Mr. John Groarke is USAID/Southern Africa Mission Director with responsibility for all USAID programming in South Africa and for regional programs in Southern Africa, a region with some of the highest levels of income inequality and HIV/AIDS prevalence in the world.  USAID’s programs in the region promote trade and investment, combat gender-based violence, increase basic literacy, improve access to energy, combat wildlife crime, and support governments in fighting the dual epidemics of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis.

As USAID/Pakistan Mission Director (2015-2017), Mr. Groarke led one of the Agency’s largest overseas missions, with an assistance portfolio valued at more than $2.4 billion, featuring initiatives promoting security, stability and prosperity. 

From 2013-2015, Mr. Groarke served as Mission Director for USAID/Haiti, leading a $2.2 billion program supporting Haiti’s recovery from a devastating earthquake. As Mission Director for USAID/Morocco between 2009 and 2013, Mr. Groarke led a program supporting the Government of Morocco's political and economic reform during a time of regional transition.

In 2010, Mr. Groarke was detailed to Afghanistan to lead USAID’s efforts to implement a new U.S. Government counter-insurgency strategy by establishing regional satellite missions throughout the country.  He previously served as Deputy Mission Director in Egypt (2006-2009), and in Iraq (2005-2006).  Mr. Groarke served as Senior Regional Legal Adviser for Egypt and Iraq (2002-2005), Senior Regional Legal Adviser for West Africa (1999-2002) and Regional Legal Adviser for South Asia (1996-1999).

A member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Career Minister, Mr. Groarke received USAID’s Distinguished Honor Award in 2009, the Agency’s highest performance award, for his service in Egypt and Iraq.  In 2015 he received the Agency’s Superior Honor Award for his service in Haiti.  

Prior to joining USAID in 1995, Mr. Groarke practiced corporate law in New York and Washington, D.C., and taught international law in London. He holds a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics, and a Bachelor’s Degree from New York University.