Malavika Menon

Disaster Risk Insurance Communications and Knowledge Management, Fulbright Alumna, Former Social Affairs Journalist

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

About

International development and communications professional specializing in social policy and defense analysis. Development experience with the World Bank, Southeast Asia Disaster Risk Insurance Facility and United Nations DESA. Former print and digital journalist passionate about labour regulations, gender development, public-private partnership and human security.

Experience

  • Knowledge Management and Communications Specialist at SEADRIF Insurance Company
    Jul 2026 - Present · 1 mo

    Leading strategic communications with government and private sector clients and development partners for SEADRIF, an ASEAN+3 initiative, on disaster risk insurance and climate resilience across the region. Spearheading conception, draft and rollout of Annual Report 2024, 2025. Guiding communications processes, partnerships and knowledge management for SEADRIF's flagship meetings, events and partnerships.

  • The World Bank (3 yrs)
    • G20 Compact with Africa : Operations Specialist
      Jul 2025 - Jul 2026 · 1 yr 1 mo

      Operational and Communications support for the second phase of the G20 Compact with Africa, coordinating private sector development across industries in 15 African economies, including coordinating materials for donors and officials, facilitating the complete revamp of the CwA website and analysis of relevant country indicators.

    • Communications and Partnerships Specialist, World Bank Group Academy
      Jan 2025 - Jul 2025 · 7 mos

      Strategic internal communications and partnerships for the World Bank Group's Department for Knowledge and Learning, prioritizing peer-to-peer learning within the Bank towards greater development impact. Expanding branding and digital presence for the newly minted department, coordinating event management and branding collateral for high-level engagements and World Bank Spring Meetings 2025.

    • Data and Communications Analyst
      Sep 2024 - Feb 2025 · 6 mos

      Analyst working as part of the Centralized Recruitment team (Business Ready unit) of the World Bank Group. Conducting extensive multi-regional research and data collection across ten topics of the business life cycle for an upcoming World Bank report on the health of private sector development in global economies.

  • The Straits Times (6 yrs)
    • Opinion Columnist
      Aug 2022 - May 2025 · 2 yrs 10 mos

    • Social and Urban Affairs, Education Journalist
      Jun 2019 - Aug 2022 · 3 yrs 3 mos

      Over 1400 published reports in digital and print media covering national, regional and community news including front page stories and exclusive stories. Social Affairs Reporter (Migrant worker welfare, social support for low-income groups, eldercare) Breaking News Reporter (Liasing with police, civil defence, national ministries and statutory boards) Opinion Of The Day/Millenial Mind column contributor Arts and Culture Reporter, STLife (working with artists, arts and community, arts and national identity) Digital sub-editing and social media management using Drupal, Chartbeat and Google systems

  • Research and Data Analyst at Columbia University
    May 2024 - Jun 2024 · 2 mos

    Research analysis, technical writing and editing consultant, compiling reports for a USAID - Picker Center consultancy project evaluating global trends in social assistance, healthcare, democratic process and poverty alleviation.

  • Fulbright Scholar at The Fulbright Program
    Aug 2022 - May 2024 · 1 yr 10 mos

    Scholarship recipient of the 2022 Fulbright Foreign Students Program Singapore, pursuing a Master of International Affairs (International Security Policy and Urban and Social Policy) at Columbia University.