Lydia Sparrow
About Lydia Sparrow
Lydia Sparrow is a Humanitarian Operations Lead at Save the Children UK, where she has worked since 2018. She has extensive experience in humanitarian roles, particularly in Afghanistan, and holds degrees in Psychology and Development Studies.
Work at Save the Children
Lydia Sparrow has been serving as the Humanitarian Operations Lead at Save the Children UK since 2018. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing humanitarian operations, ensuring effective response strategies, and coordinating efforts to support vulnerable populations. Her extensive experience in humanitarian work has contributed to her leadership in this position, where she focuses on delivering aid and support in crisis situations.
Previous Experience in Humanitarian Organizations
Before her current role, Lydia Sparrow worked at various organizations, including the Aga Khan Foundation and Turquoise Mountain. She served as a Development and Communications Manager at Turquoise Mountain in Kabul, Afghanistan, where she focused on cultural heritage and community development. Additionally, she held multiple positions at the Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan, including Partnerships Manager and Deputy Director/Acting Director for Policy and Partnerships, showcasing her extensive experience in the humanitarian sector.
Education and Expertise
Lydia Sparrow holds a BSc in Psychology from Durham University, which provides a foundation for her work in humanitarian leadership. She also earned an MA in Development Studies from the University of Leeds. Further enhancing her qualifications, she completed a Graduate Certificate in Humanitarian Leadership at Deakin University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring for Leadership in Organizations at Leeds Beckett University. Additionally, she gained project management skills through a Practitioner certification from Prince 2.
Background in Volunteer Coordination
Lydia Sparrow began her career as a Volunteer Coordinator at Outreach International in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where she focused on community engagement and volunteer management. This early experience laid the groundwork for her future roles in humanitarian operations, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in effective program delivery.
Skills in Project Management
Lydia Sparrow has developed strong project management skills, particularly through her Practitioner certification from Prince 2. This training has equipped her with the tools necessary to lead complex humanitarian operations, ensuring that projects are executed efficiently and effectively in challenging environments.