Raphael Leão
About Raphael Leão
Raphael Leão is a Programme Officer at the World Food Programme, with a diverse background in engineering, business administration, and economics. He has held various roles in organizations such as Petrobras Biofuel and has extensive experience in developing corporate policies to support smallholder farmers.
Work at World Food Programme
Currently, Raphael Leão serves as a Programme Officer at the World Food Programme (WFP) since 2019. In this role, he engages in continuous interactions with internal partners to coordinate programmatic initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods. He provides support to Country Offices and Regional Bureaux in implementing Country Strategic Plans that align with WFP's corporate strategies. His work involves extensive collaboration and strategic planning to enhance the effectiveness of WFP's initiatives.
Previous Experience at Petrobras Biofuel
Raphael Leão worked at Petrobras Biofuel from 2004 to 2016 in various capacities. He began as a Mechanical Engineer and later transitioned to the role of Equipment Engineer, Coordinator, and finally Manager. His tenure spanned a total of 12 years, during which he developed corporate policies and strategies to enhance market access for Smallholder Farmers. This experience contributed significantly to his expertise in the energy sector and agricultural development.
Education and Expertise
Raphael Leão holds multiple degrees in diverse fields. He achieved a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Instituto Militar de Engenharia and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences from Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. He further pursued a Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro and an M.B.A. in Business Administration at Fundação Getulio Vargas. Additionally, he completed a PhD Summer Academy in Logistics at Zaragoza Logistics Center and earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Development Economics and International Development from the University of Lisbon.
Field Experience and Multilateral Engagement
Raphael Leão has extensive field experience across American, African, and Asian countries. This international exposure has contributed to his expertise in working within multilateral environments. His ability to navigate diverse cultural and operational landscapes enhances his effectiveness in program implementation and strategic planning within the World Food Programme.
Early Career and Internships
Raphael Leão began his professional journey with an internship at Volkswagen do Brasil in 2001. He also served as a First Lieutenant in the Exército Brasileiro from 2003 to 2004. Following this, he worked as a Judicial Expert at the Tribunal de Justiça do Estado do Rio de Janeiro for five years. These early roles provided him with foundational skills in engineering, leadership, and legal expertise, which have informed his subsequent career choices.