ir. ECLJ (Edwin) van der Maden

Edwin is a systems thinker with a strong background in agronomy and a Master’s degree in Plant Sciences, Crop Science from Wageningen University & Research. With over 12 years of experience in the international agricultural sector, he has worked as a project manager, advisor, researcher, trainer, course coordinator, and consultant across a wide range of thematic areas.

His inquisitive nature, broad expertise, and flexible attitude makes him a multidisciplinary person with the capacity to work in complex and challenging contexts and in interdisciplinary projects and teams.

He is able to combine both theoretical and practical  knowledge in the food systems domain, and design and implement both conceptual and applied approaches, with the aim to achieve systemic change and impact. His current work centers on agriculture sector transformation and strengthening the sector’s contribution to healthy, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient food systems.

Edwin’s professional career so far has taken him to India, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Kenya, Indonesia, Ghana, Jordan, Nepal, Rwanda, and Uganda.

He currently holds the position of Senior Advisor & Programme Manager Agriculture Sector Transformation at Wageningen Social & Economic Research (WSER), where he focuses on programme advisory, design and management, applied and action research, and capacity strengthening.