Erla Hjálmarsdóttir currently holds the position of a project manager at UNU-GEST, responsible for research and academic coordination. She was an adjunct lecturer at the School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Political Science at the University of Iceland 2010-2015, teaching public sector management, research methodologies, public policy, economics and development. Erla conducted her PhD fieldwork in Namibia from fall of 2008 throughout 2010 and is currently in her final stages of PhD. Her professional career outside of academia has ranged from evaluation work and consulting to tour guiding and managing an employment agency. Erla also served as a senior auditor at the Icelandic National Audit Office and as the Planning Officer, Administrative Support Services Officer and Deputy Department Head for administration at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Keflavik. Erla has been awarded the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award for outstanding professional performance and the Icelandic Presidential Award for innovative research.

Development cooperation Gender Research Governance Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) Performance management in development Rural water supply