Mette Bastholm Jensen

Mette Bastholm Jensen has spent more than a decade working on and in fragile and conflict-affected environments. Combining a research background with extensive field and government experience, she has spent much of her career conducting and translating analysis into actionable policy and programming advice.

Prior to joining Chemonics, Mette served most recently as a Senior Conflict and Stabilisation Advisor in the UK Stabilisation Unit, where she led cross-HMG engagement on Syria in particular. As a Chief Technical Advisor in the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Office for Stabilisation and Security Policy she supported policy and programmes across the MENA and AfPak regions. Mette spent several years in Afghanistan, leading Denmark’s largest country programme at the Danish Embassy in Kabul, as a district stabilisation adviser with the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team, and leading knowledge management for a consortium of INGOs delivering community-based education across the country. A sociologist by training, whose research has focused on violent conflict and collective action, Mette holds a PhD and MA from Yale University and a BA from the University of Copenhagen.

Mette is the XCEPT Deputy Director.