The strength of KMOP lies in its people. Employing nearly 80 professionals, most have advanced degrees and several years of practical experience. Our staff has very varied educational backgrounds and skills, and includes a rich mix of sociologists, social policy analysts, specialists in public health and education, psychologists, economists and political scientists. Dynamic, highly motivated and experienced, KMOP staff operates in various national and local contexts, as well as at the international level. In addition to the permanent staff, the organisation also cooperates with external specialists and academic institutions on a regular basis for projects and training programmes.

Sophia Wanche-Politis

Joining KMOP in mid-2006, Sophia Wanche-Politis specialises in humanitarian affairs. Following the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster in 2004, she was posted as an expert with the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) to Indonesia, where she assisted in the relief effort in the worst-struck region of Aceh, keeping a comprehensive overview of the complex situation; producing information products; monitoring resources and response capacity to ensure efficient use of aid. In 2005, Dr Wanche-Politis took up an assignment with OCHA in South Sudan, managing its rapid response Emergency Relief Fund. This included the reviewing and presenting of project proposals with technical advice to an Advisory Board, preparation of official agreements, the development of a monitoring and evaluating system, and the monitoring of projects. She has also advised on issues of refugees and asylum seekers for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in different international contexts. As a research analyst for the International Crisis Group, Dr Wanche-Politis conducted field-based research in Iraq on the eve of the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. Her experience also includes work at the Swedish Embassy in Teheran during Sweden’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, analyzing the political situation of Iran and neighbouring countries. Moreover, she has worked as a college tutor at the University of Durham, UK, supporting undergraduate students. Multi-lingual and knowledgeable in humanitarian operations, Dr Wanche-Politis brings valuable international experience to KMOP operations. Running the international section of the organization, she is also involved in fundraising and pr work.

Ph.D. in Middle East Politics and International Relations (2002):
‘Identity, Nationalism and the State System: The Case of Iraqi Kurdistan’
M.A. in Middle East Politics and International Relations (1997)
B.A. in Middle East Studies with Persian language (1995)

Sophia Wanche-Politis is involved in the following projects::

1. Professional Training of Parents of Children with Down Syndrome (PoD), 2007-2009
2. Creative Arts and Special Needs, 2008
3. Families speak up for active European Citizenship, 2007-2008

Spyridoula Stasinopoulou

Ms Stasinopoulou is a social scientist specialised in early childhood education, childcare support services, and reconciliation of family and work obligations. Through her work she has developed skills in methodological design and implementation of field and desk research projects, including conducting workshops and focus groups; customized interview techniques; questionnaire design/interpretation; and qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques. These skills have been developed and used extensively in a range of programs and projects at both national and transnational levels and during collaboration with a number of European entities. She has also been trained on the use of a number of support tools and worked as a labour counselor, providing socio-psychological assistance and practical guidance for women that received grants for self-employment. Ms Stasinopoulou served as the project manager of a large scale EU-funded project, comprising provision of support services for unemployed women in underprivileged areas. She has been key expert in several transnational EU funded research projects on reconciliation issues, i.e. studying the role of men in families with elderly dependent members, gender stereotypes within the family as perceived by men/fathers, and childrens’ perspective of gender roles. In addition, Ms Stasinopoulou, has participated in an project on the role of men in work and private life, where she was the key expert that designed and developed training material for children concerning the role of the father within the family and at work.

B.A. in Early Childhood Education (1999)

M.A. in Education and Human Rights, Specialised in Education and Social Discrimination. (2006)

Spyridoula Stasinopoulou is involved in the following projects:

1. Establishment of Employment Agencies in Egypt, 2007-2008
2. PAREMVASI-II: Support and Preparatory (pre-training) as well as Accompanying Actions for the Promotion of Equality of Opportunities" in Greece, 2006-2008
3. Professional Training of Parents of Children with Down Syndrome (PoD), 2007-2009

Giorgos Petsios

1. ASKLIPIOS II: Support and Preparatory (pre-training) as well as Accompanying Actions for the Promotion of Equality of Opportunities" in South Aegean, Greece, 2006-2008
2. Local employment initiative in Lefkada, 2006-2008
3. Prevention of dropping out of school at Perama, 2000-Cont.

Voula Argyrou

1. Support services programme “OLYMPIADA” in the region of Ipiros, 2006-2008
2. Prevention of dropping out of school at Perama, 2000-Cont.
3. Day Care Centre for persons with light mental disorders and Group Houses for persons with severe mental disorders, 2004-Cont

Spyros Eleftheriadis

B.A. in Business Administration