Cecilia Haygood

International affairs and economics professional

LocationAlexandria United States
Current roleForeign Service Officer U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance · since Jun 2023
Government service4yrsU.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) · U.S. House of Representatives

About

Passionate about international development, diplomacy, and legislative policy, I am an international affairs professional with experience spanning government, human rights organizations, and policy research. With a Master's in International Relations and Economics from Johns Hopkins University, I specialize in political economy and macroeconomic policy analysis, with a particular focus on Sub-Saharan Africa's political development, international trade, and economic governance. My background includes conducting political risk assessments, regulatory analysis, and strategy development to support informed decision-making in government relations and foreign policy research. Additionally, as a Foreign Service Officer at USAID, I have experience in democracy, human rights, and governance project management.

My experience includes serving with the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, where I contributed to legislative initiatives, international governance strategies, and stakeholder engagement with global partners. Through my work in international development and cross-cultural diplomacy, I have collaborated on democracy promotion, conflict prevention, and human rights initiatives, including overseas assignments that required navigating complex political landscapes and fostering partnerships.

With a passion for advancing sustainable economic development, global governance, and strategic international partnerships, I am always happy to connect with professionals in policy analysis, international relations, and economic development. Let's collaborate to create impactful solutions for the world's most pressing challenges!

Roles

Jun 2023–Present
Current role

Foreign Service Officer

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance

District of Columbia

  • Managed cross-functional policy initiatives, collaborating with key stakeholders to enhance regulatory engagement and legal compliance in government operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

  • Monitored program progress in El Salvador, identifying emerging risks and implementing mitigation strategies to ensure program objectives align with regulations and strategic priorities

  • Conducted geopolitical risk analysis and developed an evidence-based conflict prevention strategy for programming in Cameroon and briefed senior leadership, informing broader USAID risk management efforts

  • Facilitated procurement processes, including partner selection and compliance oversight, to secure cost-effective and timely execution of program objectives

May 2022–Aug 2022
Former role

International Development Fellow

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), USAID/Sri Lanka

District of Columbia

  • Researched and tracked regulatory and policy changes affecting civil society and media legislation, providing detailed

    analysis to inform USAID programming

  • Conducted political risk assessments and evaluated programs to enhance social cohesion and countering violent extremism,

    providing data-driven insights for risk mitigation and strategic planning

  • Developed an atrocity assessment framework by analyzing international reports, supporting compliance with the Elie

    Weasel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act and strengthening corporate due diligence on human rights risks

  • Prepared high-level policy memos and reports for leadership, translating complex international affairs issues into actionable

    insights

Jun 2021–Aug 2021
Former role

Policy Intern

U.S. House of Representatives, House Foreign Affairs Committee

District of Columbia

  • Tracked and analyzed legislative and regulatory policies related to global security, human rights, and governance,

    producing memos and briefing materials for Congressional staff and legislators

  • Drafted legislative proposals and hearing questions, contributing to discussions on U.S. foreign aid, economic sanctions,

    and financial regulations affecting international markets

  • Assessed geopolitical risks and regulatory frameworks, supporting the committee’s oversight of U.S. foreign policy

    initiatives

Aug 2020–May 2021
Former role

Policy and Data Analyst

Center for the Study of Global Issues

Georgia

  • Analyzed and coded human rights data to support evidence-based policy recommendations for international human rights

    protections

  • Conducted research and data collection for the UN Universal Periodic Review, contributing to policy evaluations and international advocacy efforts for legal and systemic reforms