Mr Ovando-Lacroux has a background in International Relations with a focus on Health, Human Rights and Gender. He gained extensive community experience with several NGOs in Mexico before working with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Burkina Faso. He presently works for the European Commission in the Directorate General in charge of International Cooperation and Development (DEVCO), based in Brussels. As Geographic Coordinator for the Republic of Congo, he supports the EU delegation in Brazzaville on policy developments and the cooperation programmes (support to private sector development, including value chains in the agricultural sector, blending operation for infrastructure works in Port of Pointe Noire, sustainable management of forests and local development for secondary cities).