Francesca Iannini
About Francesca Iannini
Francesca Iannini serves as the Head of Strategic Operations at ODI, where she oversees project management, finance, and procurement processes. She has a strong academic background in Development Economics and has held various roles at ODI and UCL Institute of Education over the years.
Current Role at ODI
Francesca Iannini serves as the Head of Strategic Operations at ODI, a position she has held since 2016. In this role, she oversees the implementation and review of institutional processes related to project management, finance, and procurement. She co-leads the implementation of procedural changes, including safeguarding policies, IATI, and IR35. Additionally, she is responsible for leading and promoting continuous learning and development within her division, focusing on training and workplace learning to enhance skills and motivation.
Previous Positions at ODI
Francesca Iannini has held multiple roles at ODI prior to her current position. She worked as a Programme Officer in the Climate and Environment Programme from 2007 to 2010. Following that, she served as the Operations and Partnerships Manager for the Humanitarian Policy Group from 2012 to 2016. She also worked as a Project Manager for the Climate Change and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) from 2010 to 2011. Her experience at ODI spans various aspects of project management and operational oversight.
Educational Background
Francesca Iannini studied at SOAS University of London, where she obtained a Master of Science in Development Economics and International Development from 2004 to 2006. She also studied Development Studies at SOAS University of London, achieving another MSc during the same period. Her educational background provides a strong foundation for her work in strategic operations and development.
Audit and Compliance Leadership
In her current role, Francesca Iannini co-leads annual external and internal organizational audits. These audits include assessments for major donors such as FCDO, GIZ, AUSAID, SIDA, USAID, GATES Foundation, and IKEA Foundation. Her involvement in these audits ensures compliance with donor requirements and enhances the organization's operational integrity.
Early Career Experience
Before joining ODI, Francesca Iannini worked at the UCL Institute of Education as a Programme Administrator from 2005 to 2007. This early career experience contributed to her skills in program administration and project management, which she has further developed throughout her tenure at ODI.