plans with local regulations and national standards.
- Created strategies to improve community engagement during impact assessments, fostering collaboration and trust.
- Facilitated community consultations to gather diverse stakeholder perspectives, enhancing project relevance.
- Community Consultation: Facilitated grassroots dialogues to assess project impacts, demonstrating cultural sensitivity.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to integrate findings into actionable recommendations.
- Monitored ongoing projects to assess adherence to impact mitigation measures.
Thai Meteorological Department
Internship on Weather Research Forecasting (WRF)
01.2020 - 12.2020
Job overview
- Conducted research with Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to improve forecast accuracy.
- Assisted in analyzing meteorological data to refine predictive capabilities.
- Coordinated logistics for internal technical meetings to facilitate effective discussions.
RTM Green Consultancy Co., LTD
Technical Assistant
04.2018 - 03.2019
Job overview
- Conducted field surveys and collected baseline data, informing environmental and social analysis for improved project outcomes.
- Organized data and analyzed technical documentation for EIA compliance, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
- Contributed to preparation of environmental impact assessment reports for private projects, enhancing clarity and compliance.
Education
Naresuan UniversityThailand
Master of Disaster Management from International Program
01-2021
Royal University of Phnom Penh
Bachelor of Environmental Science
01-2019
Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia
Bachelor of Art in TESOL
12-2021
Skills
- Project management
- Training facilitation
- Stakeholder engagement
- Proposal writing
- Leadership and teamwork
- Research and analysis
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Reporting and assessment
- WordPress and DataHub publication
- Effective communication
- Critical thinking and design thinking
- Microsoft Word and Excel
- Research writing
- Program management
- Microsoft 365 applications
- Web-based tools
Volunteer Experience
- Facilitator in the Action for Earth Global Youth Summit, Hemispheres Foundation Pte Ltd., 2017
- Facilitator in Beyond Biodiversity, AEON Environmental Foundation, 2017
- Community Educator for Environment, Pak Klang High School, 2014
Project Management
- Strengthening community forest monitoring in Northeastern Cambodia using open data and digital capacity development, Norwegian People's Aid (NPA), 01/01/26, Present
- Using Global Forest Watch (GFW) and evidence-based journalism storytelling to protect community forests in Northeastern Cambodia, Global Forest Watch (GFW), 09/01/25, Present
- Strengthening CSOs to take Action on Economic Governance, EU through ActionAid Cambodia (AAC), 2025, Present
- Promotion of EIA Transparency and Accountability, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung (HBS) Cambodia, 2021, Present
- Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), The Asia Foundation (TAF), 12/01/25, Present
- Civil Society Support Activity: Cluster Anchor Grants, USAID through FHI360 - Civil Society Support Activity, 2022, 2025
- ODC Datahub Website Redesign, USAID through FHI360 - Civil Society Support Activity, 2024, 2025
- Cambodia Forest Detection, USAID through FHI360 - Civil Society Support Activity, 2024, 2025
- Enhancing Environmental Awareness through Open Access to EIA Reports, Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), 02/01/24, 01/31/25
Research And Publication
- Transparency as the Key: Nurturing environmental and social consciousness in Cambodia's development, 2023
- Indigenous Communal Land Titling in Cambodia, 2022
- Seasonal Spatial Analysis in Determination of Flash Flood and Drought Hazard Areas Using AHP and GIS: A Case Study of Kampong Speu Province in Cambodia, 2021
- Relationship Between Climate Change and Malaria: A Case Study in Kampong Speu and Pursat Provinces, 2018
- Koem, C., & Tantanee, S., Rain Detection Accuracy of Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) and TRMM Rainfall Product Over Cambodia, ASEAN Engineering Journal, 12, 2, 227-234, 06/01/22, doi.org/10.11113/aej.v12.17504
- Koem, C., Nusit, K., & Tantanee, Spatial Distribution of Drought Hazard Mapping Based on AHP and GIS in Kampong Speu Province, GMSARN International Journal, 17, 1, 2022, doi.org/10.11113/aej.v12.17504
- Koem, C., & Tantanee, S., Flood Disaster Studies: A Review of Remote Sensing Perspective in Cambodia, Geographia Technica, 16, 1, 13-24, 2021, doi:10.21163/GT_2021.161.02
- Koem, C., & Tantanee, S., Flash flood hazard mapping based on AHP with GIS and satellite information in Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia, International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, 2020, doi:10.1108/IJDRBE-09-2020-0099
Training And Conferences
- Trained on Effective Transnational Advocacy, Norwegian People's Aid, 2026
- Participated in Tech2Empower Cambodia, Women's Alliance for Knowledge Exchange, 2025
- Participated in Women Leadership Circle, FHI 360 - CSS, 2024
- Participated in the 43rd Annual Conference of the International Association for Impact Assessment: Impact Assessment for a Just Transformation, International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA), Dublin, Ireland, 2024
- Participated in The International Fundraising Congress, Resource Alliance, 2024
- Trained on Advocacy to Promote Civic Engagement, FHI360-CSS and Advocacy and Policy Institute (API), 2023
- Presented on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA): How it addresses the failure of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Cambodia, International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA), Kuching, Malaysia, 2023
- Presented on Open Data for Forest Cover/Land Cover and Land Use in Cambodia, Land-Cover and Land-Use Change Program, 2022
- Ethics Research, Graduated School, Naresuan University, Thailand, 2019
- Community Action and Leadership Exchange Program, Temasek Foundation International Specialist, Singapore, 2018
- Asian Student Environmental Platform, Waseda University and AEON Environmental Foundation, Japan, 2017
- Environmental Research, University of Manchester (UoM), 2016
- Toastmasters International Program, PUC Romtum Toastmasters Club, 2016
Languages
Khmer
Native
Native
English
Advanced (C1)
C1
References
References will be provided upon request.
Timeline
Natural Resource Management (NRM) Program Coordinator
Open Development Cambodia (ODC)
03.2024 - Current
Natural Resources and Land (NRL) Editor-Researcher/Project Coordinator
Open Development Cambodia (ODC)
01.2022 - 02.2024
Natural Resource and Land Editor-Researcher
Open Development Cambodia (ODC)
06.2021 - 05.2022
Associate Project Team Leader
RTM Green Consultancy Co., LTD
03.2021 - 05.2021
Internship on Weather Research Forecasting (WRF)
Thai Meteorological Department
01.2020 - 12.2020
Technical Assistant
RTM Green Consultancy Co., LTD
04.2018 - 03.2019
Naresuan University
Master of Disaster Management from International Program
Royal University of Phnom Penh
Bachelor of Environmental Science
Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia
Bachelor of Art in TESOL