CARM Staff Profile
Jyotsana VARMA (Ms) Country Director
Jyotsana Varma has been working in the development arena for 30 years—13 years with the Asian Development Bank and 17 with government—spanning the spectrum of development policy, project development and implementation, and regional cooperation. She joined ADB in 2009 in the corporate secretariat, moving on to the Southeast Asia department to serve in the Greater Mekong Subregion secretariat. In 2017, she moved to a field assignment in Bangladesh in the South Asia department where she worked closely with the government and other stakeholders for five years to develop a strong and diverse pipeline, and ensure smooth operations. Before joining as country director in Cambodia in July 2022, she briefly led the Maldives team, managing the country coordination office, and coordinating the country program and portfolio. Before joining ADB, in the Indian civil service since 1992, she led large district and state teams to implement social sector projects, and served in the policy advisory team of the Indian Finance Minister.
Anthony Robert GILL (Mr)Head of the Portfolio Administration Unit
Anthony heads the Portfolio Administration Unit at ADB’s Cambodia Resident Mission. Before moving to Cambodia, Anthony was a member of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Economic Cooperation Program Secretariat, and the Head of both Portfolio Administration and Country Programming for ADB’s Indonesia Resident Mission. Prior to working in Southeast Asia, Anthony was the Head of Programming and the Country Economist for Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia. Anthony has over 25 years of experience as a development professional and a consultant in both multilateral and bilateral development organizations. He has a master’s degree in Environmental Management and Development from the Australian National University and was a Peace Monitor during the civil strife in Bougainville in 2001, for which he was awarded the Australian Service Medal. He is also a recipient of the AusAID Australia Day Medal.
Sophie Duong T. NGUYEN (Ms)Country Economist
Sophie Nguyen is the Country Economist at ADB’s Cambodia Resident Mission. Before moving to Cambodia, Sophie worked as a Financial Sector Economist at the Public Management, Financial Sector, and Trade Division of ADB, where she led several financial sector and private sector development programs and projects in Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Before ADB, Sophie worked at the Monetary Authority of Singapore as a Senior Economist, overseeing the macroeconomic monitoring of Europe, Japan and the US. She also led the over-the-counter derivatives data reforms in Singapore, as part of the G20’s financial stability reforms. Before joining the Monetary Authority, Sophie had worked in an investment bank in London and Singapore as a money market trader for 4 years and as a consultant for the World Bank and ADB for 2 years. Sophie graduated First Class in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She holds a master’s degree in Economics from the LSE and a Fintech degree from the University of Oxford Saïd Business School.
Chan Andeth CHETH (Ms)Senior Finance and Administration Officer
Andeth became a member of the Asian Development Bank's Cambodia Resident Mission team on 1 September 2021. Andeth has over 18 years of experience in finance and auditing across a range of international organizations, which includes World Bank Group, United Nations Agency, and international NGOs. She has worked as a Senior Financial Auditor for World Vision Cambodia and as finance staff at the World Bank Group Cambodia Office where she handled a full range of financial accounting and budgeting responsibilities. In addition to providing day-to-day fiduciary and advisory support she has worked most recently at UNOPS as a Finance Analyst for capacity building and compliance, overseeing grants and project-related audits. Andeth has an MBA degree from CFVG (Centre Franco-Vietnamien de formation à la Gestion) under the French cooperation program and diplomas in advance accounting from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, United Kingdom, and a diploma in project management (Prince2), United Kingdom.
Alvin LOPEZ (Mr)Senior Natural Resources and Agriculture Specialist
Alvin is ADB’s specialist staff for environment, water, agriculture, and natural resources management in Cambodia. He helps to guide and coordinate ADB’s work in these sectors and leads the design and implementation of specific projects. Alvin previously led ADB’s programs on river basin restoration and water resources management in the People’s Republic of China and Mongolia. Before joining ADB, Alvin was the Regional Program Director (Malaysia and Thailand) for Wetlands International (2009-2010) and UNDP’s International Transboundary Advisor (2007-2009) leading an ecosystem and water resources management initiative between Albania, Republic of North Macedonia, and Greece. From 2002-2007, he was based in Cambodia and Lao PDR under a multi-donor initiative supporting biodiversity, and livelihood issues in the Mekong region. From 2001 to 2003, he was the Regional Program Manager for the Asian Wetland Inventory. Alvin was a joint lead author of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) chapter on inland water resources. He holds a M.Sc in Conservation Biology and a Bachelor’s degree in environmental science and management.
Jhelum Tini THOMAS (Ms)Senior Public Management Specialist
Tini is a Senior Public Management Specialist in ADB’s Southeast Asia regional department. She leads ADB’s work in Cambodia on public finance, decentralisation, governance and service delivery, and has worked in upper middle-income (Indonesia), low and middle-income (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam) and fragile and conflict-affected (Afghanistan, Solomon Islands) countries. Tini has extensive experience in strengthening budget and policy processes, public expenditure analysis and public administration reforms, working with both national and subnational governments. She has also worked on extractive industry transparency (EITI) and private sector development in the region. Tini has a B.Sc. in Economics and International Development from the University of Bath, UK and a Master's from the London School of Economics, University of London, UK. She began her career as an ODI Fellow at the Ministry of Finance in Swaziland (eSwatini). Before joining ADB she worked for the World Bank, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and several UK consulting firms.
Annika LAWRENCE (Ms)Social Sector Specialist
Annika Lawrence is a Social Sector Specialist in ADB’s Southeast Asia regional department focusing on education, skills development, and social protection. She first joined ADB in 2017 as a Young Professional where she supported education, livelihoods and social protection programs in Lao PDR, Philippines, and Timor-Leste. Annika also supported ADB’s results management and aid effectiveness through the Strategy, Policy and Partnerships Department. Prior to joining ADB, she was an Education Analyst at UNESCO Myanmar, where she was part of the Capacity Development for Education 2030 team. She has consulted for UNESCO Bangkok and UNICEF Jamaica, as well as worked in private education and NGOs in Beijing and Hangzhou, China. Annika holds a Bachelor’s degree in Asian Languages & Civilizations from Amherst College, and a Master’s in International Education Policy from Harvard University.
Rangina NAZRIEVA (Ms)Safeguards Specialist (Resettlement)
Rangina is a Social Safeguard Specialist who works with ADB’s developing member countries to strengthen their institutional capacity on land acquisition and resettlement safeguards and ensure compliance for ADB financed projects. Before joining ADB, Rangina worked as a senior consultant on social and environmental safeguards, social and gender development, led relevant studies, and reviewed investment plans with respect to social and environmental issues. Her previous work experience includes assignments with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Finance Corporation, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the World Bank, and UN Women. She has also worked for consulting companies in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Moldova. She obtained her Master’s in International Economic Relations from the Tajik State University.
Sokha OUK (Ms)Senior Environment Officer
Sokha joined ADB’s Cambodia Resident Mission in May 2007 and is now serving as a Senior Safeguards Officer to ensure compliance with ADB’s Safeguards Policy Statement (SPS) on Environmental Safeguards, as well as Involuntary Resettlement and Indigenous People (IP). Before joining ADB, she had over 10 years of experience working with NGOs and International Organizations (Urban Sector Group, UN-Habitat, and Oxfam GB) and urban poor communities on housing rights. Sokha was also a founder of the Cambodian Appropriate Technology Development Group (CATDG) between 1997 and 2000. She has a master’s degree in Sciences on Urban Environmental Management from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Urban Planning and Construction from the Royal University of Fine Arts, Cambodia, in 1997.
Chandy CHEA (Ms)Senior Social Development Officer (Gender)
Chandy joined ADB as Gender Specialist in 2011. She is responsible for promoting women’s empowerment and ensuring ADB-financed projects deliver tangible and high-quality gender results in Cambodia. Chandy is involved in project processing, administration, and evaluation. She also provides technical assistance and capacity building on gender mainstreaming to government counterparts and relevant stakeholders. Before joining ADB, she worked for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), where she served as Program Manager on Gender. She has close to 20 years of experience working on gender and development, gender-based violence, HIV/AIDS awareness, capacity building, and advocacy with various organizations including UN agencies, NGOs, and CBOs. Chandy holds a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Poullang DOUNG (Mr)Senior Economics Officer
Poullang joined ADB in 2009 and works on economic policy, macroeconomic monitoring, financial sector development, and non-sovereign operations. During 2015-2017 he took special leave from ADB and worked for Manulife, heading the corporate and institutional distribution channel for group life insurance. Before joining ADB he worked for the IFC/World Bank Group preparing, implementing and monitoring private sector development projects in Cambodia’s garment and agribusiness sectors. Poullang holds a Master of Public Administration from Georgia State University, USA and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Faculty of Business, Phnom Penh. Poullang is a Fulbright scholar, and received a Faculty of Business scholarship for his Bachelor’s degree.
Chanthou HEM (Mr)Senior Project Officer (Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Chanthou joined ADB in May 2009 and manages projects related to agriculture, natural resource management and rural development. During 2019-2020 he undertook a development assignment in Myanmar, helping ADB’s agriculture and natural resource programs in the country. Before joining ADB, Chanthou worked for the World Food Program and United Nations Development Program in Cambodia as an area manager, covering food security, rural development, microfinance and private sector development. He has also worked at the Delegation of the European Commission in Cambodia as an agriculture and food security specialist. Chanthou obtained a Master’s degree in natural resources management from the Royal University of Agriculture in Phnom Penh in 2013 and a Master’s degree in business administration from Pannasastra University of Cambodia in 2005.
Piseth LONG (Mr)Senior Project Officer (Water Resource Management and Agriculture)
Piseth joined ADB in July 2008 and manages projects in the agriculture and natural resources sector. He has also worked in Lao PDR, Myanmar, and the Philippines and has been accredited for procurement of goods and works services at ADB since 2014. Before joining ADB, he was a Senior Program Officer at the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), where he was in charge of two natural resource and environment programs. He also worked as a researcher at the Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI), where he prepared several working papers. Piseth is one of a handful of Cambodians who have received a Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) scholarship. He has a master’s degree in Economics from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies, United Kingdom, and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Economic Institute of Cambodia (EIC).
Sophea MAR (Mr)Senior Social Sector Officer
Sophea joined ADB in 2003 and serves as a Project Officer and Co-Mission Leader for projects and programs in education and skills development. Before joining ADB, Sophea was the National Program Manager for the International Labor Organization (ILO) in Cambodia and Chief Technical Advisor for the ILO in Bangladesh (2009 to 2011) during his special leave from the ADB. Before that, he worked for Cambodia’s Ministry of Social Affairs, Labor and Veteran Affairs. Sophea has a Master of Business Administration, specializing in Human Resource Management from Charles Sturt University, Australia.
Chamroen OUCH (Mr)Senior Programs Officer (Governance)
Chamroen has over 30 years of experience in international development, including project processing and administration, policy dialogue, and design of public sector management reforms. He began his career with ADB in 2001 and has focused on supporting ADB’s interventions to improve good governance and public sector management in Cambodia. Recently, he has been assigned with a new area of responsibility to support the digital transformation of Cambodia for inclusive development. Prior to joining ADB, Chamroen worked for UNDP Cambodia on social development and poverty reduction. Chamroen is a Fulbright scholar and holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs from Ohio University, USA. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Education from the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Sambath KIM (Mr)Senior Social Development Officer (Safeguards)
Sambath joined ADB’s Cambodia Resident Mission in November 2020 as a Senior Social Development Officer (Safeguards). His work focuses on strengthening and assuring the compliance of ADB’s Safeguards Policy Statement on Social Safeguards, Involuntary Resettlements (IR), and Indigenous People (IP) in all ADB-financed and administered projects. Before joining ADB, Sambath had more than 16 years of experience working with United Nations agencies, especially in the promotion of indigenous people and ethnic minorities’ rights, refugee protection, and prison reform in Cambodia. Sambath has an executive master’s degree in Policy Development and Practices from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, Switzerland, and a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the Chamroeun University of Poly-Technology, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Sokunthea SOK (Mr)Senior Procurement Officer
Sokunthea joined ADB’s Cambodia Resident Mission in January 2011 as Senior Procurement Officer, bringing many years of experience and skills in procurement and contract management. His responsibilities at ADB include providing fiduciary oversight and support to ADB staff and borrowers throughout the project cycle. This includes support for project processing, procurement planning and implementation, and contract management. Sokunthea has worked on procurement since 1998. Before joining ADB, he served as a government auditor, held staff positions at the United Nations, and World Bank, worked as a University Lecturer, and completed consulting assignments for both ADB and the World Bank. Sokunthea holds a Master’s degree of Policy Science in Economics from Saitanma University, Japan.
Samol YA (Mr)Senior Project Officer (Physical Infrastructure)
Samol Ya joined ADB in June 2022 and is responsible for urban, and tourism sector projects. He has over 10 years of experience managing and overseeing ADB-financed infrastructure projects. Before joining ADB, Samol had worked as a bridge engineer in Japan for about 3 years, as a consultant at the Ministry of Rural Road Development for one year in rural road network, and as a consultant at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport for 10 years where he was involved with detailed engineering designs, construction supervision, procurement and financial management, project coordination, contract management in transport and urban development projects. Samol holds a Master’s degree and Doctor’s degree in Engineering from the Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University in Japan and had published a number of peer-reviewed engineering Journals. Samol also holds Certificate for Professional Engineer, Certificate for ASEAN Engineer and Certificate for ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer. He was accredited with Prince 2 Project Management certificate in addition to an Engineering Diploma in Construction of Buildings, Bridges and Roads from Institute of Technology of Cambodia.
Monyrath KOV (Mr) Senior Project Officer (Infrastructure)
Monyrath Kov joined ADB in July 2022 and is responsible for the implementation of energy, tourism, and transport sector projects. Before joining ADB, he was a senior transport planner and a manager at Transport Planning & ICT Department, Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd., Japan, where he led, implemented, and provided technical consultancy through international and governmental organizations funded projects in various parts of the world. Monyrath has a Master of Engineering and a Doctor of Engineering in Transport Planning from the Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan. Monyrath also holds an Engineering Diploma in Construction of Buildings, Bridges and Roads from Institute of Technology of Cambodia.
Kongkea CHHOEUN (Mr)Senior Programs Officer
Kongkea joined ADB in 2019. He supports ADB’s programming and knowledge management, serves as ADB’s focal point for regional cooperation and integration, and supports ADB’s engagement with development partners and civil society. Before joining ADB, he worked for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the World Food Program (WFP) and the German Technical Cooperation, engaging in various areas including extractive industry, food security and nutrition, and regional economic development. Kongkea holds a PhD in Policy and Governance from the Australian National University, and an MPA in Public Administration from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.
Sopheark Mith CHEA (Mr)Associate Procurement Officer
Sopheark joined ADB’s Cambodia Resident Mission in June 2002 as a Senior Operations Assistant. With broad experience in project administration, he was promoted to Project Analyst in December 2007. His expanded knowledge in procurement and consulting services, saw him promoted to Associate Procurement Officer in November 2017. His responsibilities at ADB include the provision of support to ADB project teams as well as executing and implementing agencies of the borrower on procurement and consulting services and related matters. Before joining ADB, he worked for the Mekong River Secretariate as a Senior Program Assistant. Sopheark holds a Master’s degree in Development Management and Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Norton University, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Soleil MOM CHANTARA (Mr)Associate External Relations Officer
Soleil joined ADB in 2019 and is responsible for strategic communications, external relations, media liaison, branding, and knowledge sharing. Before joining ADB, he was a coordinator for the USAID media project and worked as a communications manager with Plan International from 2007 to 2018. His previous experience includes work as a communications officer, production officer, and reporter for the Development and Partnership in Action, Solaris International Corporation, and Phnom Penh Post. Soleil holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia, a diploma in International Communications from American University of Paris, and Bachelor’s degrees in Media Management, Education, and Business Administration. Inspired by his family, supervisors, and life mentor, Soleil strives to earn a living with dignity, help others, and be humble. Soleil loves jogging and martial arts.
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