Business Development Expert with international work experience. Specific knowledge in the blue economy, aquaculture, fisheries, and food supply chain. Extensive experience with private, public, and intergovernmental sectors. Have led commercialisation, internationalisation, and innovation activities for projects and activities at all maturity and readiness levels. Good understanding of the ecosystems of partners, markets, and funding mechanisms.
Long-term (35+ year) experience in sustainable economic development, climate change, environment in different economic sectors as an institutional development, strategic planning, capacity development, and knowledge management and communication expert in programmes and projects in Asia, Africa and Caribbean. Working in multi-disciplinary teams and for international organisations (ADB, UNICEF, UNDP, FAO, UNESCO, AU-NEPAD, IFAD-BSF, UNESCO-IHE, DFID, EC-DG-DEVCO/DG-INTPA, ACP-CTA, CAREC Institute), government and research institutions, universities, NGOs, private sector and (inter)national networks in Asia, Africa, Caribbean and Pacific.
In last two decades advising government institutions, international organisations and civil society organizations and networks in Asia/Pacific and Africa on institutional development, strategic and business planning, capacity development, knowledge and information management, communication, partnerships, use of ICTs, and innovation in different socio-economic sectors.
I have worked with international networks, NGOs, community-based organizations and local communities in the broader context of sustainable development with a focus on poverty reduction, gender equality, sustainable livelihoods, life-long learning, health and education. Before 2000 specifically focused on research and management of fisheries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.
For more information on my projects see: https://nl.linkedin.com/in/ruudcrul
I am a senior researcher with over ten years of experience in animal nutrition and immunology, with specialized expertise in the use of agro-industrial by-products—particularly those from the brewing industry—as alternative feed ingredients. In November 2022, I earned a PhD from the University of Murcia (Spain) through the Doctoral Program in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, with the dissertation titled “Bioeconomic Analysis of the Valorization of Brewing Industry By-products in Functional Diets for Sustainable Aquaculture.”
Currently, I am involved in several research projects and training programs at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), where we assess the economic impact of animal health issues on the performance of aquaculture farms. In addition, I am enrolled in the PhD Program in Economic and Business Sciences at the University of Granada. My current research focuses on the role of aquaculture (and fisheries) within the primary sector and its contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A particular focus is on the development of aquaculture in the Dominican Republic and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), evaluating their contribution to fishery product supply and identifying bottlenecks that hinder growth—while proposing realistic improvements to future production models.
I also hold a Law degree and am a qualified lawyer (non-practicing) with over 25 years of experience. Alongside this, I work as an R&D consultant, with a strong background in innovation management, product development, and entrepreneurship.
My interdisciplinary background in molecular biology, economics, law, and project management enables me to approach complex challenges—such as food sovereignty—from a holistic and strategic perspective.
I am open to sharing my knowledge and expertise in this field. I am actively seeking new opportunities and challenges that contribute to producing food in more sustainable ways.
Open to work worldwide – fully available to travel.
Flexible working conditions: open to on-site, hybrid, or remote roles.
Prefer working and living outside of Spain, ideally in coastal regions.
Salary expectations are negotiable, depending on role, responsibilities, and commitment.
For me, the human and scientific quality of the workplace is more important than the salary.
I’m the Program and Operations Manager at AQUADEV, an organization I’ve been deeply involved with since its founding in 2009, both in France and Haiti. From the beginning, I have contributed to its growth by establishing strategic partnerships in France, coordinating field activities in Haiti, and developing a strong portfolio of high-impact projects.
AQUADEV focuses on environmental restoration, the empowerment of youth and women, and livelihood support for fisherfolk and local merchants. My expertise lies in organizational development and understanding social dynamics across diverse communities. I have championed a strategy based on knowledge transmission to children and youth, using their engagement as a powerful catalyst to raise awareness across entire communities.
