Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
I am an accomplished and dynamic leader with a proven track record of transformational change built upon meaningful relationships with stakeholders in the third, public and academic sectors. I have significant business experience in operational delivery (programme, project and budget management), policy, research, communications and community engagement. I specialise in innovation, transformational change and effective partnership working. I am a strategic thinker and doer; able to operationalise strategy into implementation. My work is underpinned by a collaborative and human rights approach, I am committed to equality in action.
Provision of policy support to City Government Cabinet, City Convenors and Committee Chairs Portfolio lead on 2030 Agenda, Culture, Education and International Collaboration Ensuring delivery of priorities as set in the Council strategic plan and budget Oversight, analysis, and scrutiny of Committee cycles, agendas, papers and communications Maintenance of positive, productive internal corporate relationships Ensure effective external stakeholder and community relationships Identification and implementation of innovation opportunities in line with strategic aims Notable successes include securing Glasgow's role as Chair of the Eurocities network Social Affairs Forum and working with GCC Education Services and Glasgow Caledonian University Centre for Climate Justice , C40, etc on the international award winning Girls@COP26 initiative for innovation in youth education.
Responsibility for policy responses and casework advice and support and Justice & Home Affairs Group policy brief, underpinned by long standing experience of working in reserved and devolved areas especially welfare and immigration. Author of SNP JHA Group ‘Family Migration report’ (March 2017) and editor of All-Party Parliamentary Group reports on Social Integration (2017) and Refugee Integration (2017) Provided line management to staff, volunteers and interns ensuring IPSA operational standards met Prepared briefings, speeches and research e.g. Justice & Home Affairs Group research on Family Migration and devising media strategy re this Informed and edited APPG on Social Integration report (2017) Provided analysis and support to MPs re Immigration Bill and committee work Planned ‘witness bearing’ visit to Calais ‘Jungle’ and post visit communications (GRAMNet, wider media) Shaped Home Affairs Select Committee investigation into Asylum Accommodation (2016) – securing evidence, witnesses and shaping content and recommendations. Drafted Early Day Motions and parliamentary questions Provided strategic political advice e.g. re developing joint campaign between MPs and MSPs re mis-selling of Green Deal products and created All-Party Parliamentary Group on Green Deal Misselling Design and delivery of constituency events e.g. Green Deal, WASPI, Community Empowerment, etc.
Provided strategic management of protection and integration work ensuring that it shaped Scottish, UK and European governmental agendas. Lead design group member from inception to delivery of the Asylum Support Partnership (national Refugee Councils, Refugee Action etc.) case management system. A cross organisational project working with data analysts to deliver a user friendly system that improved advocacy capabilities and robust financial reporting Authored or sponsored briefing papers, research, reports including launch, dissemination and advocacy plans e.g. separated children (2005), family reunion (2010), integration (2014-16) etc. Influenced and supported North Lanarkshire to engage in the Gateway Refugee Protection Programme: delivery of the first Gateway refugee resettlement in Scotland (2005-07) and ongoing community development Successful design and delivery of the Holistic Integration Service (2013 -15) involving five partner agencies; BIG Lottery Scotland’s largest and most ambitious contract investment (£2 million); securing ongoing funding. Developed and managed strategic relationships with key stakeholders – political, statutory and non-governmental in Scotland, UK and Europe e.g. UNHCR, Home Office, DWP, NHS etc. Provided Secretariat to the New Scots (2013-15): Integrating Refugees in Scotland's Communities Core Group responsible for ensuring strategy was implemented (lead its Health working group) - recognition from UNHCR of innovative work in Scotland as best practice. Member of Home Office independent working group on integration matters. Participant and member of a range of national/ local fora e.g. member of the Glasgow Third Sector Forum executive group (2011-15) ensuring a representative, coherent and consistent voice for the third sector in Glasgow especially in regard to community planning, regeneration and empowerment.
Designing and implementing range of museum based arts and learning activities for young people from five Social Inclusion Partnership areas across six Glasgow museums. Pilot adopted and shaped year round youth and community arts education programme.
Enabling 16 - 18yo to attain further education, training and employment. Created safe, motivating and inclusive learning environments for individuals and groups