Tyler Beckelman is a Deputy Assistant Administrator for USAID’s Bureau for Africa. His portfolio includes the East Africa region, South Sudan, and Sudan. He brings over 18 years of experience in African affairs and programming in development, humanitarian and transitional contexts.
Prior to joining USAID, Mr. Beckelman served as the Director of International Partnerships at the U.S. Institute of Peace, where he oversaw the institute’s efforts to deepen substantive partnerships with multilateral institutions, governments and private foundations, and led research initiatives focused on the future of the multilateral system and international engagement in fragile states. From 2012-13, Mr. Beckelman served on the National Security Council as Director for African Affairs, where he coordinated U.S. policy for 15 countries in East and Southern Africa, advised senior administration officials, helped develop the Obama administration’s signature policy initiatives, and supported President Obama’s trips to South Africa and Tanzania.
Following his service at the NSC, Mr. Beckelman was the Director of USAID/Somalia Field Office based in Nairobi, Kenya and Mogadishu, Somalia, where he oversaw the rapid expansion of U.S. support for Somalia’s nascent political transition and led USAID’s engagement with the Federal Government of Somalia and international partners. He has also served as a Senior Advisor and Africa Division Chief in USAID’s Bureau for Resilience and Food Security, Regional Advisor for East Africa in USAID’s Bureau for Africa, and managed stabilization and political transition programs in Africa and the Middle East for USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives. Mr. Beckelman began his career overseeing USAID humanitarian programs in Sudan, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe for USAID’s Office of Food for Peace, and at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris.
Mr. Beckelman earned his B.A. in Political Science, International Studies, and Economics from Macalester College, and a M.A. in Government (Conflict Resolution) from Georgetown University.