Rachel Carrigan is Project Manager for the What Works Hub for Global Education – a joint initiative supported by the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), World Bank, UNICEF, USAID, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the British Council. The Hub brings together academics, NGOs and government partners to enable and enhance learning for children in low- and middle-income countries. Rachel coordinates the project, partnership and operational development and delivery of the Hub.

Previously, Rachel held positions at University College London in the Office of the Vice-Provost (Advancement) and at the humanitarian NGO Self Help Africa where she led the management of high-value donor relationships and the delivery of funded projects ranging from in topic areas including access to higher education, health and medical research, sustainable agriculture and poverty reduction, and innovative public policy development. Most recently, Rachel worked in a project management role at the public-private partnership, Global Parametrics, in the field of climate and disaster risk financing where she led the deployment of technical assistance funds financed by BMZ for public, private and third sector partners in low- and middle-income countries, supporting with partnership and programme development, management of a portfolio of projects, and consulting for partner capacity building.

In addition to her professional experience, Rachel holds a BA(Hons) in History and Politics from the University of Glasgow, where she was also a research assistant for the Olive Tree Initiative, exploring the narratives of conflict in the Middle East with an emphasis on the dynamic role of education in peacebuilding processes, supported by a primary research field visit to Israel, the West Bank and Jordon. Rachel has also completed her MA in Education, Gender and International Development at University College London, specialising in analysis of policy and programmes to improve education and gender justice outcomes in East Africa.