IFES Chief of Party in Myanmar Paul Guerin is a senior electoral specialist with over 25 years of international experience in democratic governance and electoral processes within transitional democracies. Guerin has served as IFES Chief of Party since 2013. He has worked with a number of international organizations, including the European Union; International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA); the Organization for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights; UN peacekeeping missions; and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Guerin has been a part of over 25 missions responsible for electoral assistance, observation or evaluation.

Guerin served as a Senior Expert for UNDP evaluation missions 2011-12 and Senior Programme Manager for Electoral Processes at International IDEA from 2006-10. Guerin co-authored the EU Methodological Guide to Electoral Assistance in 2005 and co-developed the Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections (BRIDGE) curriculum in 2000, which is now in use in over 60 countries. He also co-designed the electoral cycle approach (2006) and co-developed the relaunch of ACE Electoral Knowledge Network (2006). As Capacity Development Adviser for electoral management bodies in Cambodia 1998, East Timor 2000-1and Indonesia 2003-4, he has conducted institutional assessments, customized courses using BRIDGE and strategic planning, to support electoral management bodies.

Guerin’s experience also includes long-term technical assistance to electoral management bodies in Bosnia and Herzegovina 1996-7, Croatia (Eastern Slavonia) 1997, and Tanzania 2000. Guerin worked for UN directly responsible for organizing historical elections in Cambodia in 1993 and the popular consultation in East Timor in 1999. He also worked in UN electoral missions in South Africa and Mozambique in 1994.

Guerin has also participated in shorter evaluation missions in Bangladesh, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Egypt, Liberia, Madagascar, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal, Nigeria, Palestinian Territories, Tajikistan, Togo, Tunisia, and Yemen.

In 2017, Guerin received a prestigious Order of the British Empire award (OBE), for his services in promoting fair and democratic elections in Myanmar.

He has a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Bangor University and a master’s degree in international politics from Bradford University.