Maria Ricci
Summary
Strategic and results-driven leader in economic growth and international development, with extensive experience managing donor-funded projects across private sector development, agriculture, food security, and digital transformation. Proven expertise in business development, partnership building, bid management, and leading high-performing multinational teams to deliver complex, high-impact projects across multiple regions.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Unit, Economic Growth
DT Global
01.2025 - Current
- Grow portfolio through high-value donor bids in private sector development, small and medium enterprises, industry, agriculture & digitalization
- Secure strategic partnerships and position DT Global competitively across key sectors
- Deliver winning proposals: lead pipeline, build consortia, design technical/financial offers, select experts
- Strengthen client trust via fact-finding missions and targeted engagement
- Boost efficiency & visibility through digital tools, reporting, and marketing
- Drive cross-regional collaboration, advancing the “One DT Global” approach
- Recruit, coach & develop high-performing teams
Senior Project Manager, Economic Growth
DT Global
11.2022 - Current
- Manage EU-funded technical assistance projects in economic growth, agriculture, food security, and value chain development
- Spot new donor opportunities by analyzing strategic plans, national programs, and EU procurement processes
- Lead fact-finding missions (e.g., Morocco, Brussels) to map stakeholders and assess priorities
- Build partnerships and negotiate strong consortia
- Supervise and mentor junior staff in bids, expert selection, and partner negotiations
- Draft background papers and technical studies on agriculture innovation and policy reform
- Deliver successful bids: rationales, methodologies, logframes, budgets, and expert teams
Senior Advisor & Project Manager
AGT International
05.2021 - 10.2022
- Manage donor-funded projects in agriculture, rural development, environment, climate change, natural resources, and energy
- Identify business opportunities and lead project design with partners
- Prepare expressions of interest and full technical/financial proposals
- Research country contexts, policies, and sector challenges to guide projects
- Coordinate project teams and ensure delivery against KPIs
- Lead project communications through publications, videos, and digital outreach
Project Manager
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
03.2014 - 05.2021
- Design, coordinate, and implement investment projects with international financial institutions and private sector clients
- Identify new project opportunities through scoping missions and manage partnership portfolios
- Act as liaison with IFIs, governments, FAO offices, and private entities
- Conduct research and data analysis to produce sector studies, value chain analyses, policy briefs, and project reports
- Prepare project documents: concept notes, strategic plans, operational tools, budgets, and advocacy proposals
- Coordinate international and national consultant teams, supervise activities, and represent FAO at international meetings
Junior Project Manager
Studio H501- Engineering Solutions
10.2013 - 03.2014
- Support business development and advisory on facility management and energy requirements.
- Design project proposals, preparing project budgets and work plans.
- Contribute to problem solving interventions in the field of engineering, infrastructure and construction projects.
- Coordinate communication, website administration and client relations.
- Coordinate promotional campaigns, organization of events and networking activities.
Education
Master of Science - Economics: Human Development And Food Security
Università Degli Studi Di Roma TRE
03.2016
Master of Science - Civil And Environmental Engineering
Università Degli Studi Di Roma “LA SAPIENZA”
07.2013
Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite – Advanced Word, Excel (pivot tables, dashboards), PowerPoint, Expert
- Project & Portfolio Management Tools – MS Project, Asana, Trello, Expérimenté
- Data Analysis & Visualization – Excel, Power BI, Tableau, Expérimenté
- Bid & Proposal Management – Donor portals (TED, EU, World Bank, IFAD), proposal tracking system
- Monitoring & Evaluation Systems – Logical frameworks, KPI tracking, results-based management,
- Financial & Budgeting Tools: QuickBooks, SAP, or other donor-compliant financial management sy
LANGUAGES
Italian
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
French
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Spanish
Upper intermediate (B2)
German
Elementary (A2)
Timeline
Head of Unit, Economic Growth
DT Global
01.2025 - Current
Senior Project Manager, Economic Growth
DT Global
11.2022 - Current
Senior Advisor & Project Manager
AGT International
05.2021 - 10.2022
Project Manager
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
03.2014 - 05.2021
Junior Project Manager
Studio H501- Engineering Solutions
10.2013 - 03.2014
Master of Science - Economics: Human Development And Food Security
Università Degli Studi Di Roma TRE
Master of Science - Civil And Environmental Engineering
Università Degli Studi Di Roma “LA SAPIENZA”