London, England, United Kingdom
At NEF Consulting, I have compiled background reviews and research for local transformation projects (exploring the local economy from a wellbeing perspective, as well as through an environmental lens), conducted qualitative interviews with programme participants with lived experience of homelessness, and helped non-profit organisations to evaluate the impact and social value of their initiatives. Our clients on these projects primarily encompass local government, and charities.
As an International Human Rights Programme Fellow, I provided comprehensive support across the Programme, including drafting recommendations and reports in relation to grants (including Progress Reports, End-Of-Grant Reports, and Grant Recommendation Forms); presenting grant summaries to trustees for grants ranging from $50,000 - $1,000,000; assisting in monitoring and evaluating grant-holders across the Oak portfolio; scheduling meetings with grantees and recording minutes; conducting routine correspondence with grantees and applicants; uploading and maintaining grant information on the internal Grant Management System (GMS), etc. Although my work was cross-Programme, my focus was primarily on grantees working at the intersection of human rights and technology, with a secondary emphasis on groups working in geographic areas such as Myanmar, as well as organisations focussed on LGBT+ rights or detention reform in Europe.
My role at the Aga Khan University primarily involved undertaking special projects or assignments for the Office of the CDO and his wider office in London, as well as the wider fundraising and alumni affairs objectives of the University. Whilst this was originally a temporary, one-month Administrative Assistant role, my role was quickly expanded to include coordination, event, and research tasks. My project responsibilities included formulating potential restructures for the AKU Alumni Association, involving researching existing models, liaising with the Alumni Affairs team, and compiling bylaws and handbooks. I also evaluated best-practice for tuition-free courses, which were later presented to the President of AKU. My research from the London office aided the development of a new women's empowerment initiative, as did my coordination and chairing of an internal focus group with staff at AKU. Tasked with researching project/task-management platforms, I compiled extensive research on several models - this platform was implemented in London and the international offices, improving team efficiency and streamlining work processes. In conjunction with these tasks, I provided administrative support to the Senior Advisor to the CDO, including data-entry, invoice processing, and travel/meeting arrangements. I also aided the Events Coordinator for Alumni Affairs and Fundraising events, involving compiling guest-lists for high-profile donors, and liaising with external suppliers and colleagues (both in the UK and in Karachi) to ensure the events ran smoothly. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills were paramount to creating lasting partnerships and successful events.
Within the Students' Union UCL Marketing Department, some of my responsibilities have included posting social media content (primarily Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) and monitoring our media channels and communication. These successfully retained and increased student engagement with the Students' Union UCL, which was tracked using Google Analytics to gauge post reach. This also involved monitoring correspondence and interaction with students on social media, as well as uploading and promoting student-written articles on our website. During Freshers' Week - the busiest time of the year for the Union - I helped to facilitate multiple events, which were positively received and well-attended. During this time, I also coordinated and organised successful university-wide induction talks, involving multiple departments and contacts.