Staff

The General Secretary oversees the day-to-day operations of the Secretariat, implementing decisions made by the Executive Council and resolutions from Congress. This role includes managing relationships with Office Bearers and the Executive Council, maintaining an efficient office, supervising staff, and collaborating with the treasurer on financial management. The General Secretary is responsible for preparing Terms of Reference for committees and staff, supervising advocacy campaigns, capacity-building efforts, and outreach to expand IAWP globally. They also ensure relevant research is shared with affiliates, supervise events, and manage the responsibilities of various subcommittees, including Finance and HR.

Kabir Arora (Qabeer Jalandhari) has been the General Secretary of the International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP) since July 2024. With extensive experience in organizing waste pickers, he served as the national coordinator for the Alliance of Indian Waste Pickers and the Asia Pacific Coordinator for IAWP from 2018 to 2024. Kabir is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, researching waste pickers’ lives. He holds a Master of Public Policy from the National Law School of India University and a Bachelor’s degree in Geography. Kabir is also passionate about climate action and has a history of working with youth networks and education initiatives.

The Worker Education Officer identifies the education and capacity-building needs of affiliates within the International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP), designing and implementing training sessions on advocacy, participatory research, crowdfunding, fundraising, and leadership development. This role includes creating training materials, maintaining a repository of education initiatives, managing partnerships for curriculum development, and serving as Secretary for relevant subcommittees. The Officer coordinates with key staff to ensure effective implementation of worker education programs and oversees logistics for in-person events and training sessions.

Carolina Palacio is a grassroots militant from FACCyR and UTEP in Argentina, holding a degree in Philosophy with a specialization in the philosophy of education and extensive experience in popular education. She has been involved in the waste pickers’ movement since 2011 and in environmental education since 2006. Since 2014, she has worked as an educator at ENOCEP, the Workers’ School of UTEP, while also supporting the international waste pickers’ movement through WIEGO. Carolina has played a key role in the organizational development of the International Alliance of Waste Pickers and contributed to the creation of its Constitution in 2021. She continues to support capacity-building for member organizations and contributes to the Alliance’s growth and political strength.

The Communications Manager is responsible for implementing IAWP’s communication plan, including developing strategies for social media, mainstream media, and crowdfunding for relief efforts. This role coordinates with WIEGO and other networks for communication, prepares specific communication plans for events and campaigns, and trains worker leaders and office bearers in communication. The manager supervises the Communication Officer, Digital Infrastructure Manager, and Interpretation Coordinator, ensuring timely production of content calendars. Additionally, the manager serves as the point of contact for communication needs, oversees media coverage of IAWP events, and acts as Editor-in-Chief for all content, including newsletters, publications, and visual materials.

Nicolás Manuel Martínez Gómez is a bilingual Production and Execution Project Manager with expertise in communication, cultural, and audiovisual projects. He has extensive experience in scientific research and a strong commitment to social justice, cultural rights, and human rights advocacy. Nicolás has led numerous impactful initiatives, including sexual health campaigns, cultural festivals, and educational podcasts, and has developed partnerships between civil society, governmental bodies, and international organizations. His work focuses on inclusivity, community empowerment, and effectively communicating complex social issues, with an emphasis on grassroots activism and cultural preservation.

The Finance Officer is responsible for managing and monitoring the organization’s finances, ensuring that expenditures align with the approved budget, and conducting internal and external audits when necessary. The Finance Officer handles payments for office bearers, staff, external consultants, and interpreters, ensuring that all documentation is complete and accurate. This role also involves coordinating with WIEGO for payment processing and preparing regular expenditure reports for the Finance Committee and Executive Council. Additionally, the Finance Officer supervises financial activities, reports to the General Secretary and Treasurer, and provides guidance to regional coordinators, project officers, and other staff to ensure timely payments and compliance with financial policies and procedures. The Finance Officer also plays a key role in drafting and updating the organization’s internal financial regulations and guidelines.

Thy Tran is the Finance Officer at IAWP, responsible for managing budgets, processing payments, preparing financial reports, and ensuring compliance with organizational standards. She also leads the development and revision of internal financial regulations to ensure sound financial management practices across the organization.

Previously, Thy worked as a Finance Officer for two grant-funded projects supported by the Fund to End Violence Against Children and the U.S. Department of Labor, gaining expertise in financial reporting, budget management, and accounting within international NGO settings.

With a Master’s degree in Finance and Information Technology from France and a certification in Grant Acquisition and Management, Thy brings a strong foundation in financial analysis, donor compliance, and operational efficiency to her role at IAWP.

The Project Officer is responsible for reviewing proposals from affiliates, regional coordinators, and various advocacy, capacity-building, and research programs. This includes preparing contracts or Terms of Reference for projects, monitoring reporting, and preparing financial and narrative reports for funders and internal use. They oversee programmatic expenses, ensuring that activities align with strategic plans approved by the Executive Council. The role also involves overseeing procurement, reimbursements, and grant disbursements for events and projects. The Project Officer supervises contractors and affiliate organizations, ensuring proper documentation and procedures for payments, and is responsible for proposal writing for fundraising. Additionally, they coordinate with regional coordinators, the Advocacy and Worker Education Officers, the Communication Manager, the Finance Officer, WIEGO, and funders for monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.

Clara Simas Ferraz is the Project Officer, with extensive experience in project management, monitoring, evaluation, and learning. She previously served as Development Coordinator at Catalytic Communities, supporting leaders from Rio de Janeiro’s informal settlements. She has also worked as Engagement Coordinator at Friends of the Tijuca National Park and interned at the Post-Landfill Action Network. Clara holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Oberlin College, where she was a John F. Oberlin merit scholar, and has a strong background in sustainable development and community-based initiatives.

The Africa Regional Coordinator is responsible for supporting waste picker organizations across the Africa region, promoting regional solidarity, and developing a unified strategy. This role includes coordinating regional contributions to the IAWP’s Inaugural Elective Congress and leading advocacy efforts to support waste picker organizations. Additionally, the coordinator contributes to global advocacy initiatives and assists the Acting General Secretary in developing IAWP into a globally recognized solidarity network that effectively represents and advances the interests of vulnerable waste pickers, particularly women, around the world.

Rachel Muturi is a waste picker and former Organizing Secretary of Nakuru County Waste Pickers, now serving as a member. As the Africa Regional Coordinator for IAWP, she is leading mapping projects across five African countries and coordinating the upcoming regional meeting in Ghana. Her previous leadership roles and deep community engagement have equipped her well for this position, and she has been actively involved in organizing efforts across various locations.

The Advocacy Coordinator and North America and Europe Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the advocacy plan leading up to the IAWP’s Inaugural Elective Congress under the guidance of the Acting General Secretary (AGS). The role involves overseeing IAWP’s global advocacy strategy on issues such as just transition, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the plastics treaty, and climate change. This includes coordinating workers’ education for waste pickers in collaboration with the Organizational Development Officer and providing technical support to waste picker organizations. Additionally, the coordinator supports the North American region, focusing on plastics treaty issues, just transition, and IAWP affiliation, while assisting the AGS in building IAWP into a globally recognized solidarity network representing vulnerable waste pickers, particularly women.

Taylor Cass Talbott is the Advocacy Coordinator and North America and Europe Coordinator for IAWP. She co-founded and directs a local waste picker organization and has experience working with the KKPKP waste picker union in India and in Bhutan, where she developed upcycled craft cooperatives and advised on municipal solid waste management. Taylor has led initiatives such as the viral Red Dot Campaign for KKPKP and Bhutan’s first zero waste program. Her background in waste picking, second-hand vending, and upcycling informs her leadership in advocacy, focusing on the plastics treaty, EPR, and the development of position papers on reuse and repair.

The Interpretation and Translations Officer is responsible for managing interpretation services for IAWP meetings, including regional meetings, and resolving any related issues. This includes updating and implementing interpretation guidelines, recruiting and onboarding new interpreters or translators, and liaising with interpretation agencies. The role involves translating internal documents and meeting minutes and ensuring the timely payment of interpreters and translators. The officer prepares strategies for interpretation services at both online and in-person events, coordinates with various IAWP departments, and ensures the procurement of necessary software and devices to facilitate effective communication during meetings.

Cristiano Benites has been contributing to the International Alliance of Waste Pickers since 2022, using his translation and interpretation skills to facilitate communication and collaboration between waste pickers worldwide. With a long-standing commitment to social justice, he has actively participated in key milestones of the waste pickers’ movement in Latin America, including the first and second Latin American Congresses of Waste Pickers. Over two decades of involvement in Brazil’s National Movement of Waste Pickers, Cristiano has gained both scientific and practical knowledge, conducting research to raise awareness of the challenges faced by waste pickers and advocating for their rights.

The Latin American Regional Coordinator is responsible for providing technical assistance to waste picker organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean, facilitating collaboration between affiliates, and strengthening regional integration. The role includes supporting regional contributions to the IAWP Inaugural Congress and offering guidance on processes and projects aimed at enhancing the capacity of these organizations. Additionally, the Coordinator contributes to global advocacy efforts and works to improve the involvement and contribution of regional affiliates to IAWP initiatives.

Alejandro Mejía is the Latin American Regional Coordinator for IAWP, with a focus on supporting waste picker organizations in the region. He has been working with the National Network of Waste Pickers of Ecuador (RENAREC) since 2018, where he has helped implement inclusive recycling plans and contributed to public policy development for waste pickers in Ecuador. Alejandro is an economist specializing in project implementation leadership, and one of his key achievements is developing productive systems led by waste pickers in Ecuador. He is also the representative of Ecuador for the Iberoamerican Network of Young Leaders, where he works on global issues like climate change and circular economy. Alejandro views his greatest achievement as being a service tool for waste pickers in their ongoing fight for their rights.

The HR/Admin/Logistics Coordinator is responsible for preparing staff Terms of Reference (TORs), taking minutes at meetings, and serving as the Complaints and Grievance Redressal Officer for staff. They handle the development and implementation of HR policies, including those related to complaints, redressal, and harassment prevention. Additionally, the coordinator manages the procurement and logistics for conferences, meetings, and workshops, including venue selection, transportation, accommodation, and equipment setup. They oversee staff and leader travel arrangements, vendor relationships, and negotiate contracts while ensuring cost-effective procurement. The coordinator also manages the logistics budget, ensures legal compliance, and acts as the primary contact for logistical inquiries, coordinating with various internal departments to ensure smooth execution of events and processes.

Ashwini Jog has over 35 years of experience in social development and holds a Master’s degree in Social Work. While her current role as HR/Admin/Logistics Coordinator is new, she has been closely associated with waste pickers’ movements since 2007. Ashwini has directed numerous projects and has experience supervising functions similar to those in her current role. She has worked in various sectors including gender-based violence, women’s empowerment, maternal health, water and sanitation, and child rights, contributing to several international organizations. In her previous role, Ashwini served as the Country Representative for India and Nepal for a French organization focused on volunteer coordination.

The Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the regional Secretariat, building and maintaining relationships with the Regional Executive Council, office bearers, affiliates, and potential affiliates. The coordinator engages with existing affiliates to provide support and ensure active participation in regional activities. Responsibilities include preparing and distributing minutes for regional meetings, managing project budgets, supervising ongoing regional projects, supporting regional and international advocacy efforts, and organizing worker education sessions. The coordinator also supervises or commissions research projects, manages regional partnerships, and contributes to fundraising efforts, coordinating with various peers to ensure effective implementation.

Janu Dangol serves as the Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator for IAWP, bringing over 18 years of experience in the development sector, with more than 12 years specifically focused on waste pickers and solid waste management. Before assuming this role, Janu worked as Program Manager at Samyukta Safai Jagaran (SASAJA), Nepal’s first waste pickers’ organization and an IAWP affiliate. Janu holds a Master’s degree in Sociology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Gender Studies, and is dedicated to improving the lives of waste pickers through advocacy, capacity building, and supporting their rights and recognition.