SØREN VESTER HALDRUP

UNDP Global Policy Centre for Governance (GPCG)

Financial Integrity & Systems

Innovation Specialist

Applies systems thinking and design-led approaches to

address transnational corruption and financial crime

across public sector ecosystems.

ABOUT

SØREN VESTER HALDRUP has over a decade of experience across the UN, think tanks, and development consultancies, and he leads global initiatives tackling transnational corruption, illicit finance, and governance innovation.

Currently at UNDP’s Global Policy Centre for Governance, he spearheads experimental, systems-based responses to financial crime and manages the Finance, Integrity and Governance (FIG) initiative.

His background includes leading M&E innovation communities, managing partnerships with BMGF and SIDA, and delivering complex advisory work across more than 10 countries, spanning public finance, civic tech, and the extractive industries.

He brings a design mindset rooted in empathy and iteration to address complexity in public-sector systems. Grounded in political economy and systems thinking, his work bridges policy, practice, and experimentation to drive meaningful change.

EXPERIENCE

UNDP – Financial Integrity & Illicit Finance Specialist (2024–Present), Innovation Fund Manager (2020–2024)

• Lead economic governance, anti-corruption, and transnational illicit finance initiatives

• Founded and managed M&E Sandbox, overseeing global experimental programs on systems transformation

• Oversaw collaborations with BMGF, SIDA, and UNDP country offices

Oxford Policy Management – Consultant (2015–2020)

• Led evaluations and diagnostics in governance, extractive industries, and civic tech

• Designed impact measurement tools using AI/NLP for global development projects

• Served clients including DFID, World Bank, Ford Foundation, Global Affairs Canada

UNDP – Policy Analyst (2013–2015)

• Embedded policy analyst in the President’s Office

• Led capacity building for development planning and PPP legal frameworks

Danish Institute for International Studies – Researcher (2012–2013)

• Conducted research on international capacity development in peacebuilding contexts

International Rescue Committee – Proposal researcher (2011)

• Developed proposals for USAID-funded resilience projects

QUOTE

“We cannot hope to transform complex systems through business-as-usual approaches founded on linear project-based modes of planning, management, and evaluation.” (Haldrup, 2022)

“Critically reflect on who defines what ‘good’ looks like. Inclusion and participation of the people we are trying to help is essential.” (Haldrup, 2023)

PHILOSOPHY