Gem is an experienced project and fund portfolio manager with a master's degree in social development. Gem spent 3.5 years in Malawi managing a community development non-governmental organisation (NGO) and has designed and managed education, community health and gender-based programmes. Gem has been collaborating with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for 5+ years to oversee two flagship civil society funds, UK Aid Direct and UK Aid Match, supporting UK and Southern CSOs to deliver effective programmes to reduce poverty. Gem has an education and youth background, teaching primary in the UK and managing youth volunteers in East Africa, and in their spare time, Gem is a Trustee for a small Tanzania/UK education CSO.